Brenner

Wow I gotta admit that the slab pictured sure is thin and built differently than any I have poured. But then again you do not have winters or frost to heave it and I am an "overkill" type of guy. Both my garages I put up in the last three years exceeded the building code and city hall and my inspectors love the way I do things.

I owe an apology for my no show, as I got a phone call at 9AM with a "family crisis" and the 13th has not been good to me. I sincerely apologize as it was my intent to show but I was not able to free myself till around 3:30 pm and I was stressed to the point of almost shaking and by then I had decided it was too late and unwise for me to ride in that condition. Sleepy2 I promise I will make this up to you one way or the other as I very seldom if never break my word buy honestly I had to deal with a family member and the stress that came with it. I like to ride to reduce stress and dramatic problems unfortunately you try to distance yourself and they sometimes still find you. I only hope this will not be held against me but I do admit my no show. Sorry as I really wanted to go and I am still trying to unwind from todays events that I honestly had no control of.

Nut jobs will always be out on the road, unfortunately we cannot easily resolve that. After riding an hour today I am considering driving tomorrow as I was inland away from the lake and still found it a bit to cold and don't want to push my luck as I am roughly 2 hours from dover. I will look for you near the Timmies and will have my red dodge magnum it will be hard to miss as I am the only one I know of who has a black push bar mounted to the front. Those that know me look for the bar as it is easier to see than my personalized plates.

Tonight I will decide and post what my plans are for tomorrow. As of right now I got my garage clear of a customers repair and I am getting ready to lay some color on my venture project. I figure it will keep me busy for a few hours and then I will need to decide what looks right on these panels then I can clear my head for tomorrows agenda. Bike or no bike? Riding along a lake that is still frozen makes for some frigid riding. If I end up using my cage do it make me less of a serious rider?

I am a little late to the party to throw my two cents in but I will admit when searching online for an item I tend to ask some of the questions you mentioned. Why? Well I have a few reasons, One is that many people ask quite a bit more than they will take to leave room for negotiating thinking that the buyer will try knocking their price down so in the end they get what they really want. Also I have seen many out there who buy something the try to sell it for what they paid or even more even though it is now used and worn. Another reason is many sellers are not accurate in descriptions or are reluctant to tell the negative on their items being sold. I am guilty of asking someones bottom dollar but when I ask I always let them know in advance I will not counter offer but decide whether to come see the item only if I feel their bottom dollar is fair for me. I am not afraid to drive a few hours to see an item and have had jerks advertise a price then raise once I got there. For example I found a set of rims for my corvette and inquired I was told $300 for a set of four. I drove three hours and got there and was shown the rims and I said I would take them. I was then told we needed to talk about price and that the $300 price was just to get me to come see them and we would start at $500. Man I was not impressed, I had his info and had text stating his price offer of $300 so I told him I would see him in small claims court for breach of contract offer and he got mad saying I would get no money out of him and I replied that I would just make him lose a day of work and inconvenience him the way he did to me and that would satisfy me so he told me to take the rims for $300 and then started to ask me questions about his project car like we were friends. What a tool... Getting back to my original point, I do ask peoples bottom dollar but only to decide if it is worth checking a deal out but I do not offer less than that. Consider it a measuring tool on the persons honesty. They get one shot at being honest after that I have no interest.

The rear fender mounts on two tabs located on the gas tank rear side. The top just rests on the frame cross member once assembled. Just take the time to look closely and you will note the tabs on the tank and the fender slots on the backside of the fender. Make sure when assembling the rear frame ( I bolt the top front 2 bolt first and then pivot it closed) that you let the fender top lip sit above the frame cross member. I hope I explained this in a manner that is easy to understand and did not over complicate it.

Got my little steed out today and took a short ride, a little brrr.. I am not sure as of yet if I will try to ride on Friday but I am still aiming on trying to make an appearance. Anyone know they are going for sure? It would be nice to meet up even if we get there in a cage.

Finally!!! I get to post about what I have been envious of other. I was out in my garage with big door open and I was water sanding the panels to my venture project and the sun oh my did it feel nice. I could hear it, beckoning me, calling my name. I walked down the driveway to see the soupy mess that is the road I live on. I try to ignore the urge, and rationalize that my car hauler trailer cannot be seen for snow in the driveway still so I go back to my sanding. Then it happens, my neighbour calls me and tells me he is seeing people out on their electric bikes and scooters and I feel it snap inside of me. Less than 5 minutes later I am in my gear and Vicki my Virago is galloping along waiting for me to mount. Now it was not far but I found 10 miles of clean roads before deciding that 5 celcius (41F) in an open face helmet and sunglasses and vented gloves on a naked bike tend to give a rider a chill. But I have to say it was worth it, and it gave me that little extra to appease me like a drug until the next few weeks when I can put some miles on. I can feel it, can you?

My MKI has the lower spring clips pictured on the radio and and class panel. When I want to remove these units I need to unlock the key cylinder and have to press these clips to allow release of the panel from the fairing. The panels on my bike have small arrows embossed showing the direction to press these clips to unlock. I have seen the top clip pictured as a fastener on my tank panel finisher trim. Meaning if you remove the edge trim of the top panel above the tank and battery you will find 14 of these holding the trim to the panel 7 on each side. I will try to remember the middle pictured as I have seen it but just can't remember where at this moment as all my panels are currently disassembled and in primer as I am prepping for paint. I only know of these parts as I have found them while striping my parts for a color change.

Chaharly, The pics of the bike do not look that bad and again it is nearing 30 years. I understand your pain as when I made the deal on my 85 it looked really decent in the barn at night. When I went to pick it up I was less impressed but I am a man of my word and a deal was a deal. When I finally got the bike in my garage and started tearing it down to go over it is when I realized the attention my bike needed so it became project lemonade. When you get a lemon you make lemonade. Thanks for posting the condition as even for me I am still learning the value of these bikes and condition they are generally in. I have learned and viewed a few more local first gen that others are using as projects and after seeing what is out there at what price I am coming to realize my lemon was not such a lemon but rather just an old bike needing attention. Look at it positively, when you are forced to repair a part if an upgrade is an option you can build it the way YOU want. Once you have done that you know what you have. I prefer rebuilding a bike in advance rather than riding an old bike and it letting me know it needs attention during the riding season. Make it reliable, and trust your mechanical skills. If you bought it to make a buck you lost. If you bought it to make it yours than you are winning. I really do not know why so many people fuss over the paint and mileage of an old common bike as IMHO they are buying an odometer reading and a paint scheme of someone else's taste. Make it yours and enjoy it as these are not high dollar bikes or collectors edition. Look at Puc and Tweeks she surely stands out in a crowd and he likes it that way. If we meet and you see my 85 it too will stand out as it's paint scheme and modifications will not fit in with the stock first gens. YOU got it, YOU own it, make it YOURS and ENJOY it. I look forward to seeing your updates on your wrenching. Remember anyone can BUY a bike but not everyone can BUILD a bike or resurrect one. I have respect for anyone keeping the old wheels on the road.

sleepy2 if you are up to it send me a PM and some contact info and we can make arrangements. Unless the roads are very clear I most likely will take my cage also. Riding along the lake is much cooler than inland roads and I would rather not wreck on my way there. But .... if ti is really good weather I might try with my virago as it is the only bike I have insured right now. I look forward to hearing from you.

Above zero celcius (32 f) and weather getting nicer all month long.... Can you feel it? Hey Puc, Grace wants to say "Hi" I woke her up today and honestly just listening to her gallop brought much needed comfort. I have to figure an affordable way to be able to insure her as well as my venture. She is too much of a respectable lady to leave at home. I think she looks pretty good for a 30 year old and still has her factory paint and all original documentation and parts removed. God I love the 80's bikes!

When I run that way I ride from Port Colborne along the shore through low banks and stromness to Dunnville over the bridge and run the shore where I can and come in the back side of Port Dover. Very nice, not very much traffic, and has always been a pleasure so for for me and those I have ridden with so far.

I have to ask as the riding season approaches and my project is nearing completion my thoughts have turned to wondering what to expect from a full fairing bike. I have experience on a naked bike and last year tried a slipstreamer windscreen that in my opinion blocked a little too much air and took the fun out of the ride. Now honestly I had not even thought about this until recently looking at some pics of ventures and noting some had windscreens with build in venting. So I gues what I would like to ask to all is due to your experience what windscreen do you run (vented or not) and what helmet might you find suits your needs because of the protection of the windscreen? I have a half helmet I ran in hot weather, a 3/4 open face for spring and summer and a full face for winter. Will I no longer need the heavier helmets for wind protection? Inquiring minds would like to know your opinions.

Yup March then November than the next is May 2016. Again I have never been, gonna get the t-shirt if I go and honestly that will probably be it. Was gonna go in 2014 but I ended up installing paving stones in my driveway as it was the only day I had another person to help.

I have never been on the 13th so I gotta make the trip at least once. Although I do make the trip on quite often on regular days so for me it will be the event that is new.

Thank you for the pic and info. That is similar to what I would like to build but with a lower cargo lid and the venture rims to match the bike. The suspension has been driving me nuts and I have yet to settle on a decision of how it will be made. To me that pics is a real motorcycle trailer and not a small car trailer converted which I will use if I have to but again I am trying to go strictly motorcycle parts if possible. Right now I am even trying to figure out what tail lights to use etc.. they will be motorcycle and possibly Harley square backs as they are so common and cheap.

Not much of an update but today I acquired a homemade ownership and registered my trailer plate for this project. I believe I mentioned earlier I have the cargo box and two nice front tires and wheel assemblies off the first gen venture with matching fenders. I am struggling with my options on suspension, axle, and frame design. My project bike now has the markland hitch installed and altered to fit cleanly so I have my desired tongue height to measure from. Now I just gotta figure out the rest of the trailer. Foolish or not but I think I am starting to over complicate things as I consider coming up with a surge brake to utilize a set of MK1 calipers one on each wheel the inner side so my load or the trailer won't steer or push the bike. I have never towed with a bike before and really do not know what to anticipate. All my information is coming from high end tag along trailer designs I see on the internet and it seems the possibilities are endless. I have even been considering a drop axle with an airbag suspension but it will take some fabrication time but might be worth it in the long run. I have to keep the center of gravity as low as the bike and keep the suspension smooth as I can. All the components I am looking at are low priced and will need be made to fit the way I can use them.

I found another 84 canadian venture and sent you the info in a pm yesterday. Please confirm at your convenience. I have also been spreading the word about this forum.

Any one here gonna try to make the Port Dover Friday 13 run? I know it might be a tad cold but anyone honestly considering it? If the roads are clear I think I am going to attempt it.

I was out in my cage today headed to the yamaha dealer to pickup a water pump kit and what did I see? Dry roads! Yippee! It's coming can you feel it? Is Puc one of the few getting excited with me? Well since puc posts little songs for certain occasions I have this one for picked out for him and and maybe one that will help keep flyinfool well rested... Come on spring.... Riding season is almost here....

Sorry Puc but this post got me laughing.... But honestly I've lived in Ontario and Quebec and on fields and off road places I have seen lots of no trespassing signs and they mean it, is it worth getting fined or pissing a property owner off? I am having the same problem planning a trip through the maritimes and finding it difficult locating camping spots. I am hoping to hit the cabot tail and confederation bridge (longest in the world) to PEI just to say I have done it. I even have my tent ready ( It has a garage attatched) and been wtching your adventures but will stay in my country due to the current exchange rate.

Oh yeah baby! Every day that temperature is climbing, gotta say I might be coming down with spring fever! Someone sing Flyinfool a lullaby.

Flyinfool has it right, just another thing for us to be jealous of....

Sounds like someone had added that crimp splice connectors as every venture I have seen has had connectors for disassemble purposes. As far as adding extra rear and brake accessory lighting it has been done in a variety of custom ways. I am sure some will chime in and or mention what they have seen or done. Myself personally have not attempted that part of my project as of yet.