Graywulf
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Posts posted by Graywulf
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Most of these only have old photographs of
a 'few' RD's 250/350/400 Ummm I was an apprentice Toolmaker and errr 250cc restriction as a learner, but restamped 350 top end as 247cc, then renumbered the crankcase, did the 247cc on the barrels and machined off the bottom fin on a 400 (some cops knew how many fins a 250/400 had). Had a heap of fun on that one.
XS400 custom
XS650 heritage custom
XJ650 'special' (maxim)
TR1
Virago 1100
Tenere 660
FJ1200
currently own
Roadstar 1600
RSV Gen2
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Okay, thought that might be it on the pics...thanks. Two owners ago debadged her, and the guy who sold to me had purchased a tank badge for the right side, which I just replaced, but the left still is blank. I already removed the passenger seat/floorboards, as the wife won't get within 10 feet of any bike o' mine. I'd love to see 40 to 45 Mpg, but that's probably not going to happen with the exhaust (debaffled) and the carbs no doubt jetted (prolly still out of sync). I'll look at doing the carb sync soon.
Nice bike
I'll tell you something, these things grow on you the more you ride them.
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Well the VN1500 has been sold. I hate selling any bike, i always get attached to my bikes.
It's always comedy trying to find a new one. Ebay is ridiculous. Isn't it amazing how many people are 'emigrating' or' leaving the country'.... 'Hence sale' 😂 (Maybe you don't get that in North America as your nations are the so big?)
Also... 'Few scratches as seen in pics'..... Checks pics... Nope can't see any....
I moan but its fun... We buy bikes that 'need tidying' and then move them on if we can for a bit of extra pocket money.
They are probably telling the truth though, there's a huge lot more arriving here (NZ) than there used to be, even just a few years ago.
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I've taken the tank bib off Barney, Decided I don't want it, (to my mind it gets too 'flappy' when riding on the highway) It's in good condition, just needs Velcro stuck under the tank to fit it. It is leather, and what looks like cracking, isn't. It's just how the light was catching it.
Anyone wanting it, just the postage from New Zealand and it's yours.
edit. Seems people want a picture and, will it fit? It's from a Venture (the one pictured) I would presume it will fit all the Mk2 Ventures and Royal Stars.
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Why does it fell like there is another gear after five.
This is my first VR.
That much power?
Having 'fewer' gears can be a bit of fun though. I had the BUBF VN1500C, only a 4 speed box, and to be honest it was 'just right'. Surprised the hell out of a friends son on his GPZ750
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Rafterd, that was actually the first thing I did. The previous owner, (generous fellow that he was), left me with a bike that was almost out of gas and I had to stop at the very first station, (about a mile away), to fill it up.
I put in premium, and added a generous dollop of Seafoam, and have been riding with that tank full ever since on that. Obviously, it has sat a few times so the Seafoam can do its work.
So far, not much better, but it runs better at higher RPM's than it did the day I bought it, and starts a little easier.
It actually does feel like the carbs are out of balance in some way. I would not be surprised if they find a cracked vacuum hose or leak on a carb manifold gasket. Worst case scenario would be a varnished up carb and they have to rebuild it, which is entirely possible, since the previous owner let it sit for three months while he tried to decide if he could still ride, and the owner before that only put on about 1K a year so it probably sat months at a time with no gas saver.
Sometimes these low mileage bikes are more headache than diamond find.
I'm giving it over to my longtime Yamaha dealer, who has some very good mechanics that have been there for years and years. They'll find it. It'll cost me a few hundred, but they'll find it. My garage space is now all woodworking, and I sold off all my old tools for working on carb banks after I got rid of my 86' Suzuki Cavalcade, swearing I would never buy a carbonated bike again. Never-Say-Never...
If I can make ONE suggestion? Get the 'Ivan's jet kit' fitted, oh and a nice set of V&H Monster ovals
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what is so crazy to me is that I called my local Yamaha dealership here and I have called about looking at new motorcycles as well as service and I have not received one call back. Not one. Zero zip. In order to do the services on my motorcycle I have actually been using this website to do it myself and get what I need done. I actually went to the dealership and they pointed me over to some bikes and they said, "come back and tell me if you see something." I could not find the salesperson again. I don't need a royal red carpet for my arrival or special treatment but I am surprised at the lackadaisical to someone with cash in hand for sales or service. I am sure the dealerships have thinned out staff just to stay afloat and they are just so busy.
They need to take care of the die-hards. I have loved motorcycles since age 12. it is not a hobby or a mid-life crisis toy. I think it is sad that a motorcycle stays in the garage. I want to take them out and put 50K miles on them and then buy new or used ones. My wife does too! I don't need a medal but the dealerships should at least call us back when I want to put one of my bikes in for an oil change because I would rather ride more than spend time in the garage. How silly!
I think many dealers are under the gun from manufactures these days, but there is no excuse for poor customer service.
I'm very lucky with my local dealer, been going there 12+ years, they have a very good attitude, fix things when they screw up, and always prepared to go that extra 'bit'. The sales team has been stable for years.
However over this decade+ they have gone through 3 major manufacturers. Yamaha they had for a long time, till Yamaha started demanding how the shop is 'layed out', wanting a segregating wall between them and other or s/hand bikes. They were one of the earliest Spyder dealers in NZ, and ended up dropping them because Canam started to follow the Harley dealer principle... clothing, extra's and if you sold quads, seadoo's etc you got a higher dealer discount on trade prices. They now sell Suzuki as their main marque and seem happy with them. They also sell Enfield and Triumph. We have had more than one shop in NZ who sell HD get immense pressure to dump any other brand and be HD only (with a total country population of 4 million?)??I am assuming that similar goes on in the US?
It must be very hard for dealers now with dwindling customer bases, and I am shocked that you in the USA seem to have so manty dealers who have a poor customer attitude.
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Don't know if it was a dealer fit, or factory. My 2006 the CD is in the top box, and has a 'sprung' metal plate attached to the back (hinge side) of the top box. I only get CD 'jump; on noticeable bumps.
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seems the other 'interim'? model they are all starting to use is small capacity bikes made in Asia. KTM, BMW are doing so (India) HD are having the non USA 500/750 street made in India, and seems they are entering a contract with a Chinese manufacturer for 330cc bikes in Asia.
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I have a two piece baggershield. It needs to be 'dropped' in the rain at night for certain. At 5ft 10 I can just see over the top, but it covers my nearfield vision, hence the need to lower it at night when raining. It does a fantastic job of wind protection I have the wider than a standard screen version. I've had no issue with the bolts/wing nuts. I had a baggershield on a previous bike for a long time, with no issues around the bolts etc.
I'd honestly recommend one for any bike.
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locally for me they charge at 2 levels, $50 for 'ordinary' and now $75 per wheel for cruisers (as they require more work often). Even if you buy the damned tire from them too.
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have to agree, "she shore is dayum purty"
A very impressive conversion
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That one has the stock headlight and the passing lights are the ones with the halo which is what I'm finding all the time. what I'm looking for is the ones without the halo.. I'm also reading that in some cases you can get an adapter to mount the headlight and if not then there is some cutting involved to get it into the stock bucket..
There was a US company did a 'shootout' on about 12-15 LED headlights, many actually ended up being quite poor for 'lux' at 25 mtrs. (chinese e/bay-alibaba JW speaker knock offs).
One 'reasonable' company seems to be 'sunpie' they do a 'HD' replacement that has 2x40watt projector (1 low/1 hi) and 2x10 watt near field/peripheral built in LED's for each lo or hi it's the one I've looked at for my own bike, mainly because the unobtanium of the spotlight bar for a Venture.
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That is a magnificent machine. Looks like it actually needed more tq and hp, who knew?
I rode one of these the first year they came out. I had my Triumph Sprint ST at the shop and noticed it. I told a friend about it, he went and rode and bought it on the spot which was surprising for a dedicated lifelong HD guy. I think it was the first one sold in western WA. I rode it all over Snohimish County for an afternoon. Anyhow, this bike was impressive before this boost on specs, I have no doubt it is still awesome.
Triumph has been a very tough act to follow since restarting in Hinkley. Yamaha should have been doing something like this instead of churning out an improved Road King. I suspect Yamaha's shareholders may agree. While BMW has the K1600, Triumph has the Rocket III, Honda has GW but Yamaha has no performance tourer in their lineup. I suspect Yamaha knew it was much easier to build a bike to compete with HD then with Triumph or BMW. Yamaha better take that 1700 V4, stop screwing around and make a touring bike for the rest of us. I know they have the resources and they must have folks on their engineering team that ache to be turned loose on a full touring project that rivals K bikes, Rockets and GWs.
Should Yamaha take notice... I do believe so!
Edit: If they had a full dress version I would own one too, no doubt! I've read the tour version is quite a nice tour bike but it still looks to me like a power cruiser that got some fairings as an after thought. Just like Yamahas V4, Triumps massive I3 would be amazing in a full-on touring bike.
If you look at their history Yammy has taken many bold steps, that has bitten them squarely on the arse sales wise. Most recent is the Niken? I owned the MT-01, a bloody great 'torque monster' in a chassis that handled, it didn't sell, apart from the expense, so many didn't 'get' the concept. (and yamaha US deemed it wouldn't sell there? so didn't import them). Yam tried a 'performance' tourer in the 1990's (the GTS 1000) If anything they seem to be too far ahead of time, the MT-01 & 03 didn't go well, 10yrs later? MT07/09 are big sellers.
I've not been able to really use my Venture since early Feb when I 'offed' on the roadstar (diesel on the apex of a 50-55 bend, and went down fast/hard with my left leg under the bike). But they'd need to do a complete redesign of the chassis for handling if they went V4-1700cc. The 1300 can easily 'outpace' the chassis abilities on tight stuff, even I've found that in my short ownership time.
TBH I don't 'get' why people by HD's etc then spend heaps on performance parts, I have a ZZR1100 lurking in the garage if I want speed. The Venture is a relaxed, comfortable mile eater, it doesn't need 150bhp+.
I think we all know the Venture 1300 out HD'd the HD's of the time, yet? Yam decided to go V-twin with the new version, guessing is that they learned people want V-twins, regardless of how good the V4 was/is.
I've ridden the R3, and it's a mind blowing machine for it's size, and does way better than you'd expect even on bends, but it is still limited once you hit the tight stuff (which I'll be honest about, Nooo Zeeeland IS about 'twisty roads').
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My second bike was a '99 Virago 1100 SE (hence my handle of XV1100SE on here). First was a Kawasaki KZ305.
If my daughter was leaning towards a cruiser I would definitely recommend the VStar 650 or similar. I was more concerned about power to weight ratio on a sport bike and was thinking that because sports bikes are usually lighter she could go with lower cc's (sport bike around 500cc ?)
I agree with first bike being a used one. First bike is just that ....a first bike. She has lots of experience riding pillion and will be taking the motorcycle training course.
My criteria for her first bike would be :
- not too big/heavy/powerful for a first time rider
- feels comfortable for handling, seating position, flat footed
- recommendations/reviews comparing same style/size for handling, stopping, etc
Thoughts on whether a first bike should be a sports or cruiser style? I'm sure there are pros and cons to both ways. In my view, a cruiser would be a better starter bike.
Hi Don,
Vicki is 5'5" she has/had the exact same issues for legroom. She tried several bikes, first was the venerable GN250, she tried sitting on so many bikes and nealy always it was the lack of toes on ground that 'killed selection'. Even the Royal Enfield 500 singles were too high. The two cruisers that fit her best were the XV650, and the little 650 single (savage) suzuki.
There is ONE really good option for a sportbike IF you can find one, and it will last her, is the Yamaha SZR650. It is a little 'old' now, but I still see the odd one here for sale with low mileage. I've attached page links. I have ridden one of these over our local 'hoon hill' the Rimutaka's 900mtrs and twisty like the dragon's tail. Result was a SEVERE grin issue. We are talking the venerable 660single in a TZR250 (2T) frame.
https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/yamaha/yamaha_szr660%2095.htm
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Hi all,
I can bet it's been looked at before, and is a no go, but I have seen Roadwing' shocks advertised for the Roadstar's 16/1700cc. The shock of the big G/wing modified to fit a Roadie. Has this ever been looked at for a Royal? Or are the shocks way too different?
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Maybe with the concrete roads {USA} you have to go sticky, but here (NZ) spray tar and chip, I can easily grind the boards on an RSV with Excedra's, and have the new battlecruise on the XV1600, both give plenty of grip.
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The slave cylinder went on Barney (2006) only 20k miles, (spent most of it's life standing) I went with a new one, and probably a good unknowing choice. When we looked inside the original had obviously 'dried out' and was quite badly scored up inside. Rebuild kit would have failed quickly/not worked.
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22k US, 32k Cn, going by HD prices, will be about 40k+ NZ
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In coming down to Arizona this fall, I passed a bike while in my truck pulling my trailer with a bike on it. Looked in mirrors, didn't see him so figured he dropped back, changed lanes. Then I saw him pull up as I got into his lane just in front of him. I don't think he was pissed since he knew I was a biker and wouldn't have done that on purpose. Thing is, he just happened to be at EXACTLY the right position to be in a dead spot on my view.
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Sorry RonK,
I'm going to say it, REAR OBSERVATION, it's not called 'the life saver' in the Roadcraft manual for nothing
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Bummer
But glad you are OK, and the bike looks quite fixable thankfully.
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I love feral hog, after cleaning them I think they make the best smoked pig ever. Cut the ribs out and smoke them separately,...oh my god what flavor.
Oh HELL YEH!!! Feral Piggy or Deer
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And a VERY Merry Christmas right back at you Graywulf,,, all the wayyy from snow covered West Michigan U.S.A. from Puc and Tip who still refer to that Christmas Ham as::big-grin-emoticon::big-grin-emoticon::big-grin-emoticon::big-grin-emoticon::big-grin-emoticon::big-grin-emoticon::big-grin-emoticon:
Thanks Cowpuc, from a cloudy, bit cooler, NZ Boxing day. Hope you and yours are having an awesome Xmas day
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Not so fast there me boy, we just finished our shepherds pie.
Note of warning, not all the shepherds were young and tender.
yeh but my piggy was for xmas dinner hehe, boxing day here, merry xmas day to you though
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What did you do to your venture today?
in Watering Hole
Posted
took it out for a ride (overnighter) yesterday and today, with the new riders backrest fitted on Friday.
First 'proper ride' on it since the off on the Roady in Feb.