Jump to content

DRAGIN TAIL

Expired Membership
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    60

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Everything posted by DRAGIN TAIL

  1. DRAGIN TAIL
    Nearly every touring bike (heavy) I've owned has done this to some extent. The bikes I've had sidecars on also do, only worse. My theory is that you are turning the front tire side to side when making these slow turns while the rear is going straight. Normally at higher speeds you leaning not steering. It's doing the "crab walk" on a small scale. This is why you have to dampen the front of most bikes with sidecars unless you rake the front end. Of course if components in the front are loose or worn that will exaggerate things. Just my theory...........
  2. DRAGIN TAIL
    A buddy of mine has a Honda Cruiser and wanted some different front signal lights. He bought some that are made for a Harley. They are not LED. Now his signal lights flash very fast. Anyone know how to fix this problem?
  3. DRAGIN TAIL
    What does the boost sensor do on a 1st Generation? Ronnie
  4. DRAGIN TAIL
    Thanks for the information Greg. I'm making this a winter project. Ron
  5. DRAGIN TAIL
    Murph had one and I bought it and painted it today. I tried the paint that is made for plastic. Bought it at Lowe's for $4. I'll wet sand it in a couple of days and install it. Ronnie
  6. DRAGIN TAIL
    I found this website yesterday and am going to use the VW Beetle Steering Damper. Thanks to all for the help. Ronnie
  7. DRAGIN TAIL
    Greg, Well I got my sidecar frame mounted to the bike. I am going to need more suspension help in the rear. What size spring do you recommend? What is the ID of the spring and overall length? Have you thought of removing the current single shock and replacing with two side by side coil over Heavy Duty Shocks. I don't know if there is room for this or not. Just thinking out loud. Thanks, Ronnie
  8. DRAGIN TAIL
    Something is probably worn, allowing the shaft to move and damage the lip of the seal. Seals don't support shafts, they seal against the shaft to prevent oil from leaking and prevent dirt and moisture from getting in. Ronnie
  9. DRAGIN TAIL
    Has anyone mounted a steering damper to their 1st Generation Venture? If you have, could you post a photo or email me one. I'm getting a pretty good wobble and all the experts recommend a damper to correct this problem when a sidecar is mounted. I have a damper that I bought on Ebay but am looking for ideas on where to attach it to the front end of the bike. Any help would be appreciated.
  10. DRAGIN TAIL
    I deal with things like this quite often at work. Typically when you get an oil leak where there is a O Ring involved it is either improper installation (get the mechanic to own up to this, Ha!) or the shaft that that the O Ring is surrounding is worn or rough, causing a tear in the surface of the O Ring. Had a similar problem on a Lincoln automatic transmission under warranty and told my wife the same thing and when the mechanic disassembled it, he found a worn shaft was causing the leak. I see the same thing in gearboxs that are leaking around the seal. Many times the shaft is worn and a new seal doesn't help. Good Luck.
  11. DRAGIN TAIL
    If you come to Ark next summer maybe you'll want to blow the doors off of my old 1st Generation (83, no rev limiter).
  12. DRAGIN TAIL
    I need the plastic part that sourrounds headlight glass. The two lower screw holes have broken and if anyone has one I would be interested in purchasing it. Mine is a 83 Model Venture, black in color. I bought one on Ebay a while back but it is for a later model venture if anyone needs one of those. Ronnie
  13. DRAGIN TAIL
    I am in the process of mounting a sidecar to my 83 Venture. I have mounted sidecars previously but I will say the Venture is the biggest challenge. Most sidecars mount with four points. The first is the front tubes that run down each side of the radiator. A 3/4" ID pipe approximately 3 inches long is welded to each side. I then ran a 3/4 inch threaded rod from one side of the bike to the other. The other top connection is mounted to the rail under the seat. I'll post the picture of these mounts this week. Now comes the challenging part. Finding two mounting positions for the lower mounts. The engine is so close to the frame tubes that is is difficult to mount much to it. If you have a welder, I would suggest welding the brackets to the frame. I made a bracket and mounted it to the 3 bolts for the back footrest. On the front lower mount I fabricated a bracket using the bolts that hold the horizontal brace that is located between the down tubes in front of the radiator. I bought my sidecar and it came with the Hardware to mount it to a Harley Softtail. It came with a sub frame that I have used to mount to my bike. I am now in the process of hooking up the sidecar brake. I am using a seperate system so I can disconnect quickly and not have to bleed my brakes everytime. I have seen several Handicapped sidecars available on Ebay. You might be better off selling your bike and buying a bike/sidecar rig and saving the hassle of mounting a sidecar. I am not even sure the mounting brackets I have fabricated will take the strain a sidecar puts on the frame of a motorcycle. You can send me emails with question if you like. Good Luck, Ronnie
  14. DRAGIN TAIL
    My headlight burns fine on high but is very dim on low beam. I tried a new bulb but it didn't help. Any ideas? Some have suggested the contacts in the switch may be bad. Can this switch be opened to clean the contacts? Any other ideas? Ronnie 83 Venture Standard:depressed::confused07::confused07:
  15. DRAGIN TAIL
    In the past I owned a 88 FLHS, a 96 and 97 Road Kings and a 92 Ultra Classic Sidecar. Harley now puts out a good, reliable product. All motorcycle dealers have service departments. They all break down. I now own a 83 Venture and also like it. It's different but likeable. There are Jerks riding all kind of bikes. I ignore the one's who are jerks, don't have time for them whether they ride Harley's or Hondas or Urals. Life is too short and I'm not going down to that level. My father died 20 years too early from illnesses contracted fighting the Japanese in the Pacific Theater. If I can forgive them for that, I guess I can also forgive some blow hard for shooting off his mouth about American Iron or another guy bragging how his Rice Burner is so fast. I went down to the Weiss Lake Meet and Eat that Eck sponsored last weekend and met alot of nice Venture Riders. It wasn't any different than similar Harley meetings I've attended in the past. It's always the 5%ers that try to ruin things for the rest of us if you let them. Ride Safe and I hope to meet alot of you in Arkansas next August. Ronnie
  16. DRAGIN TAIL
    Try gasbuddy.com and go to the national map. It usually saves me several dollars on trips I've taken. Wouldn't go anywhere without checking it out first. Gas here in God's County (East TN) is $3.48 per gallon. Ronnie
  17. DRAGIN TAIL
    My 83 Venture fuel gauge suddenly started showing only 1 bar and then none when I'd only traveled about 15 miles after filling up with gas. I removed the two bolts (10mm socket) that hold the seat on and removed the wire leading to the sending unit. I sprayed it with Contact Cleaner and reinstalled the wire, turned the switch on and it showed a full tank. You guys might want to try this fix before removing the sending unit. Ronnie
  18. DRAGIN TAIL
    Actually it is between Tellico Plains, TN and US129 (Dragon Tail). I am fortunate enough to live close to it and enjoy the ride often. Ronnie
  19. DRAGIN TAIL
    Sounds Great! Made my reservations at the Hub for next year's rally and am looking forward to it. Maybe the local Yamaha dealer will have my 83 repaired by then. I know I'm daydreaming. The other decision is whether to trailer queen out or ride. The wife is coming along so I'll probably go the trailer route. Ride Safe, Ronnie
  20. DRAGIN TAIL
    My wife got one of the Tom Tom GPS as a gift from me last Xmas. I paid $99 and I've used it several times though not yet on the bike. I most appreciate it in heavy traffic or finding a street address. Approaching a Interstate on ramp I have sufficent time to change lanes and I feel much safer. I bought some parts from the Atlant Dragon Slayer and it took me directly to his humble abode. I son-in-law serves warrants for the local sheriff's department and it has saved him much time and the county alot of gas money. I thought I would try it on the bike and stow it away if it looks like rain. Has anyone used a car model on their Bike? Ronnie
  21. DRAGIN TAIL
    We made it down and enjoyed meeting the folks and eating the good food. My bike developed a mysterious starting malady and is currently in line at the local Yamaha shop for repair. Hope to ride to the next. Ronnie
  22. DRAGIN TAIL
    Thanks to everyone. I'll check with the dealer and get one of these. I don't have any leaks but I like to keep an eye on things mechanical. Ride Safe, Ronnie:301:
  23. DRAGIN TAIL
    Had both knees replaced 22 of Jan of this year. I rode solo 2 months after the operation and could hold the bike up with no problem. They work wonderfully and my only regret is I didn't do it 2 or 3 years sooner. Hope all goes well. Ronnie:hurts:
  24. DRAGIN TAIL
    I was looking in my 1983 Venture Owner's Manual and it stated to check the oil in the rear drive to use the level gauge from the tool kit and it should be between the marks on the gauage. I don't have this particular gauge so my question is: How far down into the reservoir from the fill hole should my oil level be? Thanks, Ronnie 83 Venture Std/03 Champion Sidecar
  25. DRAGIN TAIL
    Congratulations on the new sidecar. You'll have fun coming up with a mounting system for it. I've been working on mounting mine for a couple of weeks when I get a chance. There are not many good mounting spots that are easily accessible. Keep us informed on your progress. If you need any assistance from me (for what it's worth) just drop me an email or post here. I check this thread most days. If the manufacturer emails you mounting instructions would you mind copying them to my email. I'm working off a subframe and have attached it in several spots. One of the problems I've run into is that the bottom frame is so very close to the engine that it precludes using most traditional mounts. I've used a combination of spilt collars and welded brackets to them. Still haven't tested it. Ride Safe, Ronnie in East TN
×
×
  • Create New...