Mike G in SC

I got a set several years ago, to replace my weathered OEM plastic. Only problem was, he was making them of thicker Plexiglas, so stock screws did not go through. So, may need longer screws. Oh, these were just replacement for the OEM Plexiglas, does not include the mounts. Knee blockers are great. FYI

I'm still using my Craftsman 50+ piece socket set I got 35 years ago. Only thing broken is the case (now bungied, looking for a piano hinge to attach) Still like their hand tools but they went China cheap years ago (but don't usually pass the savings) and now my visit "into town" for Sears seems to be just annual for Christmas tools for the guys in the family. Got an "Sears associate" store near by but, there is a Harbor Tools in same shopping center. If I am going to get cheap China tools, the I'll pay the Harbor Freight price, not double at Sears. And, yes, Kobalt tools on sale are very good.

Side Load be like:

My friend Reggie Brewer got a used one from Walter (Wes### from this forum). He had it nicely repainted to match his 2011 blue RSV. He got it dialed in as far as adjustments. Can't give you detail but did not use it long. He may still have it. He moved up to a Goldwing trike. He is in SC (used to be on this forum). If you have questions, PM me and I can put you in touch. Mike G in SC

Only clue is a bidder asked his reserve and he answered $2500, so he may have forced himself into a sale. Can't figure why his photos are of the bike sitting wet from rain. The VIN does check as a 2007 Venture but without paying for a report, cannot tell if it may be salvage. Low price for sure.

Nice parade again this year. Good to see you two.

I thought about same, triking my 2009 RSV (w/76K miles). But also took a look at a new CanAm (loaded to cruise for $24k). The CanAm dealer offered me $7700 trade for my RSV unseen. Came around to getting a 2008 already triked Goldwing, for less $$ than you have noted above. I found a deal and decided not to lose it. The GW has a lot more power if you want to pull a trailer, two up. Still too new for me to give an opinion.

Peter, to answer your question (only), I have been running Dunlop E3 stock size on front and the MCII on the rear on my RSV and RSTD since the MCII came out, about 3 years ago. First time on my RSV, got 22K miles rear and 26K miles on front, with tread to spare. Been running this way for 80K-100K miles between the bikes. No issues, just good miles. Mike G.

Jim, Cowpuc's link of locations yields Bristol VA. A Google search gets Friendship Motor Sports at that address. (2033 West State St. Bristol, VA) That is doable for NC/VA/TN riding. But, then I looked at booking dates and they have nothing before April 2016. So either they are VERY booked, or they open in April. I saw Slingshots on their list. That could be fun for a day or two.

When I ran Avon Venoms, I had a slow front tire leak. About a pound or two a day. Been going on for months. Took it to the dealer (who installed it 12K miles before). Asked them to reseat it, figured it was the bead. They found a micro leak just outside the bead. (Right were there are a ring or two around the tire). They called Avon and, with the remaining tread, gave me a new tire. (I think I may have paid for the mount.) Good dealer, good backup by the manufacturer. But, bless their hearts, swapped to Michelin rear and Dunlop E3 on the front.

Dennis, is the red SUV your tow vehicle? If so, what is it? What engine does it have? And then next obvious question how does it do for towing? Thanks, Mike G.

So,,,, just avoid deer crossings. They are posted you know. You've likely heard this radio PSA. http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=radio+caller+and+deer+crossings&FORM=VIRE1#view=detail&mid=6152C5933997FF1E5C626152C5933997FF1E5C62 Oh, and my wife had me take my wolf whistles off my solo bike.

On a minor note, speaking of National Parks. Be sure to get a Senior Lifetime National Park Pass. They are for US Citizens 62+, $10. They will cover a lot of normal entrance fees and are commonly good for up to 4 folks. Pick one up at a park or on line (which will include processing fee). Visited Lookout Mt, watched 4 seniors pay the gate fee of about $10. Then when I got to the park agent, I asked about the card, he said SURE! They just overspent by $30. They do not tell you if you do not ask. Steve, Enjoy, Mike G in SC (Oh, I just referred you again on FB Royal Star page.)

All year riding here in SC. Was looking for heated gloves but battery type because I don't want to be tethered with cords. Any recommendations? (link if available, or name and model?) Thanks, Mike G in SC

I talked to the Marking VP for Yamaha at STAR Days the last two summers. For they honesty they have shown us, this is the closest I can figure to where they would go with a car. (Excuse the f-bomb late in the video.)

Steve, Wild Bill is the BEST. He lowered the FRONT of my RSV. I went to his house and he did it there. Took the day. I know you already got the Barons kit for the rear (which Bill can also do), but he can do the FRONT. That is a lot of work and best know how. You get more bang for the buck by lowering the front. Lowering the front give you the similar ride to raising the rear (that the Rivco leveling links gives). Or like the small front tire but even more. If I only had one to do,,, I would do the front. (could send the Baron's kit back??) Once Bill lowered the front of my RSV, I went back to the Yamaha stock rear dog bones. But I did leave the Barons caliper relocation bracket on because I can service the brakes easy. Contact Bill, he is the pro at it,, and also does not mind giving some advice. So, maybe talk to him before you tear into it. Mike G

A friend who knew I went 3 wheel sent me this. 1951 Hoffman? Okay, for entertainment only,,, sorry about his f-bomb.

I took the trike to the Honda dealer who triked it a few years ago, yesterday. They are going to put a new front tire on it and I want them to go through the front end to snug or replace the neck bearings. I feel a busy ride. They said they will make sure it rides like new. But then went to the parts guy and he hooked me up on those things I mentioned above. Getting some Kuryakyn small running boards to replace the food pegs. This will still let me toe shift,, which is what I do. Also he is selling me some Kuryakyn Dualies on extended arms for my highway pegs. And he had a deflector set of lexan that will match other upper deflectors. And with the bucks I am spending, no cost for install,,, and gave me a GW discount. I think I got a good dealer for my new ride.

GW Trike is white,, kind of pearl with sparkle when the sun is on it. I like two colors on a bike, Black and Chrome. But they were out of those. So,,, white looks good. The PO also use a rhino type paint (6 coats) to paint on those fenders and then 4 coats of clear. He did a great job and it sure sheds the bugs. Thanks, Mike G.

Okay, see edited post above,,, but watch me, I tend to edit over and over. Okay, done editing again. And my cell# is in my profile if you need it.

Stevernc, sorry I was busy editing my post. Also, Steve A,, got confused which Steve was which. Define connecting arms. Do you mean the dog bones? If I can get a pic without pulling the pipes I will. Mike G I'm going to edit this post for discussion on the dog bones (links). The links are a separate install from installing the caliper relocation bracket. So, I would do the caliper relocation first. But leave the saddle bags and mufflers off. Then, the links are pretty easy. I did not see it looking different enough to warrant a picture. Looks same but longer. You raise the rear of the bike just to take weight off the wheel. Not in the air. You have two bolts, a top and bottom. Loosen them (pull the nuts). Pull the two bolts. These bolts are through sleeves (or at least one is). They could be tough to get out, may have to tap them out from the end. (Good time to clean and lube the sleeves before you put them back.) Then install the two Barons links. Yes they are longer than the stock (have to think about that logic, longer links to shorten your ride!!) You will need to jack the bike about 1/2 inch to get them to fit. When you put the nuts back on, careful, they can crush. So, don't try to hunker down on them or you will find they are expensive. Something worth doing may be to put a stock link and a Barons link on a piece of paper or cardboard. Trace outline them and their holes. I did this to later go to a fab shop and have him make a set half way in between. So, then I was able to raise my bike back to 3/4" in stead of the full 1 1/2",,, which I was more than I wanted. Rule of thumb,, for each 1/4" difference in the center holes of the links, you get 1" on the bike. The Rivco leveling links for the tall guys is actually about 1/4" SHORTER than the stock links. Go figure. Mike G. PS,, remember to put your mufflers and saddle bags back on. Only said that because you are in NC. lol

Hey Steve, (and Steve A) And,,, I'm not a mechanic either. But I did manage to look busy when a mechanic friend installed one on my RSV. Obviously jack it up. He tied the front down in his trailer chock then jacked under the engine to raise the rear. Else if you got a MC jack. Pulled the saddle bags. Pulled the mufflers (right for sure, probably left also). Pulled the caliper and the clamp bracket on the brake line, and hang it from the swingarm or frame with a wire (coat hanger). And he did have to remove the axle because it goes through the mount. See Pic. Don't think he actually pulled the wheel. (Maybe you can get away with leaving the caliper on the rotor and just rotate the tire to line it up to the Barons brace(???). Put the bracket on the axle, push the axle through and can tighten it back. To be honest, I don't remember at what point he mounted the caliper to the Barons brace. You will figure that out. His hardest part was moving the caliper down where it needs to go and putting the brake line clamp back on the swing arm took some work to get the new bend angle on the brake line and get the clamp mounted in the hole in the swing arm. But you can see, he did. Good time to look at your rear pads. But the nice thing about this kit is that you can now inspect or change the rear pads anytime without pulling the saddle bag. Okay, disclaimer time. These are pics from my RSTD which has rusty Barons 4-2-4. Hey, this is a go-bike not a sho-bike,,, with 103K miles. So,,,, read this,,, look at the pictures,,, turn your head sideways on one. And then,, call friend Steve A JR (above post) and see if he can help. (Hey Steve,,, see you in about 10 days for the Vet Parade) Mike G in SC

I test rode a Indian Roadmaster when it was about 90+ degrees in Concord, NC. It was a hot ride when we slowed in traffic. I didn't care for the gearing after my RSV and RSTD that I still ride. So, being 65 and trying hard to retire, wife and I decided to start looking for a GW trike for spring. Well then you start looking a Cycle Trader, Ebay and Craigslist. Oh dang, found one on Craigslist just down the road. Things worked out and, well we got an early spring. GW Trike time. Will keep the RSTD, that's MY ride. But will make sure I did the right thing and then sell the RSV. (But the RSV is a smoother ride than any trike.)

Just picked up a 2008 GW Trike. It has a lot of add on's but as far as for my feet, just the typical little Honda rider bars. I normally add Kuryakyn ISO highway pegs to my Yamaha's. But, at my 29" inseam, I need to get a set that will come back far enough for me. Suggestions? Page link to what you like? And then back to those little foot rests, I like floor boards. But I do not want to force myself into a heel shifter. What I've seen so far mostly looks like if you add boards, you have to get into a shifter that forces heel/toe. Suggestions? Page link to what you like? And then, it has all sorts of wind deflectors for my uppers, but nothing for my feet and shins. It does not have the "comfort" package. So, first thing I notice is,,, it's cold down there. Suggestions? Page link to what you like? The Champion Trike kit it has does not have the big stand up floor boards, but has the more modest boards (see picture). Likely what fits a GW two wheel will fit this. Thanks again, just trying to make it my bike. Mike G in SC

So, here’s where we just went. See picture. 2008 GW 1800 GL w/Champion conversion. But I jumped because I wanted a trike, getting time for that for both of us. I'm 65, semi-retired with plans for more travel. Not because Yamaha has lost me by sitting on it's butt. But that helped push the button. So did finding a good deal, was going to wait till spring. Will still keep my RSTD for my solo ride. Will sell my RSV later after I decide the trike is my right solution. Now got a whole new breed to learn. Never rode a trike till this. I would have preferred the independent suspension but the PO had it triked with straight axle. 2008 with 33K miles and a lot of extras. I'm going to have the same Honda shop who triked it put on a fresh tire and go over the front bearings. Has some low speed shakes. Has an Ultimate seat but wife and I still think the RSV has more comfort. If you have similar ride, I'm open for advice and experience. Thanks in advance, Mike G in SC