Freebird

I was really unsure if I was going to buy another bike or not. I've been looking around but just didn't want to spend a lot of money. I had the 2018 for well over a year and only put 1200 miles on it. After selling it, I pretty much decided that my riding days were over but that is easier said than really accepted. I was really on the fence about what to buy. I seriously considered another RSV but have come to really like having fuel injection rather than carbs. So, I ran across another Harley. It's not exactly what I wanted because it's a 2008 model. Harley improved their frames in 2009, strengthening them so less flex. But to one honest, I don't ride hard any longer like I once did. The miles were right on this one and the price was about as good as I've seen so I pulled the trigger. It's a 2008 Ultra Classic. Has a few extras including Vance and Hines mufflers, Mini ape hanger handlebars, Riders backrest (not in the picture), tall windshield, Chrome rims, and a few other things. Came with two covers and four nice helmets. The bike only has 9300 miles on it. I rode it and it is pretty much like knew. So...I went ahead and pulled the trigger. May or may not like it but we'll see. No more than I ride, it should do just fine. If not, I can easily get my money out of it. Here are some pictures at his house, I'm picking up this evening. I don't like the whitewalls but they will do until they wear out, if ever. Obviously the fringe has to go quickly. About the only thing I just have to add is highway pegs.

It will fit fine but I wouldn't say directly. You will have to fabricate some brackets. Easy to do.

Yes you did. Very good.

See this thread. It should help. https://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?95671-State-map

I'll add one thing. Don't grind or file the notch until you have it all together. Not all stands are the same and if you find it too deep, it will break over too far and make it very difficult to get the bike off the stand. Assemble it before installing and then with the stand in the parallel position, grind the notches until it just barely breaks over.

I made a lot of them out of the first gen stands. Check out this thread. I don't make them any longer but it's not that hard to do. https://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?1427-Freebird-Centerstand-Installation

I would call and ask them. Last I heard, they were waiting on the material to black out the bottom but was told that they had received it. Haven't heard anything more.

I don't know where you hard that the 2000 to 2005 motors were not that dependable. Totally not true. In fact, the motors are exactly the same from 1999 though the end of the run. I've seen several of them with over 100,000 miles and a couple with over 200,000 miles with no problems at all.

I think it is well worth there money. I would not hesitate to buy it. Great deal.

I never had to use heat. Are you talking about the nut or the axle itself? The nut is tight, if I remember right, the torque setting is 110 ft. lbs. I don't remember the socket size but I used a socket and 1/2" drive ratchet to get it off. The axle should then just pull out but I usually had to twist it back and forth to get it to pull out.

I had to remove the trunk, backrest and etc. to install the Hitchdoc hitch on the Venture. Take a look at this thread if you want a decent view at what's under there. https://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?138428-Not-Loving-This-Hitchdoc-Install&highlight=hitch

I have all Milwaukee 18V tools for my business. I am very happy with them. Drills, portable band saw, sawsall, etc. I bought them about 3 years ago and have had no problems at all so far.

There is no reason that you can't attach a picture. What size is it? It needs to be resized no larger than 1024 x 768 and 200,000 bytes.

I honestly don't know as I've never used them on a first gen. Reports are though that they are easier to install. Not sure why. I know that they are supposed to be a perfect fit though.

Did you know that you can use second gen covers? They are actually preferred by most people and likely easier to find.

Well, there should be no reason that you can't upload the picture so that it shows in the thread but great looking bike. Looks too be in really fine condition.,

It's not showing up here. Remember, max picture size is 1024 x 768 and 200,000 bytes. hmmm...actually, if I click on the question mark, it is a file that I can download. Not sure how you are trying to post it. It is 6.5 MB though. WAY too large.

The 20 post minimum was initiated during a time when we were getting slammed with spam. I've got a much better handle on that now so I just reduced the number of posts required. If I did it right, you should be able to post the pictures now.

We used to have a member here who went by Wild Hair. Sure miss that guy. He found some boots off a rear engine snapper mower that worked great. Never saw a part number but he warned to get the long ones, about 10", and they worked great.

Truly sorry rot hear it. Our prayers for you and the family.

I have one. Actually had one almost just like that at one time but it finally fell apart and I bought one made by DR Power. They work well. The one I have now is easier to dump though. The one you are looking at doesn't dump well but I just built a big box for it and didn't try to dump it, just slid the box out and dumped it that way. I don't use it every time I mow because I have a zero turn and that defeats the purpose of a zero turn. I use it 3 or 4 times a year though, especially if the grass gets too high. Mostly use it for leaves as you intend to. The leaves have to be really dry. If they are damp at all, it will stop. up the hose and you will constantly be unplugging it. The DR Power has a larger hose and doesn't stop up as easily.

32 Degree and snow on the ground this morning in Ohio also. Snow is pretty much gone now but still COLD.

I'm kind of on the same page as Cowpuc on the compression issue. Having owned an '83, 88, 89, two 99's and an '05, I have NEVER had a compression issue on these bikes. Can it happen? Sure it can. If you are having some major issues then of course it would be worth checking. Everybody knows that compression is very important but it's such a rare problem on these bikes that it is certainly not the first thing I would recommend checking. Like Put, I have always checked my carb sync a couple times a year. Usually doesn't need much tweaking if any but it literally takes about 10 minutes to check them.

I didn't read through this thread in detail but just wanted to issue a reminder. The manual for the RSV, at least the earlier manuals, have the sync procedure wrong. Please see this thread for the proper method. https://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?258-Syncronizing-the-Carbs

Great pictures Put, brings back good memories.