Freebird

Yea, lot of motor. I drove a 3/4 ton extended cab with the 8.1 for a few weeks about 13 years ago when I was working at a Chevrolet dealership. NOT something that you want for a daily driver. You can almost watch the gas gauge go down as you drive them. This will not be a daily driver though so I'm OK with it. If I needed something heavy duty to drive every day, I would go with a diesel.

I've been looking, on and off, for another Avalanche since selling my 2007 model a few months ago. I really like the Avalanche but mine was just not quiet heavy duty enough to pull our boat that weights between 8,000 and 9,000 pounds. They made a 3/4 ton Avalanche for about 4 years I think from 2002 -2005 but they are not that common and the ones you find are typically very high miles and beat up pretty good. I finally found one that I will buy later today if it is everything the guy says it is. It is a 2002 model with just over 55,000 original miles. I've run the Carfax on it and it shows no issues. One owner since 2004 and appears to be in nice shape. I've found that Carfax is not always 100% reliable but it is at least one thing to check. This one is exactly what I was looking for. 3/4 ton, 8.1 engine, trailering package including transmission cooler, tranny temp gauge, etc. Also heated leather seats, moonroof, appears to have every option offered in that year. The price is right and it's even in my preferred color so unless I drive 4 1/2 hours and get there and see something that I didn't expect, I will buy it. Now I just hope I can find enough money to drive that 8.1 gas drinking monster back to Ohio. Luckily this will NOT be an everyday driver. It will be used for specific purposes like pulling the boat and other loads that come up. There are a lot of differences between the 1/2 ton Avalanches and the 3/4. 8.1 engine as opposed to 5.3 in the half ton. Rear leaf springs as opposed to coil overs on the 1/2 ton. Heavier duty transmission, cooling systems, etc. From what I understand, the 3/4 ton is actually built on the 3/4 ton Suburban chassis. So hopefully I'm driving 4 1/2 hours to get what I THINK I need. We'll see.

Nothing wrong with the OEM pads. I personally like the EBC HH pads. Great stopping power and they wear very well. I also agree with the C Clamp. I have used a C Clamp and even a large pair of Channel Locs. Whichever you use, just very slowly compress the piston because the new pads will be thicker and you won't be able to get them over the rotors if you don't compress them first. I wish I was closer so that I could stop by and give you a hand this first time but it's really simple and I don't think you will have a problem. Just take a good look. It should be evident how the calipers come off. If you don't have a service manual, you can download one in the Second Gen Tech Talk area. I still didn't see your bike in your postbit so I took care of that for you.

To do it, just click on "settings" at upper right corner. Then scroll down to "edit profile" in left column. The second block on that page is "optional information". Add your bike information to "custom user title".

Yes, I understand. But not everybody likes to have to click on your name and read your profile every time. Look at my name on this post. Most other people too. See where it shows our bikes below our username when we post? That is what I'm talking about. Just makes it easier for people trying to reply and answer your questions.

Very simple. Front wheel does not need to come off. On another note, you should edit your profile and add your bike to your custom title. That way we will know what bike you are asking about when you post.

No problem. I plan to get out of here by noon tomorrow anyway. Just thought if you were here tonight that it might work out. You be same and we look forward to hearing about your adventure.

Heck Craig, where are you? I thought you were going to get it on Monday? If you are in the Columbus area, we should go to dinner. I'm here on business.

Your membership has expired so I don't know if you will see this and know you won't be able to reply but there is a manual in the Tech Library that you could download if you renew your membership. The RSV manual does have troubleshooting info for the cruise.

I think he means for a second gen. There is more to it than just finding one on Ebay. You have to buy one that has been modified for the speedo sensor or be willing to do it yourself.

Excellent article submitted by Mike Eykamp. Ignition Switch Repair (1).pdf

Some great pictures. Looks like you had some good rides.

I think that the mods you speak of were for the first generation Royal Stars. The Venture being discussed here is already factory rated at 99 HP. Even HP at the rear tire is more than the 62 that you mention and I don't think any air filter mods are necessary other than perhaps going with a K&N filter.

I'm not seeing that on my system but my research also shows that it is caused by Norton Internet Security and I've read a couple of places that they have released a patch to correct it.

Yes, Dave is very close. Let me know if you need me though.

Craig, I could get by there to look at it but not until Monday. Let me know if that's not too late.

Wasn't the FJR a Yamaha? That may sound like a strange question but remember the cruisers are now Stars. I got an email from Star yesterday announcing the 2016 lineup. Surely there must be more to come. If not, Yamaha seems to have given up completely on the large touring market and for that matter, large cruisers.

Sorry, none of the rooms have single beds

Yes, they finally brought it back up last fall. It's full again. Actually down just a few feet right now which they typically do this time of the year. During regular season though, it is completely full.

You have most likely missed the yoke when putting the driveshaft back in. The u-joint will drop down and it is possible to insert the drive shaft and miss the yoke. I've been there and done that.

I just looked to make sure. 8 private bedrooms. Each with a TV/DVR. The boat is 87' long and 22' wide.

Yes, 8 bedrooms. Look at the link I posted. 4 with King Size beds, 4 with queen size. We could have a drawing to let people pick their rooms. HUGE kitchen and living area. 15 person hot tub on top deck. I would have to look at the link again but I think it is an 87 ft. boat. We walked through it today....VERY nice. They actually say that it sleeps 18 but that includes the sofa bed in the living room. So I'm thinking 8 couples so that everybody has their own bedroom. Eileen and I would bring the Waverunners and share them freely. If somebody want's to bring a smaller runabout type boat, that would be great too. We usually find a secluded cove...there are MANY on Cumberland...to park the houseboat and then use the Waverunners or a smaller boat to make trips to the marina and etc.

Any interest in a Houseboat Trip sometime in 2016? Spring, Summer or Fall? Eileen and I have been at Lake Cumberland, KY since Friday. We will leave either Thursday or Friday and have had a great time. This is the 4th or 5th time that we have done this. I think we have rented houseboats 4 times now and brought our boat down here once. Anyway, we love it here and that got us to thinking and wondering if there would be any interest in some of you joining us here sometime next summer. It is NOT cheap but split evenly among enough couples, not much more than hotel rooms. We looked at a boat today at State Dock Marina. I will include a link to it below so that you can check it out. It has 8 bedrooms and 3 1/2 baths. Depending upon the time of year that we decide to do this, it would cost us all between $650.00 - $950.00 per couple plus gas, food, etc. So, is there any interest at all? If we can't find 8 couples, we can go with a smaller boat to accommodate how ever many we do have. I know that next summer is a long way off but I'm just trying to see if there is any interest. http://www.statedock.com/visit-the-marina/houseboats/state-dock-1000-mega-cat/

Those are just very cool bikes. I'm afraid my back wouldn't like them now days.

Yea, they also offered that motor in a street bike version for a while. Never rode one though. The little sight glass worked well. The only time I had problems was when I was riding off road and had it good and hot. Then it could be temperamental to start and would sometimes kick the crap out of me even when I thought I had it lined up. Most of the time, I wouldn't even look at it because you learn where it is by feel after a while. Loved that bike though. Would actually buy another one if I came across one in good condition and reasonably priced. Another thing, am I thinking about another bike or did it use the frame for the oil reservoir?