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Semi-retired

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  1. Semi-retired
    Now THAT's an interesting question, Derrek. My guess is that a) a dead OEM shock, since the shock is allegedly non serviceable, would be "reluctant" to give up its spring.......and that b) since the OEM only comes in one "flavor".....there wouldn't be any "Heavy Duty" versions to be had anyway. Right? I, for one, tossed my dead stock shock.......mainly cause I got more "dead" stuff lying around here (for some day when I might just need one little widget off the end of it) than you can shake a spoke at! Guessin the garbage man was intrigued by that baby. (Glad I didn't have to dispose of it anywhere near a Homeland Security facility....what with the big black cannister...and its airhose hangin out and all!) Have a good riding day!
  2. Semi-retired
    Ahhhh, so! Gotcha! Thanks Andrew and Don, both. I got all concerned about sources and forgot about 'ratings'. Since I AM a flyweight.....I forgot all about the heavy duty factor. Cheers, Mike.
  3. Semi-retired
    Wow, Andrew, I'm surprised to hear your comments, cause I installed my new Hagon shock two weeks ago....and I'm looking at my invoice here and it says Hagon Shocks LLC, San Marcos California at the top.....and the Part # is M62097...... Description: Yamaha Royal Star Venture XVZ13etc. There's apparently some kind of disconnect between your Hagon dealer contact, Dave, and what Hagon themselves seem to be selling out of their offices in California. One of us (for the sake of the group) should make a confirming call to both Hagon offices and their dealer (I have call conferencing and could have them BOTH on the phone at once) and see what the story is! Regards, Mike
  4. Semi-retired
    It'll be a piece of cake, Jeff. I had my best buddy, a Niagara Regional Police officer who lives across the street (and rides a Suzuki 1400 Intruder) lend me moral and physical support.....so, apparently if there's a "cop in the shop" everything goes smoothly!! Please call me before, during and/or after you do the deed; I'm MORE than happy to give or trade tricks or tips for this procedure. BTW, set aside a morning to git 'er done; you should be finished by lunch. Good luck.....not that you'll need it. Oh, and, two things: make sure when you're undoing the bottom bolt on the shock, that you're not accidentally undoing the bottom bolt of the linkage mechanism ABOVE the shock....like I almost did! (only reason I stopped....and had another look....was because the bolt/nut I WAS reefing on was so damned tight I just about popped a kidney trying!!) When I looked underneath, I realized I was a bit 'higher and forward' of where I should have been. Also, my advice, unless you really want to get into a FULL DAY job, forget about what some people recommend regarding taking the whole linkage thing apart and greasing ALL the bearings. That might be a NUT BUSTER and turn it into a whole day job. (You DO wanna stop at lunch, doncha?!) Don't forget to call: Mike (905) 938-3553 (cheap call....I'm near Niagara Falls...just 8 hours from you. How do I know? My copper buddy's fiance works for the FBI, near you!) Cheers!
  5. Semi-retired
    Noticeable improvement: It feels strange to actually HAVE a working "shock absorber" on the Venture after riding the entire beginning of this season WITHOUT a real suspension system. The other nice thing, of course, is not having to park over a sheet of cardboard: NO MORE DRIPPING! Different ride: I'm a pretty light guy who normally weighs in at around 180...and the new Hagon shock, installed with the spring pre-load and damping settings unchanged from the way they arrived, FEELS like it might be set for a little heavier rider...maybe a 200 pounder. (or in my case, maybe two-up riding...or riding with at least 50 or 60 pounds of luggage in the bags might feel better.) For ME, riding solo, it feels a little "springier" than it should be; but as I say, I'm probably at the 'underweight' end of the average Venture rider. (The 'guide sheet' that is packed with the shock says, "Hagon monoshocks have a wide load carrying range and are pre-set for average rider weights.") So when I say I left the settings "unchanged" from the way they arrived, this was with the spring pre-load adjustment collar appearing to be pretty much backed right off. (i.e. with lots of threads left below the collar.) Damping-wise, although Hagon again says, "Your shock is supplied with medium damping adjustment", (for those ubiquitous "average" riders, I guess), because adjustment is performed with an Allen-head set screw on the side of the shock.....and with no calibration marks on the shock body, changing the damping rate would be a "fly by the seat of the pants" (literally) exercise. Hagon says, "After fitting your shock, adjust the damping to suit individual preference by turning the hexagon socket screw in 1/4-turn increments until the required setting is achieved. For me, I'm going to just ride this sucker for awhile, enjoying the fact that I actually have a shock absorber (that won't bleed to death on my garage floor!) and let it 'work its way in'. I'm not sure if this makes sense or not, but Hagon themselves say "When adjusting to a softer setting the unit must be worked (my italics, not theirs) before the adjustment willl take effect." So, based on this disclaimer, I'm assuming that the new shock, once installed, will require a little 'working in' regardless of what the settings are. (And to be honest, I haven't actually LOOKED back into the abyss that is the home of the rear shock...virtually HIDDEN behind, below and inside the least accessible portion of the bike...to see just how easy/difficult it might be to make a change to the damper screw!) BUT.......I'll try to be a loyal, faithful and informative member and report back in a month or so about the performance of the shock once it is (and I am) "seated". The one recommendation I WILL make now, that I CAN pass along with confidence, is DO REPLACE YOUR SHOCK NOW if it has bled out and/or your bike is wallowing like a beached whale. It's not NEARLY as difficult a job to perform as I thought it would be...and probably ANY brand is going to be better than putting up with a sacked out, bled-out stock unit. Later, Michael.
  6. Semi-retired
    Thanks, pal! I ended up taking a run at it with my neighbour guarding against tip-overs......and all went well. It turns out it IS quite a simple operation once you get your balancing act sorted out on the jack. We just used a couple of pieces of 2X2 lumber.....short ones that fit cross-ways on the jack pads.....lengthwise along the frame rails....which protected the engine just fine. When we got it up just high enough that the front wheel was off the ground by about an inch or two....the back end was still 'just touching'....which allowed us to rock the bike slightly, front to back when it came time to slide the bolts out. The new one went in very slick.....and, yes......I'm still convinced that Works and Hagon come out of the same factory! Cheers, Mike P.S. We took both left AND right side covers and passenger boards off for easy access, but not the wheel or the bags. No probs!
  7. Semi-retired
    Am I the only one........or does anyone else find it strange that Comagination lists no phone number and no address on their website. http://www.headlightmodulator.com/ and/or http://comagination.com/ Don't know about you......but I'm a little reluctant to send hundreds of bucks to someone without a business phone........or ANY phone. Likewise with the address thing! Anybody out there own any of their products? Thanks, Michael
  8. Semi-retired
    Thanks for 'jumping in' on both issues, buddy. I have the lift, and understand there's a little "jury-rigging" that has to be done to get a level/non-engine-bearing positioning underneath, so as not to crunch any pipes, hoses or whatever.......but, I got my dirty pants on today and will give it a shot! Cheers, Michael. P.S. For anyone else reading this......I'd LOVE to see a link to the detailed removal instructions. Kinda surprised it's not in the Gen 2 Tech library....based on how frequently the rear shock seems to fail! ? !
  9. Semi-retired
    Anybody know if it's.......... a) advisable.........or b) absolutely necessary to remove the right hand saddle bag when removing and replacing the monoshock? Thanks for this........and any other tips involving doing a 'swap-out' of the rear shock. Michael
  10. Semi-retired
    I just bought a Hagon shock for my 2003 Midnight (haven't mounted it yet).....and I suspect I might have gotten the one you say Christina was talking about: no preload adjuster, etc....but in stock now (that was about ten days ago.....) and shippable NOW! I picked it up at UPS in Niagara Falls last week while on a 'gas run'. I'll attach a picture or two of this unit in order to lend support to MY humble opinion, which is that Works and Hagon are buying the same shock from the same manufacturer.......and simply branding it differently. You know, like Pontiac and Chev? Or Sears and Kelvinator? Here's my shot of my brand new Hagon......compare the heavy, red coil spring and castelated nut and chrome attachment fittings..........and someone please feel free to dispute my theory.....and upload a picture of a brand new Works! Regards, Michael
  11. Semi-retired
    Thanks, buddy!
  12. Semi-retired
    One last try.......at 400KB I promise to stop messing around now! Mike
  13. Semi-retired
  14. Semi-retired
    Anybody know how SMALL the pics have to be before they'll "upload from computer"? Trying a tiny one here to see a)if it works........b) how it looks. mike (THAT's kinda tiny..........let's try that again!)
  15. Semi-retired
    I'm just trying to insert a photo into the bottom of my message.......so it appears as the picture it is......i.e. not a link or an attachment. (oh, and not part of my signature, as I already have!) What is the simplest/fastest way, without having to subscribe to any new third party service. Thanks, guys. Mike
  16. Semi-retired
    Hi, Rick. I recently borrowed my Dentist's copy of Ride Like A Pro. I was surprised (although in hindsight, I don't know why) to see that the RLAP program is almost identical in content to the (American) National Safety Council's motorcycle rider instruction program. (Either the cops used the NSC program to teach their "motormen"....or the NSC "borrowed" the instructional techniques developed by the coppers.....I don't know which.) I teach the Canadian version of this three day course at Niagara College near Niagara Falls, Ontario. It is very comprehensive, worth it's weight/cost in gold (read: saved lives and accident bills) and provides the live, hands-on instruction that Ride Like a Pro or any other video could never offer. So, my personal advice to anyone who's been waiting for months to receive this video is, don't get all excited that it's not coming fast enough. If you took the NSC course.....you've already not only SEEN the video......you've LIVED it! Ride safely, guys! Michael P.S. So Rick......I think you can safely remove me from the list, thanks.
  17. Semi-retired
    I was just starting to get into the "project" of downloading (for storage) all my Private Messages.....for later reference...and realized there must be a simple way. IS THERE? I see your note, above.....but have no idea how/where you did this! Thanks for any guidance. Michael
  18. Semi-retired
    Pardon my ignorance, buddy.......but, what, pray-tell, is an RSW discount.......and where can I get one?
  19. Semi-retired
    Anybody seen a copy of one of these videos lately? Trying to figure out where these two (or three?) disks currently reside is confusing, to say the least.....so I thought, out of purely selfish interests, I'd figure out where the one that used to be in Canada went. I went through all the posts (all 340 of them) and determined that the copy that was in Canada back in 2008 was mailed to Australia to a guy named "spear"(Steve Pearson)....(by a guy named Lepapehermann.) Spear mailed it all the way back to "spankym" (Craig MacFarlane, in Buffalo....wow, what a trip), who posted that he received it on April 28th, 2009. Craig/spankym is then instructed by KiteSquid in a post dated May 7, 2009 to send his copy to r12guy...which seems a little strange since there is nobody listed with that name anywhere on "The List" (nor does he exist on the membership list now.) Then, on May 18th, 2009, Craig posts that he "Sent my copy on to r12guy.....hope he enjoys it." (So, apparently there WAS an r12guy back then.) Then, next day, May 19th, Kitesquid instructs r12guy to send his copy "to Annie in Rockingham, Perth Australia". (Wow....this video would really be racking up frequent flyer miles if it HAD been shipped back to Oz"!) However, that's the last we ever hear of this copy of the DVD......or r12guy......or Annie. There is no one listed in the club membership named r12guy. There is no one listed in the club membership named Annie, in Rockingham, Perth Australia. So, I guess whoever r12guy is/was, he has our copy of Ride Like a Pro. Anybody know who he is/was? Thanks for any helpful detective teamwork! Mike
  20. Semi-retired
    Anybody seen a copy of one of these videos lately? Trying to figure out where these two (or three?) disks currently reside is confusing, to say the least.....so I thought, out of purely selfish interests, I'd figure out where the one that used to be in Canada went. I went through all the posts (all 340 of them) and determined that the copy that was in Canada back in 2008 was mailed to Australia to a guy named "spear"(Steve Pearson)....(by a guy named Lepapehermann.) Spear mailed it all the way back to "spankym" (Craig MacFarlane, in Buffalo....wow, what a trip), who posted that he received it on April 28th, 2009. Craig/spankym is then instructed by KiteSquid in a post dated May 7, 2009 to send his copy to r12guy...which seems a little strange since there is nobody listed with that name anywhere on "The List" (nor does he exist on the membership list now.) Then, on May 18th, 2009, Craig posts that he "Sent my copy on to r12guy.....hope he enjoys it." (So, apparently there WAS an r12guy back then.) Then, next day, May 19th, Kitesquid instructs r12guy to send his copy "to Annie in Rockingham, Perth Australia". (Wow....this video would really be racking up frequent flyer miles if it HAD been shipped back to Oz"!) However, that's the last we ever hear of this copy of the DVD......or r12guy......or Annie. There is no one listed in the club membership named r12guy. There is no one listed in the club membership named Annie, in Rockingham, Perth Australia. So, I guess whoever r12guy is/was, he has our copy of Ride Like a Pro. Anybody know who he is/was? Thanks for any helpful detective teamwork! Mike
  21. Semi-retired
    Hi, Rick. Can't remember if you mentioned it in my other thread......but, did you buy the Works Performance replacement shock? Did you know about or consider the Hagon? Just wondering who might have used this brand besides the one guy in my other conversation. At $394, they certainly have a good price. (Of course that's meaningless if they crap out like the stock one. Mind you, they DO have a 2 year unlimited mileage warranty!) Cheers, Mike
  22. Semi-retired
    I actually "jumped my own gun"......if you'll pardon the expression......and looked for a distributor in the US. Dave Quinn seems to be the guy. I wrote to them and got this reply: (now that I know there IS a domestic distributor of this British product......I'm curious how many of you guys have actually installed the Hagon product. Anyone....anyone??) Dear Michael, Happy to help, but currently out of stock. $394 plus UPS, can get here in 3-5 weeks. 'Off-the-shelf' shocks are assembled for an average rider- there is enough adjustability in the stock shock to cover a wide range of loading. It would be useful to know your weight, and whether you carry passengers (% of time? Passenger weight?) or luggage (saddlebags? tank bag? top box? loading in each?) and what your maximum loading (passenger/luggage) is likely to be. If Hagons determine that your loading exceeds the design parameters of the shock, they can supply to special order a shock with an uprated spring. Conversely if you are very light, Hagons can for some shocks supply a lighter spring. Softer and harder springs are available as custom built units only for $464 and will take between 4 and 6 weeks to get here. Shocks are also available to special order with a remote hydraulic spring preload adjuster- $554 for a stock spec shock and $624 for an upgraded spring model. Hagon monoshocks are fully rebuildable and feature straight weight spring with adjustable spring preload (threaded manual or hydraulic remote adjuster), adjustable 15 position LINKED compression and rebound damping (one adjuster for both) and a two year unlimited mileage warranty against failure due to manufacturing defect. Bent shocks due to accident, impact, dropped bike, improper installation or owner malfunction will not be warranteed. Shocks are not returnable once they have been fitted. All adjusting tools are included with the shock. You can see representative Hagon monoshocks online at http://www.davequinnmotorcycles.com/cgi-bin/webc.cgi/HAGON_MONOSHOCKS.html Shipping and insurance will be charged at cost and will vary depending on what you order, your zip code and any fuel surcharges in effect on the day your order ships. We ship by UPS in the continental USA, by Priority Mail to AK and HI and by US Mail Express International outside of the USA. For special orders we ask for a 50% good faith deposit when Hagons accept the order, with the balance due when we ship. Please note- Special orders are not returnable unless found to be defective. If you're interested in ordering, we accept VISA & Mastercard; we need: -name as it appears on your credit card -daytime phone number -billing address for the card -ship-to address if different -card number -expiration date. Call or Fax if you are uneasy about emailing credit card details. Let me know if I can offer you any other information. All the best, Maggie Dave Quinn Motorcycles 335 Litchfield Tpke Bethany CT 06524 USA 203-393-2651 FAX 203-393-1725 9-5 M T Th F 9-12 Sa dqmcs@earthlink.net www.davequinnmotorcycles.com
  23. Semi-retired
    Thanks for the tip, Wayde. I went to their site (http://www.hagon-shocks.co.uk/HagApps8.htm) but didn't see any reference to an XVZ model number anywhere...neither on their "application" chart nor their price list. When you made your purchase......did you buy direct from the UK......or from a US distributor......or...??? Was it a 'custom' order? Thanks for any info. Michael.
  24. Semi-retired
    By the way, here's the answer I received from Works when I enquired about a replacement monoshock. (Presumably we VentureRiders would qualify for the 10% "group" discount): ============================================================== Ultrasport Series w/single rate spring, threaded preload and 18 position adjustable rebound damping @ $689. UPS Shipping to an east coast US address is appx. $23. Service on the unit would typically be a gas and oil service and seal replacements @ $110. Unlike generic, off the shelf shocks offered by other shock companies, Works shocks are custom built for rider weight, riding style and skill level and come with a performance guarantee ( 30 days), parts and workmanship warranty ( 12 months on street bikes, 90 days on race and off road vehicles) and are fully rebuildable. A 10% discount is available to AMA, AHRMA and other motorcycling associations, forum and owners group members. Works Performance products are custom built to order and lead time to build varies, depending on the number of orders in front of you, engineering time for custom frame/swingarm applications and the availability of the components required to build your shocks with. If we need to machine or plate required components, it adds time. We will always try to meet your needs if at all possible, but due to the custom built nature of the product, we do not guarantee specific delivery dates. Allow 2-4 weeks(approximately)from date of order until date of shipment. Thank You, Thomas Edison Sales & Customer Service Works Performance Products, Inc. 21045 Osborne Street Canoga Park, CA 91304 818-701-1010 ext 21 818-701-9043 fax www.worksperformance.com ............and here's the response from YSS: Hi Michael, Thank you for your interest in our products. Yes, we have built a few shocks for the Royal Star Venture – 2001. I was told that 99 to present are all the same. The shock is a YSS MZ 506-255 TR at $ 499.00 It is an Emulsion-Gas shock with adjustable rebound damping and pre-load via the C-spanner. Warranty – 2 years Delivery – 2-3 weeks. Please call the office in J at 732-786-9777 with your questions and/or order. Regards Klaus Huenecke
  25. Semi-retired
    Right on two counts: I AM a skinny fart - 175 I only rode the GS about 25 thousand miles from 1982 to 2006 However, if EVERYBODY else knows that two shocks last longer.....isn't it curious that those smartypants engineers at Yamaha haven't figured it out? Or at least after ten years of failures figured out how to make a MONO that lasts at least 500 hours? (about TWICE as long as the current ones, based on the average mileage before failure that I see reported here.) As Don said, further up this thread, any car company with this history of suspension disasters would have been embarrassed or sued into a massive (total) recall by now. Really.....tell me.......are there ANY RSV owners out there who have over 25 thousand miles (40k km) on their bike who HAVEN'T replaced the rear shock? Maybe it's time to do the unofficial roll call, create the database, do the press release to five or six major bike mags then look for a starving young lawyer with an interest in class actions.
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