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Tommy

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Everything posted by Tommy

  1. Tommy
    Well Jeff, here I am again..While I had the carbs out of Bertha, I took the opportunity to do some preventative maintenance I had been putting off. I replace the leaking valve cover gaskets and I had found a coolant hose collapsed. Also, it was time for new antifreeze. Carb. cleaning was uneventful after the screws were finally removed. Reassembly went reasonabley well, however it took me a long time to get the control cables hooked back up. Anyway, all is back together and I cannot get the bike to idle below 2500 to 3000 rpm. Is this a TCI problem? The bike ran a little ragged for about 10 miles, number two cylinder was cutting in and out, running rich and then spark knocking . Then the engine seemed to run better. Up jumped the idle. I have backed off the idle screw again and again to 1000 rpm, yet the idle rpm jumps back up after a short ride. I can find no hoses off anywhere. Have you had this problem before? Any ideas...anyone
  2. Tommy
    I just replaced the valve cover gaskets on Bertha this week. I was cleaning the carbs and took the opportunity to replace a collapsed coolant hose as well. The rear was easier after I used a gasket cement to install the gasket in the cover, just to keep the gasket in place. The front was the bad one, takes a little twisting and turning , The front valve cover hits the fan shroud when you try to move it up. I took the coolant hose off the engine and was able to get the cover out without a lot of bother. I went ot napa and matched out a 3/4 inch preform hose that worked great. I would suggest that you change out the front hose as mine was collapsed and was cutting down on coolant flow. Getting the baffles out was the hardest job for me, especially the front.
  3. Tommy
    Dan....Really happy for your purchase...It's a first gen, that's all that really matters. I love the color and the doo dads...Keep us posted on how well she runs. Now we need a contest to name her, any takers??? think about it..
  4. Tommy
    OK!!! I got the 4 pack of carbs. in my hand, thanks to you all. Actually, the coolant hose that runs across the top right of the frame was the problem. Very little slack. I'm sure I'll have more questions as I start the cleaning processbut at least the carbs are off the bike. If you have further suggestions, please let me know...
  5. Tommy
    Thanks Jeff and all, I'll give your suggestions a try. I'd love to see you guys in Manteo, but health issues are keeping me close to home...
  6. Tommy
    The right side of the 4 pack gets hung up on the coolant hose. I have tried to get them loose but at this time, no luck. I should have left them alone, but the shop rate here is extremely high so I have to attempt this work myself. I'll let you know how I make out. Thanks again.
  7. Tommy
    Jeff: Do you have to remove the left fairing just to get the carbs out??? While changing out the valve cover gasket on 'Bertha' I decided to go ahead and clean the carbs..Number 1 carb is running some of the time, backfires and cuts in and out. I have disconnected all cables except one, used a wood lever to pull the carb set out of the manifolds and I am stuck trying to get the 4 pack off the bike...Any thoughts will be appreciated. Thanks, Tommy from Cary
  8. Tommy
    I 'retired' at 63. It kinka went like this "We really appreciate all the things you have done for us, but, we are going to downgrade your position and hire a woman who had the job before you. I know she took my job for a whole lot less $$$. Am I bitter? you may ask, Hell No. I'm having a Ball. Everyday is a Saturday...and you know how much fun they can be....
  9. Tommy
    A motorcycle, or a shrine???
  10. Tommy
    Here in Cary NC., they charge me 24.00 plus tip...I'M in the chair 7 minutes...thats over 3 bucks a minute....I may be retired, but I am seriously thinking about barber college...lol It's a license to steal.
  11. Tommy
    So sorry to hear about your accident...Hope you heal soon and completely. How's the bike?? Yammer Dan should have a lot of good advice. He knows your situation quit well..
  12. Tommy

    My Friend Don

    Tommy posted a topic in In Memory Of

    I had known Don Spiker for about 15 years. He passed away while I was on my midwest trip last July, he was 73. Don and I have spent many Sunday mornings together and I enjoyed this gentle soul very much. We hung out at the Michaels restaurant parking lot, the usual gathering spot for about 300 motorcycles, in Chapel Hill, NC. Our backgrounds were very close, we both had two daughters, have ridden bikes since the 1960s, and both worked at carburetor factorys most of our working lives. I enjoyed his companionship and his wit. He leaves his daughters, and a grandchild he finished putting through college just this May. I think he hung on until this last great goal was completed. I watched as my friends health declined. I knew the end was near, however, I was still caught off guard by his death. Ride on dear friend, with clear roads, and the wind always at your back. I will miss you, and remember you until I die........
  13. Tommy
    I have a EIII on the back and a Venom X on the front....best combo I have found to date..smooth ride and sticks like glue in the twisties...Don't know about mileage yet..just put them on in april...
  14. Tommy
    The V star in your pix is actually a Voyager outrigger system..They run around $4500.00 The bike is really a four wheeler....
  15. Tommy
    to a GoldWing owner the other day. He was complaining about his new GW front end wobble. I heard the dealer tell him, "Big bikes, they all do that". Well, my 89 used to do that too until I added a fork brace and a new Venom X front tire. The old Cruise Max tire had a good deal of tread left, but there was obvious cupping going on. Don't know if the cupping or tread thickness had anything to do with the wobble but I'm glad its gone.
  16. Tommy
    Are you sure your engine is getting the oil it needs with the idle set so low???Oil pressure is a direct result of RPM...factory recommends 950 to 1050 rpm....just my thoughts.
  17. Tommy
    I'm running a E III on the back with a venom X on the front..Really happy with the result,...BTW, no wobbles so far....I'm running 40 psi in front and rear.
  18. Tommy
    The info. I have is, 400cc per leg on a first gen...Which equates to 13.5 oz. of 10W fork oil.
  19. Tommy
    I found this thread very interesting....However, I found an easy way to install the bird shot...I didn't mess with the valve stem. I loaded my trusty 16 gage goose gun and shot all the bbs in the front tire..I got em all in there too. Trouble is, now the tire won't hold air. Soooo, I don't know if its balanced or not........Just kidding....
  20. Tommy
    Do a Google search for Furber Fix...It's really easy to do on a V-max and should solve your problems. I had to modify both of my Maxes to make them handle properly.
  21. Tommy
    Sorry guys...I have never tried this before...
  22. Tommy
    I tried, but upload failed...I suspect I need to resize the pix...I'll keep working.....
  23. Tommy
    I was reading the threads a few weeks ago..about how the 1st gen. handles without the tour pak installed....Well, I thought I'd try it since Yammer Dan said the bike handled differently. Wow, I'm 5'-11 and around 160 lbs., and I can't believe it's the same bike...Handles better than I thought was possible. The VR has always felt top heavy to me..til I removed the big box...I weighed my TP and it tipped the scales at 31 pounds. Now, add stuff to the box and you can easily add 50 pounds way above the center of gravity, and you have a top heavy bike..I bought a piece of .100 thousands thick shiny aluminum tread plate from Lowes and made a luggage platform for a duffle with just clothes. All the attachment points are already available. Now, I can fill the saddle bags and that will help keep the CG low. I took pix of the set up, but have never learned how to add pix to a thread. If someone can instruct me, I'll post pix and, also, how I added a 90 degree zerk fitting to the steering head.... God, I love this stuff....
  24. Tommy
    what can I say?.....good job. Well thought out and, well written. My heart is broken for Sherry..
  25. Tommy

    Biker Down

    Tommy replied to EasyRider's topic in In Memory Of

    This is just heartbreaking news. I am so sorry Sherry, may God grant you strength to help make it through. My condolences to you and the family.
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