Evan

My wife took this picture for me when she was in Istanbul, Turkey a month or so ago.

Bigger piston size. Don't think the pads ate bigger, but others will know.

I feel your sadness Kevin. They are great bikes.

--- another example of the help available from the good VentureRider people. While I can't offer you more Paul, I do wish you good luck with your electrical challenge.

Know the feeling Terry. My wife and I are also departing in the morning for a four week trip. We are heading east to tour NE US and Eastern Canada after Maintenance Day. Your trip sounds fabulous. Enjoy and safe riding.

With these three Ventures that you have owned and rode (the 84, 86 and 01), I am interested in any comments that you might share regarding comparison's from your perspective. Just wondering. Not trying to start any debates. Hope you also enjoy your new ride!

Ah come on Don, don't worry about showing off a bit!

Wish I could but I can't make it this Wed and we are leaving on our four week VentureEast ride the following week. Might even make it to Newfoundland. Hope those who can make it have a great evening!

Had to make the decision a few years back - implants or partial bridge. In my case, the coverage for the implants was $0 and the cost was closer to $2000 each. Really didn't like the thought of a partial denture and at a weaker moment, I decided to have the implants. After the fact, paying out all that money for teeth doesn't hurt quite as much. However, you should know that they are not as good as what mother nature gave you. I can still feel the difference. Also, not all jaw bones will take the implants without some bone grafting. The actual procedure was not as 'painful" as I thought it might be. So far, I have had no problems. Would I do it again - likely.

All of my insurance (home, cottage, sled, boats, etc) is with the same company, so the max discounts apply. Also, I am an old guy with no claims. My current annual cost is $434 for 1M liability plus standard accident benefits, property damage and OPCF 44R Family Protection Coverage, whatever that means. Keep in mind that this coverage is for a 1st gen with a low market value.

Yup, it happened just about like Carl said, except he may have underestimated the number of times we tore the shocks apart. For example, we thought we had fixed the original problem but when tested, one fork had almost no play. Acted like it was seized. Well, back apart they both came (we had to compare) and with all four of us focusing on the problem, I noticed that one of the three washers which Carl supplied from his hardware inventory (to replace the missing washers) was a fraction of an inch larger in diameter which was just enough to prevent shock play. What Carl didn't mention because he is ever the gentleman is that the original problem was probably my own doing from when I had another friend help me change fork seals. So, another day in the life of a beloved first gen owner with a few friends.

Amazing pics Jack. Glad it was mostly your pride that was damaged and you shared the story with us. Had a bit of a scare myself two day ago and also felt embarrassed as a result. Put my bike on the centre stand to do an oil change. Was on soft ground so used a piece of plywood for support. When I tried to take the bike off the stand, one leg of the centre stand slipped off the plywood and I just about lost it.

Rode from North Bay to Toronto through some rain earlier this week. Here in Ontario, they use liquid road salt on our main highways when needed through the winter. Well, it is spring now and we have had many good spring rains, so I was surprised to see the road salt residue on my socks after the ride. Guess I need to give my bike a good bath more often.

Gonna be big enough this year??

Paypal sent. Thanks again Don.

Don, if it not too late, I will take a L.

Chokes me up a bit Orlin. Thanks for sharing this story and yes, I also believe good things happen for a reason.

You have an amazing collection Miles. Leaves me drooling a bit, but compliments to you.

So sorry to hear that you have some more work to do on your 86, but I guess it could have turned out much worse for both you and teh bike. Now I guess you will also need to figure out how the side stand could do that to you with no warning?

Steve, please know that you do have my good thoughts. Almost lost my own father a month or so ago, and for the second time. The first time around, he had a "near death" experience, which was quite euphoric for him. In recent years, he and I consider and celebrate every day as "bonus time", both for him and for us. I hope you are able to focus on good memories in the days ahead.

I feel your pleasure. Hope you have a great riding season.

Those head bearings can dry out and in my case, cause the same problem as you are having. I understand they can actually seize up on you, so it is important to fix the problem for your own safety. My initial fix was to remove the top head bearing and clean and grease it well, which I was able to do with the help of a fellow Venturerider (Mother). You can do this without removing the forks. However, new bearings are likely the best fix. There are good threads on this.

Really happy for you Angel. Best of luck as you continue on your new journey.

Looking forward to another Maintenance Day And my wife Anne will be with me this year, so I would like to be in on your contest. A great touch Don.