Squidley

Zipcodes bike need a regulator/rectifier and all the dealers I know of here in Texas are closed on Mondays (stupid). Dave wants to try and get a R/R overnighted as he has a ride on Thursday he really wants to try and make. If you know of a decent dealer please post me up some links or #'s so I can try to make this happen. The part #'s is 4XY-81960-00-00

There are some folks that would argue that statement very intensely

I have a hat kinda like that...

I hope all is well with the family Buddy, y'all be careful.

Watching the weather channel right now and they are talking about and F3/F4 thats skirted in between Dale and Shawnee. Y'all be careful in that Oklahoma area tonight.

Now you have just found out what all us old timers here on this site have known for years. This place is a drug, and once you meet some of the folks, you'll try twice as hard to get to all the events you can. You have met some of the best folks this site has to offer. Glad to hear you had a good time, now all you have to do is make it to TEXAS....we'll show you a good time

Dave is doing fine, he and Owen made it to my place about 11:45 this morning and Owen left for home shortly after that. I have Dave's bike in the garage tore down a bit, we started the troubleshooting and have narrowed it down to what I strongly believe is a bad Regulator/Rectifier. Did all the test's with the stator, checking the AC voltage output along all 3 phases 30 VAC at idle and 80 VAC around 4K rpm. His plug was getting hot as the plastic was starting to deform and was brittle. The best we could get out of it at any rpm was 13.3 VDC I tried a R/R I had here but it didn't make any difference. So we are on the hunt for a new Yamaha R/R. Going to try and get one over nighted as Dave has a ride on Thursday that he really wants to try and make. I dropped him off in Cleveland where his wife Jamie picked him up as they had afternoon plans. All is good and he's safe and sound back in Houston. Thanks to all that helped with this...nice job

Dave, Thanks a million for getting it to your place, were that much closer to having it on the West coast. It does look good being pulled, and I know it worked well for y'all from the texts we traded along the way. Thank you again for your "make it happen" attitude

I talked with Dave about 30 minutes ago and Owen was there with him. They are going to decide if they are just going to grab a room and get a good nights rest and ride in the daylight, which is probably the better idea. I let them both know that if something did happen that i would hook the trailer up and come get him where ever they are. Realistically he can charge one of the batteries over night in the room, take all unnecessary fuses out like to the signals and headlight and just run with the tail light. Owen is with him so his bike will be the lights during the day. We'll get him back down here to Houston if all else fails. Thanks to all the offered to help

Y'all make me very proud, good on every one of you and all your efforts to get this letter to the family...you folks ROCK!

Andy, Perhaps your float needles aren't seating properly and it's dripping a bit past into the over flow tubes. If you have a set of carbs, and you rebuild them entirely, be prepared for some sticker shock. I have about $400 into the set on my '86 and about $250 to $300 on my '83, neither were absolute complete rebuilds. When I started doing carbs, I had zero clue on what I was doing. I just took pics of the disassembly and tried to lay out things in the order that they came apart. It takes a long time to do carbs, so dont get in a rush. There is a guy I use (Dingy turned me on to him) on ebay named georgefix and thats who I purchased Vmax rebuild kits from, they work on the Ventures as well. I have some limited knowledge on redoing the carbs. Dingy, is an encyclopedia on them. Dive into the spare set you have and we'll be able to help walk you through it. I wish you were closer, I'd come over and help you with them.

Thanks for keeping us in the loop Jeff, all the best for Paul in his recovery and his family.

Cindy, We know life has been stressful for all of your family. You have to do what you feel was right at the time. I try very hard not to judge folks, I have walked many paths in this life and can relate to just about anyone. It's good to see you posting again, and I certainly would love to see you folks at MD. As always if you need something, let us know....even if it's a shoulder. Good to have you back kiddo

Glad they weren't hurt Doodle, material things can be replaced...all the best to them.

We still have 4 of them here, as Heather has mentioned one went to her neighbor and is now Scarlet. Red is going to go on a road trip with us, Lonna's sister Darlene wants Red, who's name is going to be changed to Ceedee. We are planning to bring Red (aka Ceedee) north as we are going to drive up to MD at Freebirds. We'll just run into Michigan for the hand off and then travel down to Don's for the madhouse. Still looking to find homes for Blue and Brownie, Pink is obviously still staying with us. If anyone knows of a place for the last 2 I would appreciate the word of mouth, thanks again for the good vibes

Chris, Your on the right track, change out all the brake fluids, including the clutch. If you haven't changed the pads, do it, then you have a starting point for your maintenance records. I always do a complete tune up on any bike I get that I dont know the maintenance of personally. New plugs, wires and caps, new fuel filter. Also make sure your carbs are synchronised, there's brothers in the Michigan neck of the woods that can and will help you with that. Take a copy of the VR assistance list with you just in case you have any issues. There are lots of folks all over the country how will drop what they are doing to come help a members out. You'll get others to chime in as well...have fun on your trip and if you dont have plans the weekend of June 8th, come to Oberlin Ohio SW of Cleveland for Freebirds Maintenance Day

I have been texting with Don during the day. As of 8:15 pm CST he was in Clovis New Mexico and had covered 700 miles so far. He's doing good and I have been on his rear about stopping and getting rest if he feels sleepy. Anyone that has ridden or knows Don will attest that he's pig headed about getting rest. It's all good and I'll keep y'all updated as the trip progresses

James, If you get that rear wheel off and find it is the hub splines, PM me, I have a good hub here in Texas

Happy Birthday George!!!

All the best in her recovery with it, whatever the plan. Sending good vibes and lots of love to your sweetie...you too I suppose

Be careful Buddy and call if you need anything

I'll be honest with you, I slept through everything that happened. We are good here, Gunboat is right in Cleveland, were about 8 miles out of the city. Were good, I know yesterday evening there was some nasty storms running through the Fort Worth area around where Master guns lives. Hoping all is well with the folks up there in FW and Dallas.

Your welcome Annie, hell I might even bid on it when your through with it and it goes up for auction

Your trailer is pretty well done, besides pulling it behind my truck which will happen tonight and ready for Don to take it West All the carpet is back in, the lights have all been op checked, the dual locking latches have been installed and I installed new rubber seal along the inside of the lid to keep the water and critters out. Don went and got the new trailer plate and we installed it, so it's good for a year. I am very confident that this will serve you well while y'all are here in the US. I am interested in hearing what you think about it when Alan gets a chance to pull it