rod

Some one (may have been Kit) wrote a good group riding guide a while back and any one going on a group ride should read before meeting the group. Here is one we wrote for our little riding group. Ride ProtocolsJust To Keep Us All On The Same Page Rules of the RoadThe Ride Captain/Leader must be aware of the riding skill level of the members of the group and set the pace accordingly. If riders are present who are not familiar with riding with the Wanderers, those riders will be assigned to a "Ride Buddy". The intent is to introduce the "new" rider with a member of the Wanderers who will be able to answer questions, make the new rider feel comfortable, and serve as an example of our riding style. During the course of the ride, the buddy and new rider will partner up on the road with the buddy in a lead position. The Ride Captain/Leader is responsible for keeping the group together at all times and arranging rest and gas stops. The Ride Captain/Leader will be aware of the number of riders and be sure that all are accounted for throughout the ride. TO BE READ ALOUD AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH RIDE: The Ride Captain/Leader will read the Rules of the Road and give an example of the basic road signals before each ride. Each rider, when seeing a signal from the rider in front of him/her, should pass that signal on to the following riders. Typical hand signals used by the Wanderers are: http://www.sdwanderers.org/Misc%20Images/handfistani.gif Click Here For Animated Demos Left and right turn signals: Arm out to left for left turn or left arm bent at elbow to indicate right turn Let's Go: Arm raised over head and hand rotating in a circular motion Slow the pace: Arm extended, palm facing downward with up and down motion of hand Stop: Arm extended upward clenching fist Single File Formation: Hand raised over head with single finger pointing up Staggered Formation: Hand raised over head with two fingers pointing up Tighten Up Formation: Raise your left arm and repeatedly move up and down in a pulling motion. Pointing at obstacles: Point downward on side of bike where obstacle or hazard is located I need a rest stop (preferably one with a toilet): Arm extended to the left clenching fist Waves to other motorcycle riders: Anything goes (except maybe the princess in a parade wave) During Wanderers rides, traffic laws and regulations are to be followed at all times. This includes the wearing of helmets. Anyone refusing to obey these laws and regulations will be asked to leave the group. If any rider must leave the group for any reason, whether it is during the course of the ride or at a rest stop, it is the rider's responsibility to inform the Ride Captain/Leader. The Wanderers employ a staggered ride formation when road conditions permit. A staggered formation consists of the Ride Captain/Leader in the lead position on the left side of the traffic lane. The number two rider follows at a safe distance (usually 1 to 2 seconds) behind the lead rider on the right side of the traffic lane. The number three rider is in the left side of the traffic lane 2 to 4 seconds behind rider number one and 1 to 2 seconds behind rider number two. And so it goes with all subsequent riders. http://www.sdwanderers.org/Misc%20Images/staggerpic.gif While riding on multi-lane roads, if there should be a car entering from or wishing to exit onto a ramp, allow them room to do so. When road conditions ( such as very narrow traffic lanes or roads with sharp turns or twists, etc.) do not permit staggered riding , the Ride Captain/Leader will signal for single file riding. A minimum of 3 to 4 second interval between riders is recommended for single file riding. Some Don'ts Don't crowd the rider in front of you. We're all going to get where we're going at the same time, and you can make the other guy/girl nervous if you're riding too close. If he/she has to swerve to miss an obstacle, you will want him/her to have room to do so without endangering you or other riders. Don't lag too far behind the rider in front of you. Each rider needs to pay attention not only to what's in front of him, but also be aware of the rider following him. If you're falling too far behind, you could be giving a signal to the rider in front that you're in some kind of trouble. If you do experience trouble or become separated, stop. Each rider must be aware of the riders following, and upon noticing that there are no riders in sight behind must stop also. This will create a ripple affect, which will reach up to the Ride Captain/Leader who will then turn around and lead the riders back to the rest of the group. Don't pass other riders of the group while riding in a group formation. If you want to ride in close proximity to a friend, or you have a preference as to which side of the traffic lane you wish to ride during staggered riding, then use the opportunity at a rest stop to arrange yourselves accordingly. Once on the road, stay in the order you started in. If you'd like to know more than the basic information above, please check out the "Ride Captains" page by clicking the appropriate button below. When you have digested that you might want to learn the importance of that person riding trail for your group. The Wanderers encourage other groups to print these pages and use the tips as they see fit. http://www.sdwanderers.org/Misc%20Images/textbackspacer.jpg

Well the weather is going to be bad so I will have to take the truck, bummer. I will load the Virago so I can do some riding. I will find a computer connection after I get there and set up some times for M&E and/or rides. Looking forward to seeing you No Ca guys again. Ride safe Rod

To remove the bar weights take a knife and pry off the caps in the middle of the weights, then remove the allen screw in the middle of the weights, then unscrew the bar weights. On the left side to save grips, take a small screwdriver and pry up the rubber grip and spray some WD40 or whatever penetrating oil with a long tube you have around, loosen as much as you can with the screwdriver and shoot some compressed air and the rubber should come off with a little twisting and pulling. Quick way to not save the grip cut with razor knife. Use the spacer that comes with the grips to support the end of the new grips rubber. Right side, pull the screws that hold the throttle housing together and disconnect the throttle cables, if your new grips are complete with cable sleeve. If it is just the slip over type to pull the rubber use the same technique as the 1st side but be aware that there are ridges that keep the grip from slipping so it is harder to get off in one piece. Easy way again is razor knife and cut it off. I use hair spray as the glue to hold the new grips in place. It lubes when wet and sticks when dry. Good luck Rod

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Ditto what Eck said. I drilled the hole the same size as the screws at first and had trouble starting the bolts. Go larger to save some aggravation. Rod

I have had the bag liners for a while and JCW liners are same as the others with out the logo, quality product. The trunk rack is ok but the welds do rust if you dont take care of them. Rod

Well it looks like the weather is going to be bad for the trip . If it does not clear up I will have to take the truck and load up the Virago in the bed. More :mo money:I can't afford. Oh well stuff happens and you gotta roll with the punches. Rod

I will be staying with my Aunt and Uncle. I won't know much of the schedule till I get up there. I would like to get up to the Klamath and see some friends at some point but it depends on the weather. I'll stay in touch. Rod

I will be in Sac. Feb 22 till Mar 9. I will have classes: Fri 6:00 pm-10:00pm Sat 8:00 am-6:00pm Sun 8:00 am-6:00pm every weekend and be off during the week. I don't know if I will have internet but will find someplace to check email. If any one wants to ride during the week or M&E shoot me an email. rod-virago@cox.net. See ya Rod

Good luck with that. Sounds like you did not remember rule #1, "Never Volunteer". Stay safe. Rod

I enjoy reading travel logs of bike trips. Have a good trip. Rod

The plastic parts are ABS. There is a write up in the tech section on repairs. Rod

Found a good price on LED add on lights. http://www.jbr17llc.com/clearance-marker-ligts.html Ride safe Rod

There is a guy in Palm Springs who builds trikes like that (don't remember his name). Very nice work; all hand made from frame up. Nice guy and very talented. Rod

Every time I ask my Dad the # gets higher. He keeps forgetting the older bikes. He had 280,000 on the last 4 bikes he owned (he kept close track on these). Then I remind him of the older bikes and he has to guess because he does not remember keeping track of mileage on them. Last time we talked I think we got as close as possible for miles he rode.... 875,00. That does not count miles ridden with grandpa riding. After 40 yrs I have around 320,000 riding most of which are in the last 5 yrs. In San Diego we ride all year and my family commutes on bikes so mileage is a guess on commuting without counting other miles because there is no way to track that accurately. I put 460 mi on my first legal bike the first weekend I had my permit and never left the city. Only put 380 mi on my first car over the first weekend, same area. Rod

I have a good friend that bought one for his daughter. We had a trip to Tombstone AZ planned and Gery left later than the rest of us. Imagen our reaction when he pulls up to the motel on the Yamaha 250 scooter!!! That is a 500 mi trip. He said he ran it almost full throttle the whole way to keep up with traffic. He put almost 2000 mi on it over the weekend. He just took it because his daughter had not ridden it for a while and he thought it needed riding. He had 2 other bikes he could have ridden. Rod

Ok let me see, I win a MRSV in AZ so I pay tax. Next I go pick it up...then I have to put 7,500 mi on it before I can get it licenced in CA. MMMMMMMM new bike ,road trip for the price of taxes..........PUT ME IN COACH I'm ready to play!!!!! Ever the optamist. Rod

I would run what you got. At the next change if the plugs are fouled replace with hotter plugs. I doubt there will be a differance. Rod

Some one asked about repairing a cloudy sight glass on the break reservoir. I bought an old one from Jack off his old Maxim for my Virago. The site glass was cloudy and the mirror mount was broken and here is what I did. To repair the sight glass I used super glue and just coated the lens with it with it laying horizontal when it dried it was clear; not totally flat but good enough to see clearly the level. On the mirror mount I had a set of adapters that go from 10mm left hand thread to right hand thread (for the right side mirror). The piece that was broken was less than half the threads so I screwed the adapter in as best I could and used JB weld to glue the adapter into place so I have good threads. On the left I just screwed the adapter in so both sides look the same. Hope this helps. Rod

I mount mine on the floor board mount on my 2nd gen. It hangs so that it hit's the road just before I scrape hard parts of the bike. Rose calls it the early warning system. When the bell tinkles we are close to scrapping so it does not surprise her. Works for us. Rod

Easy way to turn it over by hand is to jack it up and spin the rear tire (with plugs out). Try in neutral first then in gear. If it turns over OK it is starter if it don't I would still start with looking at the starter before getting into the engine. Good luck Rod

I don't remember if I raised the tank when I installed mine or not, I think I did to gain slack in the throttle cables. There was enough slack but I did have to wiggle the wires and cables alot to get the length I needed. I love the risers on mine. Rod

If LaDainian Tomlinson could have played He would have kicked your a$$. Our field goals would have been touch downs. LT is a great player and a fine person. Rod

Take a look here for ideas. Rod http://www.dogsonbikes.com/

If the fluid don't smell burnt or tranny slip I would not loose any sleep over it. Rod