GaThumper

Good Evening! and Happy St Patrick's Day! I haven't been around for a while and it's been an interesting couple of years here in Georgia. My wife has had several surgeries during the past few years that kept me busy looking after her, and then in December 2014 I had my first surgery ever. I fell in November and suffered a complete tear of my right supraspinatus tendon. Doc said it was a bad tear and I had apparently had a partial tear for some time before the fall. She warned that it might not be repairable, but she was able to get it back together in surgery on December 14. Eight weeks in a sling, three months of physical therapy, three months more of extended therapy, and a little over a year later I've got about 75% of my range of motion and wondering whether I'll get any more. The good news is within the 75% range of motion I have no pain and good strength! I have tried riding the dial sport bike last fall and was able to take some short rides before winter. It still bothers me to hold my arm out and steer the bike for long, but I'm hoping it will get better. However, I've come to the conclusion that I don't feel safe on the Venture and I'm going to put it up for sale. Sadly, it's sat for over a year and it's going to need carb work before it will go on the street again. I'll probably drain the tank and put some fresh fuel in it to see if it will crank, but you all know what happens to a bike that's been sitting. I can't do the work myself, and last time I had it done at the dealer it was expensive. I'm going to get some pictures and post it in the classifieds here first and will let it go to a Venturerider for a good deal either way. Thinking maybe someone with mechanical ability might want a project. It's a pretty nice '01 with low miles. If no one here wants it, I'll post it on the Atlanta Craigslist and let her find a new home there. What do you think I should ask for it needing the carbs gone through? Thank You! James

I bought a Polar Bear 12 pack cooler for my Kayaka nd it is a GREAT quality cooler. I haven't tried it in the saddlebags yet, but it looks like it may fit? However... this is the one I'm thinking about! http://www.aocoolers.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_ID=61&ParentCat=16 http://www.aocoolers.com/images/18saddle.jpg

Just sent you a PM. I'm coming for sure. Can't open Word docs on the home computer but I'll fill out a registration tomorrow at work and send it to you. Email and Paypal OK, or snail mail a check? Thanks, James

Yesh, she's a trailer queen, or trailer trash, or something like that! I drove from northeast Georgia out to Tupalo MS to pick it up today. Not much choice but to let her ride in the back She's a 2009 Suzuki DR650 and I wouldn't be afraid to ride it anywhere. Two years old and only 580 miles, she's not even broke in yet, but I'll see what I can do about that! SHe's replacing the KLR650 that I sold my riding buddy last week and is more versatile, being a bit lighter for the trails, but giving up very little on the street. After trying 6 different dual sport bikes in the past three years, I think this one is the best all around.

Here She Is! I don't even want to get the tires dirty yet... She's never been rode hard, and never been wet. Well, sooner or later, she's in for a RUDE awakening! http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g158/jbmaynard/DR650/460e860e.jpg http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g158/jbmaynard/DR650/157be294.jpg http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g158/jbmaynard/DR650/1aa5b199.jpg http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g158/jbmaynard/DR650/d5a07ec4.jpg http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g158/jbmaynard/DR650/b913d578.jpg http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g158/jbmaynard/DR650/928b67f8.jpg http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g158/jbmaynard/DR650/b6b313f2.jpg

I was about to order a set and saw the linked item was "small" and said it was for 7/8" bars. But it also said fits grips that are 1.25 to 1.75... Is that the right ones and will they fit my 2001? Thanks! James

Found this post with lot's of info. Maybe it will help. It looks like you need to determine if you are working with the factory coating that has been ruined and you may be able to remove it with duct tape? Seems like you've not got much to lose at this point, I would give it a try! http://venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?p=313571&highlight=windshield#post313571

Don't give up yet. I remember reading about some who had removed the film and polished the underlying windshield. I can't remember how it was removed, but I'll look around and maybe someone else will chime in...

I need to do mine this year as well. Randy, please let me know if you would like an assistant/tool monkey. I'd like to watch. Thanks, James

Added to my calander and I plan to make it! Probably need to confirm a bit closer to the date, but I sure hope it works out. Thanks, James

I went with a plug/patch and a tube in my Dunlop after consulting the tire dealer and him calling his Dunlop representative to get their thoughts. He wouldn't re-install the tire without the tube. He didn't want to be liable for the repair even though Dunlop said it was OK. He's a motorcycle only tire dealer and been in the business along time, so I went with his advice. On my own I may have installed just the patch/plug and let her ride! Here's a quote from Dunlop's "Tire Tips Guide" http://www.dunlopmotorcycle.com/pdf/11D_FL_SAFETY.pdf Some punctures in motorcycle tires may be repaired. Dunlop recommends only permanent plug-patch repairs of small (maximum 1/4-inch diameter) tread-area punctures from within the dismounted tire by a qualified tire repair shop or motorcycle dealer. Never perform an exterior repair and never use an inner tube as a substitute for a proper repair. Speed should not exceed 50 mph for the first 24 hours after repair, and the repaired tire should never be used over 75 mph. Advise your customer to check inflation pressure after tire cools for at least three (3) hours following run-in, or sooner if air loss is suspected. See the Dunlop Service Advisory for additional motorcycle tubeless-tire repair information. Follow the same repair procedures for tires on rims requiring tube replacement. The repairer is solely responsible for the repair and any instructions to the repaired-tire user. Advise your customers that no form of temporary repair should be attempted because secondary damage caused by a penetrating object may not be detected and tire or tube deflation may occur at a later date. Dunlop does not recommend the use of liquid sealants. These are a form of temporary repair, and they may adversely affect ply material and mask secondary damage caused by a penetrating object. Advise your customers that reliance upon sealants can result in sudden tire failure and accident.

Thanks for the advice. I'll take a look at the 3m sealer. I've been reading up and looking at options, wondering whether to use a water based product, and not wanting to alter the breathability and flexability of the canvas (or cotton duct?).

I paid $400 for this one and thought it wasn't a bad deal. It's not braced as well as I ewould like, but I have a friend who can weld aluminum and I'm planning to get him to add some extra bracing for me. It also needs new tires so I'm figuring I'll have $500 in it ready to roll.

Well, I got it home and it's a pretty cool little trailer! I still haven't found a name or been able to match up any pictures on Google to figure out what it is? It has thin canvas? cotton? or somthing, I guess TENT FABRIC! and it's in good shape with the screens intact and the zippers all functional. I'll need to figure out if it needs to be treated/sprayed with something, and lubricate the zippers a bit, but it went up pretty quick and looked good. Missing one of the prop poles for when the top is propped open (it origianally had two) and one plastic tip on one of the support poles, but I'm sure I can find these parts from a tent pole supplier or come up with something that will work. It's definately old, (the PO said his friend had bought it about 20 years ago) and I'm going to be making a few improvements in the bracing, but I'll be a happy camper soon! I'd still appreciate any clues as to the brand. The top and bottom are both plastic if that helps. Thanks! James

Thanks for the reply! It was a good deal (I think) and I went ahead and bought it before it could get away. It looks like a decent enough rig for me solo and I can figure out if I use it enough and want to upgrade to a newer, and much more expensive Roll-A-Home, Bunkhouse, Aspen, etc.

Anyone recognize this little tent trailer? http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g158/jbmaynard/trailerandbike.jpg http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g158/jbmaynard/traileropen.jpg http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g158/jbmaynard/traileropen2.jpg http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g158/jbmaynard/trailerstoragearea.jpg

Here's another option for you! My bike came to me with this mount already installed. It connects to the clutch or brake lever and provides the 1" ball that my Zumo mount used. http://www.ram-mount.com/CatalogResults/PartDetails/tabid/63/partid/082065077045066045051048057045049067072085/Default.aspx http://www.ram-mount.com/Portals/0/PartImages/RAM-B-309-1CHU.jpg On my dual sport I just use the "U" bolt bracket that clamps on teh handlebars wherever you can find the space. http://www.ram-mount.com/CatalogResults/PartDetails/tabid/63/partid/082065077045066045050051049085/Default.aspx http://www.ram-mount.com/Portals/0/PartImages/RAM-B-231U.jpg There's a whole page of motorcycle mounts on the Ram site... http://www.ram-mount.com/Products/MotorcycleMounts/tabid/128/Default.aspx

If you're talking about recording the TV program, video and audio, then you can record to a DVD, but a CD won't hold much and you would be making a VCD. This may require a computer. It will depend on your DVR. Otherwise it may depend on your DVR. Dish network DVRs have an S-Video and left and right audio outputs for "home distribution" to SD TVs that I have connected to my DVD burner. (If you don't have S-Video input look for the "yellow" phone plug video) I can record any of the TV programs from my DVR to my DVD burner. Not sure about the Tivo based DVRs that the cable companys use. Recording HD is another ball of wax. If you have component video output you can use a computer to record in HD with a Haupage adapter. For audio only if you have the right and left audio outputs you could connect a stand alone cd burner to it and record just audio. Kinda like we used to sit the cassette deck in front of the radio! For You Tube, if you use the Firefox browser you can get an add-on that will convert the audio to a MP3 file. Not sure if everyone saw my post yesterday about Bit Torrent. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=59456

I saw a couple of posts today about downloading music and while I don't condemn anyone for their choices, I respect the artists and their rights (and copyrights). But I do LOVE to collect live music and video of my favorite artists. I thought I would start a new thread and share a little of my experiences over the past 10 years with the "tape" trading community and downloading. "Bit Torrent" isn't the problem, it's the sites that you access with your Bit Torrent client. Like most other things created by man, Bit Torrent can be used for good or evil! I've used Bit Torrent every day for the past 10 years with no problems. I download mostly live music from "trade friendly" bands that approve of it that has been recorded at a concert or off of a TV. You won't find the top 40 there and nothing that is "copyrighted" or by a band that requets their live music NOT be shared. I got started with the "trading" community doing BnP, Vine and Trades. BnP is where you send Blanks and a self addressed stamped return mailer to a trader and they burn copys of the discs in their collection and return them to you. Vines (and trees) are organized methods of sharing by passing music through the mail to be copied. I must stress that this is all done with the approval of the artists and not all artists allow taping, trading, and/or downloading. However there are many, many "taper friendly" bands. Some of the most famous bands included are The Greatful Dead, Little Feat, Derek Trucks, Warren Haynes, Govt. Mule, Phil Lesh, Widespread Panic, Ratdog, Yonder Mountain String Band, Drivin and Cryin, The Black Crowes, Aquarium Rescue Unit, Blues Traveler, Dave Matthews, and many more you may not be familiar with. OK, I'll admit that Bit Torrent is not for the feint of heart, requires some time learning the methods and practices, and can lead you DIRECTLY to the dark side! But if you follow the narrow path and be careful it can be VERY rewarding! Where it all began for me and a great place to hang out and get started is the Allman Brothers web community, Hittin' the Web. VERY friendly place to hang (a lot like venturerider and my other favorite place to hang, klrworld) and lot's of people willing to help you learn and get started "sharing the grooves"! Drop in, sign up, get started and you can thankl me when you get your first CD or DVD! http://www.allmanbrothersband.com/ In the "Music" forum check out Adopt-A-Newbie, Trades, and Vines. Trades and Vines are an unbeatable low tech way to get started in live music collecting. In "Trades" there are often "freebies" offered just to share and send out good karma. In "Vines" you can sing on to a Vine and when it's your turn the person before you sends you a package with CDs and/or DVDs and you copy them and send the origianls on to the nest person after you on the vine. Easy Peasy! http://www.allmanbrothersband.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=XForum&file=index&gid=21 Here's a few more good links to get started if you are ready to start a journey. Just beware, it is VERY addictive! Bit Torrent Clients and Info I use ABC but uTorrent and Vuze (formerly Azureus) and BitTornado are popular. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BitTorrent_(protocol) http://www.dessent.net/btfaq/ http://www.bittorrent.com/help/guides/beginners-guide Some Music Archives http://wiki.etree.org/ http://www.archive.org/details/audio http://www.archive.org/details/etree http://bt.etree.org/ Dime doesn't always accept new users, but it's a GREAT site http://www.dimeadozen.org/ The Traders Den is another Great site that I frequent. They have some GREAT FAQs there about Bit Torrent and suggestions for BT clients to use and where to find LEGAL music. Check out the info on BnPs, Vines, Trees, and Loops. These are ways to trade and aquire free live music and vodeo via US mail without the risk having to learn all about Bit Torrent. http://www.thetradersden.org/ FLAC is a common "Lossless" format for CD quality music shared on the net. You may also find SHN files. http://flac.sourceforge.net/ http://userpages.umbc.edu/~hamilton/shnfaq.html In addition to CDs, there are tons of DVDs out there too. Great Vintage concerts that were filmed by an audience menber or a PROfessional and may have been broadcast on TV or the original, or a copy, or a copy of a copy, etc. (this is where you will see the term "gererations" to describe how many generations from the origianla copy is). I've found great, rare, old video of most of my favorite bands such as The Eagles, James Taylor, The Who, Led Zepplin, Pink Floyd, The Allman Brothers, The Greatful Dead, Jethro Tull, and the list goes on and on and on. Now all this is pretty much Windows PC specific, but the general idea applies to MAc, I just have necer had a MAc and don't know specifics. I did read the Vuze (formerly Azureus) has an osx version for Macs. Have Fun!

+1 I was reading and planning to put in my .02 when I read Brad's post. Light comes on in 4th and OD lights up in 5th. I'm kinda counting 'em down when downshifting, but over 40 years of riding makes it kind of sub conscience.

That just makes me feel old. I had (and still have) these for "weighing things". http://www.scalesnow.com/images/ohaus3.jpg I used them to balance and blueprint a ceiling fan. Weighed each blade, each bracket, and each set of screws and made up PERFECTLY balanced blade assemblies. My friends would just sit and stare up at my ceiling fan and be amazed over how smoooooth it was while we were weighing out things and doing things. I don't stare at the ceiling fan any more.

Thanks for sharing! Someone sent me this a while back and it lifted me up to see it again. It came to me originally with the subject "This is Why We Ride"...

Hi Gary, Thanks for the tip about chamfering the holes. Would you explain exactly what you mean? I've got a rack to install and want to be sure I do it right! Is that live beveling the edges of the holes, or is there a special tool? Thanks! James

I've got a Dekka distributor nearby and have Dekka batterys in all bikes where they are available. I'm just curious about the LI claims.

Anybody else seen the hype about the Lithium batterys from Shorai? Fist saw them on the dirt bike because they are much lighter than a traditional battery. The do have sizes to fit our bikes, but MAY be a little smaller and include some foam spacers. Reported to hold charge for a year with NO maintenance and last 2-4 time as long as lead acid. They are pricey and currently on backorder due to higher than expected demand. The jury may still be out and economist reports not back yet, but interesting non the less! http://www.shoraipower.com/ http://www.shoraipower.com/s-57421-XVZ13-Venture-1300cc.aspx