GaThumper
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Some good basic info here... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synthetic_oil Pay close attention to the group IV versus group III and group V. Only group IV are considered synthetics outside of the US. Due to a lawsuit won by Castrol, synthetic was determined to be a marketing term referring to the properties, not to production methods or ingredients. Not to say group III oils are not good, just information to know. Anyway it's interesting to me that many oils sold in the US as full synthetic, can't be sold as synthetic worldwide. Now I read this on the internet, so it muct be true, right! No, take this with a grain of salt and ymmv, I'm open to learn more and having this info corrected. A little old, but some more good reading here... http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/Consumables.html Lot's of oil discussion here... http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/cms/ At Bob's there are a lot of people discussing pros and cons of various oils and posting used oil analysis after running different oils in different engines. You can spend a lot of time reading here! The heavy duty engine oils for diesel engines are pretty popular and Shell Rotella seems to get a lot good results on the used oil analysis. The Rotella T6 5W40 is full synthetic and comes in a blue plastic jug and the Rotella T 15W40 dino is in the white jug. Both of these ARE JASO certified for use with wet clutch! I run Rotella dino in my F250 diesel with 5000 mile intervals and it's going strong with 275,000. I'd like to run the T6 Synthetic in my bikes, but the weight is not great (imo) for them. I'm really tempted to run the 15W40 dino since I change at really short intervals in my bikes and it is such a well respected oil. However I run Mobile1 15W50 in all my bikes. It's easy to find and a little less expensive than the Mobile1 motorcycle oils. I would have no problem running either the Mobile 10W40 Racing 4T or the 20W50 V-Twin, but I don't think there is any problem running the auto oils, just be sure it doesn't have friction modifiers usually denoted by the "Energy Conserving" seal on the label. I have seen lot's of people recommend Mobile1 and that's what I've been running for several years with no complaints in single cylinder thumpers, inline four, V-Twin, and now the V-4 Venture. There are a lot of good oils out there and probably more opinions than there are oils! It's a subject that's probably as controversial as any subject discussed regarding engines. I believe Amsoil is good and wouldn't argue with anyone who was using it. Also Golden Spectro and Motul 5100, and I'm sure there are more. A good base and a good additive package and you're good to go! Later! James whew! I would say that's my .02 but I just spent close to an hour putting this post together! Please don't flame me and I hope someone finds this information helpful.
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If there's a list, please add me to it, too! Otherwise I'll watch for the next post. Thanks, James
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WOW - that video was really interesting. I'm going to have to let that soak in while I make a run to Poole's BBQ for some ribs! Hadn't thought much about the safety aspect. Since the tint is not a HUGE dealbreaker for me, a vent can be installed later, I'm going to have to give some more consideration to the F4. Let's go eat some "Q" !
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I really appreciate all the feedback... You guys are great! I'm thinking I'll go with the Clearview with a vent. I'm still thinking about the tint. I always wear sunglasses, and I don't ride too much at night, so probably with or without tint won't make much difference. I'm leaning toward the tint right now. I think I'm going to go for the XXL since I'm OK looking through the windshield and my main concern is getting my 5'11" bride out of the wind! Anyone with a similar height wife care to comment about the height and any wind issues? I'm an inch shorter than her, and with the back seat height, she's a good bit above me. That was the main reason we started looking at touring bike, she was getting a sore neck from the wind on my Intruder. The old GS is not so bad since it has a "bench" seat. Thanks Again! James
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So I'm thinking about replacing the windshield on my '01 and wondering if the F4 is an upgrade over the Clearview? Clearview has a 10% discount for the month of March, so I'd like to decide one way or the other before the sale ends at the end of the month. I was pretty much decided to get a Clearview, but want to be sure before I pull the trigger. F4 advertises that the polycarbonate (Lexan) is 30 time more impact resistant than acrylic and their hard coatings resist scratches and shed rain better with no treating needed. They also say you can safely use paper towels, Windex, and Rain-X if you want to. I'm wondering if the F4 would stay really clear longer than the Clearview? I would be really careful cleaning either one, but how will the Clearview look after many miles and years or road grime? Other considerations are the tint and vent. I'm thinking the tinted Clearview would be nice, but clear would be fine too. The Goldwing vent might be nice to get some air, but I've not minded the stock with no vents. Maybe just because I've never had a vent? Should the difference in warranty make any difference to me? Six months for the Clearview and four years for the F4, but they probably both exclude all but manufacturing defects, so it may not matter? Price is nice, but I'm always willing to pay a premium for a premium product... So has anyone had both that can compare them? I think Don may have had both? I'd really appreciate any comments about the tint or vent in addition to the basic product differences. Thanks! James
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was and still am... a Jesus lovin' hippy! YES I inhaled, and held my breath a lot, too. Born just a little too late ('58) to be a "real" hippy, but coming of age in the '70s was not that much different. Still rocking and rolling whenever I can. These were taken last year. LOL http://hphotos-snc1.fbcdn.net/hs020.snc1/3041_1140030053619_1013456981_30434502_4741963_n.jpg http://hphotos-snc1.fbcdn.net/hs020.snc1/3041_1140030093620_1013456981_30434503_2892473_n.jpg He turned 35 last Sunday In his hair he found some gray But he still ain't changed his lifestyle He likes it better the old way. So he grows a little garden In the backyard by the fence He's consuming what he's growing Nowadays in self defense He gets out there in the twilight zone Sometimes when it just don't make no sense. He gets off on country music 'Cause disco left him cold And he's got young friends and a new way But he's just to frickin old. And he dreams at night of Woodstock And the day John Lennon died How the music made him happy And the silence made him cry Yeah, he thinks of John sometimes And he has to wonder why. Chorus: 'Cause he's an old hippie And he don't know what to do Should he hang on to the old Should he grab on to the new. He's and old hippie This new life is just a bust He ain't trying to change nobody He's just trying real hard to adjust. He was sure back in the sixties That everyone was hip Then they sent him off to vietnam On his senior trip. And they forced him to become a man While he was still a boy And behind each wave of tragedy He waited for the joy Now this world may change around him But he just can't change no more. Chorus: 'Cause he's an old hippie And he don't know what to do Should he hang on to the old Should he grab on to the new. He's and old hippie This new life is just a bust He ain't trying to change nobody He's just trying real hard to adjust. Well, he stays away a lot now From the parties and the clubs And he's thinking while he's jogging round Sure is glad he quit the hard drugs. 'Cause him and his kind Get more endangered everyday And pretty soon the species Will just up and fade away Like the smoke from that torpedo Just up and fade away. Chorus: 'Cause he's an old hippie And he don't know what to do Should he hang on to the old Should he grab on to the new. He's and old hippie This new life is just a bust He ain't trying to change nobody He's just trying real hard to adjust. Yeah, he ain't trying to change nobody He's just trying real hard to adjust...
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My first bike of any kind was a mid '60s Honda Sport 50. It wasn't tagged, (but at age 12-13 I wasn't licensed either) but I rode it all over the rural roads where I grew up. I was supposed to keep it on the dirt roads, but occasionaly I had to make a brief sprint on pavement to connect up a route. I believe it would do 50-55 downhill with a tailwind! http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g158/jbmaynard/GS1000E/DSCN2669.jpg I soon moved up to a early '70s Kawasaki 100 Trail Boss with 5 forward gears and a high/low range shifter for a total of 10 speeds. Low range for the trails and the flip it to high range to head home. I was again supposed to stay off the pavement, but boys will be boys! http://www.adclassix.com/images/70kawasakitrailboss.jpg MY first real street bike was a '78 GS750E, bought new when I was 20 and traded in the following year for the '79 GS1000E that I still have! The 750 and 1000 were almost identical except for displacement. http://www.bikesfromscrap.co.uk/assets/images/1979_GS750E_sweeping_800.jpg http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g158/jbmaynard/GS1000E/CanonPictures127.jpg
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This was mine but I replaced the low exhaust with a Bassani. Loved that bike. It converted me from two smokes to thumpers! http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/Gallery%20%20A/Yamaha%20TT500%20%202.jpg But I lusted for a later model with the aluminum tank like this one... several friends had this one or the yellow version. http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/Gallery%20%20A/Yamaha%20TT500.jpg and I've got one of these out in the shed... http://www.famoto.it/Yamaha%20TT600%2085%20%201.jpg
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'83 and '84 were both available in gold. Probably what Condor said, it could be yours is a "crossover" model year bike where the assembly lines started the '84 model bikes a bit early and they were sold and serialized as '83 models. This would also explain why you could buy '83 parts that didn't fit, if the parts were changed from '83 to '84. Color Information is on the history page... http://www.venturerider.org/modules/history/index.php along with a picture of what may be your bike... http://www.venturerider.org/images/83venture.jpg
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Looking at one of these for my FJ Cruiser and just wondering if it might be made to work and fit in the cassette hole on a 2nd gen? Does the RSV have an ODB II port? I saw where they use these on the Triumph Rocket, I guess it has the ODB port, or maybe an interface cable could be made? http://www.scangauge.com/ http://www.scangauge.com/assets/graphics/IMG_2009_withdims.jpg
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More prayers coming your way! Be blessed and have a speedy recovery. James
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PM to you on the bag rails. Thanks, James
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I wasn't going to say it, but...
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I noticed the same thing and I've got in the habit of engaging the cruise and then holding the throttle for 5 seconds or so and then slowly releasing the throttle to be sure the cruise has taken over. It's become second nature to me, I don't even think about it any more and it makes a smooth transition. James
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gibvel's post had a link to the Star site... http://www.starmotorcycles.com/star/products/modelscitemdetail/5/4/83/408/2009/1/4607/0/0/detail.aspx and another option is the Baker Air Wings http://www.bakerbuilt.com/yamaha.htm http://www.bakerbuilt.com/Photos/Yam%20Roy%20Str%20Ven%20Web.JPG
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Thanks for all the replys! Ken called Dunlop and talked to them about the Elite three and the specific application on the Venture. They advised him to use a plug patch and install a tube if necessary. They said there was no reason not to use a tube despite the information on their web site to the contrary. I'll probably call Rider's Hill tomorrow and talk to them to get another opinion, but I think I'm going to go with Dunlop's recommendation and just let Ken decide whether he wants to install a tube. I'm about ready to just buy a new tire and not worry about it. The price of a tire is really not too much for peace of mind. Thanks! James
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Talked to Ken this morning and he said he wouldn't patch or plug the tire. He did offer to call Dunlop and talk to them about it. I'm sure it's a liability issue and I can't blame him. He said if Dunlop advises not to install the tube then he can't repair it at all. Then I guess I can get it repaired somewhere else or buy a new tire.
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http://www.timgilles.com/photogallery/13.60aplugpatchcombo.jpg
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Found a thread on this company who makes plug patches, I'll have to talk to Ken tomorrow and see what he's got. The hole is in the center of the tread, so unless it's damaged badly I'm thinking patch it from the inside with a plug/patch. This was from a BMW Z3 web site where they said this was the only "z" rated plug patch they could find. http://www.techtirerepairs.com/ I guess this is the plug/patch. http://www.techtirerepairs.com/Catalog/ItemList.aspx?SalesSubGroup=MR050&family=MR&salesGroup=MR05 Thanks Again! James
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Thanks for the replys! I just found this on the Dunlop Tire web site. I'm going to talk to the tire store tomorrow about it. Fron the Dunlop tire web site... Some punctures in motorcycle tires can be repaired if no other damage is present. Dunlop recommends only individual permanent plug-patch repairs of small tread area punctures from within the demounted tire by a qualified tire repair shop or motorcycle dealer. Never perform an exterior repair and never use an innertube as a substitute for a proper repair. Your bike should not exceed 50 mph for the first 24 hours after the repair and the repaired tire should never be used over 80 mph. Dunlop speed ratings are voided by repairs. No form of temporary repair should be attempted because secondary damage caused by the 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 that may adversely affect ply material and mask secondary damage caused by the penetrating object. Reliance upon sealants can result in sudden tire failure and accident.
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I pulled in to the driveway Friday and felt the rear end wobble and within 50-75 feet I could tell I was getting a flat and stopped and checked to find the rear tire was flat. It's a new Dunlop Elite 3 with maybe 500 miles on it. I walked the mile down the driveway and got my portable air tank and went to the tire store and aired it up. Got my wife to follow me down the driveway and that was a good move. When I aired it up I could hear a big leak and felt around with my hand and found a nice stream of air in the center of the tread. I was only able to go about 1 minute before I could feel it getting loose again. I dind't want to ride it flat at all, so I aired it up and rode it and aired it up three more times to get back to my house. I have a gravel driveway and no place to jack it up safely, so I'll be trailering her down to Ken's Discount Tires in Woodstock Ga where I bought the tires. Kens is a mom and pop motorcycle tire store and besides being really nice, they seem to know their business. I've got an appointment Friday afternoon and they are recommending a tube be installed. I know I've read some who have plugged their tires and had no problems, and I've always chosen to have my AUTO tires removed from the wheel and patched on the inside. This is what I expected on the Venture. Do you think a tube is the way to go? I'm thinking he will patch the hole in addition to installing a tube. Maybe I could take it somewhere else and get it patched if that's a better repair. I just want to choose the best possible repair. Thanks! James
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99 RSV trunk replacement
GaThumper replied to djb47's topic in Royal Star Venture Tech Talk ('99 - '13)
What years was this a problem? I just got a used 2001 and wonder if I need to take preventative action (or look into a recall)? Thanks, James -
This is a controversial subject and there is no one right answer. There are tons of testamonials for every brand mentioned and more. I believe the bottom line is regular oil changes with ANY brand will give pretty good results! I use Mobile 1 synthetic in all my bikes and just switched my Toyota FJ over to Mobile 1 at 10K miles. (I run Rotella non synthetic in my F250 diesel) I have also used the Mobile 1 4T and V-Twin and I believe they are great oils, but they charge a premium for them and I can't always find them everywhere I go. I like running an oil that I can find at any Wally World since there are about 5 in every town I can always find my oil in a pinch. I do change my synthetic oil at short intervals, but that is my choice and I KNOW they would go longer, it's just my choice. I would have no problem running Rotella synthetic or non-synthetic oil in any of my bikes and have done so in the past. The only issue I have with Rotella Synthetic is it's a 5W and in many cases I want a 15W or a 20W since I will tend to run the viscosity that is recommended by the manufacturer. A lot of people prefer (and oil analysis supports) the HD diesel oils since they maintain viscosity well, have great additive packs (something no one has mentioned), and are excellent at keeping the motor clean and holding the "junk" in suspension until it can be removed from the motor at the next oil change. If Rotella synthetic came in other weights it would be my oil of choice. As it is, I'm about ready to just start running the Rotella T (non-synthetic) in all the bikes. It gets great UOA results in almost every (motorcycle) application and at $9 a gallon I could change more often than the M1 for the same $$$. Maybe more frequent oil changes would be betther than running the synthetic? I have never sent my used oils to a lab for a UOA (used oil analysis), but if you really want to get serious about how a specific oil is performing in your vehicle, you should get a UOA done. I have spent hours reading posts from others who have had oil analyzed and posted their UOA results. If you want to do the same here is a good web site to check out. You may be surprised at some of the results. http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/ Under Forums there is a motorcycle specific forum. http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=49&page=1 With that I'll close by saying that everything I say is my OPINION and may differ from yours, but that's OK. YMMV
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WOW, you are blessed! James
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Was it this one? Honda Cub 50, this was the first bike I ever rode at age 9. It belonged to one of my (still) very best friends and was the reason I got my first bike and fell in love with motorcycles! http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g158/jbmaynard/Cub_50_009.jpg