MikeWa

Most of the time a dry graphite lubricant is best in a lock because it is less likely to freeze in winter. Try that first. Then if it were me in this case I would flush the lock with WD40. Yes push the little red straw into the lock and flood the cylinder. Then if that freed things up I would I would air dry the lock and lube with some silicone grease from an aerosol can. If that does not work remove the assembly and take it to a lock smith. Yes I know this breaks 11 of the 10 rules for repairing locks but it is what I would do just the same. Mike

To me your symptoms sound more like a faulty ignition switch or something along those lines. A new battery should go for more than 15 miles. Started after sitting 45 minutes. Died again after 3 miles. it is time for a voltage check of the battery static and while trying to crank the engine. Also a parasitic draw test is in order. I would suggest a wiggle test of the wiring but the tank has to be off for that. Mike

Hmmm. With over heated brakes the pedal usually gets hard. The brake won't slow you even if you stand on the pedal. Going all the way down with no resistance is something else. Fluid is bypassing in the master cylinder or air is in the system or some such thing. Moisture may have boiled and turned to gas. I suppose the fluid and master cylinder could have gotten hot enough to distort and allow fluid past the piston. But that is highly unlikely. I would change the fluid and carefully bleed the system. If it happens after that I would change the master cylinder. Mike

Brad How the heck did you manage to stay upright? Holy cow. Glad you guys came through ok. Mike

Worn key, dirt in cylinder, lack of lubrication. Mike

Until you are able to get hooked up with Freebird change your fuel filter. Mike

BJ I am glad you are ok. It seems to me the medical reaction was exactly right. I have lost several friends who did not pay enough attention to chest symptoms. The results from over reacting are far far better than those from under reacting. Be Safe. Mike

Short rides with idling equals poor mileage. In that case 33mpg is not that bad. Pushing high speed or into wind also causes poor mileage. Again 33mpg might not be that bad. Before doing any work get a base-line mileage at freeway speed of about 60mph. Do this for a couple of trips. Watch out for wind as it can skew results. Then as you make repairs or modifications you will have something accurate to compare with. Anything over 40mpg is good. Of course higher is better. To do a really good job of setting the carbs up a gas analyzer is needed. Four of five gas is best but a two gas will work in a pinch. Most motorcycle shops do not have this tool so mechanics are guessing. They are adjusting by ear and rpm but that still means guessing as to whether everything is ok. A good knowledgeable mechanic with a gas analyzer would pick up exhaust fumes in an instant and be able to track down the problem. Unfortunately I do not know of a single motorcycle shop using this technology. Mike

Sorry. Double post. Mike

I posted the clock install here. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?51651-Clock-Install The temp gauge is not accurate being trapped behind the fairing. It reads about 10 degrees high. Mike

I actually found another use for the installed dampers. I mounted a clock. Mike Click to view

Don't know what to tell you. I have the riser extensions on my bike but I was able to squeeze the dampers in. It was tight but doable. See pic. Mike Click to view

The cracking in your pictures is not an issue. Mike

Those wide whitewalls really look good. Mike

Best wishes for a safe return. Mike

Ok.. A long long time ago (70s) in a land far far away (Seattle). I used to purchase anti fog towels at the auto parts store. They were laced with a chemical I can not remember. They were great. Just wipe off the fog and it wouldn't return for days. I used them in my truck and on my boat. Does anyone recall the active chemical. Mike

Burn clothing that has been infected with poison ivy. Poison ivy is not water soluble and will not wash out of clothing. See your pharmacist about the skin irritation. There are some excellent products available. Mike

Now that I have used a back rest I wouldn't be without it. Especially for long trips. Mike

Sounds like the helmet did it's job. And earned it's price tag. Glad she came through ok. Mike

It is time to replace the clutch. Mike

+1 on Yamalube Mike

What Bert said. Mike

Dave Testing coils can be very problematic. The 1/4 to 1/5 volt most meters use for resistance testing will not arc nearly as easily as the 25,000 volts produced in the coils secondary. Or for that matter as much as the 12 volts from the battery. So here is my rule. if the ohm meter test the coli as bad it is bad. If a coil tests good with an ohm meter then MAYBE it is good and MAYBE not. Mike

Jack I don't see why another high quality brand of thermostat wouldn't work. It needs to have the same overall diameter. A visit to your local auto parts store might prove productive. Verify the temperature rating stamped on the thermostat itself. When replacing thermostats I will usually drill a very very small bleed hole in the replacement unit if it doesn't already have one. This helps in bleeding air out on initial fill up and also helps assure uniform temperature around the t-stat during use. Mike

Where are the relays for sale at? Mike