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V7Goose

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  1. V7Goose
    The only other comment is that all sound comes out either the headset or speakers, no matter what the source. You cannot select intercom in the headsets and radio in the speakers. Goose
  2. V7Goose
    The leak is at the Y connection where the rear header joins the front header. These pipes are only crimped together, not welded, and often the crimp leaves a big bubble large enough to stick a toothpick through. You cannot really see it unless you take the pipe off, but it is usually easy to feel with your fingers. You can also hold a lit cigarette around the joint to see of the smoke just rolls by the pipe or is blown away or dissipated by the exhaust. Best way to do the smoke test is to hold the cigarette below the pipe before you start the bike to watch the smoke pattern, then see if there is any change when you fire it up. Many that have the leak will see gray discoloration on the chrome heat shield right at the Y. This is not bluing from heat, just deposits from the exhaust gasses, so it wipes off easily. That means you won't see it if you haven't been riding some since you washed the bike! If you do find a leak here but no longer in warranty, my suggestion is to seal it up with JB Weld (that's what we did for Don's pipe). I can't guarantee that it will last forever, but I doubt if the pipe gets too hot for it that far down, so it should. Goose
  3. V7Goose
    Just my opinion here folks, but there is no chance at all that Yamaha will make any design changes to the current Royal Star Platform - it is just too old, and the design costs and attendant manufacturing changes will never be recovered. This bike is never going to get FI, or even a change to the audio system. On a brighter note, however, is that I believe the entire machine is currently being redesigned. Not just updates to the old bike, but a completely new touring platform. I kinda expected it for 2008, but most folks thought they were gonna see the new VMax in 2008 also. Of course, there is no way Yamaha can publicly acknowledge that major changes like this are coming, or the sales of the current platform would completely dry up. So, here's looking forward to the completely new Yamaha Touring platform in 2009! And maybe we can stop lamenting the lack of changes for 2008? Frankly, I'm pleased that the value of my bikes will remain up for at least another year. Goose
  4. V7Goose
    Yup, just stuck on with no purpose. Easy to take them off with fishing line, heat gun, or Goof Off. I need new ones to fix my bike, so if you take them off, I'd like to have them if you want to get rid of 'em. Goose
  5. V7Goose
    At this point, I am really wondering if the measurements between the holes on your new links are the same as mine? If you are willing to pull one off and carefully measure it, I will do the same. Here is another option - instead of measuring it, lay the original link on a piece of paper and trace both bolt holes, then lay one of the new links on top of the paper, carefully align one hole exactly with the circle from the first link, then trace the second hole on top of the other original link hole. Clearly label both holes on the paper, and then scan it in. The overlapping holes will be enough to compare the difference in length without actual measurements. Goose
  6. V7Goose
    When I first mounted my shorter links, I know for a fact that they changed the height at the rear tire by just 1", since I used a 1" board under the tire to take the slight pressure off the mounting bolts, and when I put the new bolts in, the tire just barely touched the ground without the board. That said, I noticed a big difference when I first sat on the bike, and especially in the amount of lean on the side stand, but even on my first test ride, I could not feel ANY difference in height of the bike as soon as I started rolling. That is exactly opposite of you, stating you felt no difference just sitting on it, but big difference while riding! Don't know what to tell you, but I did want others to know that the perception you reported in not universal. Goose
  7. V7Goose
    My method is close to Al's, but even easier (IMHO). I tighten them to the point where I can force them to move, but only with a LOT of pressure, then put them all back together. Now when I align them, the job is done; no taking them back apart to tighten things more. This method worked without any problems or shifting of the aim for 35,000 miles. Goose
  8. V7Goose
    You already hit the idea - I'd bet on a bent shift fork. I don't know anything about this particular bike, but since the problem is only two gears, it removes the clutch as the issue. Check a service manual, and if 2nd and 4th share the same shift fork, it is almost guaranteed to be the problem. Goose
  9. V7Goose
    For you new owners that don't have the revs figured out quite yet, here is a post and the owners response from another thread on the same subject: (you can read the whole thread in much greater detail here: http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=13190&page=3 )
  10. V7Goose
    I do not believe Dunlop Elite IIs are being made any longer. Any you find are likely old stock. Dunlop has been slowly phasing out the EII for the EIII. Although they have not officially said so, I personally believe that they have delayed the introduction of some sizes in the EIII to move leftover EIIs. Goose
  11. V7Goose
    I am in full agreement with bowa1. I do NOT find the stock gearing lacking in any way. My mind may change some day, but I wouldn't count on it. After 35,000 miles on QuickSilver, both solo and two up, commuting and long distance touring, I think the gearing is really spot-on. I think it is great you found something to improve your own ownership. Goose
  12. V7Goose
    I also agree with the previous statements - the zerk fitting on the back does lubricate both sets of bearings; therefore, no need for the BBs to get enough grease in there. HOWEVER, the added benefit of the BBs is that the spring loaded pressure plate gives you a positive visible cue on how much grease is left to keep the bearings lubed. If you do your preventative maintenance regularly, this isn't important, but if you tend to forget things or let the lube times stretch out a bit, I think the BBs are absolutely worth their cost, even if you don't have a boat trailer. Bottom line is this - if you only occasionally use your trailer, and you are good about checking it out and greasing it up before a trip, save your money. If you use the trailer a lot, get the BBs; the cost is minuscule for the added piece of mind and the possible prevention of major problems while in the middle of nowhere far far from home. Goose
  13. V7Goose
    If you still have your old one, there is an excellent chance I can fix it for you. Send me a PM if you want my address - you can send it in a flat rate envelope for $4.60. Goose
  14. V7Goose
    That looks super - looking forward to seeing the plans and making one myself. Thanx! Goose
  15. V7Goose
    I do not "know" anything about this for sure, but I would not run that rim mounted backward. It may be designed to handle the braking forces differently in the forward direction or any number of other things that we do not know about, BUT, I do not believe they would have added that turn arrow to the mold just to get a laugh after a couple of bottles of sake. It is on there for a reason, and it is inexcusable for a shop to refuse to do the job correctly. Make sure to tell the wife to sue the hell out of them for negligence and wrongful death if you happen to be killed in a motorcycle accident before they fix it. Won't help you none, but at least she'll make a bundle. Sorry to be so morbid about it, but I think it is potentially that serious, made even more egregious since the fix is so easy. As for the lie that the wheel was used in other bikes - I can't believe that. The only thing more butt-ugly than these horrible wheels is the V-Max, and it does not use them! Goose
  16. V7Goose
    I think your question is wrong. Since nobody else is having that problem, your question should not be "these bikes," but instead, "what's wrong with MY bike?" There is no question in my mind that something is major wrong with that bike. Does your state have a lemon law? If it was mine, I'd be looking to get rid of it. But since I wouldn't want to screw some unsuspecting buyer, that only leaves finding some way to get Yamaha to buy it back. Goose
  17. V7Goose
    Yup, Velcro adhesive does get gooey from the heat on that black rubber, but this is easily fixed by just putting one drop of super glue under the Velcro after it gets soft and starts to come loose. Been through two summers after doing that, and they never moved again. Goose
  18. V7Goose
    In the US, tires are very tightly regulated by the government for safety purposes. With the exception of Metzeler, known unsafe tires cannot be sold (just my own little editorial there!). Factory second tires that are legal to sell are branded with "BLEM" burnt into the sidewall. These tires are perfectly safe and should be mounted by any reputable dealer. However, I have never encountered a BLEM motorcycle tire, and I personally believe that there is ZERO chance of getting one from a place like SWMT. Goose
  19. V7Goose
    Uhhhh, you said what I said. Goose
  20. V7Goose
    Hey man, your are definitely a lucky man! I have made the exact same mistake, but the worst I got was the first chord layer just beginning to show - you wore COMPLETELY THROUGH TWO LAYERS OF CHORD, and maybe three! It's hard to tell from that picture, but it looks like the third layer is worn all the way through also. WOW! Man, the rest of that carcass had to be getting thin there, especially if it was only a 3-ply tire. One last thought for you - check your tire balancing carefully - for one spot to be that badly worn through while the other half of the tire didn't show the cord at all suggests that it was way out of balance. Goose
  21. V7Goose
    Well "black" in used oil is actually a good thing, and it is a function of the oil quality more than it is the filter. Dark oil most often indicates the oil is doing its job and holding the combustion byproducts and other microscopic impurities in suspension instead of depositing them in the engine as sludge. It is rare these days for the oil in a water cooled engine to be overheated and burnt, but if that happens, there are other indications besides the color. I would be very worried about my oil and my engine if the oil was not coming out black after a couple of thousand miles. Goose
  22. V7Goose
    Yes, the Venom R tire is a radial, and before the question comes up, there is no point in even asking if we can use it, since they are not made in our size. Goose
  23. V7Goose
    I won't go into all the details here, but they are extremely easy to find on the web. Just do a search on Fram oil filter quality. There are a number of folks that have done tear-down and side-by-side comparisons of oil filters, both bike and car, and the Fram seems to universally be junk. They sell millions of them, and obviously most of them work, but why risk it when there are so many better options? You can do the research yourself and make an informed decision. Goose
  24. V7Goose
    Some people have reported that Avon dropped the "X" designation from the Venom tire, but it doesn't really matter. X or not, you need an Avon AM41 for the front, and an AM42 for the rear. I also suggest you make sure you get the H speed rated tires, not the V, as they should last longer. Goose
  25. V7Goose
    Hey, I gotta tell you something - that 2nd Gen you got there is missing a hell of a lot more than an amp! And what year did they put out that snot-green color? Goose
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