maineventurerider

My bladder usually says it's time to pull over before the gas guage does.

I use Fram. Reasonable cost and available at Autozone and Wally World.

Speaking of a new bike, I almost pulled the trigger on a new one a couple of weeks ago. I love my Venture, but the economy is so bad anymore that I would really like to help out the good old U S of A - so I was looking at the Victory Cross Country Tour and the Harley Road Glide Ultra. They're both awesome bikes as most of you guys know. The Harleys have improved tremendously in the last 5 years. Harley was going to give me an awesome trade-in on my Venture, but a local Victory dealer was really dealing on the 2012 Victory. I was all set to make a decision, but when I didn't sleep a wink the night before I think I was trying to tell myself something. (Like you don't need a big payment right now dummy.) So I'm saving towards a new one now instead. But I'm riding from Fl to Alaska in a few years so I need something rock solid dependable...So I may stick with my Venture. I'm getting to know these Ventures pretty well, the others are beautiful and way cool (esp the Harleys), but dependability wise, I still don't think the Harleys quite measure up to the Venture. The newer Victorys haven't really been out long enough to know for sure. Oh well, I'll quit rambling. Ride Safe, 1/2crazed

In my opinion the only thing wrong with this whole story is that both dirtbags survived. Call me harsh, I don't care. I was a Store Manager with a large supermarket chain in Fl for 15 years and I had to live with the fear of armed robbery every day at work. In my opinion if you point a gun at somebody during the commission of a crime you forfeit your RIGHT TO LIVE. Even if the victim doesn't get shot, he could have a heart attack, or if he goes for the gun out of fear or anger, the victim could very well be shot. In other words, in an armed robbery, even if the perp doesn't plan on shooting, the victim could easily wind up dead. Besides, of what possible use to humanity are scumbags like these two perps? The world would be a better place without them. I agree 1000%! We need more law abiding concealed carriers in every city in this country. Ride Safe, 1/2crazed

Hey guys, Has anyone done this mod without the dremel extension? Looks like I can get in far enough with just the dremel by itself. I don't want to have to fork over $30-40 for the extension if I don't have to. Sounds like a great mod, been wanting to do it for a while just haven't gotten around to it yet. Thanks and ride safe! 1/2crazed

You're right about beer. I prefer gin myself!!! 1/2crazed

You guys are too smart. Wish I would've posted my update last night or this morning instead of cryin in my beer! Instead I spent 5 hours tearing everything down again to make sure it was as good as I could make it. Then I took it for a road test in the neighborhood, in the rain, (that's why they call me a 1/2crazebikr). And I heard absolutely no unusual noise from the final drive, nor any sign of the dread CREAKING WHEEL SYNDROME! So for now anyway, I may have solved my problem. I still need to road test it at speed, if I have any problems y'all will be the second ones to know!!! Thanks Goose, FlyinFool and everyone else on this awesome forum. You guys are the bomb. Ride Safe! !/2crazed

Well, I found the axle spacer. It was between the brake caliper bracket and the stepped collar on the outside of the right side of the hub.Wrong place, but at least it was on the axle. I pulled the axle the rest of the way and found it after my two posts yesterday. I figured I would go ahead and put things back together properly, grease the splines and the clutch pins and align the final drive per the TSB, then put the wheel back on, torque everything down to specs and see how it works. I did all of that yesterday and fired her up on the lift, put it into gear and had a loud noise coming from the rear end. At that point if figured I must not have gotten the splines on the hub and final drive seated properly so I left it for this morning. Anyway, took the wheel off again and tried for a couple of hours to get it seated any differently than I did yesterday. Bottom line is, I can't seem to get it to seat any differently than I did yesterday. So either it's right or I'm a total moron. There is about a 3/16-1/4" gap between the plastic flange that encircles the final drive and the wheel itself. Is there supoosed to be that gap there? So once again, I put everything back together again, crossed my fingers, and fired her up on the lift again. Same noise. I kept it running and listened closely but couldn't quite tell where it was coming from. Went and got my stethoscope (I may not be much of a mechanic but I AM a male nurse!), and my assessment is, it's coming from the final drive. I hear a loud clunking sound with the stethoscope. When I increased RPMs slightly the noise seemed to go away. But I can't be sure because with my hand on the throttle I couldn't put my stethoscope on the final drive. Also I did drain and replace the final drive oil. I didn't see any shavings in it but it's only been driven a few miles since the dealer replaced it looking for the source of the noise. He did as I said before, see shavings. So my questions are: 1) Does it sound to you guys like the hub splines and final drive spines are not seated together properly? (It doesn't seem likely after my repeated attempts but anything's possible.) And if so, would this cause the clacking clunking sound from the final drive? 2) Could the misplaced spacer (against the stepped collar, not between the swing arm and the caliper mounting bracket) have caused any problems with the fnal drive? Looking at it myself and after reading Goose's post I don't think so. It could possibly cause the needle bearing to bind up. BUT, that doesn't seem to be the sound I'm hearing. 3) Is it possilbe when I loosened the acorn nuts that attach the final drive to the swing arm that I caused a problem with the drive shaft? I did not remove the nuts entirely, just loosened them enough to move the final drive slightly in relation to the swing arm. Anyway, that's the update on my tale of woe. Any help from you experts would be appreciated. At this point I'm glad I have my old Harley to ride for now, because my bikes are my transportation. Although my old hog sound's like she's having clutch issues. I guess that's for another forum. Thanks guys and ride safe! Ken-(1/2crazed)

Thanks guys, I went to the dealer in Deland who is indeed only a Suzuki motorcycle dealer, but sells Yamaha watercraft. I was in there with a friend of mine who does a lot of business with them and they quoted me a good price for the tire swap, so I went with them. I bought the tires through JP Cycles at Destination Daytona. This was my 4th time having tires changed on a Venture (this is my 2nd Venture). The other times I went to Daytona FunMachines and an Indy shop in another state. I've never had a problem before so I didn't think anything of going to a non-Yamaha dealer. Anyway, I'm done with having dealers change tires. I went to Harbor Freight the other day and bought a few tools and from now I'll do it on my own. I have a new tire in the shop right now that I'm putting on my old Harley today. I AM concerned about possible damage to the rear end of the bike. I first noticed the problem in Oklahoma three days out on a 7200 mile roadtrip. It was intermittent and I didn't want to hold my friends up. It went away entirely after a few days and I didn't notice it again until a week ago. Now the noise is worse, almost continuous, and the Service Manager tells me I had metal shavings in the final drive fluid. My concern is that leaving the spacer out may have created too much play in the rear end, possibly damaging the final drive. Ken (1/2crazed)

Hey guys, Could use a little input here... When I purchased a new set of tires for my 06 RSMV, I took them and the bike to a local metric dealer to be installed. (BTW, this will be the last time. I went to Harbor Freight and bought a few tools and I will do them myself on both of my bikes from now on). Anyway, a few days into my recent road trip, I noticed a faint sound coming from the rear wheel which would come and go. I also had the clicking sound so many of you have described from the rear end. It was an intermittent issue, and went away for the remainder of the trip. When I got back I went on this wonderful forum, and realized my problem had all the earmarkings of the dread "Creaking wheel syndrome". So I printed up the TSB and took the bike back to the stealer that did the tire change, explained the problem, the likely remedy, and asked them to fix it. Result, they kept the bike for 4 days and couldn't fix it. The service manager said "you know more about it than we do". But at least he didn't try to charge me. Anyway, took the bike home and put it up on the lift yesterday, removed the mufflers and saddlebags and brake caliper, etc. Started to remove the rear axle, which was tight as @#ll! After getting the axle out about an inch, I noticed that the axle spacer (the one between the swingarm and the caliper mounting bracket) was NOT on the axle. Oh, and I forgot to mention, they changed the final gear oil at the dealer to try to cure the noise and said it had metal shavings in it. I am sure the spacer was on the axle when I brought the bike to them because this was the first tire change. I've only had the bike since last October and it only had 4000 miles on it when I bought it. The guy I got it from was not exactly a stickler about maintenance so I really doubt he ever had the axle out, so it should have still been on there when I took it in. So guys, I guess I'm looking for some ammo to go back to the dealer with. What are potential problems that can be caused by leaving the spacer off? It seems to me that without the spacer things would either be too loose, or too tight back there, either of which could wreak havoc with the rear end of these bikes! Any input would be appreciated! Ride Safe, 1/2crazed

Happened to me too! On my recent roadtrip out west. Out in the middle of nowhere, in Arizona, go to downshift and don't feel the shifter! Looked down and the shifter was laying on the floor board, still attached to the linkage. Grabbed the clutch and pulled over in 5th gear. Got off the bike and there was the screw that holds the shifter on still laying on the floor board! Thank God for that one. A few minutes later my buddies noticed I was no longer behind them and turned around and came back. Borrowed some blue loctite and had her back together in a jiffy. I had heard of it happening to that other guy on the forum a few months ago. Apparently from the response today it's a lot more common than I realized. I also had a hinge screw on the left saddlebag come out on the same trip. Still haven't fixed that one. I have decided that on the next long trip I will bring along an assortment of metric fasteners for just these sort of problems. Ride Safe! 1/2crazed

I had a very similar thing happen to me when I first got my '03 Venture. I was on an overnight trip and put my laptop in the saddlebag. It fit right in, no problem. Got home, couldn't open the saddlebag. Turns out the laptop had fallen over and was keeping the latch from opening on the inside. Had to take it to the dealer and they had to drill the lock out if I remember correctly. Thank God I had the extended warranty. So yes, it can happen! Ride safe, 1/2crazed

I used a really big plug for the hole in the bike, (and a much smaller plug for the hole in the tire. Ssshhh, don't tell anyone. The tire's still doing fine 5000+ miles later.) Ride safe, 1/2crazed

Awesome bike! I really like Victory. When I sold my home in Maine and moved back to Florida I was looking very seriously at the Vision. I really loved the electric windshield, and they look pretty cool with the trunk off. Then I saw the saddlebags. They're tiny. They hadn't come out with the Cross Country Tour yet. If they had I might have bought one. The saddlebags on those bikes are huge! Then I got the idea that if I stuck with used bikes I could get an almost new Venture with hardly any miles on it to replace my '03 Venture, and with the money I saved I could by an older used Harley. So I bought a used Venture and an older Electra Glide for less than the price of one new bike. But, I've test ridden 3 different Victorys (Victories?) and I really love them. They are effortless to ride, and the slow speed handling is awesome. And I love the fact that they are American made. I love my Venture, but if Yamaha ever hopes to sell any new ones they really need to step up their game. All of the competition, from Harley to Victory to Kawasaki has improved. But they did finally get rid of the cassette and replace it with a cd. Now that everybody uses their phone or MP3 player for music! Ride safe and enjoy the new ride!

Hope you're not getting tired of them, but on a long trip you gotta take a lotta pics! [ATTACH]69462[/ATTACH] I'll probably get arrested for this one. Yes it's a tree. Yes it's very hard now. No it didn't just fall last year! [ATTACH]69466[/ATTACH] Through the windshield. Early morning, my friend's Spyder on way to Grand Canyon. [ATTACH]69464[/ATTACH] Beehive geyser erupting in Yellowstone, with thermal pool in foreground [ATTACH]69460[/ATTACH] 7th Calvary Cemetery, Custer National Battlefield. What more can I say? [ATTACH]69465[/ATTACH] Just sorta seems to clash somehow doesn't it? On reservation, just outside Custer National Battlefield. [ATTACH]69463[/ATTACH] Sorry. My ugly mug again at Fall River Pass, top of Trail Ridge Road, Rocky Mountain National Park. Now that I'm back, I can't stop thinking about the next big trip. Anyone been to Alaska recently on their Venture? Ride Safe! 1/2crazed

Prayers sent. 1/2crazed

Thanks for the nice comments guys. Since you asked for some more pics, here ya go! [ATTACH]69452[/ATTACH] My ugly mug on Route 66 [ATTACH]69449[/ATTACH] Cloud shadows on desert floor near Grand Canyon [ATTACH]69450[/ATTACH] Colorado River in Glen Canyon during Raft Trip [ATTACH]69451[/ATTACH] Venture in Idaho wheat field [ATTACH]69453[/ATTACH] This Yellowstone bison is obviously not impressed with my buddy's VTX 1300 trike! More to come! 1/2crazed

Hey guys! Just got back from a 7,200+ mile, 21 state road trip including 6 National Parks, 2 National Monuments, Route 66 and all the awesome scenery you could possible pack into 18 days. I rode with two friends, both of them on trikes (a HondaVTX and a Spyder) and of course I was on my trusty '06 Midnight Venture. This Venture is fairly new to me, I bought it in October of 2011 with just 4000 miles on it. I sold my last Venture, an '03 I also bought used, after putting about 40,000 miles on it in myself in 2 1/2 years. It had about 27,000 on it when I got it. Why would I sell a Venture with less than 70,000 miles on the clock? All I can say is I like the black one better. Anyway, thought you guys might want to hear about the trip. This may get a little long winded, so I'll try to make the less interesting areas as brief as possible. We left from just north of Orlando, Fl on June 20th and made it through stifling heat to Mobile, Al the first day. The next day we continued west down I-10 through Mississippi and Louisiana, across bayou country, and up I-49 to Texarkana, Arkansas. We then rode on secondary roads to Arkansas' legendary "Pig Trail", SR 23, sort of the "Tail of the Dragon" of this neck of the woods. After an awesome ride through the twisties of this famed motorcycle road we bought the obligatory patches, picked up I-40 and were off again for El Reno City, OK. The next few days we would be in Route 66 country, as I-40 parallels the old Rte 66, and you can see the old road often from the Interstate. It was about this time that the heat really heated up for this Florida Boy! I thought I knew what heat was, but for the next 5 days or so we suffered through daytime highs of at least 106, with many days up to 110! Also about the time we were leaving El Reno I had the first of my mechanical issues which haunted me for the next few days, starting with a screw I found in my brand new Avon Venom @@@??!!!""??!## Tire! And another separate issue that found me limping into the Yamaha dealer in Amarillo with only 2nd gear! I'll be happy to get into that later if anyone has questions, but suffice it to say that after a few stressful episodes, the "Midnight Rider" did just fine, and we stayed right on schedule. Although by the time we rolled into Albequerque, NM that night it was 11 pm! We left from El Reno that morning at 5 am. Thank God for patient friends! (and answered prayers!) Speaking of Amarillo, and western Oklahome, and New Mexico, and Arizona, the heat was ungodly and the WIND!!! Let me just say this was my third time across the great plains on a bike and it was windier than I have ever experienced. At times a gust would hit and literally push us all 2 feet sideways! So hot and windy that only truly hardcore (and 1/2 crazed bikers) would have put up with it! We got a leisurely start out of Albequerque the next morning and started the day with somewhat cooler temperatures, at least until about 10 am. This was classic Route 66 country, with just about every little town between central Oklahoma and Flagstaff advertising it's own restored section of the Mother Road. We also apparently barely survived an encounter with a pack of gigantic Indians in Gallup, NM just off Rte 66. Although we never saw them, when we came out of the truck stop it was obvious we had just missed great bodily harm and near lethal bike damage! [ATTACH]69408[/ATTACH] So after counting our lucky stars and saying our prayers it was back on I-40 west. By this time the cooler temperatures abandoned us and we rode for hours through shimmering heat that made me feel like Clint Eastwood in "High Plains Drifter". It was at this time that we came to our first National Park of the trip, Painted Desert/Petrified Forest. It was a very interesting place, but after a couple hours of brain smelting 110 degree heat, riding around on the loop road and taking a few pics, (I had one here but I went over my quota, I think) we were off to ride through more heat. Honestly by now it was so hot that at each stop we would literally douse ourselves with water until we were soaking wet, then hop on the bikes and ride for a few minutes, and actually cool off to just below the boiling point of lead, then within minutes we would be bone dry again, feeling hotter than the surface of the sun, the whole time sitting on 1300 cc of throbbing V-4 power all the while churning out more heat. Oh well, that's part of it as we all like to say! A few hours more heat to the west and we came to Flagstaff where we headed north on US 89 towards our destination for the night, Cameron, Az, gateway to Grand Canyon National Park and Glen Canyon. We stayed at Cameron Lodge, a really cool historic trading post on the Little Colorado River Gorge. The gorge is still there, the river dried up months ago. Kinda goes with the territory I guess. There's also a very nice reasonable restaurant at Cameron Lodge, which is good, because it looks like everything else in the area closed up long ago. Next morning we were up early and on the bikes at 5:30 am for a 2 hour run up to Page and Glen Canyon Dam, where we would be taking a 1/2 day raft trip on the Colorado River. Glen Canyon is actually the beginning of the Grand Canyon, but the shortest raft trip you can take in the Grand Canyon itself is 1 full week. That's because the canyon is so deep and remote that there is no access point to get in or out before that! Our trip down the Colorado River was very cool and refreshing as the river temperature is about 46 degress and of course, we were floating on it. The scenery was beautiful, and we saw bighorn sheep and several wild horses. Once the raft trip was over it was back on the bikes for the ride back to Cameron Lodge and a good night's sleep. Next morning we were up early again and off at 5:30 am for the ride to Grand Canyon National Park. We got to the park gates at about 6:30 and had the park virtually to ourselves as we rode along the East Rim Road, stopping at the overlooks, gawking at the incredible scenery, and of course taking some awesome pics. [ATTACH]69409[/ATTACH] If you go, get there early. Not only is the best light for photography then but by the time we got to the park Visitor Center at 9:30 it was like Disney World on July 4th and it was also starting to get too hazy for good photos. As much fun as the Grand Canyon was, we still had a lot of miles to make and another National Park to see that day, Zion National Park! So it was back down the East Rim Road to US 89 north, into Utah, past Lake Powell and across southern Utah. As usual in the west, the scenery was awesome and of course it was hot and we had vicious crosswinds. A few hours later we were turning onto Utah SR 9, the road through Zion National Park. Zion is the ultimate drive-through National Park, combining unbelievable scenery and awesome twisties, all going through an incredibly scenic, compact canyon. As beautiful as it was, I don't think we got off the bikes once. (Except to take this picture.) [ATTACH]69410[/ATTACH] We had the feeling we were seeing everything from the road. Of course this isn't true. There are awesome backcountry hikes. But if all you can do is ride through, you won't feel at all cheated. Shortly after we were through Zion Canyon the road led us to I-15 North, and an hour later, our destination for the night, Cedar City, Utah. After a couple of adult beverages it was off to bed. We went to sleep exhausted but exhilarated after a day of unbelievable scenery and riding. After a good night's rest it was back on I-15 North in cooler temperatures! I-15 was awesome. Smooth road, light traffic, 80 mph speed limit...Yes, I said 80 mph! We rolled up Utah in no time flat, before we knew it we were in Salt Lake City. We spent a couple interesting hours at Antelope Island State Park on Great Salt Lake. Then back on I-15 North flying through potato country up to our destination in Idaho Falls. The cooler temperatures continued. For once we didn't care if the hotel had a pool! We were really getting excited...Yellowstone was right around the corner. Next morning we had a hearty breakfast at a local cafe, our first in a long time. Then we were off down US 26, following the Snake River through tight canyons, beautiful forests, and with an occasional glimpse of snow covered mountains in the distance. Within a couple hours we were catching our first glimpse of the Tetons while making our way through touristy Jackson, Wyoming. Then before you knew it, there they were, in all their glory, the Grand Tetons. The Tetons are in my opinion, the most beautiful mountain range in the lower 48 and I've seen them all. (I'll let you know about Alaska when we ride up there in a couple of years). Until then, you can't beat the Tetons. After a few hours snapping pictures like this one [ATTACH]69413[/ATTACH] and riding through the most beautiful country this side of heaven, we were through the Tetons and into the big grandaddy of them all-Yellowstone National Park. To me Yellowstone is subtle. The scenery doesn't hit you over the head like most of the other parks. Although it is beautiful everywhere you look. And jaw-dropping gorgeous in plenty of places. But to me the beauty of Yellowstone is in the details. The thousands of thermal features. Beautiful waterfalls everywhere. More big game in one place than you can imagine. Bison, bears, elk (including bucks with the most enormous racks you have ever seen) coyotes. You name it. We actually followed a coyote trotting down the road for a 1/4 mile before shooting up the side of the mountain and grabbing a marmot right in front of us! Then they both tumbled down the hill and shot across the road. The marmot jumped off the other side. He knew there was nothing there any worse than that coyote's jaws! The coyote just sat there looking with his fur standing up, [ATTACH]69406[/ATTACH] until we had to keep on going because of the cars behind us. Bison in fields everywhere you go. Some of them sizing up Ventures. No kidding! [ATTACH]69407[/ATTACH] We spent 4 nights in a little cottage in Gardiner, Montana so we had 3 1/2 days in Yellowstone. we saw Old Faithful, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Mammoth Hot Springs, all of the "major attractions", did a little hiking, saw more game than you can shake a stick at, and still only scratched the surface. The next morning it was time to start turning our bikes towards home. We left Yellowstone and went north through Billings, Montana where we picked up I-90. We continued through Little Bighorn National Battlefield Monument-Custer's Last Stand. Spent a coupleof hours there and it wasn't nearly enough. Definitely hallowed ground, for all concerned. Plenty of good men died there, on both sides. We continued on down I-90 into Wyoming where we picked up I-25 South and followed it all the way to Cheyenne, Wyoming. About 250 miles from Cheyenne we ran into smoke from the Colorado wildfires. By 4 pm it looked like twilight, but sunset was for 4 1/2 hours. By the time we got to Cheyenne we'd done almost 700 miles. Next morning I changed my oil and filter in an Advance Discount Auto Parts parking lot. They took my old oil. I ran a little over that time. Not too many opportunities to change it where we had been. My friends got their oil changed at a dealer and by the time they were done it was almost 1 pm. So we hit the road. We had one more National Park to see. Rocky Mountain National Park in Northern Co has always been one of my favorite parks. Went over Trail Ridge Road, 12,183 feet, for the first time in 1978 as a kid on a bicycle. I have better sense now. My wife would probably contest that. My friends wanted to go over the pass, down to the bottm and then come back on the same day to make the trip home a little easier. Having been there twice before I knew better. I suggested we make reservations on the other side at Grand Lake. Once we got into the park they couldn't believe it. They couldn't get over how beautiful it all was. It took us almost 4 hours to get to the top of the pass. Taking pictures, me with John Denver playing the whole time. You can laugh all you want. I like John Denver. [ATTACH]69411[/ATTACH] We started back the next day. We knew we'd be into the heat again soon and almost dreaded it. At the top of Fall River Pass it was about 40 degrees. 3 hours later in eastern Colorado it had hit 108 degrees. I won't bore you with all the details of the trip back to Florida. 3 1/2 days later we were home. It was a great ride too, as they almost all are. It was stinking hot, only with humidity thrown in to make it interesting. At least my nose didn't bleed inside from the dry air. It was one of my best motorcycle trips ever. Most would call it the trip of a lifetime. I know better. I've got plenty more of 'em planned. I only have one regret about this trip. My wife has disc trouble in her neck and back. She had a bad flare up a few days before the trip and so I had to leave my favorite riding partner behind. The Venture sure felt empty without her. Ride Safe, 1/2 crazed

As far as my wife getting on and off the bike, I also do it with the kickstand down everytime. I always get on first, then she gets on. Same way getting off, she gets off first. I do put my left leg out to take a little strain off the kickstand, but the stand is definitely holding the bike up, not me! I don't even want to think about trying to hold that beast up without the kickstand when she's getting off the bike! As for getting the bike off the kickstand we both usually say "Ready" and lean to the right at the same time. Then I push with my left leg and it comes right up. Moves the center of gravity to the right and makes it way easier to get it off the kickstand. Try these two things and I bet your life will be much easier! Ride Safe! 1/2crazed

Brake Pad, I have the same issue. On my current '06 Midnight Venture, I left the stock windshield on, because it gives my wife better wind protection than the shorter one I put on the '03 I used to have. With the shorter windshield I could see over it when I needed to. With the stock shield, I think you'd need to be about 6'8" to see over it. A couple observations on my part-this past October we got caught in a monsoon on the way back from the Keys. I remember going for MILES leaning forward looking around the windshield just to see-this was with my wife on the back too. Anyway, we pulled off for fuel at a Fl. Turnpike Service Plaza. By this time it had been pouring for about 200 miles and I was desperate. I bought some RainX and applied it even though I know it's not recommended for Plexiglas. It did seem to help quite a bit although I forgot to put it on the inside of the windshield. The drops would slide right up to the top of the windshield and flip over onto the back and then kind of stay there. It did help quite a bit and I didn't notice any fogging of the windshield later from using it. But I only used it once. So my point is, it might not hurt to carry some with you for occasional use when you don't have any other choice. Obviously replacing a windshield now and then is better than wrecking the bike. Another possibility that I haven't tried yet. I was poking around the local HD dealer recently (I have an old Electra Glide too). I noticed a small pack of water repellent windshield wipes that were HD brand. They are supposed to do the same thing as RainX and if they are HD brand they should obviously be safe to use on their windshields. So if they're okay on Harleys, why not on Ventures? I'm taking off on a long road trip in a few weeks and I plan to take some of them with me. Hopefully they'll do the trick. Maybe there are some experts on this topic here as well. Ride safe! 1/2crazed

Just be glad you're on a Venture. In the last couple of weeks on my old Electra Glide I've lost a windshield bolt, had another windshield bolt come loose, and almost lost my tail light. Oh and my license plate. Everything on my Venture stays put where it belongs. I do have the infamous trunk squeak though! 1/2 crazed

I concur with Playboy. I used to have the same problem with the bike pulling to the right or left just before stopping. Would drive me nuts, esp riding 2 up with the wife. I later got the "Ride Like a Pro" video. It instructs you to use both brakes at first, then let off the front at about 5-10 mph.Using the back brake only will tend to stand the bike up, while the front will pull it to either side, especially when going very slowly, such as right before you come to a stop. Worked like a charm for me and I have not had the problem since then. Ride Safe! 1/2crazed

Thanks, I'll give it a shot. Ride safe, 1/2crazed

AMEN! Thank you LORD JESUS! 1/2crazedbikr

Could you elaborate Brake Pad? I've been trying to add Ontario to mine but I'm not smart enough to figure out how. And Happy Easter everyone! Thanks and Ride Safe! 1/2crazed