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TearlessTom

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  1. TearlessTom
    Okay pulled the tank today, and here is what I found. As expected the radiator and reserve tank was empty. I filled them up and ran the bike for a few minutes to let it circulate through the engine then re-topped it off. The below images and video's are what I found. Water coming out of my left tail pipe and the same smoke. It looks like condensation but the right side does not do this at all hot or cold. The left side does this both hot and cold. Puzzling thing is I rechecked the compression on the left side and now I am reading the specified pressure on the front and rear cylinder. Before I was 20 lbs low on the front. I triple checked it before and it was low. I did not get any blow-back from the open cylinder and I am showing no signs of water in the oil. Front plug was a little light but not as light as the rear. I know I am running lean as I just put on some Samson exhaust and have not adjusted the carbs yet. (that was my plan for this weekend) I'm baffled to say the least. It may be just condensation but then again where did all my coolant go? http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x249/TearlessTom/P1010239.jpg http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x249/TearlessTom/P1010241.jpg http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x249/TearlessTom/P1010240.jpg [ame=http://s180.photobucket.com/albums/x249/TearlessTom/?action=view&current=P1010238.mp4]P1010238.mp4 video by TearlessTom - Photobucket@@AMEPARAM@@http://vid180.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid180.photobucket.com/albums/x249/TearlessTom/P1010238.mp4@@AMEPARAM@@vid180@@AMEPARAM@@180@@AMEPARAM@@x249/TearlessTom/P1010238@@AMEPARAM@@mp4[/ame] [ame=http://s180.photobucket.com/albums/x249/TearlessTom/?action=view&current=P1010236.mp4]P1010236.mp4 video by TearlessTom - Photobucket@@AMEPARAM@@http://vid180.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid180.photobucket.com/albums/x249/TearlessTom/P1010236.mp4@@AMEPARAM@@vid180@@AMEPARAM@@180@@AMEPARAM@@x249/TearlessTom/P1010236@@AMEPARAM@@mp4[/ame]
  2. TearlessTom
    I used this one: http://www.rocktheboataudio.com/html/37942.html Here is a link to the finished product. http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,21053.0.html If you look at post #23 It shows the near finished inside of the faring. The last photo on the far right you can see the cut out for the radio controller and the base unit mounted underneath it sitting oh the bottom of the fairing above the headlight. I think yours is going to be a bit more sophisticated than mine. But it may give you some idea's as to do's and especially don'ts. Tom
  3. TearlessTom
    The bike is a 07, and has warranty till 2013. It has just over 45000. on it. I have only had it since November. I think the smoking which is minimal and the noise is from an out of spec exhaust valve but I have been known to be wrong. My son said the light came on about 2-3 miles from home and had gone off when the bike restarted in just a few minutes of stopping. I don't always hear the fan cutting on but I am a bit hard of hearing but I do know it has come on at times. I will check the radiator cap before I take it in just to verify it is tight. I have known radiator caps to go bad/weak springs or seals which caused some strange issues. Any thoughts on that? Other than that I will take it to the shop to see what they say. Who has the valve adjustment kits. I would be interested in that also ? Any more idea's or suggestions or things I may need to discuss with the dealer are appreciated. Tom
  4. TearlessTom
    I know I am putting the cart before the horse but I want to be confident when I go to my dealer with the problem. Usually I do my own repairs but since the RSTD is still under warranty I may take it to them. For a few days now I have been smelling antifreeze from the bike after or during a ride. Not strong but enough to know there is a leak. Today after a 180 mile ride my son was riding the RSTD and shortly before getting home he said the Red Overheating Light came on. We could hear the coolant boiling in the reservoir so it was definitely hot. Initially I was thinking stuck thermostat...which I still think is the cause of the overheating but.... because I could smell the coolant but unable to find a leak I can't help but wonder if possible the water pump is heading south as well. So I am wondering if : 1. I should just go ahead and replace the thermostat my self or let the dealer do all the work. It doesn't look like that much to get to it. 2. Part of the repair would be to drain the coolant. I assume that the replacement coolant would be at the dealers expense under warranty as it would not need to be drained if the thermostat/water pump was not going bad. 3. Now here is a biggie: I would like to have my valves checked. I think the left front cylinder is off a bit as there is a very slight noise and the left side smokes a little bit. Compression on that cylinder is lower than the rest at about 190 lbs, vs about 210 lbs the other 3 cylinders. If they had to tear into the engine anyway how much more should I expect to be charged for them to look at the valves? I know ...lots of questions. Its hard when your brain looks like a cobweb. Thanks, Tom
  5. TearlessTom
    I was about to post the same thing. Perfect day today! Weather in the upper 60's My wife on her Fatboy, My son commandeered the RSTD, and me on the Valkyrie. Rode about 180 miles on the back country roads. Stopped at a literally Mom and Pop Barbecue stand. (only open on Saturday)Had a BBQ samich, some home made pork and beans, and some good conversations with the owner, his wife some of the customers and some folks at the gas stations. Tom
  6. TearlessTom
    Very sweet so far, keep it coming. What kind of tach are you using. or did I miss that?
  7. TearlessTom
    Have been many times but we always go to our time share on The Big Island. I would have to agree that the Cemetery and Pearl Harbor are a must see. Everyone I know who has seen it said is a quite sobering event. I would think the beach is also a must do. My wife has been there she says include Diamond Head, Hanauma bay, and The North Shore to see the waves and the surfers. There is also an aquarium and zoo there. If you are like me you will be eating fish and seafood 3 times a day. The fresh fruit is awesome and of coarse you gotta try the "Spam" (a local favorite) We have always found it is best to get off the beaten path and ask the locals where they go to eat. The prices are better and the food is more authentic. If you are a scuba diver you will be in heaven. A few years ago we did our week in Kona, the took a 7 day cruise to all the islands. That was very interesting as you got to see the differences of each island. (they are all very unique) We just got in from Cozumel this morning. Went on a family vacation with 12 of my closest in-laws. They had a cold front come in so I couldn't dive but it was still a fun trip. Fortunately I like most of my in-laws.
  8. TearlessTom
    Can't fault you for that. I had a 06 Street Glide that I was pretty impressed with except for that dang vibration of the soft mounted motor. It was plenty smooth at speeds but around 1800 rpm it would rattle your fillings. Other than that I loved the bike. As you said, very well made, comfortable and handles the road as good as any I have ever ridden. I will probable own another but it will be a solid mount balanced motor. if I could have put the balanced motor in the soft mount it would be as smooth as silk. don't know why that is not an option for those of us who like it smooth. Tom
  9. TearlessTom
    Which fairing are you installing? It looks like the one I put on my Valkyrie. How are you attaching it. That was the biggest problem for me to work out.
  10. TearlessTom
    I know nothing about the Ventures radio system but these folks http://www.ironcrossaudio.com/ specialize in HD radio refurbs. Did a great job for me with less than a 1 week turn around. If they can't help you they may be able to point you in the right direction. Tom
  11. TearlessTom
    I check everything twice now. Just got back from a ride to test it out, Wow...so that is how it is suppose to perform!
  12. TearlessTom
    I had a similar issue; I changed out the spark plugs when I bought the bike just as routine maintenance. Well the bike was running rough so I made a few other adjustments,...still running rough, So last night I tore it back down, I found two problems which I hate to admit here: #1 the #3 carb's spring behind the needle jet was missing! #2 I had failed to reconnect one of the front spark plugs. Made it run real bad, poor power, and poor gas mileage. DUH! I will go out in a few minutes to take a quick ride and re-re-balance the carbs.
  13. TearlessTom
    I had a similar issue; I changed out the spark plugs when I bought the bike just as routine maintenance. Well the bike was running rough so I made a few other adjustments,...still running rough, So last night I tore it back down, I found two problems which I hate to admit here: #1 the #3 carb's spring behind the needle jet was missing! #2 I had failed to reconnect one of the front spark plugs. Made it run real bad, poor power, and poor gas mileage. DUH! I will go out in a few minutes to take a quick ride and re-re-balance the carbs.
  14. TearlessTom
    Just remember, sleeping on the couch is fun, its like camping...
  15. TearlessTom
    Thanks, I didn't know that. I spent a few years over there and those people do know how to throw a party!
  16. TearlessTom
    And what country is that?. The are party people!
  17. TearlessTom
    A coworker of mine has set their wedding date as 11:11AM on 11/11/11. Needless to say her future husband had better not forget their anniversary.
  18. TearlessTom
    OK, its me again with MORE questions. This time as I basically reading the repair manual from front to back I notice that the RSTD and I assume the Venture show different size main jets for each cylinder. Main jet (M.J) #1, #122.5 #2 #122.5 #3: #117.5 #4: #120 Why is this. I know on my wife's HD Fatboy the front cylinder gets different spark plugs from the rear due to the difference in the heat range of the cylinders as the front will run cooler due to getting colder air as you ride, the back gets the warm air from the front cylinder. But this is a water cooled engine, soooo all the cylinders should be within a few degrees of each other. It uses the same spark plug front and rear why not the same jets? Just doesn't make sense to me, can anyone explain? Tom
  19. TearlessTom
    This is not a kit but simple bypasses or rather keeps turned on-er what the ECM is already programmed to do when the bike is cold. It advances the timing but does not richen the mixture. Cost is about $10 to get all supplies from Radio Shack. It would be simple to do and I would do the experimenting if somewone could tell me which colored wires and or even if the Royal Star ECM even does this when cold. As sophisticated as the bike is with carburetor warmers and such I would think it would advance the timing also.
  20. TearlessTom
    As I have stated before my other bike is a Honda Valkyrie. A common performance modification that is done and I have done to mine is the one listed below. http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/ect-mod.htm It is basically tapping into the ECM's programing which advances the timing while the bike warms up to normal operation temps to advance the timing. The Modification allows the rider to have control of advancing the timing AFTER the bike is warm also giving a bit more power and fuel efficiency. Very simple and mostly cheap and effective. I've found that my mpg increase and power increase is most noticeable with 89 octane fuels rather than 87 or 91. The modification can be turned off at any time when needed or desired. Can anyone tell me if this can be done to the Royal Star and if so where and which wires would need to be accessed.? Thanks, Tom
  21. TearlessTom
    If money is an issue at all you might want to look at the Valkyrie Interstate. Yes I know it has been out of production for a few years but it is basically a hopped up Gold wing engine on steroids. The Valkyrie 1500cc engine runs close the the newer 1800's.You can pick one up for 8-10,000 or less. Does not have all the creature comforts of the wing but a great ride none the less. Yes I am bias as I also ride a Valkyrie Tourer.
  22. TearlessTom
    LOL I do have a bit of whine but not like has been described here. Just wondering so I would know what to tell the dealer if it ever got worse. Not really sure where the whine comes from. Sounds more from the front left of the engine to me... This bike is new to me so I am still exploring..
  23. TearlessTom
    I just did a clutch repair installing Skydoc's kit which is working well. No more slipping. Inside where all the pressure and friction plates reside after removing the wire and last 1/2 plate and such I see stamped on the inside "26H00" Does this mean I still have the H basket or does it mean nothing at all. Wish I had taken a photo. Tom
  24. TearlessTom
    Hey SkyDoc, just wanted to add here that I put on the parts in your kit following your instructions. No more slipping!!!!!! Thanks, probably saved me a few hundred $$$ Wasn't a hard job at all, hardest part was breaking that wire and making sure I had everything lined up to the correct punch marks. Thanks again. Anyone else who is thinking of doing this I highly recommend this kit. Tom
  25. TearlessTom
    Just curious, why are only Road King mentioned as an alternative exhaust as all HD (touring) use the same size pipes. Just wondering as there are countless alternatives for the HD folks to buy, (Rush, Rinehart, Cobra, Sampson, Chrome Works, Barron's, Screaming Eagle... you get the idea) Why wouldn't they fit the RSTD? Tom
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