Midicat

I am a huge fan of Waze! Route planning on my android ( also available for the iPhone ) that provides real time traffic, speed traps, and accidents. All road conditions are reported by users so it is constantly updated as you drive. Check it out at http://www.waze.com. Or download it from Google Play Store or iTunes. I never drive (or ride) without it. Thomas

(Donna) Summer

Sledge

Mash

Groupies!

Well, after a 45 min ride in a storm that threw cats and dogs at me and pelted the tops of my cheeks until they were red, I arrived at Carl's thinkin "so we'll change the brake fluid, go get new tires, replace the valve cover gaskets, and lube the pumpkin up good and i'll be on my way." Nothing could have been further from the truth. Not 10 min after my arrival, Carl says to me "how you getting home? Your not expecting to drive this home today are you?" It didn't take long for me to get a really good understanding of where those questions came from. Pulled the tires, splines on the back tire were finished. This is what they should look like. Then Ben shows up and takes off the valve covers to address the gaskets. Well, of course we need to check the gaps and shim any valves that require attention. Valve cover gaskets, and new bolt washers have been ordered. New diaphragms as well. Now, let's talk about the brakes. You know, it makes no sense to change the brake fluid if you aren't sure that the calipers are working properly. So off they come. Three calipers, six stubborn pistons later, they are off and cleaned. New seals have been ordered. At this point it makes perfect sense to decide if you want to delink the brakes, and if your going to do that, you might as well order stainless steel lines because those 31 yr old lines are robbing you of braking power. We are delinking and custom stainless lines will be ordered. When I pulled up at 9:30am, I thought I was going to be out by 4:00pm. Ha! Here's what she looked like when I pulled up at 9:30am. And here's how she looked when I left her at 9:30pm. Am I worried? Not in the least! The two fellas in the photos are the most knowledgeable and trustworthy individuals one could ever have the pleasure to know. I grimaced a few times as the price kept climbing but I came to the realization that a 31 yr old scoot needs attention. So I don't mind spending it if it means I get another decade of pleasure out of this beautiful ride. Besides, I know she's in really good, confident hands. A HUGE thank you to Ben (Saddlebum) and Carl (Marcarl) for the loving attention given to my needy Venture!

a deeply heartfelt "Thank You" to both you and Ben for your great kindness and generosity! I will see you guys tomorrow morning! Thomas

I think the reason for selling is more due to the fact that it requires a level of attention which is greater than I can manage on my own. I am ready to spend the money on tires, gaskets, bearings if necessary, and stator if required. Because I don't have the facilities and on hands experience (except for the stator) I have become overwhelmed with the quantity and complexity of some of the work required. If I spend the money I would definitely keep it and ride it more often. Does that help to explain where my head is at? Thomas

So, should we carry on as planned for tomorrow and address valve cover gaskets when I get them in, or should we delay everything until I get the valve cover gaskets? I'm fine with either option. Thomas

I was thinking valve cover gaskets, they are leaking on left side (kickstand side) maybe just retorque? Valve check, and brake fluid replacement. I was worried about the rear drive lube. Thomas

Nope. Black/white wires were 13.5v DC. I did AC voltage on the three wires on R/R side of the connection. I just thought logically (which can be debatable in my case) that the voltage out of the connector would be the same as the voltage going into the connector. It's not. Thomas

Hi Bob, The 12v Ac reading came from R/R side of stator connector while the bike was idling at 3000 rpm. Connector was connected to stator wires at the time of the reading. Thomas

Hi Ben, Would you recommend them for mechanical work as well? I am in need of new tires but also thought a tuneup as well. What say ye? Thomas

After a pleasant conversation with our friend Carl, a plan of action was determined. Here is what I did. Full battery charge with charger. Not the battery tender. Took stator voltage shortly after starting bike. 3000 rpm 56v AC on all three leads. Image one and two show first readings. Went for a 15 km spin. Voltage gauge reads charging the whole ride. It would dip when slowing for a stop, naturally, but climbed to fully charging when cruising at 80kph. I should note that the needle on the guage never SNAPPED back to fully charging. It slowly crept up. Maybe 15 secs to get there. Arrived home and immediately took voltage readings from stator output. Still 56v AC on all three leads at 3000 rpm. Yet needle shows not charging. Image three and four show readings upon return. Took voltage reading from R/R side of stator connector and get a reading of 12v AC. Output of the R/R was measured at 13.5v DC. Could the stator connector be my issue? Should I solder those wires together? Thanks for your help on this. It's greatly appreciated. Thomas

Hi Karl, Testing was done when bike was warmed up to operating temp. Thomas

Thanks Bob, I will try that this morning. Thomas

Good Labour Day afternoon everyone. I have some trouble with my 1985 VR and I am turning to the wisdom of the forum for guidance. Just took the scoot for a spin and it doesn't seem to be charging. Jumped it to start it, went for a 45 min scream in the country, got home and shut it off. No go. The voltage needle was only half way up the meter during the entire ride. After researching the troubleshooting options here, I proceeded to make the necessary voltage checks. Stator output is consistent on all three leads at idle and at 2000rpm. 45+ volts AC. Stator connection to R/R is clean. Voltage output from R/R is 13.75v DC. Voltage at battery at idle is 12.4v. Could it be the battery just not accepting a charge? I have removed the battery and currently (pardon the pun) have it on a tender. Any wisdom imparted would be greatly appreciated. I thank you in advance. Thomas

Hey, The Lazy Loon? Sounds great! We've heard so much about it but never thought of it when we had the time to go. Really looking forward to this now. Thomas

Sally and I will be there by 9:30am. We will be happy to follow like lost sheep. LOL Might be the last ride on the scoot. It's listed on Kijiji. Thomas

Hiya Carl! We're good. Drove by your place a few weeks ago. No one home...we figured you were off galavanting around. We haven't seen your usual Wed. Night Brantford Ride post so we figured you've really retired. You and Marca are well? Thomas

1) The location of your mailbox shows you how far away from your house you can be in a robe, before you start looking like a mental patient. 2) My therapist said that my narcissism causes me to misread social situations. I'm pretty sure he was hitting on me. 3) My 60 year kindergarten reunion is coming up soon and I'm worried about the175 lbs I've gained since then. 4) I always wondered what the job application is like at Hooters. Do they just give you a bra and say, "Here, fill this out?" 5) The speed with which a woman says "nothing", when asked "What's wrong?", is inversely proportional to the severity of the crap storm that's coming. 6) Denny's has a slogan, 'If it's your birthday, the meal is on us.' If you're in Denny's and it's your birthday ... your life sucks! 7) The pharmacist asked me my birth date again today. Pretty sure she's going to get me something. 8) I can't understand why women are okay that JC Penny has an older women's clothing line named, "Sag Harbor". 9) I think it's pretty cool how Chinese people made a language entirely out of tattoos. 10) What is it about a car that makes people think we can't see them pick their noses? 11) Money can't buy happiness, but it keeps the kids in touch! 12) The reason Mayberry was so peaceful and quiet is because nobody was married. Andy, Aunt Bea, Barney, Floyd, Howard, Goober, Gomer, Sam, Earnest T Bass, Helen, Thelma Lou, Clara, and of course, Opie -- all single. The only married person was Otis, and he stayed drunk.

Definitely attending! Wouldn't miss it. Sally & Thomas

After Christmas , a teacher asked her young pupils how they spent their holiday away from school. One child wrote the following: We always used to spend the holidays with Grandma and Grandpa. They used to live in a big brick house , but Grandpa got retarded and they moved to Florida . Now they live in a tin box that has wheels, but its strapped to the ground. They ride around on their bicycles , and wear name tags , because they don't know who they are anymore. They go to a building called a wreck center, but they must have got it fixed because it is all okay now, they do exercises there , but they don't do them very well. There is a swimming pool too, but they all just jump up and down in it with hats on. At their gate, there is a doll house with a little old man sitting in it. He watches all day so nobody can escape. Sometimes they sneak out, and go cruising in their golf carts. Nobody there cooks, they just eat out. And, they eat the same thing every night - early birds. Some of the people can't get out past the man in the doll house. The ones who do get out, bring food back to the wrecked center for pot luck. My Grandma says that Grandpa worked all his life to earn his retardment and , says I should work hard so I can be retarded someday too. When I earn my retardment, I want to be the man in the doll house. Then I will let people out, so they can visit their grandchildren.

Here you go...Canadian supplier for Barnett. Pricing in Can funds. Contact them for correct parts for your model & year. http://www.drivepower.ca/store/store.php/products/barnett-complete-clutch-kit-303-35-20021-crf-250r Thomas

Yamaha Canada. Springs will be stock but the plates are all there. I'll keep looking. http://www.yamaha-motor.ca/eshop/detail.php?sectionId=AC&groupId=1&subGroupId=6&categoryId=124&itemId=957 Thomas