JohnT
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Everything posted by JohnT
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NOTE: MY GOAL on this trip is to teach my Yankee Brother's and Sister's about GRITS! Um, do people actually enjoy grits? I know they eat them, but,,,, We Yankees have stuff to offer like Croghan Bologna, cheese curd, maple syrup,jerked pork, and the Rebels want us to eat grits? How can the same part of the country that perfected barbeque ( which IS a noun and NOT a verb) still eat grits? Um, I am off work Thursday to Sunday every week. Some nice roads in the Adirondacks. Old Forge to Lake Placid is the area I am most familar with. Sure you can't take a month? Don't forget, the nights are already starting to get, cool.
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Long Tail, cant tell you a thing about 104 (or 3) from Buffalo to Rochester. I think it starts in the Rochester area actually. I would probably run 90 east to 390 to 590 to 104. However from Rochester on up, here goes. 104 is not to bad in the city at all and is well marked. You should have no problem. From Rachacha on through the route is well marked and a nice ride but nothing to scenic. (but I live here and see this type of area every day) A bit after Oswego comes Mexico and then take Rt. 3 (East) This will run along the lake (Ontario) and there are a few spots that offer a good view. Once in Jefferson County you may want to take a moment to stop in Sacketts Harbor. Very small town with a lot of history, some good food (bit touristy pricing however) and a nice view of the lake / harbor. Now you are in my neck of the woods. Depending on your schedule you can take 180 through Dexter to 12 (D?) to Cape Vincent and then to Clayton and up to Wellsley /Alexandria Bay /etc. In the A-Bay area Boldt Castle is a must see time permitting. You can get onto Wellsley Island via the T.I. Bridge and half of it is U.S. and then yew have the border crossing to Canada. From Oswego to Vermont and even into Vermont I have a more than passing acquaintance with the area. I will be happy to help or advise in any way.
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Almost every snow blower or lawn mower you buy now is an MTD painted and stickered for whoever is selling it to you.
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Shakespeare had the right idea regarding lawyers.
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I carry a used up circular saw blade in my trunk now. Any.doubt and it goes under the side stand. This going to sound sarcastic or stupid. When I move the beast I make absolutely sure to keep it perfectly upright, plumb, perpendicular. Don't let it get to the tipping point. Ever. The last time(s) it was on its side I put it jn gear,.put the bars full lock, grab the bar in left hand, the rear crash bar in my right hand, and stood it up. Can't do that forever, so the plan is to never, ever let it go on its side again. Yeah, right. :sign **** happens:
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OK, the pin is welded in. If need be I can get it removed and the hitch prepped for a standard ball. (Son in law and a few acquaintances work in a local machine shop) It appears that there is enough room to mount a ball after removing the pin. I'm assuming that this pin set up will work, but what are the pros and cons of pin versus ball? And, is this hitch complete? Doesn't seem to be a very strong mount with the rear mount brackets seeming a little skimpy. I do figure to keep tongue load at 20 pound or so and can't picture hauling over 150 pounds plus the weight of the trailer. MikeM, an air conditioner?
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One real good reason to convert to propane is the $hi++y fuel we get now. Nothing like ethanol in a device that spends most of it's life sitting and waiting. There are repair shops here with racks full of chainsaws, weed eaters, and generators waiting for carb rebuilds or new carbs. No matter what the fuel is treated with actually. Being honest I didn't even know it was an option. I have a 200 gallon torpedo tank that sits 10 from where I will run my generator if needed. I'm storing my brand new generator the best way I can think of. Added the oil, pulled the rope a time or 3 and put it back in the box. I'll fuel it and fire it the next time I need it.
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I recently found a VR trailer hitch for my 86. But instead of a ball, or a hole to mount a normal ball it has what can best be described as a pin or stud. Roughly 3/4" in diameter. I am on a limited budget sort of for the trailer build and was thinking of getting a small Harbor Freight trailer to start the project. I'm leaning toward the model with 12" wheels as opposed to 8". Should roll better, less heat, etc. Is this thinking right? (In reading here, I may be over thinking this part.) Or will a Tag Along with it's 8" wheels and box already on be a decent choice. My local HF doesn't have one in stock to see "in person". So, with either trailer, should I modify the pin type hitch to accept the trailer (ball) coupler? Or remove the ball type coupler in favor of the pin type bike hitch? I'm probably going to have to make a modification to get level ride height anyway.
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Never leave home without it?
JohnT replied to Peder_y2k's topic in Venture and Venture Royale Tech Talk ('83 - '93)
You second gen guys :rotf:kill me. I leave with the Yamaha tool kit. In case one of the other bikes needs to borrow something. Doesn't change if I go solo. There are a couple bulbs and fuses in the kit. Some tape and some wire. One of the HD folks might need it. Mostly because if I carry a trailer load of parts and tools, I still will NOT have what I need. If I ever have that need. So as to not sound like a fool. When I go long distance one of the guys knows where the keys to my car are and how to get hold of my wife for money Then they will hook my car to my trailer and will come fetch me out of trouble. And only if all else fails, my phone has VR.org in favorites. -
Just found a neat ccmbo horn and modulator. The banshee air horn is loud, the relay modulates your head light, and it also let,s you keep the stock horn in play for a friendly "beep beep" at the neighbor. The required relay is optional. The horn can be wired normally. You can choose not to modulate the headlight and the air horn has selectable 1/4 or 1/2 second delay between the beep or the blast. Going to own one as soon as I have a spare $100.
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Reliability has been my (short term) experience with the VR. with other machines it's been my experience that with regular use, decent fuel, occasional fuel additive, and proper winter storage my carbs stay running fine.
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When my cousin Matt bought his 2001 Ultra Classic he got it new with V+H exhaust and Power Commander. 80.000 miles later he did have to put an oil pump in it. Pressure was getting a bit low. 70.000 + miles later he traded it in for a 2012 Ultra Classic. Nothing else but routine maintenance. Not bad. He, his wife, and 4 of their friends have a total of 6 bikes (HD) from 2010 to 2012 and every one of them ha had at least one, and some 2, voltage regulators in the first year of ownership. :sign **** happens: If something has tires and burns gas it will cost you money. I would love a Street Glide with lower fairings and a killer stereo. It has the one thing that would make my 86 VR perfect. A lower saddle height. (and therefore lower center of gravity) OK, there is one more thing. The one, and only, thing that HD has that no one can compare to or beat. Nothing else in the world sounds like a Harley. As long as it's not made to be too loud, there is no better sounding machine on earth. Of course with a Street Glide I would be giving up a couple things. Liker vastly better performance and handling of my VR. Good natured picking and poking is cool. And one helluva lot of fun. As long as we don't actually look down our nose at someone just for what they ride. Unless of course they are on ANYTHING but a first gen VR.
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I promise to stop when my eyes get bad. (funnier if you see my glasses)
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As much as I wish I could have made it I had to let other plans get in the way. When your oldest daughter says she doesnt want a big wedding or a reception, or any of the trappings, what do you do? You stand in a park beside a river , sun coming through the trees as they get married. ( this was last Saturday. Having our wallet let off the hook we paid for weeks stay in Niagra Falls and then yesterday we took them, Heathers new in laws, and a few close family members out to a celebration dinner. She is Brandons problem now. I have carefully explained our return policy to him, no take backs. Ever:whistling: Had I gotten to sit and ask God personally for a son in law I ccouldnt have done any better. One of these days I am going to actually get to attend one of these events.
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Do they require $1,000,000 of coverage? Even in this day and age that seems quite excessive. My liability limit is $300,000 per incident for vehicle damage and the same for bodily injury. I hate to say this but the socialism comment is scarily spot on.we are on a very slippery slope.
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One of the very few drawbacks to living in Canada it seems. Dont want to sound mean but I get stepped up ( from minimum) liability plus collision ($3000) and comprehensive coverage for my VR plus stepped up liability on my GS 1100 for about $150 . A year. Are there any other purchase options four you there?
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For the price, if it were in NY I would bid up a little. Carbs, calipers, rotors, ? Hey, ya never know. At the current price level yer getting a lot for a little. Although, you would need a small dumpster to get started.
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So sorry for your loss. Truly sorry. I can't tell you if it's been 3 years or 4 this past April that I lost my Dad. Now and then I refresh my memory of the date but it never sticks in my mind. I do know that every now and then, still, I catch mysel thinking, "I've got to call Dad and tell him about this,,," and then remember I can't. But then I remember that he already knows. And he is most likely shaking his head and saying, "Ya dumb $hi+" and laughing.
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:rotf:Wow, not sure just what to think of that,,,,,
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wny'ers - just a place to ride on a nice day today.....
JohnT replied to Lil D-Valk's topic in Watering Hole
Ah, Miss Rock n Blues contest,,,,,, -
Pretty happy with my Metzler ME 880's
JohnT replied to GG54172's topic in Royal Star Venture Tech Talk ('99 - '13)
On my third set of Metzlers. Marathon front and rear. 2 sets on my GS 1100E and now 1 on my 86 VR. 7,00 miles on the current GS set with much life left in them. Although the rear is showing more wear than the front? 4,000 miles on the VR set and they look like new. They handle great. And now that I have upped the pressure to 42 front and 46 rear my steel deck bridge wobble is gone. Can't comment on wet weather traction. It just hasn't rained here often enough to ride in it. Never had any wet weather trouble on the (much lighter) GS. Over the last 5 years I've bought and sold about 6 or 7 bikes? (I lost count, but if I ask my wife she can probably tell me) I had one set of tires poop the bed at 3,000 miles due to weather checking. Can't remember the brand,bought them off Flea Bay. I think some issues have more to do with where you buy them. Getting old stock maybe. As in anything, what works for you and makes you happy is what you should use.. And no matter what brand you ride, keep an eye on them for signs of deterioration of any kind. -
So, how rough will mine sound if I simply gut the collector? As bad as this sound I do want mine a little throatier. OK rumblier and a bit louder, however you want to look at it. Not a lot. And how much will this impact my jetting / running? Stock pipes intact. They are in mint shape with the turn down ends. I like the looks of them.
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This site, and the people on it never cease to amaze me. I have just updated my profile to include my cell # and added to the list of help I can offer. If you are in northern NY I'm a phone call or as text message away. (although I am on the road for work Monday - Wednesday)
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The4 inch Bazookas are a bit deep but do fit. Just. I had to rotate them to get the prongs to point a different direction on the left side speaker. (from the seat.)