Peder_y2k

Looks goooood from way over here on the wet coast.......... -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA

I've created home-made penetrating oil from a mix of tranny fluid and acetone. Might try it if the PB Blaster doesn't work. -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA

Mike, thanks for the offer. I'll consider it. Waiting for results of soaking with "PB Blaster" -Pete, in Tacoma Wa USA

Working on my barn find not run for 22 years, found the 2 Mikuni carburetor diphragm slides fozen in their bores. Soaked in WD40 for 2 days and still firmly stuck. Only 2K miles on the clock so it all looks new under the skin, so I don't want to use mechanical methods that could easily destroy the fragile plastic-like piston. Any suggestions how to unstick the slides without wrecking them? SEAFOAM DEEPCREEP, penetrating oil, Marvel Mystery Oil, carb cleaner spray.............. I'm open to help here. -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA

Working on my barn find '87 Virago XV535 last used in '1991 ............. So I was siphoning the 22 year old fuel out of the gas tank, and it had no sour smell or yellowing color like modern gas that has a shelf life of 90 days.......... and I realized that 20 some years ago, gasoline formulation was way different from today. No ethanol, and maybe some tetraethel lead in there. Absolutely zero rust in the tank, and the carbs are quite clean. Closely examined the tube type OE tires, and they are 3ply nylon cord, with absolutely no evidence of sidewall or tread crazing and cracking, hold air and roll nicely, so I'll run them till they show evidence of non-fitness for service. I'm amazed............ -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA

Spotted no image Craigslist post, and bought it with two crisp $100 bills. Brought my little air compressor along knowing tires were likely low, and they were so low the bike would not roll, so after inflation, loaded it my van and brought it home. Will make it a winter project and teach my lady to ride, and also use it for local errands where my '88VR is cumbersome for short hauls. -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA

No foolin.... found this 1987 Yamaha XV535 Virago on Craigslist for $200 and has 2100 original miles on it. Not ridden in 22 years but should clean up nicely. Has a 2.25 gal fuel tank that should get from one gas station to the next, provided the original tires hold up....... -Pete, in Tacoma Wa USA

I'd be very wary of any project that had an engine condition labeled as 'seized'. Really need to know what the nature of the 'seizure' is before taking a chance. Maybe it's just the brakes are seized. Best be clear on the seizure. -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA

"SS Thirsty" I had a boat......... once, and know how much they drink! $$$$$$$$$$$ -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA

That tire load rating is for the maximum speed stated in the tire speed rating code. Slower than maximum speed increases load capacity. Over maximum speed reduces load capacity. If your tires are rated at 130mph, then you easily can exceed the load stated as long as you stay at or below the posted road speed limit. But if you run your bike up to 160mph with your described load, catastrophic results will happen quickly. Now you know more than you did before......... -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA

Rebuilding the slave cylinder with a 'kit' is "iffy" at best. If in doubt, buy a new slave cylinder. Middle gear cover comes off for access, and requires a new gasket, and one bottom bolt has a copper crush washer that needs replacement. As long as the slave cylinder is out, one should replace the clutch push rod seal with new. -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA

We knew that.......... the part about 'strange'. Starter solenoids are very simple switches. If I need to replace mine, I'll go with the new $10 generic ones sold for motorcycles, the one with the 30amp main fuse alongside. Often seen under 'Honda' parts on e-bay. -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA

When in doubt, get a new battery. Afterall, it's a motorcycle...not a car. Also, inside of starter motor could be dirty with contact brush residue that can be cleaned off with brake cleaner spray. After cleaning, be sure to re-lube the bushings, and re-bend the brush plate grounding tangs. -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA

Naaahh, we stop because we are receivng money orders. The more we stop, the more we get...at least that's why I stop........... -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA '88VR

First, I used paint remover to get the old clear finish off. I found all my sandpaper at ACE Hdwe, and used 220 grit to remove the deepest damage, then followed with 600 grit to smooth out the leftover sanding marks, then finished with 1000 grit that prepped the surface for the polish wheel where Jewelers Rouge shined it to a mirror finish. Haven't clear coated yet, so surfaces are prone to easy scratching from boot contact. The polish wheel takes these out fast. -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA

Adding to the debate, it is not possible for the clutch fluid to transfer into the engine at the engine mounting. The clutch slave cylinder casting has stand off mount flanges creating a small gap between the cylinder assembly and the engine case. Any fluid loss would exit through this gap. This includes engine oil passing a failed push rod seal. -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA

The Yamaha XS750 in-line tripple has a reputation for sudden seizure and is not cost effectively repairable. Something to do with the crankshaft. Don't leave home without your cell phone. I suggest you look at a different project........... -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA

Is there anything you have done that you want to share with us? Bike is bone stock, and I use cruise when I can, drive couple mph over the posted limit... but I have been keeping up on tuning, valve adjustments, spark plug gap, carb specs adhered to, synched, and idle mixture set as perfectly as I can etc. My test to confirm/check my work is placing the back of my hand 2 inches from the end of the muffler to 'feel' the heat, and if cool enough to keep my hand there as long as I want, then it is running right. If I need to jerk my hand away because of heat, then the carbs are off, either rich or lean, and that causes unburned fuel to combust in the exhaust system causing excess heat. I suppose I could use my non-contact infrared thermometer, but then I'd need to put a new battery in it. I can also 'smell' the exhaust that clings to the back of my hand for indications of unburned fuel, and when my hand smells clean, I know the bike is good. There really is something to those super tuners that can stand behind a car/mc and smell how it is running...... BTW, I'm not braggin'......simply confirming where the standard is, and trying to raise the bar. I'm on the hunt for 51mpg two-up..........in the mountains. -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA

Went for a 270 mile round trip day trip into the Cascade Mtns. of WA today in great weather, and my '88VR (52,500miles) achieved 47mpg with two-up load over three passes. Even passed a few trucks going uphill. Odometer confirmed by GPS. If your bike can't deliver same, it needs work.... -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA

IMHO.......... I suggest you consider owning a 1998 or newer Honda Shadow 750 of some sort - ACE, Spirit, Aero, etc. I had one for a time this summer, alongside my '88VR, and found the Shadow to be very handy for a quick and dirty jaunt just around the area, and for some errand duty. Never would use the VR for that local short stuff, but then never would consider the Shadow for an all day 500 mile 'venture'. Really liked the Shadow for simplicity, low speed manners, easy handling, fast starts, and quick enough for traffic duty, and even stable at highway speeds. Having a low, easy to mount Shadow would enable you to just 'grab and go' for a short stimulus. And, you can bust your knuckles changing the oil and filter (very easy) to maintain your mechanical skills. Sold the Shadow for more than I paid simply because I could, and besides....really needed the floor space... but now miss the 750 and kinda wish I had it back Just IMHO.... -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA

Here's the video http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid836827761001?bckey=AQ~~,AAAAR_p154k~,Ay3i1IziTkgph-u04lp-DYH1qGBiIwx1&bclid=1174655554001&bctid=2654285774001 The actual footage starts at 1:42 and ends at 3:38, just gotta get thru the sponsor mssg befor things start. Be sure to click 'full screen' His "Miles - Million Mile Rider" sticker/plaque is shown near the end of the segment. -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA

Here's the video link: http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid836827761001?bckey=AQ~~,AAAAR_p154k~,Ay3i1IziTkgph-u04lp-DYH1qGBiIwx1&bclid=1174655554001&bctid=2654285774001 Gotta get thru the sponsor message first, then the story begins at 1:42 ending at 3:38. Near the end, there's a brief view of a sticker on his black F6B with his nickname "Miles". -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/helmet-charred-motorcyclist-ok-after-lightning-str/nZnqn/ Saw the evening news telecast where the rider was identified as our friend Miles, the million mile rider is the biker in this news story. To soon for a video to be posted at this time. 5:15pm Thursday Sept. 05, 2013 -Pete, in Tacoma Wa USA

Could be plastic beginning to rub from vibration. Try lightly pressing on different panels/pieces when you hear the sound. If it quits chirping, there you are.......... -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA

I'm running the Bridgestone Spitfire IIs on mine as well with zero issues, metal grates and tar snakes included. I check tire pressure each time I go for a ride, and these tires seem to lose about 1-2psi/month. My bike has the progressive springs and superbrace, so I think that makes a difference. The bike goes where I point it, not where it may want to go. -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA '88VR