Barrycuda

Two questions: Any of my florida brethren change the clutch plates and springs? I want to ask for someone to guide me / babysit me through this ordeal when the time comes and is there a specific amount of torque pounds that NEED to be applied or tighten by hand strongly? Does the crank case cover have torque ponds that vary? Just curious...

I use the RAM mount w the double ball and have the c clamp on the handlebars. With the double ball set up I can swap and switch out my XM radio with my GPS. Currently Miles is sending me some of his no longer used mounts to have them both. I like the RAM set up and it's a snap to take with you if you feel it will up and leave when you're not looking.

Someone with more knowledge can certainly set me straight on this next statement. I believe the commander II are fairly new to venture sizes. I have a set of commanders, not II, on my Vulcan 1500 and LOVE THEM. They hug the turns well, ride smooth and have been road tested in tropical storms 2 up. ( not by choice). Because of that, and unless anyone else has specifics to make me think otherwise, I will try the IIs very soon on my RSV. As for mileage, I got about 12000 miles on them and still run fine. Although in fairness I hadn't been riding a lot a bunch of years ago and that make have saved the tires some.

Congrats and woo hoo! I too will be doing the IB 1000 this year and will try a 1500 at some point. Riding from Florida to Tennessee has me very confident I can do this event with time to spare. It does help to have the seats mod via Rick Butler, which I have

Now THAT was a brilliant idea. How do you guys figure this stuff out???

Sent a PM

It has been said before and bears repeating, keep up your positive attitude and prove people wrong. Thoughts and prayers to you and your loved ones.

If no one takes them at the MD, contact me and LMK. I might be very interested. Barry

I was fortunate to have dinner with Miles in Dresden TN. He is a great dinner companion and never once slurped his soup . He is great to talk with.

Custom dynamics 100LED tail light and light bar from eBay that Steve/ M61A1MECH was nice enough to work with me on what seemed to be the coldest day ever recorded in Florida.

Here is possibly a cheap solution that will keep the current gas cap intact and cost less than a 2$... I can not take credit as a VR member did this to his bike, and I did the same after seeing it, at B2Moms BBQ, all for the same reason, windshield glare. Go to the dollar store or wherever, and get one of those beer Cousy things, the ones that hold the beer or soda cans and try to keep them cold. Then simply cut it down and place it over. It fits and it works. They have various colors. Just a thought...

Can always purchase one in the states, perhaps cheaper and ride it back?!?!???!

:rotf:

Tim, welcome. I will give you my 2 cents and I am sure those who know more than me will chime in....they always do I am a fairly new RSV owner, 6 months. I asked questions and I am sure people were tired of me but didn't show. Here's what I learned: these bikes, when properly maintained and treated right, can easily get you 200k miles or more. It was told to me that these bikes rarely have issues. That said, no one can predict electrical failures, but overall MAJOR breakdowns are not common. I just travelled from Florida to Tennessee in the rain, and not so much as a hiccup. To also inform you, I am NOT a gear head, or mechanic. I just wanna ride. From 1999-2013, these bikes are the same and many describe them as indestructible, as well as bulletproof. No machine is perfect. If you have a trusted mechanic friend or shop take a look at this for you, it may make you feel better. Check rear shocks as the OEM do leak and that's a pricey replacement. See about tires, breaks, fluid changes etc. any service records? I was back and forth, then once I returned from Tennessee I am all in. These bikes are terrific! Please keep us posted and keep asking questions, these guys and gals on this forum kick royal ass!!

I know I am late to the party, but want to +1 on much of what was said already. I believe you would be Bette asking a step back, and taking another course to get you where you need to be. ride like a pro, Jerry Palladino has several terrific videos, which explain curves, turns and the set up. Someone mentioned practicing in an parking lot and protecting the bike with foam. Both Jerry has spoken about numerous times. I was very uneasy when I first bought this RSV, decided to take the course RIDE LIKE A PRO with Jerry. I was NOT doing well and made up for lost time. I practiced the fundamentals and continue to do so. I used those exact techniques when I rode 1,911 to Tennessee a few weeks ago. Today I took my wife out in the rain and decided to practice some U turns. Scared? He'll yeah, but like others mentioned, I go at MY pace, at MY comfort level. Things have gotten better. Do I ride like a pro? Not yet, but now I don't ride like a pansy on this RSV. My advice is to re read some of the posts and make some notes on what you may feel you want to work on. I do recommend the ride like a pro V. Most of all is your safety and comfort. Riding scared causes more stress and can mentally wear you down. Stay strong and good luck to you. Barry

Thanks Gray Ghost for the PDF

Good info Andy, Thanks !! The washers I am referring to come from the 3 bolts on each side of the inside fairing

Miles.. I accept your West Coast challenge. I can say with certainty I shall have this bad girl back together no later than December 23rd of this year ha ha:rotf: Hope all is well with you Miles...

here are the rest

lets see if more than one pic can come about

Good afternoon everyone. Today I took on a new adventure. For some of y'all this is easy but for me, who isn't mechanically inclined and get spooked reading about broken tabs and lost washers etc. So, bossman/ Larry shipped his shorter windshield to which I wanna say another THANKS. I read how easy he windshield is, but since I was feeling courageous, wanted to split the fairing to get to learn. I followed this link: http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=494 Now I will post pics to those such as Miles who won't believe me, but also to ask people what is what. To my surprise no tabs we broken in the transaction. The shop when they required were asked to put die electric grease in the connectors. Upon inspection, they did just that. Nice to know I wasn't ripped off and they did the job. Anyway... Some of the bolts had plastic washers, some metal,some none. I have a few questions and here they are 1- preferred material of washers for reinstall 2- is it beneficial to add some die electric grease or whatever is favored by the forum to the bolts on reinstall? 3 - was trying to remove the connector that plugs into the front speakers but was afraid of breaking it. Do I PUSH that tab in or pull that plastic tab out ? 4- if some tech guru would maybe explain what some of these wires, connectors are and the purpose? 5- any other tips? Things I need to do, add, etc 6- what's that big black box on top and its purpose? Sadly I have been able to send only ONE lousy pic in the past, so I will try again. Be patient. I really would appreciate any info, feedback and of course smarty pants remarks from the usual suspects...

Mine is an 03 with 29k....I should ask $11,000. Maybe an extra $500 for my excellent radiator grill.

Thanks Big guy... and the fastest color indeed...

Those Buick GS, are amazing cars, very underrated, and overlooked in the muscle car discussion. They look bad ass...

If it will keep Miles quiet, ( and who doesn't want that? ), I will get to the black paint dept ASAP...