Search the Community
Showing results for tags 'bike'.
-
After being in the used bike business for over 40 years my wife and I sold out.. It had taken me a few years to come to the conclusion that the economy, at least here in Michigan, had probably gone beyond that point of probable recovery within the working years I have left.. I discovered, much to my disadvantage, that even waiting the 6 years to do this cost us thousands of dollars in lost revenue. Instead of the .75 on the dollar we could have gotten on inventory 6 years ago we ended up at about .30 on the dollar.. Dont misunderstand though, even though I do have real mixed emotions about seeing all my bikes and inventory go I still am thankful that it sold.. This last season was a real eye opener for us.. Couple of quick examples, Had a complete 2003 anniversary Harley motor and trans - less than 4k miles on it, TC88, started at 2400 a year ago, went to 1800, 1500 (lots of offers to sell at 500) finally sold to a custom shop for 900. Another one was a good old 1986 Honda XR350 that was street legalized (pre 9/11 we sold a number of these converted XR's and never under 2), it was a gorgeous bike!! Started out at 1700, early summer dropped to 14, late summer dropped to 9 (I had almost that in parts in a complete top end - lots of lookers and people wanting to trade for cameras and boats and lawnmowers and on and on).. Finally a guy drove all the way from Wisconsin to get it for 600 bucks.. I am still gonna spin wrenches and buy and sell (wife says I have two stroke oil for blood) BUT at an extremely downsized rate.. So here is a question for you folks, I still struggle with the idea that this Michigan recession is really that bad across our country.. If we moved out of our beloved state and headed for a warmer, dryer (low humidity) climate - is there anywhere in the country that still seems to be economically desirable for bike resale - off road, on road dont matter.. Have you folks who live in these climates noticed a slow down on sales of motorcycles (or quads) you have seen sitting in peoples front yards? Are there any of you who have attended live auctions thru the years and noticed a steep decline in local auction prices for bikes and related stuff or is does your area seem to be holding steady? I welcome any input on the subject matter!! Thanks Scott
-
I've had my Venture Royale a little over a month and a half now and have put about 1000 miles on it. I have to admit, of all the bikes I have owned or have ridden over the years, this is by far my favorite. When I bought the bike the CLASS system had been disabled. The previous owner did not like it for some reason. All parts are still on the bike and he assured me there was nothing wrong with the system he just did not like the way it adjusted the bike when he rode two up with his wife. The guy is local and a decent guy so I have no reason to believe this isn't the case. When he disabled the system he removed the fitting for the rear shock that connects to the compressor and added a valve to directly air up the shock. I can find the hoses online to replace this hose with the proper connection. I have noticed that when I had a passenger on the bike the back mudflap hits the ground when going over bumps and from the looks of it, it has been doing this for a while. I added air at the valve he placed in the line but it doesn't seem to do much to raise the rear of the bike. My question is this. I have looked into the Progressive front springs and also checked out a few aftermarket rear shocks (Hagon, etc). Is it worth my while to try to get this CLASS system back up and running or I should I just consider going the Progressive route with new rear shock? 99% of my riding is solo. I rarely have a passenger. When I ride the bike solo the suspension seems fine to me. I do feel like the back end sits a bit too low though. Sure, I would like to have the CLASS system working, but am I missing anything by not going that route? Seems to me that if I get it working I might just be asking for more problems down the road. Whereas if I do the Progressive and new rear shock I should not have to even think about anymore. I appreciate any opinions one way or the other. Thanks.
-
I will not claim that this is a new trick, or up an old sleeve, but I am trying a new (to me) idea of psychological persuasion on my wife. Others may have tried this before, but it is new to me. Let me say that my wife does not restrict me from buying any motorcycle I want. My wife rides her own bikes, and I maintain them for her. My wife is a rider at heart, and she...understands...why we ride. She too can claim it is in her blood. Also, I am able to afford this, so the dollars issue is not an...issue. The government continues to pay me a lot of money for my brain cells, despite the fact that I have been retired since I was 47 years old. For some reason..."they" think I am intelligent, despite what I may have portrayed on this forum. So, to the fun part of this... After having seen the new Honda F6B on Saturday, at the International Bike Show, and seeing it confirmed that I want to own one...but knowing that I have a large building filled with motorcycles now, including my wife's three bikes, it would be a very small stretch for me to suggest to my wife that I "needed" another bike. We do give each other the respect to always discuss larger purchases, as we are a team, a couple, and respect one another. So, how do I go about bending things, twisting things, contriving things so that she herself thinks this is a good idea to buy a new Honda F6B? My solution, I downloaded all the wallboard pictures of the F6B that Honda has posted on their website, and I posted all those pictures as Desktop background on my computer that we share in the office. The pictures are shown one at a time, and only change when a person wakes up the computer, from sleep mode, and the desktop background appears. I think there are about 7 or 8 pictures of the bike, so she gets to see the bike at different angles, on different roads, and in the two colors (colours), even though I would only buy the black one. The first time she came into the living room after having seen what was on the desktop background, her first comment was that the bike is very nice looking. She did have a smile on her face. I then told her that the bike sits lower than a standard GL-1800, and she said that maybe she could ride one too. That was the hook ! So, for the next couple weeks, until the time that I leave to ride down to Bolivia, I will keep those new F6B pictures on the desktop background of our joint computer, for her to see everyday, in an attempt to psychologically persuade my wife...a woman with more than one Ph.D., and more initials after her name than I have. This is going to be fun.
-
This list has been a real help as I struggled to get my 92 Venture back up and running. Starter Clutch replaced, Carbs redone and sync. changed all fluids out, all with help or advise from this list. The results is about 700 miles so far on the best riding for comfort bike I have ever ridden. I have had goldwings and Harleys and none of them takes a pot hole or railroad crossing or that invisable bump like the Venture. Even my Harley die hard was blown away with a RR crossing I dared him to take. The bike matching the feeling in new car (well ok close real close) For a guy with a bad back that is a must. It cost a lot of time and money to get the bike running and I hope I avoid any more trouble but for the ride I will just continue to throw money at the bike to fix it when the problem comes up. Thanks to all on this list who post and help others. My abilities and knowledge is limited at best so about all I can do is say thanks you guys make a difference. -
Today I finally met my first VR member. I have been receiving very nice PM and thread replies from a lot of you. Want to thank Steve K. Aka M61A1MECH for taking the time after his bike run to meet with me in his old stomping rounds of spring hill. A couple of things. First off his bike looks awesome, has a lot of nice add ons and modifications. More importantly was his personable, friendly demeanor. He was eager to answer all my newbie questions and add his vast knowledge on things I would have never guessed. I asked him to ride the bike and give me a feel. Came back and was happy as a clam with my bikes handling. After the holidays I am headed his way on the other side of the state to have him help me w a cool light bar set up. Over all I have not had one bad experience dealing w anyone on this forum and wanted to let you know I appreciate it since I feel like I am running a marathon with my shoes tied together and my eyes closed. If anyone has any questions regarding lights /LEDs etc, trying reaching out to him. He has some good ideas. It's nice to be surrounded by people who are genuine and not Butt heads Barry
-
Ok - everybody knows that I'm not going to do an install, but I do have a couple questions regarding an install. I am considering buying another Venture and getting it triked, probably a Hannigan since there are only 2 kits available. #1 - How does mileage on the bike affect the kit ? ie; wear on parts not replaced by the kit. #2 - Is the infamous rear shock gone with trike install ?
-
So, I sent my rear diff off to John Furbur at RMSportmax, and he did his thing to it to chnage out the gears to make it ther RS-Max gears. Most of you know what that means, so I will not explain. He sent the rear diff back to me, leaving his shop on Pennsylvania two days ago, it was in my hands this morning, and in less than 82 minutes...ta da...the entire bike was all back together, everything re-insatlled, a new rear tire on it, and the bike fully on the road. Hey, less than 82 minutes was pretty good. Of course, I had everything prepped and ready to receive the revised rear diff. All parts were cleaned, newly greased, and all tolls laid out. But still...in less than 82 minutes. I have other things I still am doing to the bike, like a full valve adjustment, and fixing two wiring items. But it is nice to have the bike abck on two wheels. BTW, he did re-gear MY rear diff, as I asked him to, rather than swap mine out for someone else's.
-
Looking at buying a multimeter for some simple use on the bike, etc. What do y'all think about this one? http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/4/Auto/AutoTools/MultiTesters/PRD~0251060P/MotoMaster+Digital+Multimeter.jsp?locale=en or maybe this one... http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/4/Auto/AutoTools/MultiTesters/PRD~0251031P/Digital+Multimeter.jsp?locale=en
-
American choppers final bike build off starts tonight.. Gas Monkey might pull off a winner...
-
Hi, I'm looking to get back to riding after a several year hiatus. I'm looking at a 2003 Venture, and wanted to ask if I could impose on the great members and RSV experts here to tell me if it sounds like a reasonable deal? And I also had a few quick questions about the RSV itself... THE BIKE: It's a 2003 midnight, with custom "silver zoned" paint (see the pics), in seemingly pretty much "like new" condition, and the seller is the original owner. It's got 51K miles, almost all open road miles. It seems to be "loaded", including: a TON of chrome, what seems to be just about every add-on piece of billet chrome Yammy offers, polished/chromed wheels, chromed and polished forks, Khrome Werks pipes, Barons lowering kit, upgraded stereo speakers, Jensen stereo power amp, extra rear lights for brake/running/turn signal. He has also added some kind of modification kit to be able to remove the rear trunk (and has an additional "solo seat") and has installed a secondary antenna hidden in the fairing. (again, see the pics. One of the pics was taken before the custom paint job) I'm going to try to attach a couple of pics, 6 hopefully, and I hope I do this right!! Can anyone suggest anything I should check on or make sure of with a 2003 RSV? Would this bike for $8000 be a reasonable deal? QUESTIONS: Ok, so while I'm imposing on everyone...a few RSV questions: How expensive would it be to have the Barons lowering kit removed, and the bike returned to stock? How hard is it to do? I train with a few motor officers, am lucky enough to be allowed to join them on their obstacle course practice sessions, and I don't like the idea of giving up ground clearance. (I've been told that the Barons kit makes the RSV scrape a LOT easier.) I'm also 6'1", so I think the bike would fit me better without being lowered. Has anyone here modified their RSV to "quick remove" the trunk? Does the RSV handle differently without the trunk? With the trunk off, does anyone know if it would be possible to outfit an RSV to accept the quick attach/remove sissy bar (with backrest) and luggage rack from a RSTD? (I don't know why, but for some reason that idea/possibility of being able to do that kinda cranks me up!) Is it possible to outfit an RSV with the short, "stubby" antenna like a lot of Harley riders do with their Ultras? The 2 antenna on the trunk, I mean? If so, how well do they work? Thank you, all, for your patience...and a special thanks to anyone who might be willing to offer their thoughts! THANKS!!!!!
-
My father passed away a few years back and this was his bike it probably has been parked almost 7 8 years... I would love to rebuild this just because it was his and he loved to ride and so do I ... I have lots of questions... But lets start slow... First I have never rebuilt a bike... And second I have no keys so once I get the key situation handled where should I start this long road project... I know it's not going to happen over night I don't have unlimited funds but I am willing to do the work
-
On my bike (96 Royal Star) I have the original exhaust and those 4 big old mufflers. Say I had a bunch of carbon deposit inside the mufflers...how would you go about cleaning or flushing them out? Could ya remove them from bike and get a few cans of carb cleaner and a air hose and go to sprayin and a blowin? Would that accomplish anything or not? -
Started riding again 2yrs ago at 53 after a heart attack (figured if i was going to die it was not going to be walking down the hall at 3 am ). Smoked 12 cigars aday , 50lbs over weight , and diabetic ( 3 strikes your out ) . Quit smoking the day of my heart attack , now manage my diabeties , lost 50lbs. Now get up 7 days aweek at 4:30 am and go 1 mile on treadmill . 6:pm another mile on treadmill (everyday) . Use bowflex 30 mi 3 days a week . Before heart attack could not walk 100 ft without hips and feet killing me . Would not have been able to manage such a heavy bike as the venture . Point being i think we all should be spending more time devoted to our own well being and not worrying how to change our bikes to fill our laxing life styles. ( ps dont mean to preach but i fell great , hips and feet don"t hurt and hope to be riding this bike another 15yrs )
-
Hey VR buddies!! Can someone please post pictures of their bike with the AD Chrome carb covers on it. Been lookin and lookin but can't find any? sorry. Thanks!!
-
We took our 07 out last Sunday and I had a very tough time with the wife on back, at stoplights, parking lots, etc... Over the years, I have heard more than a few guys tell me that they used to ride, but had to give it up because of their hips &/or legs. I don't want to be one of those guys! A couple of years ago, my wife and I took a trike for a test drive. We only rode 3 or 4 miles or so and didn't like it. I couldn't get used to the steering. When I got back to the dealer, he said that I should've taken it fo 1/2 hour or so to get used to it. But we didn't want to take it back out. - Now I wish we had. So, now here I am AFRAID to take my 07 out. I CAN'T give up riding! My wife is obsessed with it! AND, I refuse to ride Bit$h! So, I am back to considering a Trike or maybe even a sidecar. Our thoughts on a sidecar are that when THIS bike wears out, we can simply transfer it to a new bike. Also, we can carry a Grandchild with us or luggage or ??? But a Trike, we lose the Saddle Bags, (but we own a Bushtec trailer). But the biggest hurdle for me about a Trike is the price AND the price every time you get a new one!! I am only 50years old, hopefully I have a long life ahead of me. So, my questions for you folks are, 1. Any pros & cons that I haven't thought of? 2. I heard that sidecars are tougher on a bike. Is there any truth to that? 3. I heard that sidecars are tougher to steer than a trike. True? Which QUALITY sidecar would Look best with an 07? Craigr
-
Anybody watch A P tonight ? Was that a 1st gen maroon bike in the garage with the Cord car ?
-
Looking at a second bike to take to the lake and short trips ect. Roadstar or Roadliner, I think over the winter there maybe some good deals,
-
Motorcycle journalist from a French magazine test riding a new bike...................:bang head:
-
Hi all I'm new here to the site and looking to purchase a 2009 or later RSV. Im coming from a VTX but wanted more of a full dress tourer. I usually run in the winter heater jacket, pants, gloves, gps, and charge my phone. With the RSV in addition I wanted to get a heated seat and grips. From the readings on this site it seems to make that combination work I have to upgrade the stator and and R/R. My mechanical knowledge is limited to brakes and fluids so I would probably have to take the bike in to have this work done. My questions is are there any downfalls to have this done, will the dealers know how to install this R/R or will I have to take it to a different motorcycle mechanic and finally after this is done will I have any other problems associated to the upgrade with the bike. I see some people have gone through several stators but I'm not sure why they go through so many. Im very interested in the bike and appreciate any education you guys can provide on this Thanks Vince -
Turns out I was being cheap and stupid. I tripped over my ego and landed with, well you know. Anyway, I take great pride in the fact that I think I am a pretty good mechanic, unfortunately, there comes a time when you realize the thinking part of that statement can be your undoing. I have had my Royal Star for 17 years and the last 10 have done all my own work. I can pull those carbs off with my eyes closed, well at least that part is true. It is what happens after you get em off that is the problem. I diagnose the problem and fix whatever is wrong and put em back together, built a lot of my own test gadgets and sync tool, man am I smart! I save tons of money too! So after all this time, seems the bike and I are growing old, why a month ago I embarrassed myself at a Patriot Guard ride. I was in formation next to a trike and we came to an idle crawl. I found myself doing the "bike weave" with the front tire and pulling the clutch in more than it was out trying to ride at a complete idle. I kept having to put my feet down and as my face was getting a little more crimson in color and by God I was jealous of the guy on the trike and thinking maybe it was time to retire the old girl cause I could hardly do this anymore. Well, I went home, let the bike sit for a couple of weeks, then thought I would go for a ride. The bike had taken to leaking a little fuel if I left it sit for awhile but the leak would stop after it got warmed up. DANG ETHANOL! I knew that crap must be drying out the rubber! So I thought, the float needles are rubber and they are the only thing that would make the fuel run out because I had already adjusted the floats and being the ace mechanic that I am this must be it. I ordered the needles, pulled the carbs and replaced them, put it all back together and fired it up. Now I have a leak at one of the float bowls, needs a new o-ring, ordered the o-ring. pulled off the carbs, replaced the O-ring and put everything back together and fired it up, now I have popping, could not figure this out so guessed I must have put something together wrong, pulled the carbs off again, could not find anything wrong so I did all the tests, I find that the float level will not remain the same over time, diagnosed to a bad o-ring on the float seat assembly. Ordered them, replaced them, put everything back together and fired it up..... another float bowl o-ring is leaking....Now at this point it has been three months since the PGR ride and those carbs have been off more than granny's nightgown. I give up and order all new parts for the carbs, because by now I have a mismatched bunch of parts that have been replaced at all kinds of different times, bear in mind that this is how I have been doing the maintenance over the years. The parts were not all that expensive, a few hundred bucks when purchased all together. I rebuilt the carbs, did all the adjustments, fired em up, synced and low and behold, I am not OLD, I can ride at idle. Not only that, but my gas mileage has improved by over 10 mpg, I can turn tighter and starts at lights are almost night and day different. If you have been riding the same bike, and it seems like you are growing old together, rethink it! I did not notice the degradation in performance over time but after rebuilding it the sound is so different, I am ashamed that I did not notice any of those things. I was ready to cash it in. So for all you out there that any of this sounds familiar, take it from a newly humbled idiot. All this time I thought I was being frugal and smart, turns out, I was being cheap and stupid! Old dogs really can learn, too bad it took so long! Anybody wants to know how to get the carbs off or back on in 6 1/2 minutes let me know.
-
Well, it happened again. I lost control and bought another bike - my fourth one,,,,pheeeeeewwwww,,,,,,,,, The summer of 2011 I bought a 2000 MM Venture here in Reykjavik, Iceland for a friend of mine who lives up North. Was surprised how easy the bike was to handle and discovered it had levelling links and lowered forks. Was as easy as my 1998 Tour Classic. Rode the bike halfway through Iceland to meet up with my friend and deliver the bike and took his old Kawasaki Vulcan back and sold it for him. He took really good care of the Venture and pampered the bike apart from always scraping the drivers seat with his boots but he is kind of short legged. Late this summer he was riding with his friends up North and they stopped at the shoulder of the road. When he stepped of the bike he lost balance and dropped the bike on the right side. Unfortunately there was quite a steep slope on the side and the bike went down the slope about 20 feets. Did only get cosmetic damages but it took six guys about two hours to get the bike back up on the road. They bike was driveable in all sense - just not looking as pretty as before. The insurance company opted for paying him the bike for 12.500 US$ (note that bike prices are averagely double here in Iceland compared to the USA), and last week I bought for him a Yamaha Wildstar 2000 model with every possible accessory available as well as some custom made. A really beautiful bike and he is as happy as ever. The insurance company put the bike up for auction last Friday and it ended today. The highest bidder had only one bid (there are three bids allowed): 6.250 US$ The second (me) had all three bids: 1st.bid 6.248 US$ 2nd. bid: 5.882 US$ 3rd. bid: 5.710 US$ So I had no hope that I would get the bike. But I lucked out. The highest bidder backed out and I was offered the bike for my first bid of 6.248 US$. I decided to take the chance and drop my highest bid and stick to my second bid for 5.882 US$ with the hope that there would not be somebody with a bid amount between my first and second bid. And,,,,,,,,THE BIKE IS MINE The damages are as follows: 1. Tank has two dents in the white area. Only needs the white colour painted. 2. Front upper fairing scraped and chipped. Needs full paint. 3. Windshield broken. Needs to be replaced. 4. Lower front right fairing scraped and chipped. Full paint. 5. Would want to replace the front fender to get rid of that terrible Seagull previous owner bolted on. Ugliest thing I ever seen on a Venture (I do know it is a matter of taste ) 5. Saddlebag lid right side scraped. Full paint. 6. Trunk lid scraped. Full paint. 7. Saddlebag guard badly scraped. Needs to be replaced. 8. Right side driving light dented. Needs to be replaced. 9. Driver seat needs to be patched/repaired or a replacement bought. (Where in the world would I get an identical colour vinyl/leather for this? ) And thats about it. Have already gotten a price for the paint job - 1.300 US$ and estimated cost for the parts is somewhere between 800 to 1.200 US$ depending on how lucky I get, Total cost without calculating my work: 8.382 US$ - Sale price: 12.000 US$ Profit around: 3.500 US$ (if everything works out that is). And believe it or not - the BOSS gave me permit to buy the bike when I told her I could make some money on it. Bad thing is that both my sons said to her: MOM,,,Has Dad ever sold any of his bikes ? MOM,,,WAKE U-UP ! I am determined to sell it when it is done and,,,,,,well it is actually a very nice color and there were only 1.500 samples made,,,, When I get home from Norway middle of December I will remove the parts that need to be repainted and get them to the painter. No rush though - selling the bike when it gets close to spring. If any of you know of any of the parts available then please send me a line. The pictures on the insurance companys website are protected from copying but I am trying to find a way to attach the pictures and will post an update. Update: Pictures will be added tomorrow Wednesday - the insurance company are going to mail them to me. Thanks for looking and if any of you know of any of the parts I need then please be so kind to contact me. Friendly regards from Iceland / Norway.
-
Ok Guys, I know the plans or dimensions for this horn bracket are our here somewhere, but I'll be damned if I can find it. I've built several and even have one one the left side of my bike for Dual Stebels. And I thought I had made patterns, but I can't find them either. So can anyone point me to the post that first showed this bracket? Thanks, Rick -
My wrist is starting to give me trouble and I think it comes from using the throttle on the bike. This item seems to be the solution. Ever use one? http://www.ebay.com/itm/CRAMP-BUSTER-Yamaha-VMax-VStar-V-Max-V-Star-650-1100-/230811191999?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3ARoyal+Star&hash=item35bd6b4abf&vxp=mtr
-
Are there any radio knobs available? Or is there a suitable sub? Knob was missing when I bought the bike. The previous owner said someone liberated it from the bike one day.
-
hey everyone I am looking for a new bike for next summer and the venture is really looking good from all of the research I have done on this bike. I am thinking about getting one between 06-08. Can you guys put in some inputs on the bike. EXAMPLES: Like is it smoothing riding. Plenty of power for 2 people. how well it steers. Does it have high rpms at highway speed like 75mph. Stuff like that, And things you like about the bike and things you don't like about the bike. Thanks
