What did you do to your Vmax today? Part 2

[Redbone]

I think the order is: LF #1, RF #2, RR #3, LR #4

SInce you are opening it up, 'undercut tranny,' shift drum, poss. shift forks, oil pick-up o-ring fix, maybe different 5th gear if you ride long distances.

Do the obvious stuff for the spark, check the cap, trim the primary lead a bit & re-install the cap, switch caps side-to-side to see if the problem moves too, same thing w/coils, new plug, check connections for corrosion & continuity, etc.

I am waiting on a clutch kit before I ride my bike again, can't wait! Other than that, runs-good, steers good. Consider radials if you don't already have them. I say that's the best handling change you can make. unk:

Now that I have them too, I agree totally. Feels more agile, turn in is much quicker, so much quicker I am going to take back one of the two 1" spacers to keep the suspension (front to rear) within 1" vs. the 2" I am currently running.

 

[Fire-medic]

You should benefit from the increased ground clearance.

The difference in handling for transitions from side to side, the tracking over uneven pavement, stability under braking, & etc. is just incredible. You know how your bike feels w/a slightly-soft front tire? Not confidence-inspiring, requires a lot more countersteering when turning, wanders at speed? That's how bias-ply tires feel to me now compared to radials. They seemed to solve a lot of little concerns all at-once when I got them. I cannot understand why Yamaha didn't make them OEM long-ago! Maybe if they did, they would have been more-apt to continue to make the Gen. 1 w/improvements alongside the Gen 2. They had the precedent in their sportbike line, when they made multiple 600's. There would be plenty of people who would have spent $12K for an updated Gen 1 as-opposed to spending $20K I saw on the Gen 2's at their display at Daytona this past spring. And don't tell me "it would rob sales from the Gen 2!" Harley-Davidson seems to have made a nice business allowing their customers to buy cheap (LowRider) vs the similar content for far-more in the CVO line.

Now that I have them too, I agree totally. Feels more agile, turn in is much quicker, so much quicker I am going to take back one of the two 1" spacers to keep the suspension (front to rear) within 1" vs. the 2" I am currently running.

 

[naughtyG]

Received my new electronic flasher relay yesterday, gonna have a go at mounting it and see if those LED blinkers will behave now..

 

[[email protected]]

Checked the weather last night. Looked like today was going to be a pretty nice day. I decided to take the max to work. Ended up riding 300 miles! Had to go to State College and Bellefonte, PA and back.

It was cold as f&^k this morning. Not too bad on the way back. It was worth the pain.

 

[Fire-medic]

Do you Northern guys wear Gerbing heated clothing? http://gerbing.com/

Vest liner $149, pants liner $199

And they have some info important to those of you who would have shopped in the 'husky' section as adolescents: "If your stomach is larger than your chest, use the larger measurement.":rofl_200:
Warms to 135 degrees F @ ambient 32 degrees F, rheostat recommended!

$129 dual temp control

HeatMicrowire? Heat Technology; Source: 12-volts DC
Current 4.5 amps; Watts 54 watts; Surface Temp135?F +/- 5?F at 32?F

$169 Specifications
HeatMicrowire?Source12V DC; Current 2.2Amps; Watts: 27W; Surface Temp About 57?C/135?F


Motorbike accident while wearing my Gerbings at 130 km/h [80 mph]

I'm glad I can still tell you this...
Friday 28th of November 2008 I got hit by a car on the highway towards Antwerp, at that time I was driving 130 km/h [80 mph] and wearing my Gerbings. The car hit me from the right when he drove alongside at a much higher speed. I never saw it coming but the impact was violent. Next thing I knew I was sliding over the highway. In an attempt to get up and run towards the side of the road, I flipped over, broke a bone in my back and continued to roll because of the speed I still had. I finally came to a stop and ran to the side of the road to be safe. The car that hit me didn't stop and drove off.
Apart from the broken bone in my back I sufferd no other injuries. I only had my Gerbings for a month but they protected me under very heavy conditions from injuries to my hands. I'd like to share my story because I believe that a personal experience is the best reference. I also included some pictures of my Gerbings.
Yours,
Ben De Bruyckere
Antwerp
Belgium

OK, so-much for the commercial. I don't own any, but I live in south Florida. I just checked the thermometer, it's 70 degrees F this Nov. evening. My pool is warmer than that. If I was going to be riding where the temps were below 60 degrees consistently, I would invest in some of these. I do have polypropylene top & bottoms, and a pair of hockey gloves, if I get the urge to ride during the couple of cold snaps we get here. More-like it, I'll just wait a couple of days, and wait for the temp to get back into the 60's (evening temps).

 

[Rollie]

Consoled them for a while after I got back from a blast down I-20 & back on the B.B. unk:

 

[Fire-medic]

Consoled them for a while after I got back from a blast down I-20 & back on the B.B. unk:

"Consoled your VMax?"

Nice-looking Blackbird. They sell here for very reasonable prices since the Hyabusa & Kawi 14 are out. One of my acquaintances has a CBX twin-shock & a Blackbird & they are both immaculate.

 

[Rollie]

"Consoled your VMax?"

Nice-looking Blackbird. They sell here for very reasonable prices since the Hyabusa & Kawi 14 are out. One of my acquaintances has a CBX twin-shock & a Blackbird & they are both immaculate.

Yeah , they were grumpy I didn't take them out as it was so beautiful , high 60s or low 70s , felt like spring . B.B. is just soooooooo smooth and powerful. Kinda piggy like the Max , but will cut the corners like a sportbike with a few mods. You can be doing 90 and feels like 60 . Really have to watch out for the popo .

 

[KJShover]

Took a break from studying and started trimming the new windscreen and traced out the bracketry for it. Then bought some diodes for the tachometer adapter.
I'm going to wire a few extra when I get them. Which brings me up to another thing. Its so nice to walk in to a radio shack and other electronic shops and have them give you a blank stare when you ask for something specific. Went to another electronic shop and all the guy behind the counter could do was shake his head and repeat, "diode?" One would think that working in an electronics store you would pick up a few things. But, I scored 25 of the diodes on eBay from an electronics guy for $1.75 and free shipping. unk:

 

[Redbone]

Do you Northern guys wear Gerbing heated clothing? http://gerbing.com/

Vest liner $149, pants liner $199

And they have some info important to those of you who would have shopped in the 'husky' section as adolescents: "If your stomach is larger than your chest, use the larger measurement.":rofl_200:
Warms to 135 degrees F @ ambient 32 degrees F, rheostat recommended!

$129 dual temp control

HeatMicrowire? Heat Technology; Source: 12-volts DC
Current 4.5 amps; Watts 54 watts; Surface Temp135?F +/- 5?F at 32?F

$169 Specifications
HeatMicrowire?Source12V DC; Current 2.2Amps; Watts: 27W; Surface Temp About 57?C/135?F


Motorbike accident while wearing my Gerbings at 130 km/h [80 mph]

I'm glad I can still tell you this...
Friday 28th of November 2008 I got hit by a car on the highway towards Antwerp, at that time I was driving 130 km/h [80 mph] and wearing my Gerbings. The car hit me from the right when he drove alongside at a much higher speed. I never saw it coming but the impact was violent. Next thing I knew I was sliding over the highway. In an attempt to get up and run towards the side of the road, I flipped over, broke a bone in my back and continued to roll because of the speed I still had. I finally came to a stop and ran to the side of the road to be safe. The car that hit me didn't stop and drove off.
Apart from the broken bone in my back I sufferd no other injuries. I only had my Gerbings for a month but they protected me under very heavy conditions from injuries to my hands. I'd like to share my story because I believe that a personal experience is the best reference. I also included some pictures of my Gerbings.
Yours,
Ben De Bruyckere
Antwerp
Belgium

OK, so-much for the commercial. I don't own any, but I live in south Florida. I just checked the thermometer, it's 70 degrees F this Nov. evening. My pool is warmer than that. If I was going to be riding where the temps were below 60 degrees consistently, I would invest in some of these. I do have polypropylene top & bottoms, and a pair of hockey gloves, if I get the urge to ride during the couple of cold snaps we get here. More-like it, I'll just wait a couple of days, and wait for the temp to get back into the 60's (evening temps).

The electric clothing would be nice I guess but for the most part when it's cold enough to need that kind of stuff the roads start to get icy or even snow covered. You get used to riding in the cold, down into the high 20/30's for short runs. even better if it's in the sun. The 40's is a cold *** ride but can be done if layered up under jacket w/ liner, balacalva, riding pants (add a old pair of long style knee pads) insulated hunting boots and insulated gloves. You don't see many riders out in temps below 50* but on a sunny day with low wind there a few that will brave a late fall run.
If you make a habit out of riding in weather less than 40* you will want to have a bigger windshield, heated grips, hand guards for the bike and electric gear, snowmoble helmet or visor. For me all that gear detracts from the ride so I don't get out in the really cold stuff much.

 

[DMAN999]

^ I'm with Brian, I'll ride anytme it's above 40-45F and the Roads are clean.
I Just just dress in Layers: Thermals (top and bottoms), Flannel Lined Jeans, T-Shirt, Sweatshirt, Thnsulate Coat Liner (with a collar that completely covers my neck), Thinsulate Lined Gloves, Full Face Hemet, etc. and I'm Golden.

 

[Dr.n2o]

Went for a good ride today. Cranked a couple 1st into 2nd gear wheelies on the way home......felt good :biglaugh:

 

[magna_dude74]

Went for a nice country ride today, not too often it is 65 deg the second week of November in Michigan so that was pretty cool. Forecast has snow tommorrow afternoon lol. You would have thought today was the first spring day with as many riders out all day today, I actually lost count this morning.

 

[timscues]

From sitting all torn down my fuel tank got rusty as hell, used the works toilet bowl cleaner for rust and lime with some nuts and bolts put in there to help clean the rust, shake it, let it sit shake it, let it sit, repeat each step, clean with dawn dish soap, then hit it with the air compressor and spayed a little wd40 to coat the tank, cleaned out pretty incredible.

 

[06VMAXIMUS]

Rode about 75 miles yesterday, it was windy but worth it. I also removed the overhead gas heater in my garage and installed a wood burner. Now I can work out there in comfort without it costing me an arm and a leg!

 

[naughtyG]

From sitting all torn down my fuel tank got rusty as hell, used the works toilet bowl cleaner for rust and lime with some nuts and bolts put in there to help clean the rust, shake it, let it sit shake it, let it sit, repeat each step, clean with dawn dish soap, then hit it with the air compressor and spayed a little wd40 to coat the tank, cleaned out pretty incredible.

I think now you REALLY want to treat it with POR15 or similar, because once rust starts it comes back very, very quickly. :confused2:

 

[timscues]

I'll be checking into that. thanks

 

[Fire-medic]

I think now you REALLY want to treat it with POR15 or similar, because once rust starts it comes back very, very quickly. :confused2:

One of the best pieces of advice I got from my friend Bill Boyce, factory Yamaha mechanic of ~30+ years (he works at Riva Yamaha in Pompano Beach, FL, and has worked on plenty of hot-rodded VMaxes since they were initially released), was to replace my 20-year-old gas tank w/a new one when I was resurrecting my bike after an extended period of non-use. He said that for the cost of a new tank, it will save you more than it costs in frustration and labor for dealing w/the flaking tank innards, clogging your carbs, having to remove & clean them, maybe being stranded on the road, etc. It sounded like good advice, I took it and bought a new tank from ronayresmotorsports. It cost me <$200 about a year ago, and I haven't had to deal w/the time, frustration, and man-hours involved in trying to keep a rusty, deteriorated tank in-service. They are more $ now, but I haven't had to clean my carbs except when I was having them gone-thru to be able to return the bike to the road. I cut the neck off my old tank and am planning to use a gas-rated rubber hose to retain my stock locking gas cap on-top of the rubber extension from my stock filler neck w/my Corbin seat.

POR-15 is good stuff, Eastwood has good products, not cheap, but worth the $ invested for the results.

 

[gamorg02]

after what i went thru getting a tank coated for a bike who's tanks are no longer available i' d just try to pick up a new one, great condition used one.

 

[Fire-medic]

Waiting for my PCW clutch plates & extra plate/heavy-duty spring kit, heard the UPS guy stopping, the dog was going crazy, earning his keep as a watchdog.

Got the box, but it wasn't from Schenctady NY, it was from the midwest, and this is what I found inside.

I have a bunch of used stuff coming, I got some spares & other stuff to fool-around with. unk: