[jackb2465]

I'm playing around with a new headlight for my Roadliner. Unfortunately there isn't much of an aftermarket selection, so I'm trying to figure out how to make use of a "universal" fit light. Wiring it up won't be too bad, but hiding all the wires and connectors is going to be the challenging part.

 

[FWRider]

I finished the Ammo Can Saddlebags. I decided on satin black paint. As I mentioned before, they use the same mounts as the OEM saddlebags. Here's a few more pics. I am totally happy with them, so far.

 

[AlanRides]

I finished the Ammo Can Saddlebags. I decided on satin black paint. As I mentioned before, they use the same mounts as the OEM saddlebags. Here's a few more pics. I am totally happy with them, so far.

They look really nice painted. I just know I would catch my ankle or shin on one of them mounting or dismounting and would have to invent some new words as I hopped around on one leg for a few minutes. But I'm getting old and don't have the flexibility I did a few years ago....

 

[FWRider]

...I just know I would catch my ankle or shin on one of them mounting or dismounting and would have to invent some new words as I hopped around on one leg for a few minutes....

Oh, they definitely have some danger built into them. Trust me, if the lid slams while your hand is hanging over the edge, it's taking your fingers with it, but at least they will land in the box. And at 60+, it's not like i "hop" onto the bike. No doubt I will be sporting some bruises in the near future.

 

[AlanRides]

Chopped a hole in the saddlebag lid that's been stuck closed since Saturday morning so I could get the wife's purse back to her. On Saturday the dealer told me they couldn't guarantee warranty coverage until they talked to Yamaha who are closed on weekends. Dealer is closed on Monday so I impatiently waited until today to get confirmation of warranty. It took a phone call this morning and a text in the early afternoon to get the dealer to tell me that Yamaha would cover the lid and lock, but they "highly recommended" that they cut the hole so that any incidental damage would be on their nickel. However, it was too late today to have one of their techs look at it, so it would be at least tomorrow AM before progress could be made. After looking at the hardware layout on the other bag to know what area(s) to avoid hitting wiring or lock mechanism I decided I had waited long enough to get that that purse back and would get it myself.

A blade for plastic on my el cheapo Harbor Freight Oscillating MultiTool cut through the lid and the purse was re-united with its owner. The dealer still needs to see the lid and pieces of the lock linkage in order to initiate the warranty process, but something tells me it may a while before I can use that saddlebag as intended. Another day won't matter, so I'll avoid the evening madness on the highways today and ride over there tomorrow at my convenience. Maybe I'll install some hinges and a hasp so I can padlock my new access port......or not......

And the pieces of lock linkage causing me all this grief:

 

[lesblank]

Chopped a hole in the saddlebag lid that's been stuck closed since Saturday morning so I could get the wife's purse back to her. On Saturday the dealer told me they couldn't guarantee warranty coverage until they talked to Yamaha who are closed on weekends. Dealer is closed on Monday so I impatiently waited until today to get confirmation of warranty. It took a phone call this morning and a text in the early afternoon to get the dealer to tell me that Yamaha would cover the lid and lock, but they "highly recommended" that they cut the hole so that any incidental damage would be on their nickel. However, it was too late today to have one of their techs look at it, so it would be at least tomorrow AM before progress could be made. After looking at the hardware layout on the other bag to know what area(s) to avoid hitting wiring or lock mechanism I decided I had waited long enough to get that that purse back and would get it myself.

A blade for plastic on my el cheapo Harbor Freight Oscillating MultiTool cut through the lid and the purse was re-united with its owner. The dealer still needs to see the lid and pieces of the lock linkage in order to initiate the warranty process, but something tells me it may a while before I can use that saddlebag as intended. Another day won't matter, so I'll avoid the evening madness on the highways today and ride over there tomorrow at my convenience. Maybe I'll install some hinges and a hasp so I can padlock my new access port......or not......
View attachment 124973


And the pieces of lock linkage causing me all this grief:
View attachment 124974

Glad it's working out. By the size of cutout, your wife must carry a large purse.

 

[Brad_G]

A little duct tape and that lid will be just fine.........

Well I'm sure your wife was happy to have her purse back. It really sucks that this happened and it's come to this to "fix" it. While some of the whiz bang features of these new bikes are cool. I kind of long for a day when things were just simple and durable.

 

[Scuddy]

Finished installing a mod that adds prolly elentysomethin hp and saves fuel too! One of these days I’ll get it wired up so the eyes glow. But for now, I’m happy the bike is running.

 

[VStarArizona]

Changed the cover on my power point. Comes with a plastic cover that after a couple years it will break if you're not very careful. First the Tab for opening went then the cover itself broke free of the unit yesterday. It's the weak point of the Kury 1423 power point (Cigarette lighter) used to power accessories and in my case for charging with battery tender (special lighter-type charging adaptor needed for by Battery Tender). I have had a new cover since the Tab broke off. Been "clawing" it to get it open.

Anyway, i had a new cover just to lazy..until the cover broke free yesterday.

Had to take it apart to reinstall cover, everything went well (works).

Kuryakyn isn't in Wisconsin anymore, they are in Texas, i forget the town. They got bought by Tucker Powersports about a year ago. The current owner/customer service was disheartening and got a "No" to about everything i asked. Remember, the cover they had, plus the sent it to me free, but that was the old company in Wisconsin. Got they feeling if had i asked to buy or get a cover i would have gotten a "No" today.

So with no knowledge provided, no drawings, no instruction, I mean Zero.

Disconnected with the quick-release under the seat first to disconnect power (tested the stereo if it still worked i got the right one), it did. 1 bolt (alan) separates the two halves of the unit the took it apart, it wasn't too bad, just have to install it exactly how it was.

Applied some weather seal protector to the touching parts of the cover from a tube i had (made in Japan).
Used a Q-tip and went around the area.

Hopefully it will last, or it's rewire a whole new one of a different type... .. For now, it's great.

Before

After

 

[Brad_G]

Today the Star Forums Road Star is getting fresh black paint since it’s the Midnight edition.

 

[lesblank]

Looking good. Interesting spot to rest carb while painting.

 

[lesblank]

Did a few bike projects today. First was to replace and improve functionality of Carla's drink holder. The arm rests came with an extremely flimsy, plastic cup holder. I had an extra heavy duty cup holder that started out on Vstar, then moved to Electra Glide, next was Vulcan and now on trike. The bracket the cheap plastic holder was on it steel and very strong. So used that and had to place a few spacers to clear arm rest. She can now use her thermos. Happy wife, happy life.

Before and after:

 

[lesblank]

Second project today was foot rests. My trike doesn't have crash/engine bars so the standard highway foot rest don't work. Ciro makes a great product that replaces the front floor board support. The new support is really beefy and fit well. A chrome arm attaches to new bracket that holds the foot pegs. First impression, I love them. They might need some moving to find the perfect spot. They adjust on three different axis so you can position as you please. I'm normally not impressed easily by aftermarket parts, but these are heavy duty, nice chrome and fit is perfect.

Old bracket vs new

 

[Jspree]

Those are pretty cool 😎

 

[lesblank]

Not a bike issue but can be heads up for all vehicles not driven on a regular basis. My '96 Chevy Blazer with 207k miles is my throw junk in, rainy day vehicle. Since retirement is gets driven very seldom. It's been having issues starting. Starts to fire on maybe two or three cylinders out of 6. Then slowing picks up the other cylinders and calms down some. It's like starting a cold engine with a choke. No check engine on. Checked for vacuum leaks, none. Checked fuel pressure, good. Checked spark, all cylinders strong. Cleaned throttle body, really was pretty clean. Air filter is clean. All primary checks aren't finding anything noticeably wrong. I'm starting to get frustrated. This old Blazer isn't worth putting any money in, but is convenient to have. I've been messing with it for a while and low on fuel. So decided to drive, well actually limp, to the gas station 10 miles away. I figured if it died on the way there, I would give it to first wrecker that showed up, yep, I was that frustrated with it. Make it to gas station and fill it up. I got the receipt and placed console. I looked at last receipt out of curiosity, it was 9 months since last time I put fuel in. I had some Seafoam and Stabil with me. I poured both in. Got about a mile down the road and it started running pretty good, then a few minutes later it's running great. I pull over and shut it off. I turn key to start and it fired right up. So, this whole time it was just old fuel. I know better. Now I'm happy it's running great, but frustrated I didn't realize the fuel was 9 months old and bad. Shame on me.

The old "Green Machine" lives for another day.

 

[Jaguartech]

Finished up the exhaust, oil serviced, set of brake pads and cleaned the carb.

 

[Yamaha Pat]

Had the front tire on the Strat replaced. I had 9600 miles on it.

 

[lesblank]

Had the front wheel on the Strat replaced. I had 9600 miles on it.
View attachment 125324 View attachment 125325

Looks like you were due. Bet it rides better.

 

[AlanRides]

Had the front tire on the Strat replaced. I had 9600 miles on it.
View attachment 125324 View attachment 125325

I see a good bit of extra wear on the right side of that tire and curious about what might cause that. I guess the crown of most paved roads could account for some of the wear, but just wondering if some kind of misalignment, brake/fork issue could also be a factor? I had one of the three Bridgestone Exedra front tires I've had on my bike wear unevenly similar to that (but not quite as noticeably) but it just happened one time so far, so I just passed it off as a weird/poor quality tire.

Thoughts from those more knowledgeable/experienced than me? (many of you guys).....

I guess only turning left might cause that as well.....keeping in mind that 2 wrongs don't make a right but 3 lefts do.....

 

[random_guy]

I see a good bit of extra wear on the right side of that tire and curious about what might cause that.

This exact issue was just brought up on a different motorcycle forum and it was, without a doubt, rear wheel alignment. He had horrible wear on his front tire on one side and it turned out it was a rear wheel alignment that was off by about 5mm. You probably weren’t off by THAT much but I’d be willing to bet at least a millimeter or two. Here’s what his tire looked like after about 2000 miles.