Another New Guy

[Manny_Action_Cycle]

Backrest

John,

It was on the bike when I got it. I don't think its an OEM part. Didn't like it at first and almost took it off a number of times but it grew on me plus it has those bungee holed flanges that are just so damn handy. Believe it or not that is faded shag carpeting on the back! Somebody got way creative. Worst thing is that my fingers barely fit between it and the stock alluminum end peice when I throw it on the center stand. And its black paint, not powder - no chrome.

[jwhughes3]

Backrest

Manny was that backrest a stock one for XS that you powdercoated from chrome to black? I like the look and low cushion and want something similar.

John

[TopCatGr58]

Hey there Manny,

If you'll browse down the main forum page, you'll find the other forums...the TECH TIPS forums, and then under maintenance you'll find ones for doing tire changes, with pictures and such, both front and rear, and they are for a Special since that's what I have. Nice machine you have there!

T.C.

[planedick]

Experience

I have shipped these fairings and have received same. Never was it expensibe at all. Bought one from Florida, SHIPPED GREYHOUND, cheap and fast. (two days) I shipped onE to Oklahoma, cost $28.00 and there in two days also. Secret word, GREYHOUND......

[Manny_Action_Cycle]

Pacifico Fairing

After lookin around here and checkin out bike pics, I'm not seeing any fairings like my Pacifico. Anyone else have one?

[Manny_Action_Cycle]

Pic

OK, lets see if this works. Pic of my 80SG:

[IMG][/IMG]

[bikerphil]

BP,

Not having done it before, I'm obviously afraid of wrecking the rims. Without the machine what tools are you using? A modified crowbar or...? As for balancing....? Any info you could give me would be greatly cool.

Will, I use regular large screwdrivers and I'm just really careful and have had lots of practice . There are all sorts of tire irons and rim protectors available if you so choose. Any small scratch I might leave on a rim you wouldn't be able to see unless you put your face right up in there, so no worries. I use 2 jack stands with a long bolt as an axle to balance. I use either clip on or stick on weights. Procedure is similar to this one...

http://tidyville.roadstarclinic.com/balance.html

[cywelchjr]

Thanks CB,

I'll keep my eyes open. If anyone hears of a line on a trunk please let me know.

Also CB, its way cool that you have the manuals available for download on your site. That rocks!

I see them on eBay all the time. Just gotta keep an eye out. And don't just watch for Vetter trunk, I got mine by looking for a Goldwing trunk, cause the guy didn't know it was a Vetter. Got it real cheap cause nobody else even bid. It can take a while to find them though. I was lucky, mine didn't have the bags, but I had the mounts, so I just had to find bags without the hardware, which meant I got them cheap (like $34 for the set) and just popped them on. They were faded so I sanded and painted them, I plan on putting new doors on them at some point, there is a vendor out there that sells NOS doors pretty reasonable (I mean like $50 or so for a pair of unpainted ones). The secret to finding the Vetter stuff is to keep looking, over and over and over. It may not be there for weeks, and then one day will be a deal of the year, and on a buy it now that if you wait a day will be gone. I will say, I don't trust the strength of the Vetter luggage rack for holding the trunk, even the specified grade 8 bolts will snap if your roads are too rough. I pulled the luggage rack portion and got an OEM luggage rack and mounted it on that, and love how solid and stable it is. Oh, and you won't be able to get the little u-bolts that came with the trunk if you find one that doesn't come with them, you will have to find some other way to attach it, cause there isn't a source for them anymore, or for the weatherstripping for the doors.

[cywelchjr]

Cy, do you have the links for those?

I just looked, they don't have them anymore. That sucks. I know it used to run about $99 and then another $30 or so for the adapter, then it's like $49 for the MC tire balancer. You would need to figure on mounting a balancing a few tires to make it pay for itself, but I know there are articles on how to do it with stuff you can make do with at home. It's just generally worth the $30 to pay someone to do that for me, saves on the bad language you know. Plus, I figure my time is worth more than the approx $60/hour I figure it comes out to (since I figure it would take me at LEAST an hour to mount and balance the tire myself). I've got lots of better things to do with my time that the local shop CAN'T do, so I may as well pay them to do what they CAN do faster and better than I can. At least until I can get the toy to do it with (I know, it's just an excuse for another toy.) Oh, they do have another one that looks like it would do the job, but it's like 1400 or something like that. But it's semi automated, one of those clamp the rim, put the bead breaker in place and press the foot pedal and it breaks the bead. Put the iron in place, press the pedal and it pops it off, etc. Almost does the job for you. I think it might need an adapter or two, but maybe not since it says it handles tires up to 20". Then there is the spin balancer. That's like 5000 or something like that, or more. It sure would be fun, but I would have to open a part time shop.

[Manny_Action_Cycle]

Trunk

Thanks CB,

I'll keep my eyes open. If anyone hears of a line on a trunk please let me know.

Also CB, its way cool that you have the manuals available for download on your site. That rocks!

[Manny_Action_Cycle]

Salvage yard

Ex,

Yeah the yard in Neenah is huge. If ANYONE needs me to check out a part there, just let me know. After looking around on the net I didn't realize how lucky I am to have it here so close at hand.

http://www.cyclesalvage.net/

[exquized1]

I live down in Dixon, Il. Just off interstate 88. There is a little yard about 30 minutes north of me (We call him Crazy George). He talks about the yard up there about every time I see him.

[CatatonicBug]

Couldn't help notice you have the Vetter hard bags & Trunk. My first '79 had those and I really miss em. Anyone know where to get em? I just have lether bags now and really miss the trunk.

The Vetter parts can be had through many places, but none new. Craigslist is the most common place, as shipping for those large pieces is really expensive. Ebay, or they pop up on this forum now and then.

Tires can be changed with tire spoons, and balancing can be done with either clamp-on or sticky weights, while balancing the tire between two sawhorses (or something similar). Some folks like the beads too, you just dump them in through the valve stem and they automatically balance the tire. Personally, I just take it to my local CycleGear and pay the $20 they charge.

[Manny_Action_Cycle]

Salvage Yard

Ex,

There is a salvage yard in Neenah that I have used many times. They have lots of parts but not the trunk I am looking for. I have a home in Appleton but work in Menominee, MI (da UP!). Where you at?

[Manny_Action_Cycle]

BP,

Not having done it before, I'm obviously afraid of wrecking the rims. Without the machine what tools are you using? A modified crowbar or...? As for balancing....? Any info you could give me would be greatly cool.