The brand of tires will also play a huge part in how the machine handles. All brands are not created equal.

At least they're wearing their boots and helmets.

Here, in NY state, we have to wear a helmet. What gets me, though, are to people who do the absolute bare minimum. You know the kind-the flat black salad bowl. Actually, if the LEOs would take the time to read the law, they'd realize that those are illegal also, unless they have the required reflect...

Next time add your beads before sealing the last bead on the tire. I'm not trying to be a smart@ss, but it works.

Well, it's taken a couple of years, but I'm ready for a new rear tire. I'm currently running an Austone and it is finally getting close enough to the wear bars for me to start thinking of replacement. There's still a fair amount of tread left, but I never run to the wear bars- or beyond. I've gotten...

Modify that inner shield a bit, pump up the rear shocks and go for it! I'd be more concerned with the width.

Check with your local mortician. They have sprays that doesn't just cover up odors, but destroys it.

I chose putting an Austone on my GL1500. I got tired of paying upwards of $200 for a tire and not getting a season of riding out of it. I now have over 35K miles on it and still going strong. I liked the fact that it was a six ply radial. I also changed the front tire to a radial and the combination...

If you're happy, it was well worth it. If it looks half as good in person as in the pictures, it's great!

Pick up a shop manual-not just a Clymer. Between that, and the how-to section and helpful community on this site, if you know which end of a screwdriver to hold, you should have no problems.

At least it looks like the Goldwing survived!

The wiring looks bad, but it's an easy repair. Trace back each bad wire, and spice in a new piece using good connectors- no soldering or taping required. I just came across some low temp solder connectors with shrink ends that will work with a hairdryer/heatgun. None of what you describe is earth sh...

Often overlooked by many when doing maintenance. I'll bet a lot of owners have no idea where it is.

Have you tried a local muffler/shock shop? Take one of the shocks with you and see if they have any bushings that would fit. Maybe even do a little dumpster diving for taken off shocks-at least the bushings would be better than what you've got!

That's what you get, for riding with no hands! You won't do that again....

Are the rpms at idle set correctly? Too low will cause a stumble. Are the carbs synced? That needs to be done after rebuilding the carbs.

I'll be in the area soon. Send a PM with contact info and I'll call when I'm heading there. My son and DIL are in Gainsville.

I may be interested in the sidecar, if you decide to separate. If so, send me a PM.

When riding the "Back", I stay at Hungry Mother State Park, in one of the cabins. Most of our rides started from there-there wasn't much from Marion to there. You stopped the video way too soon, and didn't show the real tight switchbacks, elevation changes, or any of the logging trucks coming at you...

I measure the beads out, using a postal scale to get the weight correct, and just put them in the tire before it gets aired up to seal the tire bead. Easy peasy!

Just a bit off subject, but I can't believe the number of you guys that have dropped your bikes. I can see someone going down taking a slow turn and hitting gravel or something, but coming to a stop on dry pavement? C'mon, I thought you were better riders than that! I'm getting nosy to 70 and at 5'-...

The little wiggle is probably caused by the sidewall, rather than running up on the side. A radial is built to flex in order to keep the footprint flat. If running a bias CT(harder to find) the sidewalls are generally stiffer than you'd find on most radials.

I always thought this was something that happened to others, but not anymore. While Mrs. Mini is pretty vigilant watching our various accounts, we got a call from American Express questioning if we made a recent purchase. Long story(and many headaches later) it seems someone in the Denver area was h...

A friend had similar heated grips. The same sort of thing happened to him,except he got blisters before figuring out to pull the fuse.

I'm starting the process of looking for a replacement for my Austone on my 1500. It's currently @ 30K miles and still has a ways to go before it gets to the wear bars. I'm on the fence for a replacement, if I can't get another Austone. When mine is on the centerstand- which I usually always use- the...