Well Hello to all of you..
After discovering the forum and reading several hundred threads the past two weeks I feel I know some of you.... at least your names are becoming familar. This is a great site and everyone seems to treat others respectfully

I have been running a 96 750 Virago for the past ten years and with less than 10,000 miles on it you can see I am not "riding" alot. For the past 6 years I have been working full time and building a house and if any of you have been there you know that becomes a love hate thing after awhile. Plus we are living 8 miles up a dirt / gravel road with 7 switchbacks and a 2,000 foot elevation gain. Road bikes do not like this road

Enough of the personal stuff.... a $30 tail light replacement turned into a new RoadStar Silverado two weeks ago... Man o Man do I love this bike. Just turned 620 miles and have been riding very conservatively and can't wait to let her go...Took the old Virago out for a pre sell last time spin and thought I was on a dinky toy.

After reading many many threads here is what I have come up with and would like anyones coments.
Other than some add ons and a bit of chrome I have never fiddled with any bike I have owned but this one is calling out to me..... Though I generally like a quiter bike... and by the way I am parking this in a storage shed down off the mountain ... with direct acess to the hardtop. The rental owners are very nice and live right there so I do not want to be waking them up with LOUD pipes at 6am

Today I drove till the fuel light came on at 191 miles and I filled up at 200 with 4 US gallons. Thought it would be less, not that I am unhappy by any means, but have heard many of you indicated early gas mileages of around 30.

I have done no changes and everthing is stock... yet but here are my plans

Stage one exhaust mod ... I cannot spring 300-400 for new pipes right now.....with speedstar filter and carb kit.... remove the AIS.... use synthetic oil and see how that changes things. Mind you I have been driving 45 to 65 during break in and only short 40-75 miles rides. so that may be why my mileage is so good. After todays fill up I am having second thoughts of changing.....riding where I live here in Colorado is about 7-9,000 feet above sea level..... no knocks backfires etc.... it has been a dream to ride since day one.

But..... Would like a bit more throatier sound and added power to save my butt instead of always having to rely on the brakes...plus this bike just seems to cry out for mods... it told me the other day to ditch the dinky horn and get an air blaster

One more question and I apologize for taking so much space.... Currently at 620 miles and dealer says next service apt is in two weeks and I can wait to 1000 for my first check and oil change... will that be too long??? I was going to have them do the air filter and re jet.. By then I will be over 1000 for sure... Should I just do it all my self now? After reading all the threads I think I could tackle the carb setting changes but am just a little leary I have no testing tools to check out the results other than getting on it and riding.

Well thanks for reading and I look forward to your response.... Thanks everyone<br><br>Post edited by: roland, at: 2006/07/17 00:16

WELCOME ABOARD ROLAND
i have had my new 05 roadstar for just about 3 months and completely took my baffles out ,new k&amp;n air filter,rejetted and put the speedstar ignition module on mine.oh what a feeling but it is a bit on the loud side but not obnoxious.i too am waiting to put the synthetic oil in but have to wait til i get 3000 miles on her for the final seating of the rings.it is cheaper in the long run but i think it may help her run a little cooler. good luck with your new baby.
ttyl johnboy

Welcome roland

A $5 can of chain lube turned into a new Roadie for me so I know how these things can happen

Welcome to the Clinic Roland. There are also a number of R* sites on the Delphi Forums that you should take a look at.

If you want a quieter bike then don't go beyond Stage 1, which will give you some volume and a slightly lower tone.

The best (and least expensive) way to 'wake up' the bike is to put in a 2 to 1 exhaust, an after-maket air kit and port the manifold. But remember, if it's running like a dream now, once you 'toy' with it you may be in for some frustrating times before you get it dialed in again. (I should talk )

There are different opinions when to run synthetic but I'd wait until at least 1000 miles until swithing. In the meantime try to vary your speed and put some load on it once in a while.

The first checkup is a profit turner for the dealer as they just check everything over ot make sure they had tighten all the bolts when they assembled the bike. It's and expensive oil change You can do all the work youself but you need to keep records and receipts.

The only testing tools you need for the carb is the seat of your pants and your ears. The bike will tell you if your running bad. When working on the carb (after installing the jets and needle) it's a good idea to only change one thing at a time. Personally I prefer the Baron's jet kit but any of the others work well.

Doc

Hey Roland,
Welcome! Great folks here. TONS of knowledge! I'm sure you'll find all you are looking for and more!

Alex

Welcome Roland,
It sounds like you are experiencing the same problems, as I've had, along with many others....lol
I, too, am very discusted with the meep meep, of my stock horns. If you find, a good replacement, let me know, please. I really like the sound of the 'HD Road King', just don't like the price....
Air horns sound like that's the way I'm goin'. I had a set on my 'Gold Wing and I tell you, when I pull beside that cage that doesn't like to use his/her turn signal and hit the blasters...WELL, they think they are been run over by an 18 wheeler...lmao

again welcome to this very informative clinic
Mark and Bad Habits

Alot of people use the Stebel nautilus air horns on the R*.

BadHabits wrote:
I, too, am very discusted with the meep meep, of my stock horns. If you find, a good replacement, let me know, please. I really like the sound of the 'HD Road King', just don't like the price....
Air horns sound like that's the way I'm goin'. I had a set on my 'Gold Wing and I tell you, when I pull beside that cage that doesn't like to use his/her turn signal and hit the blasters...WELL, they think they are been run over by an 18 wheeler...lmao
Mark and Bad Habits

Mark,

I picked up a 135 decible horn (high tone) at the local auto store. It's the regular looking one not the flat one (they are more muted). It's about the same size as stock but much louder .... and only $35.

Doc

it told me the other day to ditch the dinky horn and get an air blaster

I've got the Stebel air horn and at 139 db, it is LOUD! I got the chrome version and paid about $40 for it. Only downside was that I had to fabricate a mount for it. Moved the mounting point from the front horn mount location (used those holes to mount my bracket) 3 inches back, 3 inches forward and about 5 inches higher. Painted the bracket black and ran a 14 gauge wire directly from the battery to the Stebel horn relay. Used the wiring from the front horn -- clips and all - as control for the relay. Made a nice installation and works great!

As an old biker friend of mine said, &quot;That'll move 'em over!&quot;

Roland,
Welcome to the clinic. This is the best RS site out there. Lots of ideas and all the help you need. These guys are great and always willing to help a fellow RS rider.........Gary