Rob

When the discharge air is hot, or warm, is the airflow through the vents the same, or reduced as when the discharge is cold? If the airflow is reduced it sounds like the evaporator under the sleeper is freezing, or icing over due to a txv not operating correctly, or system overcharge of refrigerant. If the airflow is the same, it could be again the txn operating incorrectly, or the blend air door not responding to the controls correctly. The blend air door with restrict airflow from going over the heater core and routing it across the evaporator. You may have a partial blockage to the door's travel. Automotive applications are terrible about this. Get a load going to Chicago, or Peoria, and stop by the shop. I'm usually around during the evening hours but call first, 309-219-2070. I can get a look at it for you. Rob

And of course a big "Happy Birthday" to both the boys. From me, and the "Momma". Rob

She won't even entertain the thought of a "trike". I've tried. I would be concerned about rolling the tires from the rims as there is no lean with those. Rob

That bike would need a larger rear seat for Momma. During the test ride there was such a pronounced drag by the width of her hips that I stopped, took off my belt and strapped them tightly to her pelvis which is someplace under there. This cut her overall width to less than the fairing on the front and the bike rode with much less parasitic drag. It actually was quite comfortable but the suspension travel was very limited. It's not that you could feel the surface of the asphalt we were riding on but it would bottom out with just a small road imperfection. I'm told there are conversion kits for heavier riders to counter this problem, and we will need to look into this no matter what bike we settle upon. I never thought to have anyone measure the wheelbase while we were mounted to see if the frame had any flex, or lengthening. Rob

Oh yeah, Harley's don't leak. Now let's talk about that resort property I'll make you a deal on in Florida. Here is one we rode yesterday. Although nice, there are nicer examples of the model out there. The search is on and we'll settle by next weekend on about three more we are evaluating. Had to blow up the rear suspension to maximum allowed to have any travel. Rob

Yup.

If I understand correctly you have adequate airflow or discharge from the vents in the sleeper berth. Most truck cab sleeper arrangments I've worked with use a separate expansion device for the sleeper from the cab. I've even seen an orifice tube used for the cab, and a mechanical TXV used for the sleeper. Locate the TXV, (thermostatic expansion valve) just ahead of the evaporator in the sleeper and the inlet side should be warm to hot, with the outlet side being much colder. If the temperature is about equal this can be a factor of either a malfunctioning TXV, (sticking), or a low refrigerant charge. Given the system will be an R-134A system it is probably low on charge. The integrity of automotive systems and the head/temperature pressures these systems operate at needs improvement. When you charge a system with multiple TXV's in the complete system, ensure everything is operating meaning the sleeper and cab a/c in enabled, and blowers are operating through clean filters. Save yourself future headaches by dumping a 1 oz shot of flourescent dye into the system for anything that has a capacity over four pounds of total refrigerant capacity. This will make finding leaks very easy should they happen. I like the ratio of 1/4 oz per pound as it circulates adequately. A/C is not hard to work with but the control of it can be troublesome. Rob

A "whip" antenna bends in the middle. Rob

Just got back from the dealership. Rode a Kawasaki Vulcan, a Triumph Rocket III, and a Yamaha/Star Midnite Venture. The Venture is a very nice bike that is in serious contention for my ownership. This thing has every available bell and whistle available installed and just needs a pair of matching helmets and a cover to be complete. It is black and chrome and extremely nice. After looking at the Rocket III Touring list of available options, I think we are going to pass it over. There is just not a lot available that is genuine Triumph stuff. I took photos of the Yamaha but within 1/2 mile from the dealership decided it was a serious contender. The Vulcan has way too much vibration as does some of the other Japanese bikes I've ridden. The first of the week I'm going to ride either a new, or close to new Ultra Classic Harley, then make the final decision. I do know a very competent Harley mechanic and he has indicated much of what Bobo mentioned with problems of the 110 engine and the oil leaks. I'm sure it will be sorted out but right now I think I'll stick with proven technology. I'm not looking for a race bike but rather reliability. Rob

Yup. Now you know why it's no longer around. Poisioned at the core from the design stage and doomed to failure. Rob

Better spit it out before you choke. Rob

and my feet rubbed.

We were on the Victory website this morning. Nice looking bikes and highly rated, but I think we are looking for more of a conventional looking motorcycle. Some of the Victory motorcycles, (like the 8 ball) are going to take some time to get used to. Rob

Momma's in the shower washing off the overnight sweat and we are headed to Decatur to look at more bikes. This one is a Kawasaki, Triumph, and Yamaha, (Star) dealer I think. Getting close to bringing something home. Rob

I'm sure that would be equated to a loss of revenues from reduction of weight across the scales....... This would be self defeating. Rob

This is true however my knuckles and bones are more valuable than that twisted off bolt. If you can warm the area with a torch and while it is cooling down flood the area with Blaster, the capillary action of the cooldown with let the lubricant "creep", (not meaning me) into the areas to penetrate. Spray the lubricant until it quits burning off from the heat. Rob

It's a bitch but an air hammer with a long shank hammer bit and a friend applying the twisting force with a socket and extension works pretty well. You need the impact frequency to help you along and hit the side of the socket while attempting to twist the bolt loose. Rob

The truck is incapable of attaining the necessary momentum to ascertain the benefits of affixing the said "counterweight". Rob

Hi there and no I don't take any offense to what has been said; truly appreciate the concern. Myself, and Momma are/were experienced riders in years past. Bikes, (although smaller) were a large part of our younger years. Momma's priorities and responsibilities changed significantly after our daughter was born, and we sold her 650 Yamaha while I kept my 900 Kawasaki, (original Z1) through our military years till it was plain worn out with over 55,000 miles; (this bike I miss). I replaced it with a CB900C Honda and almost rode the wheels off of it too. We've not owned a motorcycle since selling the Honda in 1993 when we were building the auto body business, and both working full time jobs, so had little time to ride. Always swore we would get a touring bike after the kids finished college, and the time has arrived. We've been doing comparison shopping via the internet for the past couple of years. Last May when at a training class in OKC, I was tooling around the motorcycle shops when I walked into Performance Cycle and lo and behold I seen my first Rocket III Touring that was all black and chrome. This thing to me just looked "right". After looking this thing over, sitting on it, letting it rumble between my legs I decided to call Momma from the parking lot. She said "You want it, get it". This was a Saturday about 11:45 am and they closed at 5:00 pm so I wanted to do a little research before the deal was finalized. The bottom dollar selling price was "hammered" out, ($17,000 and change) they would sell it for so I told them I'd get back in touch Monday. A quick internet search revealed the same bike outfitted exactly the same would cost a little over $3000.00 less, and could be picked up within three working days from placing the order. They still wouldn't budge on their pricing so it did not sell. Also jumping on the internet, looking for dealers in the central Illinois locale I live in, and discovering none within a hundred miles, I thought I'd better stay away from the Triumph, at the time. This is when we started to look at Harley with seriousness. Although I prefer the "Ultra Classic" due to full fairing and bags, Momma likes the "Road King" because of the classic styling. We also looked at the "Road Glide", "Street Glide", and several others I can't remember names to. It always comes back to the "Road King" being the pick based on looks. There are three Harley-Davidson dealers within 50 miles of my doorstep also. Although they heavily promote their service departments and reasons for patronizing them, in reality once a bike leaves, it does not go back unless a warranty issue prevails. The Triumph does not have as factory options things I've seen like electronic cruise control, detachable trunk, and a few other amenities that are commonplace on several other bikes nowadays. Can't really say I've delved into this deeply however. I think I've looked at nearly every manufacturers products out there in the past couple of years and based solely on visual appeal, I still like the Rocket III Touring. Since I'm now an elderly man, (I'm 50) and need to act more conservatively, (yeah right) I need something that I can keep both wheels consistently on the ground. She is starting to hammer on me pretty routinely to get settled on something. I'm not really sure if it matters as long as it is SOMETHING with two wheels!! Thanks, Rob

Although close, I do believe Momma has got a few inches around the midsection on her. Rob

Here is a link. I'm not real savvy with finding things like this, had to ask the daughter....... This bike looks very close with the exception of a "Corbin" seat which is much larger for Momma to fit, (I'll deny that last comment). http://www.triumph.co.uk/usa/2009_RocketIIITouring_10403.aspx

Monical. Yeah but it is hard to keep it in my drooping left eye. We discussed a sidecar kit and it was ruled out. We kinda have a Burkhalter, Klink relationship; She's always; Rob, Shut Up, and I abide. Rob

That would calculate out for a 147 pound driver with 65 gallons of fuel in the left side tank. With me added to the calculation 83.479 mph but the truck is geared much too low to avoid that phenomenom. Rob

My plans are laid to make it too. Trying to get Momma to come along also. Rob

They went back to numbers. I don't know where it will go for the next generation. Rob