Steve Butters Posted October 7, 2009 Report Share Posted October 7, 2009 (edited) Wrong time of the year to get started. I know this, but my insurance is 12 month coverage, so I guess it doesn’t really matter as long as I avoid the bad weather days, and bundle up lol. My dad’s friend came over and test rode the bike for me (it needed to be going 60-70 to check for the wobble, and I wasn’t comfortable enough to do that on the back roads around here). He hit 90 and said it was steady, so its fixed! Now I'm wondering about the brakes. I know it needs pads front and back because they’re almost bare, but what about rotors? Is there a certain width I should be checking? Or should I just replace them or what? They have grooves in them moderately heavy but I’m not sure what they’re supposed to look like. They’re thin like cardboard, but I've never looked at rotors on a bike so idk if they’re just supposed to be that thin or what. I took the sissy bar off and swapped the old rear stay into it, going to work on detailing it since its been sitting a year, fix the brakes, get the inspection done, and hit the streets. Rode out in traffic for the first time tonight; it’s a lot more nerve racking than putting around the neighborhood, or riding a dirt bike off road. I took my dad’s friend’s sportster and he rode the vmax. We rode down to a park a few miles away, switched and headed back home. For some reason I was MUCH more comfortable on the vmax, even though it’s bigger. He had forward controls on his harley and it was just a lot different than anything I’d been on; I didn’t really like it! lol...Also it didn’t have smooth throttle delivery at all, very lumpy bike. The max was smooth as butter and was a nice ride! I was shocked how perfectly it ran and drove even after sitting for a year without really being ridden. I don’t really have a point to this post...Got my first real world experience today, and now I’m hooked, thought I'd share. I’m starting off on a pretty large bike, but I’m taking it slow and it’s going pretty good. I have a little experience on a dirt bike, and I've taken the BRC. Any advice on the brakes would be appreciate...I've got a hookup on pads and rotors, but if there’s anyone here who knows where I can maybe find some please let me know (the guy who usually gets me parts has helped me out a lot lately, and I don’t wanna come across like I’m taking advantage of him)...I don’t wanna spend 200 per rotor for those wave rotors, just want stock style replacements, its not a race bike. I can’t wait to get out on the road! Bike is a 97 vmax, since I forgot to add that into my post somewhere.***i added the < br /> s myself to get spaces...is there a way to make these automatically come up when i hit enter? Edited October 7, 2009 by Steve Butters Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Butters Posted October 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2009 Is there a trick to breaking stuff up? I saw hoblick posted a list of stuff, so i know its possible. Everytime i edit my post and hit Enter to break it up into paragraphs, it just compresses it all again. Am I doing something wrong? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmagicglock Posted October 7, 2009 Report Share Posted October 7, 2009 if you hit enter twicethat should put a space between your paragraphs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
granda080 Posted October 7, 2009 Report Share Posted October 7, 2009 Congrats on getting out there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Butters Posted October 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2009 if you hit enter twicethat should put a space between your paragraphsdoesnt work...i even tried hitting it 3 times...oh well i guess Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmagicglock Posted October 7, 2009 Report Share Posted October 7, 2009 You can always have your rotors machined to help get rid of the grooves. Ebay is often your best friend when ordering parts (you could prolly find those wave rotors for purdy cheap too) or just search for stock ones. I'm not a brake expert and I don't know the stock width of a vmax rotor, but you can always have your friend look at it and see if it needs replaced, or compare it to one of your harley buddy's bikes, to at least give you an idea. Congrats on the ride, be safe out there and when it comes to brakes I wouldn't spare any expense because you're talking about your safety... and being a new rider there's a good chance you'll end up locking them up and you don't want to fishtail (not trying to scare ya) just trying to give you good advice. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Butters Posted October 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2009 Congrats on getting out there!thanks! You can always have your rotors machined to help get rid of the grooves. Ebay is often your best friend when ordering parts (you could prolly find those wave rotors for purdy cheap too) or just search for stock ones. I'm not a brake expert and I don't know the stock width of a vmax rotor, but you can always have your friend look at it and see if it needs replaced, or compare it to one of your harley buddy's bikes, to at least give you an idea. Congrats on the ride, be safe out there and when it comes to brakes I wouldn't spare any expense because you're talking about your safety... and being a new rider there's a good chance you'll end up locking them up and you don't want to fishtail (not trying to scare ya) just trying to give you good advice. Good luck! i dont really want to cheap out, i just dont think i need to upgrade from stock style, i would be alright with OEM rotors...i will check out ebay, but is ebay decent quality usually? i always think of cheap when i think of ebay lol and i know all about locking up the brakes...locked them on my dirt bike and bit it hard...tore my rotator cuff pretty good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmagicglock Posted October 7, 2009 Report Share Posted October 7, 2009 yeah you can get great stuff on ebay at good price. Just check the persons feedback and the product you're buying. OEM is OEM no matter where you buy it. I've also bought yamaha parts from Ebay from Yamaha dealers in other states that closeout stuff online they can't move in their store. Saved me 30% or more from ordering it through my local yamaha dealer or from a reseller's website. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Butters Posted October 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2009 yeah you can get great stuff on ebay at good price. Just check the persons feedback and the product you're buying. OEM is OEM no matter where you buy it. I've also bought yamaha parts from Ebay from Yamaha dealers in other states that closeout stuff online they can't move in their store. Saved me 30% or more from ordering it through my local yamaha dealer or from a reseller's website. gotcha, ill check it out...thanks man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottb Posted October 7, 2009 Report Share Posted October 7, 2009 Welcome to the paved side of the 2 wheel world Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Butters Posted October 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2009 just got it semi-cleaned up today...still could use some work but nothing too bad...ignore my dirty ass truck in the background Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strictly Street Posted October 7, 2009 Report Share Posted October 7, 2009 Looks good!There still is some good riding weather left this season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wrillo Posted October 7, 2009 Report Share Posted October 7, 2009 that looks bad ass! nice bike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dubguy85 Posted October 7, 2009 Report Share Posted October 7, 2009 Sweet bike! Id love to have one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
max power Posted October 8, 2009 Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 Glad you finally got her out man. Go here and download the factory service manual. http://vmaxoutlaw.com/main.htmlIt has the tolerances for the rotors and most any other thing you need to know about the bike. If you have any more questions, let me know. I have a ton of sources for Vmax info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reimbrandt Posted October 8, 2009 Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 nice... like the blue marble paint job. dont worry that happens a lot around my house...... car looked like crap, but the bikes detailed to the hilt. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buildit Posted October 8, 2009 Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 First thing you need to do is look into getting a new rear tire. Those bikes eat tires, or at least mine did. Looks good, be safe and enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buildit Posted October 8, 2009 Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 The 'Harley-Ford'.. not so much. Is Harley Ford an synonym for V-rod? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Butters Posted October 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 lol i love the truck... most comfortable vehicle ive been in, and factory supercharged, with 4 doors and captains seats throughout...mpg is the suck thoughand thanks max power, ill keep in touch if i need any more advice, ive been cruising that forum you linked me to a little bit whenever i need some info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timotheus Posted October 8, 2009 Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 (edited) i bet it sounds mean with that kerker exhaust, i had a honda V65 magna....loved that V-4 motor Edited October 8, 2009 by timotheus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Butters Posted October 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 maybe this sound clip will work?wouldnt let me upload to photobucket or youtube...kept getting network errorshttp://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=63962231my point and shoot camera didnt really capture the deep sounds very well...but its the best i could do lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattGS550 Posted October 9, 2009 Report Share Posted October 9, 2009 Looks good, sounds good. I like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Butters Posted October 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2009 thanks for the compliments everyone...i cant wait until im able to come out to meets and go on rides with yall Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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