Known issues newbies should check

[Overkill jones]

The Roadwing upgrade was/is really popular on the Forum. It makes a world of difference in how the bike handles. .

Did you put a springer front end on your bike?

[SKWEARpeg]

Did you put a springer front end on your bike?

Yes. I used a Springer from a 97 FXSTSBB
I’ll have to get a pic up. I was using it as a sig pic on the old Forum.

[Overkill jones]

I think I saw your bike the gold one?
Just wondering what kind of modifications you had to do to make it work as far as the stem
I saw all your posts on the old forum but photobucket wont let me see any of the pictures

[SKWEARpeg]

Yes. I think it’s called champagne. It’s a stock Yamaha color. Bubba was trying to get me to find some pics from the build.
Primarily, it involved stock bearings and races, and bushing the inside of the stock bearings. The HD Stem is 1” diameter, and about 7/16 ” shorter then the Yamaha Stem. Watch the Forum for a brief repost of the old build thread.

[ryanjam]

Great article, any recommendation on a print version of a shop manual for a 2006 road star midnight? need info for lube or replacement o steering head bearings. getting sticky to the left 12000miles thanks for any help

[Carpetbagger]

There's some on eBay for 40 bucks or so. My 08 came with only 9k miles, and the steering head was pretty loose. I was able to just drop the tree enough to access the lower bearings. I greased the crap out of both bearings, torqued the bearings, (then again a few hundred miles later), Worked great. I read somewhere on the old forum that this is not uncommon on older, low mileage bikes.

[ryanjam]

Thanks Carpetbagger , good tip, was getting ready to remove the triple tree, will give it a try.Found a Clymer manual at their corporate site for $39.95. should suit me just fine!

[Zman]

Great job Shores!

[Roadstarrider]

New to owning a Road Star (have a '99), this article was full of good information that I wouldn't get from just my usual just buying a Clymer manual when I get a new bike. Will be calling the local Yamaha dealership to check out the recall. (I'm guessing this will be a good winter service to get done!) Also, will be checking the transfer case oil and replacing all the fluids after the last owner. Thanks!

[D-Fresh]

I thought i read in another thread that the Mobile 1 in the 10w-40 weight did not have the proper level of zddp, is that correct?

[Txulrich]

Mobil 1 V-Twin is fine. The regular Mobil 1 is probably not.

[bmont69]

Great info and definitely valuable! I appreciate posting the link!

[dustybin]

ty very much , much appreciated

[RAM]

Nice article. Thanks for welcome. Yes i think bike should be reliable but, as stated still will end up emptying the wallet.

[Father Pobasturd]

I think some good info for the FNG's would be Seat removal techniques and tricks. and speedometer / fuel gauge inoperable. These are issues that come up on almost every bike. Also, how NOT to check the oil and how to Not check the oil. We always have some ex-MoCo guys coming over who are used to adding oil all the time. I know when I first got my bike home I wanted to check the oil and I couldn't get the damned seat off. That's how I ended up finding the RSC in the first place. When I finally got the seat off there was no oil on the stick, so, naturally, I overfilled it. One other thing I thought of would be the subject of clutch slippage. Us old-time RSC residents know it's usually the wrong oil or the clutch spring that causes slippage. How many people on here have bought new clutches only to discover they could have just replaced the spring and gone on? If we can save just 1 guy from this, it would be well worth it. My clutch slipped for the first time just the other day, but I was really hammering it down an on-ramp and when I hit 5th, it just slipped a little. 58K miles, but I'm pretty sure a new spring will cure it. Anyway, that's my suggestions for his thread, for what it's worth.

[roadiemort]

Trying to check the oil brings back some memories for sure, had to drain mine and start over lol.

[Shores]

So this thread is easy to read, please add just tech tips here for carbonated Roadstars. Don’t add non technical comments.

[Tropicalrs]

Engine is soft aluminum. Do not over tighten bolts. When you do, Helicoils are your friend.

[Bikerron]

Why isn’t this thread stickied to the top?

[Bikerron]

Bumped.

[universes]

Thanks... great...

[chromax]

I am not sure if I can put this here if its in the wrong place mods please move it. I have an 04 RS with about 33k on it. We were on a long ride about 6 bikes running hard down the interstate. My roadie was what seemed to me to be hunting for center and nervous. Got back, the next day took the weight off the front end
and checked the flop in the front end bam,bam,bam ok its coming apart. once I got to the bearings they were rusted and needed changed I knocked out the old races and before I put the new ones in I drilled a hole in the steering neck and tapped it for a zerk fitting. I installed the new races and greased the new bearings.
put it back together and filled the steering neck up with grease just until you could start to see it. I haven't had an issue since. It will keep any water out. I hope this helps someone, if this been posted already my bad I didn't check