The problem with answering technical questions is that there are 100 flavors of the same top 5 to 8 questions. Most web sites handle this by placing good answers, which are often updated or improved over time, in a permanent position at the top of the forum. Then the answer to 99% of the questions can be had by simply referring a question to the pertinent "Stickie". The advantage of this is that the permanent response can be long and much more detailed than most members might feel like adding during their brief, once-a-week scan of the forum.
If the forum software does not allow Stickies, then we need a new sub-forum in which to place these same posts. This would not be a place for the typical question-and-answer format, but a read-only forum where important Airhead information could be placed. This would be the repository for answers to the Top 10 Issues.
I feel this is important because 1. the same questions keep being asked over and over, 2. the Search function on this web site is cumbersome so finding answers is not easy, and 3. it would better serve our changing membership. What I mean by this last bit is that increasingly new members did not grow up riding Airheads in the 1970's and so "common" knowledge such as the "$2000 O-ring" isn't common anymore. We can't count on new members reading 39 pages of Snowbum on their own volition before they trip over and finally discover these bits of "must have" Airhead trivia. What I'm saying is that "common knowledge" is increasingly uncommon as a new generation of riders discover Airheads.
If the Club's mission is to keep Airheads on the road, then this knowledge needs to be readily available, sorted and cataloged for new members on Day 1 of their membership. There are now 4 or 5 good Airhead forums on the internet for Q&A, so having Q&A is not enough. Snowbum is getting older and at some point his web site will be turned OFF. The time to become the go-to place for Airhead knowledge is now, while there are still some gray heads that remember.
Thanks.
Owning an old Airhead is easy.
Keeping an old Airhead running great is the true test.
I enthusiastically agree with this suggestion.
‘Craig
I certainly agree. It’s a very similar trend on various Airhead FB groups. The same questions asked over and over again. I am 67 and have been on an Airhead since 1977. Suzukis before that. And we grew up in a world where you diagnosed and repaired all your vehicles and powered equipment. It’s not a slam, but if folks were born in the 70’s or 80’s and beyond, they just didn’t grow up in that world. These motorcycles are not complicated, but you can’t just plug in a diagnostic tool and read a fault code. You are the diagnostic tool. It’s kind of a learned discipline, how to approach and “zero in” on a problem. It takes patience and careful, logical thought. And, so many times, just stepping back for a bit will allow answers or next steps to come to light. The process can be momentarily frustrating, but overall I think it is fun and satisfying.
Anyway, I digress. I do think a “top 10 must read” forum, or whatever, would be useful.
i tend to agree and i've put on a few hundred thousand miles over the last 55 years or so and wrenched my whole life now i have a new fuel problem i need a direction to go in and without a sticy it will be a chore but i'm just getting started on this site for the first time. i'm proud to belong to this org and i'll never complain but this is my 2 cents worth. good luck with it all and i appreciat the people that keep this site running.
Agreed there should be a way to categorize same questions. I hang out on ADVrider a lot and I am a KTM 640 Adventure owner. One inmate made up one thread to put all 640A threads homed in one place which makes it very easy to go search any thread on any topic you want related to that one bike. It works very well. It is simply titled the 640 thread index.
pl;/
The ADVrider forum … I recently was stuck with a very leaky oil pressure switch on my /7. Could not get a replacement where I was. I was “googling” in search of a temporary plug to get me home. A thread from 2015 on the ADVrider forum popped up. All I needed to do was swap in the fill plug for the driveshaft. How awesome! Got me home, no problem! Thanks, ADVrider!
The ADVrider forum … I recently was stuck with a very leaky oil pressure switch on my /7. Could not get a replacement where I was.
FYI... The oil pressure switch for the /7 is also used on many European cars that use Bosch wiring and electrical systems.
Owning an old Airhead is easy.
Keeping an old Airhead running great is the true test.
Yep, I tried every possible switch from every possible source, and came up empty. It was 2 to 5 days to order. The solution with the driveshaft fill plug was ideal to get me home.
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