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Yep what everybody else said, I just need to get on the site little more. Was always worth more than 12 bucks, I'll keep paying to help offset costs

Hello, It`s been some while since last update. So I will write, what has happened since that. I pulled out engine. Idea was, that valve seats are damaged. After removing both heads and cleaning them, discovered, that seats are almost perfect. Also other parts are not much worn out. What I found - it looked, that old head gaskets were with some silicone covered. It looked like very cheap "repair" done. I disassembled heads, changed valve gaskets, cleaned everything. Next problem was, that I put in removed heads camshafts (yes, I know, that in manual is written - do not do that), and it seemed strange to me, that I could not move them. After longer time of thinking, I understood, that design of heads is made that middle part is connected only with some tight aluminium parts (where chain goes). And heads align and are straight, only when bolted to the engine block. Still do not know, if it should be so, but when I bolted them back to the block, I could move camshafts very easy. I had not time to do this repair every day. I went to the bike few hours in month, so it took quite long to put heads and engine back together correctly. After few more months engine, carbs and all other was back in bike. Started it and.... again one cylinder did not work. Or even two. Took again off carbs and checked engine timing. Maybe there was some mistake... Manual for this bike is not the easiest what I have read. And especially timing marks are quite strange and do not match with written info in manual. So, I turned countless times the engine and finally went through all the engine timing with logic. All opening and closing intake / exhaust times looked correctly. Checked and adjusted valve clearences. Put back everything again, but now I decided to turn carbs by 180 degrees (so the front two carbs now were rear). It was not so difficult, just needed to make longer fuel hose and few more things. If problem were in engine, then nothing should change. If problem were in carbs, then there should not work other two cylinders. And, yes, I found, that problem were in carbs. But it seemed strange, because they were disassembled, cleaned and changed all rubber parts before one year. I looked deeper in carbs and found, that at least two diaphragms were very loose (yes, I should check them earlier, but then I hadn't learned the construction of these carburetors yet). I decided, that it was time to disassemble them by myself. I also got many good advices from experienced carb mechanic. I disassembled them and found, that diaphragms were run off the seats, where middle of them is attached. Put them back and this time more accurately. It was most likely, because, when sitting on shelf, old fuel glued needles into seats. And when I started the bike, diaphragms run off the middle parts. Also there were dirt in few of main jets and other parts. Cleaned everything and put back together. Washed also fuel tank. There were also few other smaller problems in the middle (like ventilator, what I damaged and repaired and few other). In September 2025 bike again was running. I regulated idle with gas analyzer. Maybe engine is not perfect – when cold, on idle one cylinder still do some small coughing time to time, but I think it runs good. When hot, not any problems. I gave myself a question - why carbs were clogged after one year sitting in shelf. And the answer was - in fuel tank there was some very old fuel left and it clogged everything, when I put carbs back after first cleaning in the very beginning. In Baltics, because of eco additives added by fuel retailers, gasoline is especially bio-active and makes many problems already after 6 months standing in tank. I do not know, how old was the fuel in tank, when I bought it. It was not much there and I added fresh fuel already in first ride to the garage. It was the largest mistake. Only now I realize how powerful and well-handled this motorcycle is, despite its relatively high weight. There is no problem riding it also with two people. Aftermarket exhausts are a great value. They are not loud, but I really like the sound. Hopefully I'll be able to go without major repairs for a while and slowly get it back to perfect condition.

Long time site visitor finally joined in '18. My sentiments are like previous member posts. So much information, ideas, and experiences gained from this site. Very small amount vs gratitude, let PP continue......... Thank you all................... Leo

Nice Jacket!

that weekend would work for duey!

Thanks for all the work that you have put in to keep this site going, the friendships formed over the years far exceeds any membership fees. Ron

Thanks for your generosity Don, if it's setup for automatic payment I don't want to figure out how to contact PayPal to try and stop my subscription. I'm fine with still paying $12 a year. I've been real busy and haven't frequented the site a lot lately but still enjoy visiting and enjoying the content. Steel Horse Cowboy 🤠

I will see how my calendar looks but I would enjoy coming down and riding with everyone. Rick F.

I was just curious who is around here still and riding their 1983 - 1993 Ventures. I am still riding my 89 VR and hope to put on a lot of miles this coming season up here in Minnesota. Last season I ended up having to repair the right half of my fairing as it became real brittle and was breaking everywhere on it. I was lucky as I have a motorcycle junk yard close by, Sport Wheel in Jordan, Mn, and they have a lot of first gen Ventures in the yard. I was able to pickup a right half with the same color combo as my 89 and it only needed few repairs to make it 100%. So I was able to cast pieces off or other fairing components with PLASTEX Plastic Repair Kits, https://plastex.net/ , to graft on pieces or make molds of pieces. Just a side note, I learned about this company form the forum here years ago. Now the fairing is solid and doesnt move as I hit bumps or holes. So I am hoping for a nice ling season of riding here in the upper midwest. Let us know what you have done lately to your Venture and what you are hoping for this summer. Rick F.

Thanks Don for all the years you have put in keeping this site going. I know it isnt easy but I have found a lot of useful information over the years to keep my Venture running. Thanks again Rick Fink

Thanks Don, I will continue as a member as long as I possibly can

I added this to my calendar!

Its been awhile so figured I would update this. Sharon has taken some days off in June to get out and go riding. Here are the dates June 26th and 27th. Let me know if this works. And keep in mind that we do like to get out and ride so if you're going to be in our part of the country let us know.

I don't plan on going anywhere. And the cost has way more than paid for itself time and time again. And all of the great people that I have got to meet over the years and the new friendships has been priceless. And it was all due to this site. Thanks everything that you have done.

I would try looking in the Index section.

How is it supposed to work? Any instructions so I can through them away first?

This site has opened doors for me to knowledge strong friendships. and great times, unlike any other social venue I have been involved with. I miss the pre covid years and the members no longer with us. But I believe the site still has value & will continue as a paying member at least for now. If you don't need the money Don, maybe it can be donated to one of the charities we have supported over the years, such as St. Jude Children's Research Hospital I also wish to thank you for all you have done over the years to build and maintain this site.

I think it’s only around 285. At one time we were close to 2000

Last MondayToday

Thank you Don for your dedication to this site and all of us who have benefited from the years of experience and knowledge from its’ members. A clearinghouse of wisdom is what it is!

I feel the same as the others, I will gladly continue to pay what it cost to keep my membership in effect. Thank you for all you do.

@paysaw, did you ride the Vision down or drive?

Didn't make the ride to Port Dover on Friday the 13th like I wanted to a took Phantom to doctor appointment then by the time we got home it started to SNOW again! with in an hour we had several in's on the ground! It snowed really hard for several hours till I could finally get out to plow it! Still snowing off and on since then! Now will have to try and make the last one this year in November I guess! Trying to get things moved around in garage so can get bike on bike table to get a few things checked! Mostly would like to get Stator and Voltage Regulator checked! Have been looking up U-Tube and information on the site to see what is involved!

What @Midicat & @Woody said ,also what I told guys at work about Lottery, will be here till everyone gives in!!!! ALWAYS worth the money!!!