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Don, I'm praying for a speedy recovery. Will continue to do so. Rest...heal... Will pray for your wife as she cares for you. Care givers have a hard job, too. Not all patients are "cooperative" or compliant. John (Married to a CHARGE Nurse...) Eugene, OR

Bryan, I realize I am way too late participating in this discussion, but thought I'd chime in anyway for the next guy that asks. Before my '05 Midnight Venture, I had a 2005 1100 V Star Silverado (soft bags & windshield). Bought it brand new, put 28,000+ miles on it in 2 years and 3 months. The last 14,000 + were on one single big trip. I left it in a wrecking yard (totaled) in east Tennessee and drove back to Oregon. It would be 5 years before I even got on a bike again. My kids got me a 3 day rental for a HD Electra Glide one Father's Day thinking I had the hankering to ride again. I extended the rental to 6 days and took off into the Oregon desert and mountains, SW Idaho and SE Washington. Even rode several miles of gravel on something called "the Rattlesnake Road" from Oregon to Idaho. I was smitten again! Yep, I started looking and narrowed in on the Ventures. In 2013 I found my present '05 Midnight Venture with 30k miles about 8 hours away. Trailered it home and began to ride to work and back. I quickly had "buyers remorse!" I couldn't believe I didn't like it! I did just what you did here and asked about how folks settled into it. I remember summing up the ride "in the cockpit" so to speak as "cramped", of all things. Man, the response back was IMMEDIATE and SHARP! "Cramped!? You must be crazy!" Several folks commented how this was the most comfortable bike they've ever owned, etc. So, despite my first impressions, I decided to stick with it. Eventually I put a Mustang seat on, rode it every chance I got and figured out the issue. My 1100 had only a windshield. Airflow was a constant. The Venture's "envelope" behind the big, tall factory windshield and the full upper and lower fairing just produced a whole lot less airflow and resulted in me describing it as "cramped." I love that feeling now, but I was comparing it to something totally different. Since that time, I've dug out my Ride Like A Pro video, practiced a lot, deliberately rode in small lots, gravel, etc, all the places you really don't want to place a big bike like the Venture. The Venture has taken me (from Oregon) down to Death Valley and up Hwy 1 and 101 on the Pacific Coast, from the Atlantic coast of Maine back home to Oregon (trailered the bike there for 6 days), and a 16,000 mile trip in 2016 where I even got to attend MAINTENANCE DAY! What a treat that was!!! It's been on the ground on its side only once, in Biloxi, MS where I hit some wet sand that I can only describe as "greased BB's!" One of my goals for this bike was to ride and wrench more, and clean/polish less. I've successfully done that thanks a whole lot to Maintenance Day and all the knowledgeable, competent, kind, generous and wise folks on this forum. I mean every one of those descriptive words! They are a very willing to share bunch! It's a great motorcycle. I love mine. John Eugene, OR

Thought I'd follow up on the small rubber water jacket plugs held in place by the bolt on cylinder cooling fins. While doing the coolant change, the old rubber plugs came out VERY EASY and went back in the same way...TOO easy for my comfort level. Seeing where they were located and how they were secured, their age explains a small coolant leak/staining I'd been seeing under the #2 cylinder bolt on cooling fins. I ordered new ones and they are MUCH more snug that the old ones with 72k on them (I suspect). I'd never changed them and don't know if they ever have been changed. On to brakes and differential fluid change...rain forecast for the next week here in Oregon so it's a good time to do this stuff. John Eugene, OR

Ronnie, If you're in Dexter, then I'm sure you know where SYMSONIA is. My wife and both graduated from Symsonia HS, and attended Murray State for a couple of years. Have been in Oregon 43 years come August. Planning another (annual) trip in May, but will fly in to Paducah or Nashville, our usual means. I have ridden the bike there three different times. John

Patch and Craig: Thanks for the prompt responses! Patch, I'm not sure about the Canadian time zone thing, but your post was time stamped 1:47 AM. Couldn't sleep? Just getting off the evening shift? I found the correct part # for the intake plugs. Called a PLUG, BLIND #1 6G-13569-00. On that same parts breakdown, I "think" I can tell that the plugs do go on cylinders #1 and #4 . The parts pic is a little fuzzy. I just wish someone could confirm that for me. Wife still here...kids all good. No pets, though we did "cat sit" for 3 months for the youngest daughter. Never again! Just not much to report in that department. Craig, I haven't made any big trips since 2016. Went back to work in 2017, spent all my weekends in 2019 working on the master bath, a complete remodel. Have made several "2 weeks at a time" trips to W. KY as we continue to debate about leaving Oregon and retiring there. Bike is currently strapped in the chock in the garage, and I'm just going over it front to back before the weather turns to the good here. I really need to get a CarbTune or similar (Morgan another brand?) to sync the carbs with. My short time at MD in June of 2016 continues to pay dividends, as I've learned to do just more and more on the bike. Though I am not a mechanic, I just don't trust anyone to work on it any longer. I would like to make a run over the Lolo Pass on my way to Glacier Nat'l Park this year. No firm plans just yet. Saw Glacier in 2007 on my first cross country trip and would like to go back. I typically ride to Crater Lake once a year since it is so close and so beautiful. I didn't even do that last year... I drop in the forum and just read some, but don't really post much unless I have a question. Again, thank you all for the prompt replies, the good information, and the willingness to share what you know. If I KNEW more, I'd SHARE more!! John Eugene, OR

Hello all. 1) Does anyone know the correct part # for the "plugged on one end" rubber caps (2 total) that go over the connections of the intake runners? I just cannot find this part on any schematics. What have you used as an alternative to the OEM cap? Both of mine show several cracks. 2) In a 3-16-2012 post, "Scooter Bob" mentions that cylinders #1 (left rear) and #4 (right front) should have the PLUGS on the intake runners. My 2005 Midnight Venture (72k miles) has the plugs on the 2 REAR (#1 & #3 ) cylinder intake runners. Presently, the #2 (left front) vacuum tube runs toward the battery and down the right side. The #3 (right rear) vacuum tube runs toward the front, around the spark plugs, down near the radiator fan and then the right side. Can someone please CONFIRM that rubber plugs/caps belong on #1 & #4 and vacuum hoses belong on #2 & #3 ? 3) I've drained the cylinders of anti-freeze by removing the push in plug with threaded insert (part #90338-11152-00). Simple to remove, but WAY TOO EASY to reinstall. I understand the bolt on cylinder fin holds them in place. I also read about "the dime trick" but that doesn't appeal to me. I don't show any evidence of them leaking, but they just seem way too easy to reinstall, like there is nearly ZERO resistance to them being pushed in. Do you re-use these each time? Replace them only as needed? Replace every time? Thank you so much for your expert opinions and "sometimes" humorous commentary. John Eugene, OR

Good evening fellow Venture Riders. Other than to work and back some, I've done little riding this year. I made one day trip in the summer up and over the old McKenzie Pass and the lava fields, through Sisters & Bend, OR, around Mt. Bachelor and back toward home over the Willamette Pass. I normally try to make it to Crater Lake Nat'l Park every year, since it is so close (nearly 4 hours one way) and so beautiful, but even that did not get accomplished this year. My only attendance to a Maintenance Day was in 2016. I think of it every time I do even the smallest bit of work on the bike. Great group, great support, great information...all for a GREAT PRICE!!! Be safe and enjoy the fall riding season as much as you can. John Brown Eugene, OR

Tim, Thanks for that explanation! I can grasp the comparison to a bald tire still holding air! Specifically what are the “internals” you mention? I have no understanding of what’s behind that cover plate of the clutch! Thanks for the reply. John

Fellow Venture owners, Changed oil and filter last night after getting home. Rode to work early this AM; crisp 40 degrees, sun just beginning to peek over the eastern hills. Shifting was smooth as...a Venture with fresh oil!! All is good again and the missing neutral has been found! Thanks for all the great suggestions! Craig, I will never forget my time at MD in 2016! I had some surgery in Jan of 2017, then went back to work in April. I took 2 day trips that year, and rode to work a dozen times. I’m riding more this year, but don’t have any trips planned...at the moment. Hope all is well with you. Give my best to all those at Maintennance Day this year! John

Thanks for the prompt and helpful replies. I'm going to change the overdue oil/filter then take the test ride. I’m also going to change to a calendar basis for changes rather than a mileage basis, unless I start traveling again. I changed oil/filter 5 times in 2016 (due to mileage) and 0 times in 2017. I rode very little last year. Again, thanks for the good suggestions! John

Good afternoon Venture owners! My 2005 Midnight Venture w/67,572 miles is exhibiting an annoying habit of not wanting to go into neutral easily. Clutch fluid was changed at Maintenance Day in 2016 w/59,248 miles, then again in Sept. of 2017 w/66,815 miles. Prior to MD in 2016 I had NEVER changed the clutch fluid and it was like used motor oil. I did find a previous dealer receipt at 36,560 miles where they recorded they "adjusted clutch" whatever that means. When I changed it last Sept. (2017) it was slightly colored, but not dark...nothing like MD change. Today, it looked nearly brand new before draining and replacing. The fluid coming from the bleeder valve was very clear and no air bubbles. Before draining (by syringe) the fluid in the reservoir, I noticed 3-4 dark "spots" in the bottom toward the left side of the reservoir. Any debris would naturally go here due to the lean of the reservoir and the bike on its side stand. When I disturbed the dark debris with a screw driver, it was suspended in the clean brake fluid, similar to the way food coloring would react when being mixed into water. I sucked it out with the syringe then slowly deposited it on a clean white rag looking for anything solid. The dark color was not anything solid in nature. 1) I've tried to do my own research here, and haven't found anything on the contaminate, but did find Condor's previous reply to someone cautioning against OVER filling the reservoir. My regular parking spot does not reveal any leaks, and the fluid level was not low. Too much fluid could be one issue I have had. Related to that, do I check the site glass siting on the bike with the handlebars in the straight forward position? Leaning to the right with full right turn in play in an attempt to get the top of the reservoir parallel to the ground? In what position should the bike be when checking the site glass for half full? 2) With 67,500+ miles should I be considering clutch replacement and upgrades, though I'm not having any other issues? Do the internal components of the clutch (friction surfaces, etc) degrade and breakdown? I have read some of the posts about weak springs, etc. Should I be watching/listening/feeling for tell tale signs of some catastrophic clutch failure with this mileage? I'm already planning on front springs (Progressive I suppose) and rear shock replacements this year, as the Venture has finally lost its smooth feeling ride. I am VERY disappointed that I can't make MD this year. It was a BLAST in 2016 and I learned SO MUCH! As usual, your expert advice is always sincerely and greatly appreciated!! Respectfully, John in Oregon

Venture friends, I am home again in Oregon after 15,869 miles in the saddle of my 2005 Midnight Venture. Left Oregon April 11th and got home July 28th. I spent 55 days in West KY, and 54 days on the road. Left W. KY on the first day of some brutal heat July 20th. The next night in Ponca City, OK the air temp at 5pm was 101 degrees. Had 4 straight days of riding in that, and took 9 days to get home to Oregon. The last two days of riding were 579 miles and 626 miles. What long days those were. A highlight of the trip was MAINTENANCE DAY in Oberlin, OH! What a great experience. Other highlights were Big Bend Nat'l Park (Texas) which included 13 miles of washed out gravel road, riding down to Key West, and Independence Pass above Aspen, CO. From Albuquerque, NM to Rural Hall, NC I rode with a friend for about 4 weeks. I had one little "get-off" in Biloxi, MS after encountering some wet sand in a left turn lane. Broke the reflector off the rear bag crash bar, gained a new gouge in the upper fairing, cracked a plastic fastener or two, and added a new scar to my right elbow. That's a lot better than the last "get-off" 9 years ago in which the bike was totaled and I was carted away in the ambulance... I need to replace my windshield (stock TALL one) and am thinking of the Clearview with the vent. I see they have one 1" shorter than stock which I'm interested in. Any thoughts on this or other brands you like? I like seeing through my windshield rather than over the top of it. Another big shout to Don, Craig & Kim, Jim & Robyn, Keith, Earl, Paul, Jim, Ron & Vicki, Greg, Jay, Ron & Peggy, and Joe & Debbie for the great time at Maintenance Day! Don't miss going to this if you get the chance! It is everything you read about and more! I'll be glad to answer any questions about the trip if you have any. John Eugene, Oregon

Friends, I too, arrived safely back in West KY after a 12 hour, 565 mile day, pulling in the driveway to an air temperature of 94* at 5pm. What a tremendous event MAINTENANCE DAY is! I was so fortunate to be east of the Mississippi this year in order to have the privilege to participate in this. Honestly, having never attended before, it was a privilege. Craig & Kim should be the "Official Greeters" as they welcomed me and introduced me around. Craig also provided some great over site on my brake pad replacements. Jim (of Jim & Robyn?) taught me how to sync my carbs. Keith (from Alaska) helped me change my clutch fluid. Jim (Trucker from Rochester, NY) helped with the clutch fluid and acted as the official timer at the brake pad change. I must hold the record for longest amount of time to change front brake pads. Thank you to Earl (SlowDoc?) for his patience and sharing of knowledge. Paul (Forks, WA t-shirt) called ahead to locate brake pads for me. David Nelson (Virginia) along with Joe & Debbie (Richmond, IN) had connections to Eugene, Oregon...it's a small world! Ron & Vicki (Muskegon, WI) were excellent company at dinner Friday night. Greg from Wisconsin, Jay (Jake?) from Detroit, Ron & Peggy, Marl and many others I met but didn't catch a name...you all put on a first class event. And to Don & Eileen, thank you so much for the hours of work that must go into hosting such an event on your own front lawn. You are kind and generous hosts! Thank you so much. To those of you on the west coast, you have no idea what a great opportunity it was for me to attend this event. The knowledge base, and the willingness to share it is just overwhelming. Do NOT pass this up if you have a chance to attend in the future. Thank you for a great time. Thank you for the great hospitality and friendliness. Thank you for the great service on the bike and teaching me how to do it. I don't know how just yet, but I sincerely hope to see you all next year! God bless you! Motorcycle John from Eugene, OR 4 Corners Tour (Part 2 - 2016) 12,163 miles as of Sunday 6/12/2016

Steve, Thanks for the follow up. I agree about the bearings and will consider that. I CANNOT hear the fan while riding at speed, only at idlel. The fan definitely kicks on and off (as necessary?) and I only hear it when "stuck" in the stop and go traffic due to accident back up, or long, long waits in to bumper city traffic. This trip is actually the first time I've ever heard the fan turn on at all that I can recall. Again, thank you for the feedback! John

SQUEALING FAN ISSUE RESOLVED!! Who gets the check(s) for the $$$ saved by subscribing to this forum???? Went to dinner to "think" about what was said here. 1) The WD-40 solution. Sounded reasonable since I didn't have a fan, and researched what else I could use that would last a little longer "IF" I could get it down in there. 2) Bob and Free Bird both said something like "first ever I've heard of a fan failing..." Hmm...among all those Ventures out there?? If not the fan...then what? So, after dinner, armed with a flashlight, I poked around trying to see how long of a "straw" I would need to utilize CowPuc solution. Lo and behold, there was a VENT HOSE looped and hanging down into the space the turning fan would occupy. The outside edges of the blades actually showed some wear, but the hose appeared to be intact. After 10 minutes of fussin' and foolin' I think I have the problem fixed. Either a ziptie broke loose or one wasn't installed after the last carb sync. I'll ride with an attentive ear to the fan tomorrow during stop and go traffic, but I believe the issue has been solved! Gentlemen...thank you all SO MUCH for the words to get me to thinking about how to resolve this! It is VERY MUCH APPRECIATED!! Onward to San Ysidro, then LEFT to Key West, FL...

Scott, I was thinking the exact same thing...maybe something a little heavier than WD-40, though I don't know what exactly.

Bob, My 2005 Midnight just rolled over to 48,000 on this trip...but you've never heard of another fan failing?? Should I be looking at something else? Any ideas? Mechanic here in Salinas said definitely fan related after listening to it. I did read about some of the members questioning if their fans even work, as they've never heard theirs turn on. I could hear mine with my helmet on, while sitting still, and all the related road noise all around me. Again, thank you for you prompt reply and suggestions. I'll let you and the others know how it pans out. John

Duane, The fan is spinning, but squealing like the bearings are failing when it turns on. Thanks for the reply.

Bob, Do I read their site correctly that all the parts are USED? Thanks for the quick reply! John

I left Eugene, OR Monday AM headed south bound to San Diego. Today (Wed) in heavy stop and go traffic, each time when the radiator fan kicks on, it squeals terribly. Stopped in Salinas and the dealer mechanic there confirmed my suspicion, either the shaft or bearing on the motor is failing. He doesn't have one...suggested ride to LA area...as long as I avoid the stop and go and keep moving. The SLO shop in San Louis Obispo said early May before he can get one. I called home to Eugene, my local dealer couldn't have one for 10 days (Friday the 22nd). Anyone here have any other suggestions??? Yamaha part # is 4XY-12405-00-00. Quoted $400 just for the part...yikes. Thanks for any and all suggestions!! "Stranded in Salinas" John from Eugene, OR 541-513-8495

I recently towed my '05 RSV 3,333 miles to Maine from Oregon in a rented U-haul trailer with the V-shaped nose made to tow a bike. It had 8 d-rings mounted inside the trailer. I had no issue strapping/towing the bike. It made the trip just fine. However, upon arrival and starting to ride back home to Oregon (4,136 miles), I had "violent" shaking/wobbling of the front wheel in the 25-45 mph range. It was so bad, I had to GRIP the handle bar very firmly to remain in control. I figured the tire might be a little misshapened after 6 days strapped to a trailer, but not as extreme as it was. After about 500 miles, the wobble was down to the 30-35mph range, and after 1,000 miles it was hardly noticeable, but still there. I stopped at a dealer in the northeast on the way home, and the mechanic could not find anything out of the ordinary, and we both agreed it was the 6 day trailer trip that probably caused it. The majority of the 9 day trip home was at freeway speeds with NO wobble detectable at all. After the 4,100+ mile ride back to Oregon, the wobble is ever so slightly present, again only in a very narrow range of speed (30-35mph). Has the tire been permanently misshaped? I looked for a missing wheel weight, but can't find a spot that appears to be missing one. Any other suggestions? I figure another set of tires in the spring will hopefully cure the issue. It was NOT an issue prior to hauling the bike to Maine in late September. The tires are AVON Venoms w/about 9,000 miles on them. Though I've read some negatives about them, I am very happy with them, even on the rainy roads/freeways I had to negotiate. They were new and on the bike when I purchased it. Has anyone had a similar experience? Thanks! John

Steve, Thanks so much for the prompt reply! You answered every single one of my questions. I hope to be riding again this afternoon with a smoother throttle. John Eugene, OR

I removed the tank to access the throttle cable pulley. When looking at the very end of the cable, at the carb, I discovered all the oily residue around the left rear (low side) carb and boot. "Midrsv" dealt with this in a post on 6/2/2009 titled "Is this carb extraordinarily dirty?" (I don't know how to direct the readers of my post here to that post) So, my oily residue does not appear to be an issue. I'm wondering a) is there any point in cleaning it up? b) HOW do I clean it up and what would I spray it with? and c) how much LESS oil should I add to reduce the problem at my next oil change? My initial fear (I tend to think the worst!) was something was going on in the cylinder and so I pulled the plug to check its condition. Attached a pic for your evaluation, but the plug looks decent to me. The terminal nut is still in the boot. Any suggestions on how to remove it if I decide to change plugs? What are the tricks for accessing the FRONT 2 plugs? Just looking at them makes me tend to shy away from the plug change altogether. As usual, I am grateful for your collective wisdom, experience and willingness to share of your knowledge. Thanks! John

He just quizzed me about what was in my bags. I take everything out before taking it to the shop. I do have a big padlock and key stored in there, but it's usually wrapped in some clean shop rags, etc. I don't think that was it, but I'm going to ride again before putting everything back in. I was so happy to know nothing was wrong on the ride back from the shop, that I never thought of listening for the rattle sound. Thanks again for all the good input I received here. JB

Picked the bike up at my dealer today. They could find absolutely NOTHING wrong, and the axle is certainly not "broken." Several of you sent me pics showing me what the swing arm/axle configuration is supposed to look like. I should have checked here BEFORE freaking out and hauling it to the dealer!! Lesson learned...one for which I figured I pay $100 or so to be schooled. The mechanic (and others of you) explained how the axle mounts through the swing arm, etc. All spacers/washers, etc. are as they are supposed to be. And...they didn't charge me a DIME! That's right. Said they had both bags off, checked everything they could wrench on near there and found no issues. From the service ticket... "DOUBLE CHECKED all hardware and found no issues at all." Thanks to Ramsey Waite Company, Lou the service writer and Bryan the mechanic. Thanks to all of YOU, too, that chimed in with pictures and suggestions. Your over-cautious, nearly paranoid of mechanical issues, fellow Venture rider, with egg on my face, John