Boatnut

No problem.... bike is as described in add apart from the issue I've asked about. Has some minor damage to left hand bag and tour pack. Not cracked, scraped. I'm pretty sure it is a basically sound bike, just needs the right owner. http://www.usedvictoria.com/classified-ad/Yamaha-VENTURE-Royale-ON-COLLECTOR-PLATES_20030674

Thank you all for your time taken to help me. I have decided against buying this bike. Actually decided against buying a second bike period. Finally realized that even though I have the time, (am retired), more than capable of working on an older bike, I own a new 2013 bike with a seven year unlimited mileage warranty. I should just ride IT, and spend that extra time maintaining and cleaning IT after winter rides. Again , thank you all.

Thank you all for the advise and passing along your experience/knowledge. I am very tempted with this bike I've found, however, the complexity of the carbs, potential TCI issue etc etc is somewhat scaring me away. Can anybody tell me the approx cost of a full set of carb kits ? Also how much is this aftermarket TCI? (Understood that is Dingys concern but a ballpark amount?) I have pm'd Dingy but no reply so far. I need to make a move on this deal one way or another in fairness to the current owner.

Thanks guys. I do suppose these are a different beast than my v twin. I have to ask, TCI? guessing a control module of some kind? Cost?

It's 1405.... On line at same time as they intro'd the fix but just a few too soon lol.... This bike started up ,with choke, when it was 10C today. Choke off after 5 seconds and it idled as smooth as a sewing machine. Zero coughing or backfiring or vibration. The tach needle didn't move until bike had been running for maybe 5 min. Continued to be slow responding. I put that down to age? Maybe not, maybe that is another clue? Could it run so well at idle on only two or three cylinders? I'm used to my Road glide. You know even if your missin half a cylinder

Thanks Wizard. Understood a 30 year old bike will need some tlc. Just don't want to start off with a gremlin lol... Maybe not the right bike for my need. Lots of systems and electronics to malfunction. Should probably look for something simpler.... He is looking for $2,500 . If it ran as it should, I was in same ballpark. Cost for a "TCI"? Available?

Thanks for the response Yammer Dan. I fairly sure it's not right, pretty sure? power is meant to be at least linear, if not building with rpm. Looking for thoughts what the issue could be. Not interested in buying this bike if it starts out being a project.. Looking to buy an inexpensive, reliable winter bike that I can basically just ride and do regular maintenance on. At the price point, if it needed anything major I would fast lose interest in purchase.

Hi all, looking at buying a very well cared for 120,000klm 1985. Runs excellent, idles perfect, no noises, second gear seems to be fine, owner has just gone through bike: new stator, suspension all works 100%, new filters, dash all works, good brakes, fork seals good, tires good, coolant changed and all new seals/o-rings, starter replaced with the upgrade 4 brush model, etc etc.... He basically went through bike to get ready for long trip and then plan changed.... The bad: left side muffler got damaged and now tip is rusted through. Bike seems to be very "flat" past 1/3rd throttle. As in makes no extra power? Thought the power should build with rpm but as much, if not more, throttle response at 2,500 as at 4,000. Might almost hear it kinda have a steady miss in one or two cylinders under hard throttle. Not sure, very subtle if there is..... I am looking at this purchase as a second winter bike. Not interested in getting involved in an on going project/witch-hunt to fix. Almost like main jets are plugged in one or more carbs? Anybody help out with this? Common? I'd think it was low on compression apart from the rock solid idle and zero blue smoke. Timing advance? Or, is this just the nature of the beast?