flyday58

Got mine for $80 a year and a half ago, and did the battery cable upgrade. Money well spent.

Actually I was just poking gentle fun about a thread I started concerning the tech library. For the most part it's pretty easy to find what you need on the site, just when I'm broke and want it fixed NOW I ain't got the patience to do it. As with your thread, you see there's different ideas about how to get the job done, all valid. So I reckon the place we all should start is Yamaha's manual, a great updated version of which is available here, then add our own touches from experience and from other site users. Fr'instance, some folks came up with the notion on rear wheel removal, to remove the front wheel first, let the bike kneel on the forks, then drop the rear wheel. I wouldn't have ever thought of this, but it saves the aggravation and time of removing the seat and rear fenders to get enough clearance to get the rear wheel out. Works like a charm but I always did it the time-consuming way till reading that post. So it takes some time to find some of this stuff but it's all here. If I only had ":guitarist 2:...just a little patience...:guitarist 2:" (thanks to Axl Rose)

Like for the tech library?

Put those bad boys in the classifieds here, some one is bound to want to do the Vmax upgrade to their Venture. My luck was similar with my '83, no idea what the PO had or had not done. As you say, . And then not knowing what I was getting on ebay = more :mo money:. Bought an '84 41R harness for the '83, installed it and found most of the '83 components wouldn't connect. Back to ebay, :mo money:. It's a bigger club than you'd think, eh?

Hey Gary. Your cryptic statement "...it was seized..." implies a whole bunch of issues to look at. Think of it this way: your '84 is like Frankenstein and you are its Reanimator. You're bringing it back from the dead, so take it slow, a little at a time. It's on life support right now, but the right meds and surgery can bring it all the way back. Since it was seized there could be any number of reasons - you work with small engines, you know them. But I agree, get the carbs off. I used a 12" long 1/2" extension and GENTLY pried on the carbs to get them to pop out. Like you said, lots of posts here to help you take em apart once they are out. You will also have to take a peak inside your TCI. Mine had been full of water so much there was practically no electronics left, but it still ran on 2 cylinders. 'Fool, Dingy, skydoc, and Prairiehammer() and others will surely weigh in soon, but this gets you started. All the stuff that applies to working on small engines applies here, too. Valves, air leaks, leaky head gaskets, yattayattayatta. You'll get there. It won't take too much, it'll just take money!

I would have to at least hear them turn over if they claim they ran when they got them. Unless they've had them for a bunch of years they should at least fire off with a good battery and fresh petrol, even if they run ragged. Doesn't mean I wouldn't buy them anyway. Is it a package deal, all or none?

I guess those are the main issues - all of this info is available through a diligent search, and most of us are just too dang busy and want to ride in our scant few hours of down time. I get that. I also agree that I mentioned quite a few mods tied together under one post, and they would probably be better served separated out by themselves. Interesting thoughts, guys. Thanks.

So this thread be about brakes. I'm the dummy they used to create the game "Stump the Dummy" so I'm no help. But several of youse guys are pretty dang clever and have done this on your bike(s). Could someone come up with a mostly-inclusive article for the tech library on the brake upgrade for 1st Gens? There's a wealth of experience on this, and a quit search opens up a Pandora's Box of everything involved. Obviously it would help new members to have a one-stop place to go, and also peeps like me who have delayed doing the mod due to dumping money into other areas of the bike. The article could start with how much has to change if you're contemplating the upgrade, options like ss brake lines, delinking the brakes, R1 vs R6 calipers, swapping of forks and rotors, progressive spring upgrade, 14mm master (not even sure what that is. See? Stump the dummy!!), fork oil options, anti-dive options. It may take a collaboration and that might be why there isn't an article for this. I ain't pointin no fingers, just sayin... I think it would be an invaluable source for brake info on our scoots. Then maybe eventually SOMEONE could tackle Vmax head swaps, final drive upgrades, all as tech articles. Savvy?

I'd say pm me when you get there, but I'll be back in Ole Miss by then, sweatin', cussin', and generally looking west. Looking to do the final move by the end of summer, but my mother-in-law is in a bad way here so gotta stay flexible. But once I'm there... "All are welcome, all are welcome!"

Yep, good to know. We'll see how she starts next Monday or Tuesday for the ride from 8600' in the village to 9000' at the house. I am really stoked! Just hope the local HD contingent accept as a somewhat superior equal!

Good goonly googoo, where did you put all of that, Scott? I could eat on one of those for a couple of days!! Guess I'll have to make my way up to ABQ and try one meself.

These bikes need a strong battery to get spark. I doubt jumping would provide enough amps to fire it up. See if you can borrow a battery and try again.

I'm with the Cudahy Snowman, I decided to pull the trigger on my 83 because of this site. The only other place I've been that even comes close is the yamahaclub.com site. They're based in the UK, extremely knowledgeable and always helpful, no matter the bike or issue. But my chances of ever riding with them at one of their meets is complicated by several thousand miles of ocean between here and there. My bucket list now includes meeting up with folks from this forum one fine day. And also like 'Fool, when I'm in my 80s and my new house is finally paid for, I'm sure I'll be in the market for a 30-year old 3rd Gen to resurrect from a barn in Muskegon! Puc-ity Puc-ity Puc!!!

Thanks Scott! I'll shoot some vids of the winding switchbacks we got out there in old NEW Mexico. Maybe you and the Missus can pass through on one of your westward wanderings one day! I'm sure my babies will be fine. It will be interesting to see how the small ones fare in the rarefied air at 9000 feet above stress level. The 175 has richer jets in it to correct the lean seizure probs I was having with it, and the other two have stock jets. I read here that the Venture won't have that issue with the CV carbs. We shall see. I'll be sure to "take my protein pills and put my helmet on", Ground Control!!

Today was moving day for my bike collection. They left around 1 pm headed for our new digs in Cloudcroft, New Mexico. The driver said he should be there Tuesday night or Wednesday morning, so they will be waiting for me when we get there next Monday. Our builder graciously agreed to store them in his warehouse till I can pick them up. Mixed feelings watching them go, you never know if you're gonna see your loved ones again! Driver and his partner sleep in the tow vehicle, though, and only stay at well-lit Pilots, Flying Js or other big truck stops, so all should go well. I'm not worried... In addition to the Venture, there's a 78 DT175, a 74 GT80, and a 71 AT-1 (125). The seat is off the Venture headed to Rich's Custom Seats in Kingston, Washington. Oh, and the Halle Berryson in the bed is someone else's, going to the port of Los Angeles, headed to Australia. This guy gets around.

Great info, Gary. I am working with our Vmax friend to come up with an installation manual with plenty of pics for Venturers who want to do this mod. He includes his own new harnesses so that will be part of the deal, making sure lengths and polarity are correct. I purchased the Ignitech from someone here on the site, no idea who , so I don't have to worry about the resistor part of it. Once I have everything like he wants on the manual he plans to offer the kits here on the Venture forum to interested members. He's sending me his Vmax manual to help me get the Venture manual like he wants it. So I guess that makes me the Venture beta guy on this upgrade. Bike left today for New Mexico:bawling:, so it will be a little bit before I can get around to the installation. I will update when I do. Stay tuned.

The guy I got this from hired an electrical engineer to choose the the coils. They're Denso is all he'll say. As far as cost, we're still working that part out but it should be reasonable. Really looking forward to installing them and see how they do.

Coil over plug ignition coils. They will replace my OEM coils which have cracks, corrosion, and ugly leads and plug caps. Dingy I know has done this mod, and I think it's popular on the V-Maxs, too.

Got my new COPs and harnesses today from the guy over on the V-Max forums that makes the harnesses. Install will have to wait as the Venture will be on a trailer tomorrow headed to New Mexico and our new home. But I'm excited to get them. Also sending my seat to Rich's Custom Seats for a recover job. Should be a fun summer!

Most states you go to jail for "stealing" motorcycles like this for 500 bucks! Keep the pics coming, we want to see evey detail of your adVenture x 2.

I prefer Yamaha parts when I can get them. Gaskets are all available individually through your parts house of choice on-line. I haven't replaced my needle seats and o-rings, but some have, someone will chime in on that. Float is not available, diaphragms are, but most of us get the diaphragms from a couple other sources. I got mine from Sirius Consolidated/ SCI. My carbs were varnished enough and goobered up to where they had to come apart and get a good soaking in parts cleaner. Plus it took 3 times before I foynd every tiny orifice and cleaned them out with something like this. Really, it took THREE times before I found every hole to unplug. Some folks have issues with idle air screws that won't adjust or come out due to rounded off heads. They are under the outboard caps in the hole at 6 o'clock.

Great news, Anssi! It is always a good feeling when you are making progress on a project like this. Take many, many pictures, you can never take enough pictures!

We're moving to the village of Cloudcroft, 15 miles and 4000' above Alamogordo. The house is in Russia Canyon, supposedly named because of how cold it gets there in the winter. We're just a few feet shy of being at 9000', so we installed radiant heat, gas furnace, and a standby generator. Also a rainwater and snowmelt collection system since water is scarce and need a backup in case the well goes down. I'll commute out of El Paso till I retire, about a 2 and a half hour drive. I love that drive, looking at the mountains and desert all around. I grew up in Florida and have lived in MS since joining the Air Force in '77. First time I saw the vistas out there I was hooked. Perspective is everything, though, as all who've been in the military will tell you. Was riding an airport shuttle to El Paso last summer while on vacation out there. The driver told me about a soldier he had who hated being out there, couldn't stand the desert and mountains. The guy apparently had been several tours in Afghanistan and the terrain out there was bringing out some PTSD for him. Man, we all sure have our crosses weighing us down. It's forums like this and people like all y'all that help the rest of us get through, if only for another day. My heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you.

Thanks for all the nice comments! The assistance here has been invaluable, and you can see most of the upgrades I've done. Some you can't: battery cables, progressive front springs, headlight conversion, LED dash and tail lights, bleed hose extension for the brakes, gear indicator for all gears, all the master cylinders. At some point I may upgrade the brakes, do the V-Max final drive and MKII gear upgrade. Won't be riding much for awhile. The shipper is coming Sunday or Monday to pick up all my scoots and get them headed to New Mexico. We'll follow around May 8th, spend a few weeks setting up house, then it's back to Ole Miss so my daughter can finish up her Girl Scout Gold Award project. Should be permanently in New Mex by the end of the summer, then I can see what riding a "mountain" bike is all about. Eh, Puc?

Gear, 3rd wheeel is avaialable new from Partzilla.com, boats.net, or cmsnl.com in The Netherlands. 4th pinion is not available, but there are quite a few on ebay's US site for sale. Didn't see any on your side of The Big Water however. You can find them by searching "transmission", "gearset", or "gears" for all years 1983 to 1993. Someone on the forum may have a transmission that they can provide you the pinion from, though. Good luck.