BlueSky

This Yamaha video covers valve adjustment.

It is my understanding that the early models are detuned to about 20hp. The 2005 and up have the same engine (hp) as the Venture. Here is a link to a beautiful 2011 model. https://wilmington.craigslist.org/mcy/d/mint-condition-yamaha-tour/6347174382.html Just googled and found these links. According to them the early bike had 75hp and the later one has 97hp. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha_Royal_Star https://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles/motorcycle-reviews/star-motorcycles/2009-star-royal-star-tour-deluxe-ar70533.html

Now, that's the way to camp!!!!

One of my supervisors favorite sayings was that you would never lose money underestimating the taste and intelligence of the American public.

Look at what you will have when it is repaired to the point it is reliable. How much would a full dress touring bike cost in any other brand? I see 1500 Goldwings for sale for $4k or more that have over 100k miles on them. Three years ago, I bought my 89. It looked as perfect as an 89 could and only had 5,914 miles on it. I paid $3800 for it. But it didn't run perfect. It has had some carb issues, ignition issues from corrosion, the slave cylinder is leaking and now the fork seals are leaking and the speedometer is howling. But, there isn't anything else on the road like these Ventures. Nothing beats the sound of that V4 being wound out! Yeah, I'd like a newer reliable touring bike but I don't ride enough to justify what one would cost.

None of the V-twin cruisers have hp ratings given out by the manufacturer because they are usually low. Those crankshaft counterweights in the new Yam engine while keeping it from vibrating too much really affects how quickly it will rev. Riders who buy V-twins aren't interested in having the fastest bikes and I hope it sells well. But, Harley sales are decreasing and that is the market Yamaha chose to compete in. If this model is produced 14 years like the Gen 2, I'll be surprised.

Happy Birthday you young whippersnapper! Life begins at 70! That's when I retired.

I haven't heard of any aftermarket headers/pipes that are available any more. Some folks replace the mufflers with Road King mufflers. The link attached is of a member who installed Road Kings on his Gen I.

Aww! Where is you spirit of adventure? Ha! I know what you mean though. My 05 Magnum's transmission needs a new electro-hydraulic conductor plate and it is located above the valve body inside the transmission. I'm not looking forward to replacing it but I intend to do it. Would be much easier to shell out the money and get a transmission shop to do it. I called two transmission shops and the dealer for quotes and one was $500, one was $900, and the dealer not to be outdone quoted $1600. I ordered a conductor plate from rockauto for $150. And from looking at the videos, it's about an hour job (for an experienced mechanic).

"Then Came Bronson" was on tv in 1969/70!!! And it only lasted one season. We're showing our age! I really liked it. Not a lot of action but really well written. A couple years ago I bought a CD of the 2 hr premiere but it was screwed up and I returned it.

Amazing how Bronson's Harley morphs into a dirt bike at the appropriate time.

One of my relatives hunts deer in season and he grinds the venison with beef fat added to make hamburger.

Wow! That is one sweet looking Valkyrie! That's a 98?

And vibration is why I decided long ago not to buy another V-twin and because they are usually underpowered. Make mine a smooth powerful 4 (or 6). Although, I would love to ride a 90 degree V-twin V strom and the boxer twin BMW R1200RT to check them out. I think I might like those.

If I remember correctly, the 950 vibrated at interstate highway speeds and I read the same thing when a magazine compared it to a Vulcan. The Vulcan vibrated less.

You may want to remove the spark plug caps and snip a half inch or so off the plug wire and reinstall. The caps screw off. The wire tends to corrode at that point and reduce the sprark intensity. It's easy to do.

Yep, I bought new ones for my 89 Venture from partzilla.

Just goes to show that we aren't eating enough venison!

Do you prefer the feet forward position of a cruiser or would a sport tourer meet your needs? Suzuki Vstrom comes to mind if you like the "adventure" bikes. BMW R 1200 RT is a great touring bike if you like the upright seating position and it isn't that heavy.

Yep, if you require a lower cog than a 1st Gen, the Goldwing or Valkyrie would be it.

If the engine is bad and you have to assume it is, $125 is maybe top dollar.

yamagrl! Long time no postee! Thought we had lost you! What's happening?

You can check the float level while on the bike. Hook a tube to the drain tube. I got a clear tube that fit tightly over the drain tube and held it up and the level is supposed to be to a certain point on the carb. Look in the manual where the details are given. You can check it with the engine running. At least you will know if the float levels are okay and if they are the floats are okay.

I remember when we switched to the M16, the instructor told us that the M14 had a maximum effective range of 460 yds and so did the M16. The muzzle velocity is much higher with the 5.56 round helping it to equalize the effectiveness. With equal sights it may be easier to hit a target at 350 yds with the M16 since it won't drop as much over that distance. I found out with my M14 sighted in for something around 200yds. I had to aim at the head of the target to drop it. Aiming at the chest wouldn't drop the target showing me that there was significant drop in the round at those distances. There is an smart phone app that will calculate this for you but I don't remember what it is.

One trick I use for getting vacuum lines off is to twist it to break the seal.