BlueSky

I don't believe the V4 is what kept Yamaha from selling more Ventures. Yamaha wasn't serious about competing with the 2nd Gen Venture. In 14 years of production, they could have updated it with fuel injection, something other than a cassette player, lowered the center of gravity, and maybe attached a fairing to the frame. They let it die hoping to recoup their original investment without spending any more design or tooling dollars. Maybe that worked out for them. If they did their research properly, more touring riders want an air cooled twin than a water cooled V4 and the latest Venture will be a financial success.

What if you were a fan of the Goldwing and Honda replaced the flat six with an air cooled V-twin and called it a Goldwing? Most GW fans would be horrified. I think that puts it in perspective. If they called it Stratoliner, probably not as many complaints would be forthcoming. All the folks who like v-twins in a tourer are happy I presume and others who don't view it as a real Venture are not. It's only a motorcycle and we talk about motorcycles on this forum. That is what the forum is for.

The BMW dry clutch is probably a good design too since it isn't contaminating the engine oil. It just makes replacing it a major operation. I think the new BMWs have mostly wet clutches too though.

Maybe I'm all wrong, but it would appear to me that smaller, lighter, less expensive bikes that are COMFORTABLE for several hours of riding would sell. Maybe I'm wrong. Comfortable, what a weird idea!

Full Face Helmet

Now you gotta wonder what defect showed up in the bike that has to be fixed.

Appears to me that something is draining the battery. The battery should check at least 12.6 volts with everything off. If the running voltage is as high as you say, the bike's charging system seems to be charging when running. ????

Keep in mind the water hose is supposed to be connected and on before the engine is started.

Get some hydrocortizone cream to put on the itching skin underneath the cast if reachable. Ibuprofen will also dull itching or it has for me. Get well quickly, Jeff!

That 81 Nova bike would have been a competitor to the Gen1 when it came out in 83. Maybe Yamaha had some spies in the Harley camp. The Japanese have been very good at copying others designs and making them better.

If someone attempts to rob me with a weapon and I get the chance, my plan is to put him down. I may not get the chance, but that is the plan. I'll deal with the consequences of that action. A friend of a friend who lives in the LA area was carjacked. He gave the robber his wallet and wasn't going to resist until the guy pistol whipped him. Then he pulls his .45 and fires blindly hitting the robber in the leg. The police came and asked why he didn't shoot the robber again. The emergency vehicle drove the robber to the hospital obeying all the traffic lights without speeding or turning on the lights giving the robber a chance to bleed out. The folks in that area are really tired of the crime. The robber was out of jail in a couple of years.

It would be hilarious if Harley came out with a shaft drive 4cyl water cooled touring bike! Yamaha didn't improve the Gen2 in the 14 years of sales and just let it die. I suspect that is what they will do with the "Gen 3".

Seems Yamaha is not building any more 4cyl bikes. Wonder how long the Vmax and FJR will have one before they switch to the Tenure twin or a 3 cyl.

I'm not sure how the Japanese stuck to specific year models. For instance my first bike was a new 71 Honda CB350 bought in Feb of 71. https://www.google.com/search?q=1970+Honda+cb350+photos&oq=1970+Honda+cb350+photos&aqs=chrome..69i57.15388j0j8&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 However, a short time later they were selling 71 Honda CB350s that looked like this: https://www.google.com/search?q=1971+honda+cb350+photos&tbm=isch&imgil=EpB3D1AcbL9YPM%253A%253B667yeeDgQ227WM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Farchive.classic-motorbikes.net%25252Fgallery~cb350-gallery&source=iu&pf=m&fir=EpB3D1AcbL9YPM%253A%252C667yeeDgQ227WM%252C_&usg=__UAT6FfXc3ULf46cPyog9vqRtE0o%3D&biw=1067&bih=513&ved=0ahUKEwizg_auyILWAhXM7SYKHc6ZDq8QyjcIQQ&ei=lJOoWbPpAczbmwHOs7r4Cg#imgrc=EpB3D1AcbL9YPM: Note the second one has a rounded tank instead of the flat sided tank and the engine was redlined at 9,500 rpm instead of 10,500 rpm. Maybe Honda was just going on the calendar year at that time for titles.

Yep, SCR950 the NEW Harley Sportster from Yamaha, air cooled v-twin, one brake disc on the front (that's all you need for the power it has). Wow! I'm so impressed!

Good Luck and Best Wishes, Jeff!

Young Whippersnapper! Happy Birthday Dan!

Partzilla.com has all the parts drawings for your viewing pleasure. They may help and this site has a shop manual you can access. Good Luck with the project!

You might like riding on the back if you trust her in charge of the trike. You could enjoy the scenery much better. When my wife drives the boat, I sit back and enjoy and let her fight the wake of the boats we meet.

I haven't had any issues at my home but I have installed motion detector spotlights that only work while it is dark on the front and rear of my house. And, I'm replacing all of the exterior lights with motion sensor lights. It's convenient as well as discouraging for any trespassers. When I step outside at night, they light up or if I come home after dark, they light up. They are a great addition to the house. Kids have been known to break into cars that are in the driveway in my neighborhood and so far I haven't had that problem.

Do you have an AR15? May be more intimidating and therefore less likely to have to use it.

Maybe a Honda Rebel Trike like one of these for Eileen? https://www.google.com/search?q=honda+rebel+trike&tbm=isch&imgil=8Y1-KwfGFWycDM%253A%253BbYeGVsKiU3t7CM%253Bhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.pinterest.com%25252Fpin%25252F556968678888624212%25252F&source=iu&pf=m&fir=8Y1-KwfGFWycDM%253A%252CbYeGVsKiU3t7CM%252C_&usg=__fmzEshyhrC6wxXITcInD5FF4iWI%3D&biw=1067&bih=513&ved=0ahUKEwjNwMSz5P3VAhXL4yYKHbCgAa0QyjcIUA&ei=4xGmWY3DDMvHmwGwwYboCg#imgrc=8Y1-KwfGFWycDM:

There is one for sale locally for $2K with fewer miles.

Makes you wonder what future water cooling for all bikes to meet emissions controls will do to the Harleys. The Gen2 Venture probably would have sold much better if it had fuel injection and a few more updates, maybe even a newer stereo. But, Yamaha refused to spend any design money on it and let it die. The Goldwing got FI in 2001! 2013 and the Venture still has carbs! Emission controls was what got rid of air cooled autos. A newly designed touring motorcycle with an air cooled engine was extremely short sighted IMHO. I still have a hard time believing it.

Hey Yammer, I got my first gun at age 10 also, a 20 gauge Iver Johnson single barrel. Back then shotguns were referred to as single barrel or double barrel. We ate lots of squirrels too.