douglasp.burdick

By the way Ricky, I got the carbs synced. It's running much better now, thanks.

I hope everyone weathered the flood here. I live in Winnsboro, which is at a slightly higher elevation from Columbia so we did alright. Columbia got hit very hard. At least now the drought is broken, but at a terrible price. At least 11 dead so far and damage in the billions...

Thanks, i'll try that, but I am sure it could benefit from carb tuning.

Ok, how 'bout taller rear tire? anyone tried that or will it not fit?

I agree it is rev happy, but it feels like it really wants, maybe a sixth gear or taller final drive to just knock the revs down a bit at highway cruising speed. It would make for more relaxed crusing i think.

Anyone know if there are gear sets available to decrease the final drive ratio in order to lower engine RPM's? I know a lot of you are going the other way with this one by installing a v-max diff. I want just the opposite. Lower RPM's in 5th will make the engine quieter.

As a follow up, the 20/50 oil is helping with the noise, and the 130/90/ commander front tire has helped with low speed handling. we are getting there!

I switched to 20/50 today and I swear it is better. The frequency of the whine is lower, not as loud.

I just ordered a Michelin 130/90/16 for my '05. After Riding RMAR's bike with that same tire upfront, I couldn't get over how much lighter and responsive his bike was compared to mine which has a Metezler 880 150/80/16. He also has about 1 1/2" risers that improve leverage more than you would think they would.

Oh, ok, I can do that. I set up a friends Harley for him when he wanted apes installed along with new braided SS lines and cables.

I have just ordered a new set of michillen Commanders for my '05 Venture. I am putting a 130/90/16 up front. What risers do I want? Baron's makes an 1 1/2 " set. Is that what folks are using?

Right!

Well, it's louder than RMAR's bike. So I figure I'll switch from the 10/40 to a 20/50 and see if that helps quite things. He said that at or around 70, the noise fades but I seldom ride that fast, so hopefully thicker oil will help.

Hard to tell by just looking through the small sight glass on the resivor, so I plan on just changing it, along with the front and rear brake fluid.

Well, I got to ride Rmar's venture today and what a difference. He has the Baron's risers and the Michellen 130/90/16 up front and it's a much easer bike to handle at all speeds, not just low speeds. The shorter tire up front makes it noticably eaiser to get on and off of and seems to lower the center of gravity. Now to make those changes in my bike and switch oil to 20/50 and see if that helps with the noise. I'll post my results later. Thanks for all the help guys!

I may buy another vulcan oneday. But for now, my wife and I are going to get alot of use from the Venture. Going up to chimney Rock in North Carolina early Sep. Going on some short rides this weekend.

I'm restoring a '69 MGB for my son-in-law when I find the time!

I'll be pulling the rear tire friday for replacement. I was directed to the tech library where I saw the procedures for lubing the diff and drive shaft components. I don't think that's where the noise is coming from but it needs to be done anyway so i'll maybe eliminate that area from the list.

Will do. I might hear something this afternoon and I'll let everyone know what he said.

I see you have a kawasaki. I had a '99 1500 drifter. But comparing those to a venture really is apples to oranges I guess. Which do you ride the most?

Thanks Jim! I have already got in touch with a couple of them and I think one of them will be heading my way next week. Hopefully, he can shed some light on this. I talked to a Yamaha dealer in Columbia today and he asked me to talk to his service manager when he comes in tomorrow, thinking that Yamaha might do something about changing out the clutch basket at their cost. I think that's unlikely on a '05 with 48000 on it, but, no harm in asking. Thanks for the help! I really appreciate it. Doug

Sad to say I listened to the motorcycle press as far as the thing goes, and yes, I really should have known better. I wish I had visited this site first. You are a great bunch of folks! But Knowing what I know now, I wouldn't have bought this thing. I have owned a motley assortment of odd ball needy vehicles over the years. I had a Lancia Scorpion for two years. Then, there were the Fiat X1/9s. Always looking for cheap thrills. But they are never really cheap, are they? I sunk a fortune in cars like them trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear as they say. Finally gave up and bought a used BMW Z-3. Car has Zero "character", no one ever looks twice at it because z3s are everywhere, but man what a great car! As far as this thing, I bought it from a local bike dealer and should have taken it back the same day, but my wife loves the "comfort". All she hears from the back seat is wind noise, and I no longer bother bringing the I-pod since I can't hear the stereo anyway. So I meant no disrespect, cycle world and other Mags like them always went on about how these were "Luxo-tourers". I don't guess I really know what that term means. Anyway, I'm kind of rambling here. A nice fella on this site rides by my town every now and then and he said he would try to comeover next week and check it out. Guess I'll just park it till then and see what he thinks of it. I do appreciate everyone's input, as I really would like to be able to ride in confidence one day!

So there is some kind of lash adjustment for the gears. Ill read through the procudure and see if maybe that's something I can do myself. I really can't afford to pay a dealer to do it so it's kind of up to me. I just got back from taking it on the interstate for the first time. I managed to get it up to 70 indicated. Dont know if it would have gone any faster as iI couldn't risk it, the whine became a piercing high frequency sound that worried me to the point I won't try that again untill I can get it fixed.

Ok, not to put too fine a point on it but i was told this thing was supposed to be roughly the equal of a GW, but without the weight or a BMW, but without the Ferrari price tag.

Sure. It's just not...not... NOT what I expect from a "luxo-tourer" ! I paid for what I was told would be a smooth,quite ride and that's not the case. I kinda think my '01 Roadstar was the better bike, except it was alittle short on cornering clearance.