luvmy40

Well, it looks like the trade for the '89 is not going to happen. I am, hopefully meeting up with the owner of an '86 to do some horse trading today. He want's a smaller bike and likes guns. I have a smaller bike('82 Yamaha Maxim 750) and more than a few guns. Sounds like a match made in Venture Heaven. The maxim has been in storage for nearly 2 years. I remember it being much more shiny and clean than it actually is. Funny how the memory works, isn't it? I was thinking the Maxim's worth at about $800. Low mileage, runs good, has always been reliable, etc. Well, Sow I'm thinking $500-$600 is more realistic. she's seeping oil at the valve cover gaskets and after sitting so long, the carbs definitely need a good cleaning. She started right up and runs like a champ but I can't get the idle dialed in, even after a quick sync. The throttle hangs a bit on deceleration. Hang may not be the right word. The revs don't drop like a rock and the engine braking is not crisp. It's more a slow decline in rpms. It's not mechanical. The cable is free and the linkages snap back to idle position instantly. The CV slides are just sluggish. She rolls off idle and snaps your head back when you twist the wick though. I think I have enough lead slinging bits to make the deal good for both of us. I sure hope he does his own work and likes the restore process like I do. Hopefully Ill be posting pictures of my '86 Gen1 MK2 later today!

That's good to hear. What about the frame? are the'86 frames prone to breaking like the '83? In case it's not obvious, I am looking at an '86 Royale as well as the '89. The '86 has slightly more miles on the clock than the '89 but is looking good as far as trade possibilities. It might let me keep The Beast in the family as well.

Does anyone know what serial number is the end of the second gear issue? I recall it being talked about in several threads, but I can't remember if there was definitive #.

That's a great bag at a great price! Thanks J

So, the weekend was a bust. The '89 owner had to work and wound up working late Sunday so we did not meet up. I hope he hasn't changed his mind as I have gotten myself excited about the trade. I tend to do that and then get totally bummed if things don't work out.

Half way is only about 1/2 hour to 45 min. depending on exactly where he is in Louisville. I'd waste that on a ride just to ride

What kind of mileage/fuel economy do you get from your '89?

That's something I'll have to deal with eventually either way in this case. As well as the feeble factory starter clutch. The beast is starting to show signs of the starter clutch problem. Every once in a while I get that rock tumbler grind when starting. Not every time and only a split second when she doesn't grab and kick over right away.

My wife keeps reminding me of all the time and money I have into The Beast. I keep thinking about all the blood sweat and cursing I put into bringing her back to life from the barely running heap she was when I got her. I still think the '89 will be the better bike for us in the long run. I dread the day that I go out to put The Beast up on the center stand and find the frame is broken. Not to mention the almost certainty of second gear going bye-bye eventually. I ride my bikes every day, whether permitting and I don't consider rain or cold as limiting factors. Only ice and snow keeps me off 2 wheels. I would really like to start taking longer tips with the wife and the extra stowage and amenities of the MK2 Royale seem like a good upgrade to me. I will have to buy another delinking brake kit from Skydoc_17. I will have to buy another set of progressive springs. I will have to tear down the top end to check the valves and inspect the carbs. I always plan for the fact that the battery will more than likely need replaced when I buy a used bike. I also plan on new tires for the same reason. I hope that all of that can wait. At least till this upcoming down season. Are there any MK2 specific issues I need to look for? I see at least one wiki type page that states the factory spec for fuel economy was only 29 mpg on the 1300. Is that true? the 1200 was rated at 42 mpg. The best I've ever gotten is 36 mpg.

Here are some pictures the guy sent me last night. We are going to meet half way Sunday sometime to look things over from both sides.

Here's a link to the CL listing(I know!) https://akroncanton.craigslist.org/mcy/d/louisville-1300-yamaha-venture/6882582250.html One thing that concerns me is the pictures appear to be of 3 different but similar bikes. I hope they are just pictures in time lapse, so to speak over the life of the bike. Obviously, I will test ride and inspect before closing the deal.

I paid over $900.00 for it about 12 years ago. It's the original S&W SS Railed 5" 1911 I think the E series are going for about $750 these days so I'd realistically price it around $600 unless there is some collectible value that I am unaware of.

Well Puc, the owner of the '89 claims to have had the carbs "professionally" rebuilt with new floats and diaphragms a couple years ago. No idea on the fork springs but they're not mentioned so I'd wager they are OEM.

I did not change the front end. I just upgraded the front brake MC with an MK2 MC.

I have a possible trade in the works. My '83 standard and a Smith & Wesson 1911R for a very nice looking(in the pictures) red '89 Royale. I have put a lot of time and money into making my '83 mechanically and electrically sound and safe. I just finished delinking and rebuilding the entire brake and clutch hydraulics with Skydoc_17's SS delinking kit. I just installed progressive front springs and the Ignitech programable CDI not to mention the many, many hours and $ spent on the carbs a couple years ago. My plastics are in what could only be described as sorry shape. but they are complete and all original. The advantages that I see in the MK2 are: Increased stowage volume. Upgraded stator No possibility of frame breaking No possibility of losing 2nd gear at some point Plastics appear to be in much better shape The cons in my mind are: Luggage is not easily removable Still has factory linked brakes with original rubber lines still has original CDI(maybe not a real issue) What are your thoughts?

So, what car is that meant for?

Sounds like fun. What's the camping situation like there?

Do you have a price and availability on the Digital Carb Sync complete and in the 3-D printed case? This sure would be more convenient than the Morgan Carb Tune Pro. I love the Carb Tune, but it's a bit bulky and cumbersome for packing.

What he said!! Skydoc_17 delivers the goods! And just for the MK1 riders; You do not have to switch front calipers to see a vast improvement in braking performance. I only switched my front master cylinder out for a MK2 unit and kept the MK1 tubes and calipers with the delinking kit from Earl. Now my brakes are more than adequate and behave like MC brakes should. Yamaha maintains that trail braking is still possible and effective with the linked brakes, but I did not like the feel and did not aggressively trail brake when they were linked. It's good to be able to rely on 30 years experience rather than second guessing myself.

I am sitting about 5 miles from where Mr. Conway was born and raised at this moment. One of my favorite comedic actors ever. His role in McHale's Navy was sheer genius.

It's vinyl. Use any good vinyl cleaner/conditioner. I'd stay away from Armor All. It's not great for vinyl that gets a lot of sun light and will make the seat too slick. 301 is a good product.

PM Skydoc_17 about the brake lines. He makes brake line kits for the Gen 1 bikes. He probably does them for the gen 2 as well.

Ride it out to Oberlin, OH for Freebird's Maintenance day next month. We'll get you synced up!

As far as the brake cleaner goes, you want non-chlorinated for working with plastic and painted areas. All brands make a non-chlorinated version. It's still a very good cleaner but will will not melt your plastic or paint. I have never found a carb leaner that did not eat paint and plastic for breakfast. I don't know how big a PITA removing the ignition lock is on a gen 2, probable quite a large one though. Any way, if you can get it off I'd drop it in an ultra sonic cleaner for a while then hose it down very thoroughly with non-chlorinated brake cleaner or contact cleaner to displace the water or what ever you use in the ultra sonic. Then lube with aerosol dry graphite and reassemble.

The frame looks good. I'll check those links. Thanks!