dusty roads

That’s exactly what I plan to do and hope for the best in the long run. Replacing spark plug caps now so hopefully every bit of upgrades will help.

What you’re saying is either disolder wiring pins or cut the box all the way around 360, so we end up with the box as a sandwich. This would give access to the board from both sides without it having to be removed in order to work on it. Tempting but makes me a bit nervous. Might just leave it be for now and move it to top of air box. Since it ran fine hopefully it will stand up well and keep working for a long time. Thanks for advice, would not of thought to cut around the box.

Disassembling TCI Box Finally got to electrical components in my rebuild of 1986 Venture and am trying to open the TCI box to inspect-replace diodes, etc. as per write-ups on the forum. Bike was running reasonably well but want to check everything while it’s disassembled. Unscrewed 4 Philips corner screws along with 4 brass nuts on the board but it’s binding on the end where the plugs for the wiring harness are. Did not want to flex the board too much and cause any damage. My question is, do I have to un solder the pins that look like they are attached to the wiring plugs as marked in the image. Have read as much as I could on the forum and have not found anything regarding disassembly. Box is Hitachi TDI14-34, 41R-11. Any help from the electrical experts is welcome.

Now that's a beautiful 86. Mine is getting the full treatment, back to front and only needs everything. Did rear end of bike and now machining suspension items. Will never look as good as the 86 show bike but will hopefully run and handle perfectly.

I was sure there were other Venture owners locally I just have not run across any yet. Will send info.

Will be in touch since I need pars that i even know about yet. The deeper I dig the more problems I find. Thanks paysaw

A new slave cyl. would be the way to go but have not seen any in line or have not searched long enough. Have a new Yamaha rebuild kit for the master which came with the bike. There is not a real issue with clutch disengaging but I suspect a bit of slipping for the brief 5 minute ride I did before disassembled the bike. Noticed periodic odd drop of oil in the area of the slave which leads me to believe it's due for replacement. Have run the bike to hot in the garage about 3-4 times now checking things as I did repairs. Nice to know there is a shade tree import system available and will notify if assistance is needed.

Managed to get horn working last night. After fumbling with the switch and worrying about damaging something in the housing I turned to the patchwork of wires done over the years. Turned out to be a fused wire berried behind the battery...a simple inline fuse. 15 minutes, verses several hours of checking everything else. The old saying...keep it simple. Since I am new to Ventures and don't know any owners except one...who happens to be named Carl, it's hard to source parts that I need and will need. As I get more familiar with what is needed the winter months will be the time to find parts. As to clutch, I think both cylinders will need rebuild and not sure if it's a clutch plate issue but will cross reference for future knowledge. Advice more than welcome

Your advice is well taken and makes perfect sense that the whole pivot assy. should be redone properly including grease fittings. Hard to judge what the previous owner had and had not done without removing everything. Might have to wait till spring for that fix. If I have to machine parts it will take some time. Made more sense once I had a good look last night. Was thinking of shock-spring preload as on a car and rushed to forum for advice before thinking or rather not thinking. Advice is appreciated

New member needs advice, Sorting out a 86 Venture I purchased recently and found the rear suspension pivots have way too much play in the center link, bottom shock mount. Front and rear pivots are not bad. Previous owner told me some of the suspension bushings were replaced four years ago. My concern is does the shock have to be removed from the top mount to replace bushings and are they available. Will I be able to reassemble with the load off the shock. Also I noticed an open port-threaded hole on the top right side of the shock? Rear of shock has compressor line and left side has dampener line attached. Working on horn button presently and see nothing wrong internally but the horns get no voltage when switch pressed. The clutch master and slave cylinder I believe are also due for a rebuild. While speaking of clutch, are the friction plates interchangeable with a 2002 second gen as someone told me? So far I have checked the valves and got lucky, all were within spec. New valve cover gaskets, won't say how long it took me to install the front one. New plugs which made it run much better. New rear tire, greased the drive shaft spines, bearings, new oring, deferential fluid, etc. Forks seem fine for now but need new rotors on the front. Missed a great pair for 30.00 since I was asleep at the switch. Rear rotor was replaced. I'm rushing to get as much done as I can since the cold weather is setting in and am working in an unheated detached garage. Any help on these and upcoming problems are more than welcome.