pvw10121

I've heard good things about the video. I found Damon's email a few days ago in another thread and sent him an email asking how I could purchase a CD. I've not heard any reply yet. Does anyone know anyone that has purchased anything from him recently?... or know of any other options for getting a CD? (I'm holding off on rebuilding the second set of carbs until I (hopefully) can get the video. Sounds like it would be worth it. Thanks! Pwells

Update: (actually things I forgot to mention. Robert and BlueSky and YammerDan reminded me)... -installed new fuel filter (previous owner had a new one that he gave me. I replaced it right away) -fuel pump working good -installed new plugs... NGK DPR8EA9 gap'd at .033 -compression checked good on all 4 cylinders (all 4 between 200 and 210) (BlueSky... all of the air slides are working in unison. I was lucky with the carb cleanup. All diaphragms were in good shape. Slides cleaned up nicely. Good thought!) -I do have an infrared temp gun. I shot the exhaust tubes and I did notice a difference in temps on left side to right side. That's when I thought I had a problem with the left side and decided to check the compression. (Full transparency here: Honestly, I got derailed from exhaust temp check when I started testing compression (because I forgot to open up the carbs when I first started testing and saw that I had pretty much no compression on the two left cylinders. That's when my heart dropped and I thought I was in for some top end work. Then I came to my senses and opened the throttle ). After chasing that rabbit trail I didn't come back to the looking at exhaust tube temps. I do know that I am getting spark on all four plugs. I don't recall thinking the left side had weaker spark (course... it was pretty bright daylight out). So... updated action plans: -check temps on exhaust (again) -clip plug wires back a bit (I have a good feeling I'm going to find something here!) -sync carbs (I have a buddy bringing me a CarbTune Pro this evening). Will be ordering one soon (Let me know if someone on here has a set of gauges they would like to sell??? ). Question: reading through the forum comments it looks like most folks use the CarbTune vac gauges. Are they really worth twice the money from a set of dial type gauges? (Just curious of your thoughts) Another question: Pilot circuit (air mixture screw) adjustment. Can this be done with vacuum gauges? (Note: I've set everything to 2-1/2 turns out as baseline) Thanks for the replies! Pwells Paul Wells

Purchased an 87 VR a last week (named it PV1... cause I actually bought two VRs... this one, and an 86 (named PV2)). Normal story with PV1... been sitting a while... has some carb issues. I've pulled the carbs (twice, so far). First time was to fix an overflow issue with carb #2 . Float tab had pulled away from the float needle. Easy fix. Got it started (without pouring fuel out the overflow)... but running poorly. Pulled the carbs a second time to clean every every nook and cranny in it. Bike starts easy now. Idles good. Problem: Bike does not throttle up worth a hoot. Running at least 1/4 to 1/2 choke helps tremendously. Assuming this is a pilot circuit issue (though I cleaned the pilot circuit very good) or possibly a vacuum issue. I've read several forum posts where folks have had to go through the carbs multiple times to get them right. Things I've done: -disassembled carbs (one at a time) and cleaned. -used Seafoam Deep Creek; Carb Cleaner; compressed air; one pilot jets was totally clogged; some gunk in the bottom of a couple of the bowls; -all jets were sprayed and cleaned several times. I also ran a carb orifice cleaning tool through everything... and ran a small wire through the pilot jets to clean them out. I had good round circles in all jets when holding them up to a light. Sprayed carb cleaner and compressed air through every hole I could find. Reassembled carbs... bike still did not throttle up worth a hoot. -Sprayed carb cleaner all around looking for a vacuum leak. Didn't really find anything. -I filled the pilot circuit with Sea Foam Deep Creek and let it sit over night. -Disassembled diaphragm ends and all rubber is intact and looks good. Cleaned and shined the slides. Sprayed jet. -removed pilot adjuster screws (screw/spring/washer/oring). Cleaned good. Ends looked good. No deformity. Bike still won't throttle up worth a hoot. *Note: I did not replace any orings or gaskets in the carb. Things I've noticed: -vacuum ports on the intake boots do not have individual hose caps on them. Carbs 3 and 4 are connected together with a short tube (port to port). Carbs 1 and 2 are connected to a tee which splits off and goes north to the boost port (not sure what the boost port is. I've not researched that one yet). Question: Is that configuration okay? (Note: I've tired reconfiguring it to have individual caps on them. This did not change anything). -Right side carbs (3 and 4): If I remove the vacuum line from either port (Remember, those two carbs have a joined vac line).... the motor immediately tries to die unless I add throttle. -Left side carbs (1 and 2): If I remove the vacuum line from either port... the motor speeds up a bit. (Remember, those carbs have a common vac line that also goes to boost). -Right side carbs: With the airbox off... if I spray carb cleaner into the throat of either carburetor the engine starts to die (quickly). -Left side carbs: If I spray carb cleaner into the throat of either carb throat... nothing happens. (I mean nothing! Engine does not speed up). Question: Why would the two sides respond differently? Currently, engine starts and idles very good. Slides pulse when I try throttling up... but, no power and it just bogs down. If I turn the choke on... of course Idle goes way fast... but, it will rev. I've added choke and rode the bike a little distance and it runs okay. Without choke... it can't even find enough power to climb my driveway. Next Steps: -My plan is to drain the carbs and fill it full of Sea Foam... turn it over a little bit and let it sit a day or two. Then drain Sea Foam and see what happens. Also... I've NOT sync'd the carbs yet. I don't have a vacuum gauge (yet). Could this be the issue? (I would not think so... but, I refer to those with more carb experience). I welcome your Thoughts? Suggestions? Additional questions? Thanks all! Paul

Hello VR World. A couple of weeks ago I couldn't even spell Venture... now I own two (2) of them :-)! I appreciate the comments to my questions on this post. The comments helped! I ended up buying two later year 1st Gens... --and 87 VR and 86 VR. Both have the normal 'been sitting up too long' issues. I am working through the issues now (and reading tons of forum stuff!). Will have more questions soon, I'm sure. Thanks, Paul

2nd gear issues with the 83, 84 and some 85 Ventures... Q1: Are there multiple 2nd gear issues with the early model Venture's?... or, is it one defect that affects so many? Q2: I read posts where riders are riding their Ventures with a bad 2nd gear. Do any of you know if it is as simple as shifting through and bypassing 2nd gear in order to ride a bike with the 2nd gear issue? Q3: can anyone explain what you feel/hear/notice with the 2nd gear issue? Is it as simple as you don't have 2nd gear and you shift around it? Or, is it crazy noisy and clunky as you shift through it? Q4: if the price is right (read cheap... very very cheap!) would it be a bad idea to purchase a Venture that has a 2nd gear issue --with the thought of riding it for a little while?... and then either fixing the issue or using the bike as a parts bike? (Or should one stay far away from this type purchase?) Q5: for those of you that have R/R'd the 2nd gear issue... would you attempt it again? Was it too much work? (Does anyone remember (estimate) the amount of time it took them?). I'm seeing some reasonably nice looking bikes with 2nd gear issues. Just trying to determine if I should consider them options... or if I should stay away from them (in any of your opinions). Thanks! Pwells

Greetings, New to the site. Previously owned an ’84 Venture (standard). Took a spill on it and have not ridden for many (many) years… but, ready to get another one. I’m considering any year model 1st gen Venture (Royale this time). I have a couple of questions for the group: --What are the differences in the ride of the early (83-85) 1st gen year models --vs-- the later (86-93) 1st gen year models? --As I’m looking… what specific things do I need to be on the lookout for to find a good/reliable bike. (I am aware of the 2nd gear issue, instrument panel connection issue). Lastly, does anyone have a bike for sale? Please tell it all, brothers... I'm wanting to make an informed decision here. I look forward to reading more of your posts and getting answers/input for my questions. Thanks, kindly! Pwells