Ozmonster

Nothing bums you out more than purchasing a used vehicle and having it break down a week later, well 9 days. Was out for a blast down the highway last Friday, rolling down the off ramp, hit a pot hole and the bike dies, nothing working but the radio. Called a friend who showed up with some tooling. Check of the fuses showed that they were all good, and power right up to the switch, but nothing out. Trailered the bike to our shop, 3 hours later, got it going again. No problems for the next couple days, and unfortunately my computer was in for service, so no way to read up on the site about the problem. Then on Tuesday, about 15 kms from home, bike just dies, except for the radio. Check of the switch this time did not solve problem, so, trailered her home. Contacted the dealer for a price check on a switch, $288.00, YOU GOT TO BE FRIGGIN KIDDING ME!!!! Got our computer back the next day, straight to Venturerider, and find out that there are a few good posts on the issue. All of them explain how to prevent it, or the emergency repair proceedure to at least drive the bike home. One member even mentioned repairing his switch, but no details. So I thought I'd tackle it myself, and post the repair of the switch for anyone like me, to damn cheap to pay outragious dealer mark-up prices. Started by removing the seat, tank and front frame panels to gain good access to the switch. Had previously noted the rounded off bolt heads, obviously done after assembly, as a anti-theft measure, as the steering lock is part of the switch assembly. Had puzzled over how to remove the bolts, and had read of others using dremels to cut out the weld nuts, or cut slots into the heads. I decided to take a different route, and treated them and broken bolts, and used an extractor set. First - center punch and pilot drill the bolts, then drill them out to the size required for the extractor, I used a 1/4" Snap-on extractor tool. Install tool and remove bolts, I had purchased new bolts to replace the old ones, as they were obviously destroyed when removed. Second - with the switch now out, I cleaned it with electrical component cleaner. I then removed the 2 philips head screws from the bottom of the assembly. Carefully separate the switch assembly, and make note of the position of the contactor before removing it. With the switch now opened up, the problem was very obvious, the red lead solder joint had failed. I also noted that the lead was dis-coloured and the plate had small cracks around the solder points. Third - Cleaned solder point with abrasive pad, and applied flux, then re-soldered joint. After cooling, the plate was flipped over and the contacts dressed, prior to re-assembly. Fourth - Switch assembly was then re-assembled, and before final tightening, an ohm reading was taken in the "ON" position, all leads that were to have continuity did. Philips screws had lock tight applied and were tightened in. Fifth - Re-installed switch onto frame, and terminated all wiring. At this time I installed the "Relay Modification" to prevent any further issues from occurring in the future. However, I did make up a "Emergency By-pass" kit, 2 leads, toggle switch, and cable splice crimps. Placed it in a zip-loc baggie and put it in the right saddle bag, tool kit area, better to have it and not need it, then need it and not have it. With all the repairs done, the tank, covers and seat were placed back on the bike, which fired up and ran great, and took off for a 3 hour test ride. All worked out great. Hopefully this will help others tackle the switch issue, providing the plate isn't damaged beyond use, you should be able to salvage the switch.

Nothing bums you out more than purchasing a used vehicle and having it break down a week later, well 9 days. Was out for a blast down the highway last Friday, rolling down the off ramp, hit a pot hole and the bike dies, nothing working but the radio. Called a friend who showed up with some tooling. Check of the fuses showed that they were all good, and power right up to the switch, but nothing out. Trailered the bike to our shop, 3 hours later, got it going again. No problems for the next couple days, and unfortunately my computer was in for service, so no way to read up on the site about the problem. Then on Tuesday, about 15 kms from home, bike just dies, except for the radio. Check of the switch this time did not solve problem, so, trailered her home. Contacted the dealer for a price check on a switch, $288.00, YOU GOT TO BE FRIGGIN KIDDING ME!!!! Got our computer back the next day, straight to Venturerider, and find out that there are a few good posts on the issue. All of them explain how to prevent it, or the emergency repair proceedure to at least drive the bike home. One member even mentioned repairing his switch, but no details. So I thought I'd tackle it myself, and post the repair of the switch for anyone like me, to damn cheap to pay outragious dealer mark-up prices. Started by removing the seat, tank and front frame panels to gain good access to the switch. Had previously noted the rounded off bolt heads, obviously done after assembly, as a anti-theft measure, as the steering lock is part of the switch assembly. Had puzzled over how to remove the bolts, and had read of others using dremels to cut out the weld nuts, or cut slots into the heads. I decided to take a different route, and treated them and broken bolts, and used an extractor set. First - center punch and pilot drill the bolts, then drill them out to the size required for the extractor, I used a 1/4" Snap-on extractor tool. Install tool and remove bolts, I had purchased new bolts to replace the old ones, as they were obviously destroyed when removed. Second - with the switch now out, I cleaned it with electrical component cleaner. I then removed the 2 philips head screws from the bottom of the assembly. Carefully separate the switch assembly, and make note of the position of the contactor before removing it. With the switch now opened up, the problem was very obvious, the red lead solder joint had failed. I also noted that the lead was dis-coloured and the plate had small cracks around the solder points. Third - Cleaned solder point with abrasive pad, and applied flux, then re-soldered joint. After cooling, the plate was flipped over and the contacts dressed, prior to re-assembly. Fourth - Switch assembly was then re-assembled, and before final tightening, an ohm reading was taken in the "ON" position, all leads that were to have continuity did. Philips screws had lock tight applied and were tightened in. Fifth - Re-installed switch onto frame, and terminated all wiring. At this time I installed the "Relay Modification" to prevent any further issues from occurring in the future. However, I did make up a "Emergency By-pass" kit, 2 leads, toggle switch, and cable splice crimps. Placed it in a zip-loc baggie and put it in the right saddle bag, tool kit area, better to have it and not need it, then need it and not have it. With all the repairs done, the tank, covers and seat were placed back on the bike, which fired up and ran great, and took off for a 3 hour test ride. All worked out great. Hopefully this will help others tackle the switch issue, providing the plate isn't damaged beyond use, you should be able to salvage the switch.

It's been a long hard search, but found the exact colour, and mileage range that I was looking for, and she was only 65 Kms from home, even managed to get the price that I was hoping for. Picked her up today and rode her home, totally different ride than the 84, but very comfortable. My son is extremely impressed with the colour and chrome, in his words "OOOOOOOOH SHINY!!"

It just goes to show what happens when most of our politians are lawyers, and bleeding heart liberals to boot. She should have done jail time, no plea bargains, a life was taken. It sickens me that criminals have more rights than the victims!

It's been awhile since I've posted, had a long and busy riding season, no time for the computer, put over 12,000 Kms on the VR from April to October. I also had the sad honour of attending 4 repatriation ceremonies, as a member of "The C.A.V."(Canadian Army Veterans Motorcycle Unit), between August and December, the latest one last night I just thought I'd like to post some of my thoughts that came to me after last nights event, as well as a link for a media article by one of the local papers. We gather in the dark, the night is cold, but we seem not to notice, there is nervous tension in the air as word comes down, "they're crossing Younge St." We tense for the command, and look into the eyes of those around, then the street is awash in flashing lights, as they round the corner. "Honour Guard, Attention, to the Fallen Sallute." With quiet respect, we stand rigid, removing head-dress, or saluting. As the long black vehicles pass, there is a tightness felt in our chests, and the tears running from our eyes, are not caused by the cold winter wind. It is a sharing of the grief of the loved ones left behind, and of sense of great pride and thanks for those that carry on the mission, even though our comrades have fallen. They will be greatly missed, the mission will go on, but THEY! WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN! Ozzie http://www.torontosun.com/news/2008/12/08/7677991.html

WOW! Just a quick update on the scoot since the re-build of the tranny. I've had her out everyday since Saturday, from short little runs to a trip down to Hamilton and Cambridge and back. Man 'O' Man what a difference with the second gear working properly. Taking off from a light or stop sign on a back road, and just winding her out, WHAT A BLAST! Now I remember why I fell in love with these bikes all those years ago. Comfort and speed. Ozzie:cool10::cool10:

Wizard When you finally do get ready, I've got a complete list of gaskets/seals/gears that I required for the repair, picked everything up from Cycle City in Burlington, cheapest dealership for the parts. I checked every dealership from Burlington to Pickering, and they came in almost $80-100 cheaper. Got on pretty good terms with Rena in parts, she's a sweety. As for special tools, I didn't need to make the home press, used the one from work, made things alot easier taking the gears off the shaft, and re-assembling the new shaft. If you need any help when you get into yours, just drop me a line, and if I'm not out of the province or country with work, I'll give you a hand. Ozzie

Well got started on her late, due to Artic trip and freighter generator overhauls, but I finally got into the tranny on Sat 29 Mar 08, and turned the key and test rode her Wed 09 Apr 08. All told the job took me 43 hours, split into 7 days of actually in the garage. Spent some time waiting for parts, 5 days for a bearing retainer clip screw. Broke when taking it out, and ordered replacement, actually still haven't got it yet. After 3 days I went to a Nut and Bolt supplier we deal with through work and purchased 3 new, allen wrench instead of philips head, flat heads. Much nicer than the originals, and way easier to torque in, no impact driver. The last day was a bugger, after all the sweat and grief getting the drivers floor boards installed, terminating the brake and shifter linkages, when I took her for the test ride, I'd put the shifter linkage clamp on 180 degrees out, so she was shifting 1 up, and 4 down, LOL, well it was 0300 in the morning. Flipped it the next afternoon, and took her out for another run, much better. All in all I'm glad I tackled it, got to know my ride very intimately, and the cost savings over having a shop do it were huge. Wouldn't recommend it for anyone who is not confident in there mechanical abilities to tackle it alone. The only help I had was the day I pulled the engine out, and a couple hours help the day I put it back in, all the rest was solo, just me and the ride in the garage. I would offer my help to any members in my area who ever try and tackle this one though. Having someone who's done it would definately make life a lot easier. See you on the black top. Ozzie:cool10:

Been home a couple weeks, and with the nicer weather, decided it was time to get the second gear issue taken care of before riding season got into full swing. Spent yesterday afternoon stripping the scoot and hauling out the power pack. Then spent a couple hours in the garage stripping the power pack down, and cleaning the parts. When I had the drive shaft in the parts bath, after I'd gotten all the old grease off her, something didn't quite look right. Under closer inspection, I found that the teeth on the rear of the shaft looked like an ol' Inuit women's smile, half of the teeth were gone. It looks like every tooth is half worn out. So now I'm in the hunt for a replacement drive shaft. Will check with the local cycle salvage yards, but thought I'd post with the real experts and see if anyone has a spare that they'd let go cheap. 84 Venture Royale. Ozzie

Hey all, After the snow storm that hit us last week, we were all begining to think that spring would never get here. Well had to work yesterday, got to the freighter at 0700, still a little dark and cold out, got on board, up to the bowthruster room and down into the engine room. Put on the classic rock and got to it, by 1300 had run out of things to do, so decided to pack it in. Got up on deck and WOW ! What a beautiful day, +7 C/ 42 F, sunny and next to no wind. Raced home, chizzled the ice from in front of the garage, wheeled out the scoot, a quick charge to the battery while I showered, and fired her up. Got the gear on, and headed out for a ride, drove down to Milton, around town, then the clouds moved in, and headed home. Was laughing and smiling the whole time, got a number of looks like I'd lost my mind from the cagers, but like the song says, " if you don't ride, you don't know ". Can't wait for the real thing to finally get here. Oz

DAMN I WISH WE HAD POLITIONS LIKE THAT, I'm so bloody sick of criminals having more rights than the victims in our country! If we could only get a government with some back bone, and let us protect our families and property. It's gotten to a point were if you see a crime in place, and try to stop it the criminal's lawer makes you out to be the animal in the event, and you end being charged. I've told my wife I pity the idiot who comes into our house, no guns, baseball bat, and no call to the police, wait till the next night and dispose of the body.

I'd be interested in 2. Oz

Had this link sent to me from my father, thought I'd pass it along to a group of people I knew would appreciate it. This one hits it right on the head. Oz [ame= ] [/ame]

Hey all I know it's been awhile, but it's been a busy couple weeks. Was back up to the mine site at the northern end of the island, for 2 weeks, then was shipped out to a remote community to service their back-up generators for them, and just got back into Iqaluit today. Good news is, the other sites they wanted me to go out to have cancelled for the time being, which means I can come home. They've got me booked out, and I'll be heading south in the next couple days. WOO HOOO! Can't wait to get back to some sembliance of normal temperatures, as one of the boys I was working with said, "I'm going to hug a tree, and trip on a curb." Oz

Hey all Thought I'd update you on my artic adventure. Was back in Iqaluit last week, and on the Sunday, the temperature crept up to -25C/-13F, so we dawned our insulated cover-alls, bella-clavas, and artic mitts, and headed out on the snowmobiles for some fun. Spent 3 hours out in the back country, and out onto the pack ice. The best part was out on the ice, we had some good level runs, so wound the machines out to 75 m/hr and had a blast. Then it was back on a plane and back upto the mine site. Temperature on site today hit -47C/-52.6F, and -60C/-76F with the wind chill. We're having a hell of a time keeping the tent heaters going, it's so damn cold, the fuel is starting to freeze. My tents heater died twice last night, let me tell you, the heat don't hang around long. Well, looking forward to getting home within the next 3 weeks, can't wait, the shrinkage factor in these temperatures is brutal, wouldn't want it to become permanent. Oz