[Exhaust Confusion]

Well, the exhaust system is fully installed again, and it sounds great. I never did find any smoking gun regarding the annoying exhaust sounds. As I noted earlier, the copper beveled gaskets looked somewhat eroded. The local bike shop did not carry the beveled gaskets, but they had some copper 'o-rings' that are a Honda part. The copper o-ring has a hollow interior and is 'crushed' when the clamp is tightened. We'll see how long it lasts, but I'm optimistic.

 

Thanx again all for the assists.....Regards, John:bighug:

[Exhaust Confusion]

Thanx all for the info. I do have the copper beveled gaskets. They look somewhat eroded (don't know what new ones look like). I'll either get a pair of new ones or take a trip to a local shop and find something else that might work. At any rate, you all have left me confident that I have not misplaced something over the winter.

 

I have learned a lesson in this....do not disassemble a bike in the fall and then go out and get a couple of lab puppies. You will find that your garage time is severly restricted for the next several months.

 

Thanx again, John:cool10:

[Exhaust Confusion]

I am currently re-installing a stock exhaust system on a 1984 Venture. When I install the rear header pipes into the head 'stubs' and secure them with the clamps, the header pipes still move freely back and forth. This seems crazy to me, and I am reluctant to continue assembling of the rest of the exhaust system until I can confirm this is OK or figure out what I am doing wrong. Can someone set me straight?

 

Confused in Michigan.....John:confused24:

[Replacing Spark Plug Wires]

Thanx all...Happy New Year....!

[Replacing Spark Plug Wires]

My '84 Venture tends to not start after I have washed it. I suspect that the 23 year old ignition wires could be at least part of the problem, and I intend to replace them. My question is, what's the best way to access the coil end of the wires? Do I need to remove fairing parts or perhaps the battery compartment? Puzzled in MI... Skooter

[Need Brake Help Desperately]

I had the brakes 'come on' by themselves my '84 VR soon after I purchased it in '04. The culprit turned out to be the washer for the brake pedal. It was the wrong diameter, and when the bolt for the pedal was tightened, it would interfere with the free movement of the pedal. A little dirt or corrosion thrown into the mix, and eventually the pedal did not fully release. The brakes started dragging, which heated the brake fluid and caused it to expand, etc. A larger diameter washer, and everything was OK.

[BMW's]

Come on out to the national BMW rally in Gillette, Wyoming next July 17-20. It should be some great riding and perhaps we can improve our image.... Skooter

[Exhaust System Noise]

I have disassembled everything except the rear header to collector joints and the rear header 'stubs'. A beveled washer for one of the rear header pipes is eroded quite a bit, I'll be replacing those. I couldn't see any gaskets between the header pipes and the front cylinders. I'll take another look with a fresh set of eyes today. And I still need to get the collector off to check it out. So far this hasn't been near the cluster #$%!!!$# that I thought it would be based on experiences with automotive exhaust systems. Thanx to all for the insights.

 

Skooter

[Exhaust System Noise]

As a matter of fact, yes...I had alot of backfire noise when deaccelerating. It was more annoying than the 'nuissance' exhaust noise I described earlier. Thanks for the feedback...I had been waffling on whether to take the entire system apart. I'll let you know how things go.

 

Thanx, Skooter

[Exhaust System Noise]

Thanks for the info, SilvrT. I'll give the cement a try........Regards, Skooter

[Exhaust System Noise]

I've got an exhaust leak somewhere on my '84 Venture. I can hear it, but can't pin down where it is coming from. With winter upon us, I'm going to remove the system and take a look.

 

My question is, what parts of the system have gaskets that will need to be replaced? Also, has anyone solved a nuissance leak like this on their Venture?

 

Thanx, Skooter

[Harbor Freight Lift]

I can comment on the 'hydraulic only' Harbor Freight lift. I've had it for a couple of years and it works fine with my '84 Venture. It's probably not as robust as some of the other lifts, but it gets the job done.

[Harbor Freight Lift]

I can comment on the 'hydraulic only' Harbor Freight lift. I've had it for a couple of years and it works fine with my '84 Venture. It's probably not as robust as some of the other lifts, but it gets the job done.