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First place I would check is the carbs, starting with the diaphragms and checking for holes in them. They will wear and developed pin holes in them that effect the performance of the bike. There are replacement available for a number of source, but dont buy this ones from China that are on ebay cheap. Here one source that has them available. https://www.siriusconinc.com/pro-detail.php?pid=&product_id=1794 Another thing to try on the carbs is called shotgunning them with carb cleaner. Check the tech library or do a search on it in the internet and you will find a procedure on how to do that. The Vmax guys come up with it I believe and it does seem to help out with carbs that have some dirt in them. Also if they are okay or need replacing, you need to also sync the carbs and see if that helps. Most likely it is off some but shouldnt effect the bike like you are describing. I would check plug wires and spark plug cabs and replace or upgrade them if needed, and yes the spark plugs also. Becareful as there is a small o-ring that holds the sparkplug wire in the coil when you remove the wire, as you dont want to loose that. You may also need to get the valves clearances set properly if that hasnt been done or if you are not sure when the were last done. There is a kit available from one of the members here and all he request is that you buy new valve cover gaskets from him. I have an 89 and I usually average between 35 to 43 mpg depending on my wrist action and have no problem going up to redline quickly. Hope this helps. Rick F.

Looking at the pictures, are we sure this is an 89 as I have one and the colors are reversed on this one compared to mine. Also I see the bellows on the front forks also. I am thinking this is a 90 - 93 Venture actually. Also the top grainy picture is not the same bike pictured in the other photos also. I know you walked away from it and sounds like you did the right thing to me also. There is a lot of chrome on the bike but if this are old pictures it might be rusted and in bad shape also. Rick F.

I have up loaded the Yamaha factory instruction for the 86-93 rotor covers so if you get some off of Ebay you can make sure you have all the parts and how it all goes together. Hope this helps Rick F. 86-93 Rotor Cover installation instructions.pdf

Here is a place to get some carb parts.. https://www.siriusconinc.com/search_result.php?make=2&model=Venture Royale&part=All&partno=&x=56&y=16&search=search&start=0 They are the new rubber plugs for the jet block, they have some partial carb kits, as well as the SLIDE DIAPHRAGMS. There is a place in the Netherlands, https://www.carburettorshop.com/contents/en-us/d380_Mikuni_BDS_carburetor_parts_and_rebuild_kits.html They also have service kits for the carbs. Some of the parts you will need to go to Yamaha to order. You will not be able to get a new needle set as it has been discontinued from Yamaha. What ever you do, stay away from anything that is made in China. You cant trust what you will get from them and if it will fit. If the price is way too good, then run as it will do nothing but cause you issues in the future. Also check some of the items in the Tech Library and you might find information there on working on these carbs. Hope this helps you out. Rick F.

Are you looking for a rotor and caliper? Ebay is a good choice but be prepared to rebuild the caliper before using it so you know you have a good one. Rick F.

Yes, check the fork seals first. You can tell the lower fork leg with a clean dry rag and see if it is wet and oily afterwards. Rick F.

I use this and have it attached to my key chain for the bike. I set both buttons to open the garage door so when I am wearing riding gloves it doesnt matter what button I hit. https://www.chamberlain.com/universal-mini-garage-door-remote/p/MC100-P2 Hope this helps, Rick F.

I am going to pass on this years event. Right now I am replacing fork seals on my 89 and resolving a coolant leak that keep getting worse to where I can wait any longer on it. Hope everyone has a good time. Rick F.

In case you havent found them yet, here is a link to download a copy of the service manual for the first gen Ventures. These will be of some assistance in figuring out where things are and how to get to them and service them. And as always, ask us here on thing also. Rick F.

As a rule, I stay away from the China stuff as there is no way they can be using quality materials and sell if for the price they are. I try and stick with the Japan produced or Taiwan produced products. One of the places I have ordered carbs kits from is https://www.carburettorshop.com/contents/en-us/d380_Mikuni_BDS_carburetor_parts_and_rebuild_kits.html They are located in The Netherlands, so shipping can be an issue but they do offer a couple of different ways to get it here. Another sourse is https://www.siriusconinc.com/search_result.php?make=2&model=Venture Royale&part=All&partno=&x=56&y=16&search=search&start=0 They are located in Ontario Canada and offer some parts at fair prices and shipping is more reasonable also. Hope this helps. Rick F.

Here is a doc I pulled from somewhere a long time ago and it has some pictures on how to dry set the floats. Look thru this and it might help you out some with your issues. I hope this helps you out. Rick F. Carb rebuild.docx

Have you checked the plugs on the carb vacuum ports to make sure they are not cracked or leaking air and have the spring clip around them? Also have you re-synced the carbs lately and verified you can adjust each one to the properly levels. With the COPs, how are you holding them in place? I ended up cutting a hole in the rubber part of the shield and used it to keep them in place. I have read of others not doing that and the COPs moving and shorting out to the cam covers. What type of air cleaner and box are you using? Verify there are no additional holes cut into it as these carbs need vacuum to run properly. Running the engine with out the air cleaner and air box, causes the engine to run rough and not idle properly also. One the carbs, the main nozzles do wear from the needles sliding in and out of them and one of the ways to patch this is to lower the needle into the nozzle so that not as much gas is atomized into the incoming air. Some of us have done this to help improve performance and fuel economy also. Here is a link to a forum post about this. https://www.venturerider.org/forum/topic/50425-carb-metering-rod-question/ At this time, I have not been able to locate a new replacement for the Venture 1300 needles so the ones provided in the carb kits is not for our bikes. Also another problem spot is the rubber plugs in the bottom of the jet block not having a tight seal when inserted into it. If they are loose fitting, they will let fuel pass by them and this messing up the jets in the metering passages. There are replacements out there or some have been able to get them back to sealing by soaking them. Do a search in this forum should display some results for you. These are just some of the things to check for and to rule out. I try to do the simple things first before going in deep for things. On my 89 VR, I have upgraded to the Ignitech ignition box and COPs, added the shims to my carbs but also have Skydoc kit to use someday. My MPG is in the high 30s to low 40s depending on my wrist action. And I do a carb shotgun about once a season to make sure the carbs passages are clear. Hope this helps you and good luck. Rick F.

You might be able to use these with your existing sliders. I have not used them but I believe others here have. http://jbmindustries.com/Yamaha650.html Read the page and their is a reference to the Ventures further down the page. Good luck. Rick F.

Also if you dont want to use the glue, there are other sources for the diaphrams also. Sirius Consolidated Inc, out of Canada offers numerous Venture parts that are high quality. I have their diaphrams on my 89 VR for a number of years now with no issues with them so far. Here is a link to the Yamaha Venture parts. https://www.siriusconinc.com/search_result.php?make=2&model=Venture Royale&part=All&partno=&x=56&y=16&search=search&start=0 Good luck Rick F

This might of some help to you as it is the owners manual for the 1987 Venture\Venture Royale. There isnt a lot of difference between your 1986 and the 1987 and will provide you with some information you might need. https://www.venturerider.org/manuals/1987-owners.pdf There is also a service manual for the 1986-1993 Ventures available here if you want more in depth servicing on the motorcycles. https://www.venturerider.org/manuals/1986-1993 Yamaha Venture Service Manual.pdf Good luck and enjoy the bike. Rick F.

I suggest that you go to this page, and download the service manual for your Venture. It will let you know what you need to know to service it plus we are here to ask questions of also. Good luck and enjoy your Venture. Rick F.

I see the one you are talking about as I live in Bloomington. I have not seen it in person but I would replace the tires no matter what the owner says.. those are 32 years old. The coolant hoses should be ok as I know a lot of us are still running them on our Ventures. Check the gas tank for rust and yes, carbs will need a good cleaning and maybe the diaphragms replaced due to pinholes in them. Check the left side fairing around the radio and it looks like it is scuffed up there and might have been dropped, hard to say from the pictures. If you need a second opinion, I might be able to check it out with you. Just PM me here and we will see what we can work out for you. I am usually here in the evenings. Rick F.

Did you try and put the kick stand up and have it in neutral and see if the kick stand down indicator went out. It is possible that the safety neutral switch on the clutch lever is not working properly so starting it in gear with the kick stand down wouldnt let the bike turn over. That would be the first thing I would check out. Good luck and let us know what happens. Rick F.

Here is what I recorded a while back from my 89 VR for EBC brake components. EBC Brake parts Organic Pads … FA123 for both front and back. Sintered Double-H pads FA123HH Front Rotors Left… MD2096LS Right MD2096RS Rear Rotor MD2049 I hope this helps you out. You can also check Ebay as rotors show up there a lot it seems. Rick F.

The Napa part # 455318 is for the following cars: Application Summary Toyota Camry 91-83, Toyota Celica 97-90, 87-86, Toyota Corolla 97-92, 86-84, Toyota MR2 95, 86-85, Toyota Paseo 98-92, Toyota RAV4 96, Toyota Tercel 98-80, Toyota Van 89-84, Toyota Van Wagon 88 Maybe checking an auto parts store there for a thermostat for the above cars might yield you a better price. Rick F.

There are shafts for the throttle blades for the carburetors and they are located at the bottom part of the carb body. This is what we are adjusting when we are setting the carb balance. Getting the blades to open to the proper setting to balance out the vacuum. I have not seen anyone that offers these seals but someone might have them. Check the K&L catalog as they have number carb parts in there. Good luck. Rick F.

There was a mod that some of us did to our radio setups and it was called Marshall Mod as a gentleman named Marshall Gammon came up with the idea. It involved adding a second antenna to the setup. Some of the travel trunk racks have a provision added to them at the factory for adding a second factory antenna mount to the left side of the rack. We would add that mount and then add another antenna to the left side and run that directly to the radio antenna connection using a cable with a male Motorola connector to a male PL-259 connector. This bypass the splitter box that is connected to the CB radio and allows that to be removed with the CB antenna connector then move directly to the CB. You might be able to find this cable at a truck stop that has CB supplies for the truckers. I ended up with a couple of 4ft Firecracker CB antennas on each side of the travel trunk with fold down adapters and the correct length of cable running up to each radio. This did improve my FM radio reception. I cant say much about the CB as I honestly dont use it but have left it in place and connected. Every now and then I turn it on just to see if I hear anyone out there still using it. If I was going to do it over again, I would get 3 foot Firecracker CB antenna as the 4 ft ones are a little long.. I hope this helps. Rick F.

I used the Yamaha rebuild kit on mine a long time ago and have never had any issues with it. Partshark has it for $46.86 according to their website.. https://www.partshark.com/oemparts/a/yam/5107f83cf870022108d6578b/rear-master-cylinder Item #2. It also includes the piston. Personally, if I had rebuilt it as much as you have I would be looking for a different master cylinder and rebuild it and see if that made a difference as it sounds like something isnt right with that one. Good luck. Rick F.

I switch to these a while back and have liked their performance on my 89VR.. EBC V-Pads Semi-sintered. https://ebcbrakes.com/product/sintered-brake-pads/ Rick F.

The drive shaft seal for the 86-93 Ventures is replaceable and is a very tight fit. The drive shaft gear is greased by the grease in the rear axle gear case. This is different than the 83-85 Ventures. I had to replace mine when I pulled the drive shaft out as I also was getting a bit of leaking out of my assembly. If I recall I had to cut away the metal part of the seal around the drive shaft that you show in the picture and then drive the new seal onto the shaft. I believe I used a long piece of PVC pipe that was the correct diameter to do the job. For you U-joint here is a link to Tech Library with more information.. I hope this is some help to you. Rick F.