chocking

Doing well here in Minnesota..still riding both my 88 and my 01...Just got in a fall color ride today...checking in on VE every now and then, but a few projects on the docket will be looking around a bit more.

I've seen the article on how to make your own, and that will be my next option of I can't find any, but wondered if anyone has taken off their links after deciding they did not work well for them..I'm 6'4", and the extra inch would be nice. Easier to buy than make if I can find any.. Thanks Clay

That's my plan..Its been years since I did my clutch..Bleed that right at the slave cylinder bleeder?

Flushing the front brake reservoir and lines until fluid was clear did the trick..amazing how crappy brown the fluid was... No more grabby.. Thanks

Picked up an 01 RSV the other day..Beautuful bike, and since I've ridden First Gens my whole life, the brakes are a bit different.The right front seems very grabby and catchy...any advice?

Cleaned carbs and synced them...correctly this time..running great again... Skydoc drain plug fix next item on agenda

Never had the chance to meet Dan , but have observed all the connections he developed on the site over the years. Whenever I posted some obscure problem with my first Gens, Dan was always an early contributor of ideas. Sad to hear this news. Sympathy to his family and all his friends on here. The great reminder...Life is short, and we are never guaranteed tomorrow.. Clay

Ran perfect after carb rebuild....Ran like a raped ape...could not believe the torc and power it had...Its a crazy thing....I give it gas and it goes fair, but then suddenly surges and take off much faster...same thing in each gear....seems to kick in about 4000rpms..and the MPG have just tanked

Thanks...Yep..As always. the diaphrams could have an issue..I should double check them....just in case....any idea on where to get replacements..I know the factory ones..if available are super expensive, but have not had any experience with aftermarket ones.It's a bit of a mystery... have ridden these ventures for 20 years, and have not felt this surging sensation nor lack of power .....

Hello, Still experiencing an issue with my 89..Carbs have been professionally redone, new plugs and wires , sync is good, slides are working well, starts perfect, idles and purrs like a kitten, but has a lack of power, especially as I accelerate..tends to surge..especially around 4000 rpms..The bike is rideable, but my mileage has dropped from 40 to about 34. I've been doing some research, and it appears that the spark advance could be the issue...which points me to the pressure sensor vaccum or a bad TCI. Anyone who has dealt with a pressure sensor issue? What are/ were the outward symptoms....I've looked at the mannual on how to test it, but I'm not much with that skill.. Thanks Clay

Thanks a lot for the post and the diagram...hoping it might be as simple as this..Really appreciate all the advice

Does anyone know the location of the gas tank vent...where it is located and where the tube runs???....I filled the tank to the brim last night for a long ride...wondering if the tank is not venting, and i'm getting a type of vapor/ vaccum lock?

Excellent....Hoping its a fuel filter or something else ...since the pump for the 84 has been in a box for 7 years.. not sure all the rubber inside would still be good..

Ugh......I've about had it with my new 88 VR....If its not one thing, its another. this morning heading to work, the bike just quit running...Rode 200 miles yesterday and all was fine..today 5 blocks from home..stops and had to be pushed back home...up hill.... Will start, but give it any gas and it stalls..starving for fuel..Click the on/off switch and the pump seems to click for much longer than usual....7- 1o seconds, then stops clicking....do it again and the same thing...just not getting fuel to the carbs... just had the carbs all cleaned and done professionally a few weeks ago, so that's not it-- has been running like a charm just put a new fuel filter on 3 weeks ago when doing a spring tune up. Seems like it's not getting gas to the pump...Will have to check out tonight after work, ....but in case...I have an extra pump off my 84... My question...Are the pumps off the early first gens the same as the pumps off an 88? Are they interchangeable???

Thanks for the thoughts.. Had put in new plugs...Going to try new wires too , but really dont think that's it.. I've been thinking about the TCI possibly..wondering about a spark advance.don't know though..the PO was not really much of a rider..Did not know a whole lot.. did check for all possible vaccum leaks...checked the spark advance line too...seems to be working Also thinking about a compression check, but bike only has 40,000 miles.. would not think valves could be too tight yet. I'm thinking about taking carbs apart and having them ultrasonically cleaned, then try again..

We have synced it with a carb tune...The sync is pretty close.. We have taken the carbs totally apart and cleaned things well twice....nothing plugged..really checked the pilot jet circuit ... Hard to tell if its a too much gas or not enough...Just lots of backfire and popping while riding in just about any gear except 2nd. checked the reistance in plug caps ..okay there... Checked float height roughly when in the cars... no overflow for sure...not a stuff float either.. And yea...and taking it out on the road..it coughs and bacfires above 3000 too This one has us both really stumped, and really disappointed...Usually we get stuff all worked out.. I'm thinking maybe taking it to a professional for an ultrasonic cleaning. Going to order new wires and caps too.....really dont think thats it at all, but never can hurt Clay

okay...so My fellow Venture Rider buddy and I have exhausted our brains... need help with 2 main issues. Idles okay now... bought a 88 VR last fall that would not run unless half choke..knew it needed carb work..this spring we pulled the carbs, put in new jets, new pilot jet, cleaned them up well, put in new idle air mix screws, 4 diaphrams are good..resistance through the caps is good. clipped wire ends and recapped at cylinder end 1. When air mixture needle is turned completely closed on cylinder 2 , nothing changes at all.. no change ....new plugs all seem look the same..seemed to work at one point, but now nothing 2.also stumbles the minute you give it throttle...especially when you twist it fast..not as much with gradual throttle. once you get above 2200 RPMs , it seems to clear up a bit..but something is still not right.. Not sure where to look next..totally baffled...any expert help requested and desired Thanks Clay

It's actually on my 1988 VR...The 83 I know is different...

Petcock leaking where it attaches to bottom if tank..have removed tank..any clue where to get the gaskets for this? Thanks Clay

Thanks for the tips and ideas..Really appreciated...I've had a couple folks suggest using a small propane torch....( obviously unlit) to test around areas instead of spray....less mess...but as effective???

Picked up a nice 88 with 30,000 miles on it to add to my 84 in the garage...This will be my 4th 1st Gen...just cant get away from the original All good, except that is simply does not want to start or run unless the choke is halfway open or better..Have run a bunch of seafoam through it...Taken all plugs out and they all are the same...a bit wet and dark from too much fuel with the choke open, but otherwise all look exactly the same. The idle when it doe run is up and down.. and at higher speeds do get a bit of light backfire.. which is not unexpected with an overly rich mixture going in...does seem to run pretty decent at higher speeds Thought it might be a pilot jet, and still am not convinced as the PO said he had the carbs cleaned last year...seemed to be accurate on other aspects of the bike...still plan on cleaning those I took a can of carb cleaner and sprayed around the carbs and the rpms rev up quite high..just cant really tell where a leak might be...carb boots, vacuum line or where... Looking for a place and way to better identify possible vacuum leaks..Any ideas... Thanks Clay

Current and past owner of several ventures..looking at another 89..pretty clean..71,000 miles..dealer wants 2600 plus tax...fair price or a bit high for the miles..? Thanks Clay

That's exactly what happens to mine.. For now i have simply carried an 8mm, a small syringe and fluid...But what a hassle..and i know im not getting max braking The tip of a turkey baster does work perfect for in garage work.. I'm just baffled as to where the air is getting in

Hello, Getting to be that time of the year in Wisconsin where you start thinking about how we may only have 3 months left of winter...time to do necessary work to be on the road by May I have for the last year battled my rear brake on my 1984 VR. A couple years ago I replaced all lines on brakes with stainless steel...delinked them and put a MKII rear master cylinder on..Think I got it from Skydoc....greatly increased braking power However..I chronically lose pressure on my rear..no loss of fluid so i obviously have an air leak...I checked all options with connections.. It seems to me that either my rear master needs to be rebuilt or my rear caliper is letting air in..Either way I am tired of bleeding brakes every 2 weeks. Suggestions?? Where would be the best place to order a rebuild kit for the rear master and I'm wondering about maybe picking up a used rear caliper.. I did disassemble the rear caliper a few years back...I know they suggest not to..I don't think that is the problem, but it's still an option. Thanks Clay

I have been dealing with the same type of issue..no fluid leak on my 84 with an updated MKII rear master, but I'll slowly build up air in the lines and loose all rear brake. Not sure if it is a rear caliper leak or master cylinder leak??? Have new braided line on from 1 year ago... Better to rebuild rear caliper or simply buy a used one...And any good places to get a master rebuild kit Thanks Clay