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Freebird

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  1. Freebird
    OK....here is my initial report on the VMAX rear end. It has rained here off and on all day today so I didn't get to ride as much as I wanted to but did manage to get about 30 miles in just to do some preliminary tests. First of all I will say that in my opinion, this is the gearing that Yamaha should have put in these bikes. I know that the RSV was built as more of a cruiser but I think they went too far with the high gearing, especially in 5th gear. I realize that these are not sport bikes but they are not high torque VTwins either. These V4s like to rev and the need to get up some RPMs before they really find their power bands. It's almost like Yamaha tried to get that high torque, low RPM loping out of these bikes and these engines just aren't made for that. With the original rear end, I was running 4,000 RPM in 4th gear and about 3100 or so in 5th gear both of these at 70 MPH. With the VMAX rear, the RPMs are running almost exactly 500 higher at the same speed. About 4500 RPM in 4th at 70 MPH and about 3600 RPM in 5th at 70 MPH. Of course 1-3 run higher at any given speed also so you will be shifting out of the lower gears a bit quicker. I find the performance to be significantly increased with the VMAX rear. From strictly a seat of the pants feeling, it really jumps when you take off and hammer it through the gears. In more casual riding, it feels much better now when you roll on the throttle in 5th gear. Before the swap, anything below 60 MPH you just pretty much had to downshift to 4th if you wanted to accelerate. With the VMAX rear, it's not a rocket but you have decent acceleration when you roll on from 60 MPH and it's not even bad from 50 MPH. While the 4000 RPM in 4th at 70 MPH was equivalent to the first gen in 5th gear, it still seemed just a bit much .... probably because we are so used to the engine loping along at 3000 or so RPM in 5th. The 3600 RPM in 5th with the new rear end feels really good though. Doesn't feel like it is wrapped too tight and yet you still have good acceleration when you roll on the throttle. This is an easy modification. If you have a lift, you can do it. If you have ever pulled your rear end to grease the drive shaft, splines, etc., you have done it already. Same thing except you put this rear end back instead of the one that you remove. So...that's about all I can tell you for now. At this point, I am VERY happy with the results and wish I had done this 8 years ago. I am anxious to put some freeway or good state route miles on it to see what the gas mileage does but to be honest, based upon my earlier tests running in 4th gear, I really expect this to have no negative affect on mileage and even halfway expect to see an increase. I am also anxious to try it with my loaded trailer behind me. I KNOW this is going to be MUCH better in that case.
  2. Freebird
    Done already. I was up at 6:30 this morning and got right on it. Took me about an hour to do the swap and that included pulling the saddlebags, mufflers, rear wheel, pulling the rear end, greasing the drive shaft, etc. All that I need to do now is put the rear wheel, mufflers, bags back on but I can't do that until the local shop opens here and I get the new tire put on. Also going to put on some new rear brake pads while I have it down. Should be able to get it out for a test ride this afternoon and report the results.
  3. Freebird
    Well, I am home again and the VMAX rear was here waiting on me. I will get it installed tomorrow probably. I'm so anxious to get it done that I almost did it tonight but I'm beat and also, really want to get a new rear tire mounted tomorrow while I have it apart. As bad as I hate it, I guess I'm going to mount a Bridgestone to get me through the rest of this summer. Jerry M gave me the rear wheel and tire off his RSTD that he had left after his trike conversion. The Bridgestone tire only has about 2,000 miles on it so I figure I will just use it for the rest of the summer and then put on new front and rear tires next spring. The problem is, the wheel that he gave me is black and my Venture has the gray wheels. I have another new wheel that I bought off Ebay minus tire and brake rotor. So, I will remove the rotor off the one he gave me and put it and the tire off the other wheel that I bought. I will then sell his "like new" wheel on Ebay and send him the money.
  4. Freebird
    The problem with this entire whine/chirp problem is that it is not the same sound that people complain about. The RSV does indeed use straight cut gears and though very strong, they are noisy. All of the RSV and RSTDs are going to have noisy transmissions. This is the case that I believe different weights of oils and etc. may help. I have always described this sound as that of the old granny gear trucks and etc. that when you let off the gas and let them coast down, you could hear that whine from the transmission or rear end. This is what I think Yamaha claims is normal and I pretty much agree with them. Some find it to be an irritation but that's just the nature of the beast. Now there have been a number of cases where this whine IS excessive but in those cases, it has turned out to be problems with the rear end, NOT the tranny or clutch basket. Improper rear alignment, bad wheel bearings, etc. have been the cause of that problem. The clutch basket is an entirely different sound. It is a high pitched chirping sound. I describe it as that of a canary on steroids. That is the sound that some of these bikes have and others don't. It is NOT normal. Some bikes have the problem, some don't. In those that do, the volume and RPM at which it occurs varies. This is the problem that Yamaha should be ashamed of and have tried for almost 10 years...actually longer...to deny. It is a real problem that they should have corrected. I'm not sure exactly what they are missing in quality control but I believe it has to do with the clearances in the clutch basket. It is a tolerance issue that I believe could be corrected at the factory but for reasons know only to them, they have chosen to ignore it expect for those who really complain about it.
  5. Freebird
    Apparently Harley has had some complaints also. The dealer that I talked to this week admitted to me that they had a lot of complaints with the new 6 speed tranny but only in 5th gear. According to him, that is apparently the gear that most use as 6th is really an overdrive/freeway gear. He said that they do use a straight cut gear and the whine has really annoyed some people. He also said that though Harley has mentioned no changes/improvements at all that the '08s seem to be MUCH quieter. Can people on the side of the road hear it? Yes, if the clutch basket chirp is bad, they can hear it. I remember several years ago after Rick Butler bought his first second gen and came by my house in Dallas. I was out in the driveway doing something when he drove up and I heard it when he turned off the road. I already owned mine then and had heard about the chirping but had not heard it in person. That was when I knew that the sound is NOT normal and that NOT all the RSVs were afflicted with it.
  6. Freebird
    Here is the firm that I used: http://www.kahnandassociates.com/office_locations.php
  7. Freebird
    Folks....I understand your frustration and if you want to send letters, I promise to send one also but I can tell you that it's pretty much a waste of time. Been there and done that already. About 4 or 5 years ago, we did this exact thing. I don't remember how many letters we had but there were a LOT, we sent them "Deliver confirmation required" to Yamaha. Never got a response. Even worse than the fact that they never responded, months and years after that we had members who would call Yamaha about this problem and Yamaha would say "this is the first that we have heard of this problem". They completely refused to even acknowledge it. I am also not a big fan of class action lawsuits. It seems that they always end with the plaintiffs getting some stupid settlement such as $200.00 off the purchase of any new Yamaha bike while the lawyers end up with all the money. Sorry to say it but, in my opinion, the only way to get your issue resolved is by individual legal action. I can tell you from experience that it will take months and/or years of playing the waiting game. There are a lot of "lemon law legal firms" who will take your case for free. Absolutely no money from you up front or at any time. They will take their fee after you settle. I can recommend a firm in Ohio that did a good job for me in a similar case but remember, don't bother if you don't have the patience to see it through. It took me almost 18 months to finally get it resolved. The wheels of justice turn very slow.
  8. Freebird
    There is certainly something wrong but I have no idea what. This is the first I've heard of these bikes bottoming out. Even with much less air pressure in the shock, I've never had that problem. Something is wrong and they need to figure out what it is.
  9. Freebird
    Nice color and height options but it looks like they are the same width as the stock shields. I like the wider shields.
  10. Freebird
    I've heard of it and experienced it. Not uncommon. Mine does it also but I've never tried to figure out why. I seldom use the horn so haven't worried about it.
  11. Freebird
    I will be doing it this weekend. I only had one day home after getting home from Fort Collins and then leaving for a business trip. I plan to install and try it out over the weekend though and will report my results. I can tell you though, if Rick said it works, I have no doubts.
  12. Freebird
    I love the Clearview shields...in my opinion...they are the best you can buy. I also like the vent but I really think that the round vents that V7Goose found and Squidley has installed several for people here are a better choice. I think that the next time I get a new shield, I will order it without the vent and just install the round ones. My present shield has BOTH.
  13. Freebird

    link's

    Freebird replied to dray's topic in Trailer Talk

    Stickie's come and go. It would be best to add it to the "Links" page.
  14. Freebird
    I do have a tach on my bike. 3200 RPM at 70 MPH in 5th gear is just about dead on. That is true 70 MPH with Speedohealer. In 4th gear, it is almost dead on at 4000 RPM.
  15. Freebird
    I posted this in another thread but decided it would be best served in a thread of its own. As some here have stated before, and I agree 100%, the rear brakes on these bikes are WAY to sensitive. Some have argued that if you truly get to know your bike that it's not a problem but many have reported locking the rear brake in a panic situation. I know that I have done so a couple of times. The rear brakes just lock up way to easily and that is NOT a good thing. I've known Rick for a long time and though I don't profess to be a Venture expert, much of what I've learned about both the first and second gen Venture, I learned from Rick. He has been riding these bikes since they came out in '83 and I do consider him to be an expert on them. Rick has built SS Ventures and come up with a lot of good ideas where the Ventures are concerned. Rick realized early on that the rear brakes left a lot to be desired. I'll let him tell how he came to that conclusion in his own mind but after doing so, he set out to improve the system. He started out trying to link the front and rear as the first gen Ventures were. That turned out to not be the best solution though. He then came up with a system that incorporates a proportioning valve inline to the rear caliper and said that the rear braking is drastically improved. He send me one to test and evaluate on my own bike and it came while I was in Fort Collins. It will be an easy install and I'll get it done next weekend and try it out. I will then report my feelings about it here. If I'm as impressed with it as Rick is, then he plans to put it together as a kit and sell it to anybody who wants it. It is Rick's opinion that the system is good enough that it could actually save somebodies life. I know Rick well enough that if he is that confident with it, then I certainly want it on my bike.
  16. Freebird
    John does all the work. You can send him your rear end and he will install the new gears, any new seals, gaskets, etc. that you need. Adjust the backlash and etc. and get it all set up properly and then send it back to you. That is $300.00. If you want to minimize your downtime, you can do what I did and send him a $300.00 core deposit also. That means that your total is $600.00. He will send you a new rear end ready to go and when he receives yours back, he will credit you the $300.00 core charge. If you want to keep your rear end along with the new one, it is $600.00. I will send him my rear end as I never plan to go back to stock. That's how confident I am with this change. To me, it's a good deal.
  17. Freebird
    Oh Eddie Eddie Eddie...we are NEVER done. Actually, I am also adding a rear brake modification that will be offered here by Rick Butler. I'll get it installed next weekend and check it out. The rear brakes on these bikes is just way too sensitive. Rick started out looking at a way to link the front and rear brakes as they were on the first gen but came up with another solution that he says works GREAT. I've known Rick for a long time and can tell you, if he says it works great, it works great. It consists of a new SS line and a modulator valve that will give good controlled stops without locking up the rear in a panic situation. Looks to be an easy install and I thought about doing it today but am just not in the mood.
  18. Freebird
    Check this thread. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=12800
  19. Freebird
    The $300.00 is with exchange so I won't have any to sell. Good suggestion though if I were to have kept them.
  20. Freebird
    I've actually found 7.5% to be pretty much dead on. I started there because that is what the guy who wrote the instructions had ended up with and I found it to be correct. I've also ridden with a lot of other folks on the RSV and we seemed to always be about the same percentage off. I would start with 7.5% first.
  21. Freebird
    I'm not sure. I emailed and talked to him on the telephone so really not sure which one it would have been on the site. He is shipping mine on Monday so I should get it installed next weekend and take it for a trial run.
  22. Freebird
    I've seen a couple of posts lately where 2nd gen owners have reported ignition coil failures. I think that both of those bikes were under warranty so you bet I would let Yamaha replace them. For those who are out of warranty though, there is an alternative. Dyna, same people who make the Dyna 2000..now 3000...ignition module also sell coils. If and when I ever need to replace my coils or wires, I will try the Dyna units. I know that Dyna makes quality products and I like the fact that the wires are not molded into the coils so you can change the wires when you need to. I'll never understand why Yamaha molded the wires into the coils on these bikes. Makes no sense at all to me.
  23. Freebird
    That is exactly right and is why I am doing this. At present time, I'm running about 3100 RPM at 70 MPH in 5th gear. NOTE: This is actual speed as I have the Speedohealer installed and calibrated. Your indicated speeds will be about 7 1/2% higher. The VMAX rear should put me at about 3600 RPM at the same speed in 5th gear. That is a MUCH better RPM range for staying in the power band of these bikes. On the way to Fort Collins, there was a first gen riding with us and he was running 4000 RPM in 5th gear. I ran one entire tank of gas in 4th gear at 70 MPH and my RPMs were exactly 4000, same as the first gen running in 5th gear. I don't know if 4000 in 5th is normal for a first gen or not. He may be running a VMAX rear also, I doubt it though. At any rate, the 4000 RPM in 4th did very well but I think that 3600 will be perfect. Coming home, I've been running 80 MPH most of the time. Riding one up and pulling the trailer. Fighting a heavy headwind, I've found myself at full throttle a number if times while climbing small but long hills and have actually had to downshift quiet a few times to maintain speed. I am confident that the change to the VMAX rear will be a fantastic improvement for our bikes. I am also confident that in the same riding conditions, fuel mileage will actually improve. When you are lugging the engine in these situations and those carbs are wide open, you are really sucking the gas.
  24. Freebird
    Sorry...I'm sure I won't be doing a Dyno but I will check RPMs at various speeds to compare the before and after. I have no doubt at all that this is going to be a major improvement over the stock setup.
  25. Freebird
    Well folks, after riding in the mountains and even general highway speeds on the RSV, I am more than convinced that 5th gear is just too high on these bikes. I actually did an experiment on the way to Colorado. Bob Dakin was riding two up and pulling a trailer also. For a complete tank of gas, I kept my bike in 4th gear as opposed to him running in 5th. At the next fill up, I needed the exact same amount of gas that he did. I am convinced that the overdrive is just too high a gear and are getting us out of the optimum power band. So, this morning I ordered a VMAX rear for my '99 RSV. I ordered it from John Furbur at http://www.rmsportmax.com After I get it, I will do a pictorial on the install, just a direct swap, and will report how it works out. The units that John sells are ready to go, complete with the holes and etc. for your speedo sensors. I am excited about the change and have no doubt that it will be a great thing.
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