george0fthejungle
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Thank you for all of the replies! To clarify I did not leave the trickle charger connected continuously. Once the weather got really cold the battery was having trouble cranking the bike so I would put the trickle charger on for about 24 hours and then it would start fine. I would run it till the bike warmed up thoroughly and seemed to have a good charge. The 2 day charge attempt described in my first post was just recently after the volt meter showed 0 when I put in the key. So.....if Im hearing you guys right, my first step should be to try a new battery and test across the terminals with a voltmeter, looking for 12 - 14 across the terminals. And I guess if I do need a stator, I need to look for a better mechanic who can remove the radiator and engine cover rather than removing the whole engine. Sheesh! Maybe he was just telling me he didnt want to do it so he scared me away with a huge price tag. I really appreciate all the contributors here and the way the explain things to those of use who are wrench challenged! Thank you! -
Hey all you First Gen Gurus, Last fall I noticed what I thought at the time were indicators of a bad stator on my '83 Venture. I was riding it and noticed that when I would turn on my turn signals the voltage needle would fluctuate each time the turn signals flashed and also when the radiator fan would come on the voltage would dip from 14 - 16 volts down to about 10. Since it was time to put it in the barn (and also because a mechanic told me replacing the stator would require pulling the engine and a huge labor bill) I decided to deal with it this spring. Over the winter I kept a trickle charger on the battery and started it up every few weeks and it always seemed like it was putting out about 12 - 14 volts as long as it was running at idle. Since I wasnt riding it, i didnt see any of the earlier mentioned behaviour. When I got it out this spring suddenly the battery seemed to be dead, the voltage meter is at the bottom of the scale even after the charger has been on for 2 days at 2 amps. So now Im thinking dead cell in a reasonably new Deka Gell battery. The big question is...can a battery thats going bad make a non-techie boy like me think its the stator? Or is it more like the stator is bad and now the battery is as well? Or could it be the voltage regulator not functioning and not charging the battery or sending the correct voltages to the lights/instruments? Any advice or opinions would be welcome......Im also trying to decide if its time to put the old girl up for sale as a parts bike or fixer upper. Thanks! George0fthejungle
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Got er done! Thanks to everyone for their tips and advice! Took her out for a ride today and it went great! woo hoo!!
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For anyone else who is in the same boat as me, taking some of these covers off for the first time (decided to quit paying for some of my maintenance and do it myself), here are links to a couple of manuals in .pdf form. Free adobe acrobat reader is required to view them: http://labs.trunkful.com/vrmanuals/index.cfm The one marked firstgenmanual.pdf has some good instructions on removing the fairings, false gas tank, and side panels, all beginning on page 44 of the manual. Armed with this and some tips from other members I'm much more optimistic about this project.
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1. Don't be too proud to say "I don't Know" 2. Don't be to proud to say, "I was Wrong" Im sooooo glad I asked, thanks to everyone who replied....I will be buying a box of Ziplocs and getting my camera out and tackling this project this afternoon and probably a few weeknights this week. If you don't support this website, this is why you should! Great people! Thanks again to all! George
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Thanks for that tip...I think I will take you up on that, either with the digital camera or maybe even video how some of the pieces come out. Im keenly aware of the 27 year old brittle plastic and just as keenly aware that Im not as proficient at fixing things as some of the guru's on this site....so Im taking the "Ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" approach and definitely going slow and careful.
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Thanks Midicat, I did find the screw on the gas tank one...and a search found another tip on removing the saddle bags before trying to remove the seat because there are 2 bolts that have to be removed, I guess Im just trying to avoid repeated posts every time I come to a cover or panel that seems stubborn because Im gun shy about breakin something on my 27 year old love affair/money pit. I was kinda hoping someone had done a " step by step" on how to strip it all down so I wouldn't have to keep bugging everyone. One thing about this site though, lots of good guys who will give straight answers without condescension....and its definitely appreciated!
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Im starting some serious spring cleaning on my First Gen and having trouble getting some of the covers/body pieces off so I can clean under them. Before I go all "He-Man" on them and break something....I thought I'd ask, "is there a guide somewhere on how all the covers and false tank and body covers come off?" Otherwise I'm afraid I will be posting asking whats the best epoxy to use? Any advice would be welcome!
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Amazing First Gen in Reno listed on Ebay
george0fthejungle replied to george0fthejungle's topic in Watering Hole
And you notice...0 bids.....I've been sitting here wondering if its worth facing the wife's ire at the possibility of having 2 First Gens sitting in our garage and emailing the guy with a lower offer....starting at $2,500 and being willing to go up to $3k or so. Part of it to is my irrational love affair with the First Gens. Saw my first one the year they were unveiled when I was learning to ride on a little 250 cc Yamaha Exciter. Seeing one in that kind of amazing condition makes me relive the moment... Older and not always wiser! -
I came across this First Gen while surfing ebay this morning. I thought I would pass the info along because frankly, if I cant buy it, I'd rather see someone who loves and appreciates Ventures pick it up before someone buys it just because the price is low for a "like New" cruiser. The pics are amazing, the listing says the bike has under 3k original miles on it. Check this out: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290415067710&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT Hope someone from here gets it! george
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First Gens and Synthetic Oils
george0fthejungle replied to george0fthejungle's topic in Watering Hole
Thanks for you input Don. Its funny, Im texting the mechanic I take my bike to. He brought up the leak thing and also said he didnt think it was good for a wet clutch. Im specifically considering amsoil brand because I guy I work with runs it in both his cars and his bike (a Buell). He showed me the dipstick on his car thats had the stuff in it for 11 months, 12 yr old Honda Civic and the oil was still honey colored and almost no dirt particles visible. He said it runs them cooler and he gets better mileage. Im still undecided but I appreciate the input from members, whether its pro synthetics or against! -
First Gens and Synthetic Oils
george0fthejungle replied to george0fthejungle's topic in Watering Hole
So you saw some leaks...and then I take it they stopped when you switched back to conventional oil? Thats definitely a consideration. -
Hey everyone and especially First Gen Guru's, Has anyone had any experience using synthetic oils in older bikes? I ask because last year I switched to Mobiles synthetic 10k oil in my cars and saw a noticeably cooling operating temperature and a slight increase in MPG. This got me thinking about trying it in my '83 Venture but Im hesitant to leap before asking around. I dont put more than 5 - 7k miles a year on the bike so its not reducing how often I change the oil that appeals to me, rather Im interested in running the bike a little cooler and hopefully squeezing a few more miles out of each tank. Any opinions? GeorgeoftheJungle p.s. sorry for the double post, I accidentally stuck this in "watering hole" too.
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Hey everyone and especially First Gen Guru's, Has anyone had any experience using synthetic oils in older bikes? I ask because last year I switched to Mobiles synthetic 10k oil in my cars and saw a noticeably cooling operating temperature and a slight increase in MPG. This got me thinking about trying it in my '83 Venture but Im hesitant to leap before asking around. I dont put more than 5 - 7k miles a year on the bike so its not reducing how often I change the oil that appeals to me, rather Im interested in running the bike a little cooler and hopefully squeezing a few more miles out of each tank. Any opinions? GeorgeoftheJungle
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Don, All my best wishes and support to you. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Paul george0fthejungle