uncledj

Back atcha Babe. Hope to see you again in '19.

If he's your brother, he must be OK.....Prayers and thoughts are with him and all of the family.

Yup, I swear by it. I use it in everything. When it goes on sale, I'll pick up 10 cans at a time. I think it says it'll stabilize gas for 15 months, but I've gone over 2 years without a problem. The big test will be with the motorhome...with Dad, we haven't been able to take it out since Spring of 2017,,,,,75 gallons of gas....I put 4 cans of Seafoam in it when I put it away.....should be fine, but likely won't be taken out again until Spring of next year.

Been jumping through hoops for a couple of months trying to get Dad the benefits needed to pay for a nursing home. Finally got through all of that, and got him on the waiting list for the best rated home in the area. They called Thursday and said there's an opening, and we're taking him in Monday Morning. We're having a tough time with it, and have told him that if he doesn't want to go he doesn't have to, but he knows that it's time. He says he needs "constant care" and keeps asking if I'm taking him someplace where he'll get it. He doesn't remember that we took a couple of tours of the place, and he seemed pretty impressed that it was a nice place.....(It IS a nice place).... So, I'm taking him in tomorrow after breakfast.....tearin' up a bit..... Anyway, we're finishing another chapter in our lives....sending him off to God's waiting room. At least the home he's going to (Bennington Glenn) is placed where I pass it to and from work most days, so I'll be able to stop by easily. Didn't think this would be so tough....

Funny you should ask that.......I fired mine up the other day and it was doing the same thing. Hadn't had a chance to look at it yet.

This forum's about a whole lot more than Venture motorcycles. Stick around, and you may find that you'll get some good info on ATVs as well. Just sayin'

Haven't had my turn yet. However A few years back, buddies and I had ridden up to the cabin and had parked the bikes out front. We got a campfire going around the back of the cabin and I went out to my bike for some reason and there was my friends 87 Cavalcade laying on it's side. I leisurely went back to the fire and sat down, then casually mentioned "Mike....your bikes laying on it's side" He didn't believe me right away, but when I finally convinced him, he went a runnin. I strolled back over there and he was trying to lift that monster facing it....lol....I let him struggle for a few before telling him to turn around. We got it stood up....no damage....never could figure why it fell...no evidence that the kickstand dug in.

Someone will point ya to the thread, but the issues I'm aware of are second gear issues on the early models, shouldn't be an issue for you.....may want to put a heavier clutch spring on or double up the existing spring...that makes a world of difference when you want to goose it a bit......may want to think about putting a V-Max starter on it....they turn VERY slow when hot.....mine does it, but it always starts.....some folks will tell you to upgrade the cables to the starter but I'm not sold on the success of that....some folks have issues with the TCI box, so I had purchased an upgraded box, but had never installed it....valve cover oil seepage is common on a bike that old....the board that controls the instrument panel may need re-soldered....mine has some issues but I've never gotten into that yet...some bikes have a weak kickstand....I think it can break at the frame if overstressed. I think the worst problem is the excessive speed....if you ride aggressively you may break the speed of sound at which point those in front of you can't hear ya coming....especially since Blue IS the fastest color for the first gens. The Venture, either first or second gen gives great bang for the buck, and seem to be one of the best buys you can get on older bikes. IMHO

I'd have been all over that Beemer like a Hobo on a Hot Ham-N-Cheese. Very nice.

Happy Birthday Brother!!! Many happy returns, and thanks for all you do to keep this crazy group entertained / together.

I kind of like the Kaw. When I decided that I wanted a big / heavy bike I did some research, and had decided that I wanted a Venture as my first choice, the Voyager would have been second, Goldwing third and Cavalcade fourth. I think they all look pretty similar, with the Cavalcade being the standout on sheer size. I've come across a couple of Voyagers over the years and they sell pretty cheap....I suppose just like old Ventures, and I think either would be a fantastic bargain for someone willing to tinker. Considering the years / miles you can get out of these old bikes, you couldn't get more bang for your buck if you're willing / able to maintain them.

Man,,,,I wish I could be there. Dad and I went today to Family Services, where we started the application process to get him admitted to a nursing home. He and I spent an hour or so talking about old times today, sitting on the porch. He related some good WWII stories that I hadn't heard before...we spoke about our lives, ...triumphs and regrets....We spoke about my older brother Jeff that Lisa and I care for. (Autistic) It was a great hour...Dad seemed to have more clarity than usual. He's fully aware of what's going on, and is on board with it. He knows it's time. Anyhoo, We'll be there next year for sure. Lisa and I've talked about it already, but we need to be able to get away before we can do much of anything. I'll be thinkin' of y'all. Have fun, and if you think of it, have a little drinky for Lisa and Me.

Don't remember ever dragging my 2nd Gen. Having said that, I remember dragging all the time on my 81 Honda CB750 Supersport. Don't ya hate it on a curve when you drag, so you straighten the bike up a bit...but then there's the guardrail, so you have to put it into even more of a lean to avoid the rail....and so you drag again...... Then you say to yourself...." I gotta take it easier on those curves"...lol I swear,...when I was young...someone up there was watching out for me......Amazing I lived this long.

Back in "The Day" I had a 65 Pontiac Tempest with a straight 6 in it. I pulled the 6 banger and put a 326 out of a Lemans in it. Anyhoo, just out of curiosity I pulled the valve cover off of the 6 banger and the sludge had completely filled the top of the head to the point that when I pulled the valve cover, there was an impression of the cover on the head. Kind of like dropping a bundt cake out of a pan. I don't know how that thing was still running as good as it was.

I'm sure others will chime in on this, but that's usually the rear shock. Mine does it sometimes when I first sit on it after it's been sitting, then goes away after I ride a bit. I figure I'll eventually have to replace the shock, but I'll wait until it starts leaking oil.

I would'a been about 6 or 7 and I was up the cabin with my older brother. He gave me his Iver Johnson .44 magnum to shoot, (very supervised...he was right with me) and before I shot he said "wait" and took it off of me. He then put his motorcycle helmet on me and we proceeded. When I fired it, the recoil to my young hands was violent, and the hammer put a chip in the forehead of that helmet. Good thinkin' on his part.

Thought I should mention that, on the flip side, I've a M1A, civilian version of the M14 that I had gone over by Springfield Armory to all USGI, with a laminated stock. Of course, it's a .308, and I can shoot that bad boy all day long comfortably. Just sayin'....

What's the most uncomfortable firearm you've ever fired? For me it'd have to be either a .45 flintlock muzzleloader with an uncomfortable butt design that hurt like hell....or maybe a short barreled 20 gauge slug gun....or maybe an old contender .50 cal muzzleloader that liked to spit bits of the primer into my cheek / eye. Never really cared for full magnum loads in my .44 mag Super Blackhawk either.

With everything going on, I had the bike out once last Summer for a trip up to the cabin for a total of 900 miles, came home and put it in the shed and that's where it's sat since. I had a bit of time to myself today and decided that, since mechanical things don't like to sit, I better start it and run it around the block. Thanks to Seafoam and a battery tender she started right up and I put a whole 3 miles on her. Told the wife I was going to have to give her a quick going over and we should try to burn out some of the old gas before putting her away again.......hope I / we can get the chance to get away for a couple of hours. On a related subject, Dad told me the other day that he thinks it's time for him to go to a nursing home. With Lisa and I working full time, we can't be there all day and he says he thinks he needs someone around all the time. He's worried that he may fall or have a situation where he needs help right away. At 95, pushing 96, I didn't argue. I offered to have someone check in on him a couple of times a day, but he didn't think that'd be enough. (Lady across the street is a friend and is a retired nurses aid and she offered to do it.) SO.....I've applied for the necessary assistance to make it happen....looks like it may take up to a couple of months, but once it happens, we'll have some of our lives back. I think it'll be a good thing for him, as he now spends most of his time in front of the TV, alone, or sitting on the porch, although it's tough for him to get around on his own....hard to get out onto the porch and into his rocker on his own, and the place we want to set him up in seems pretty nice, ...lots of activities and people around....even a couple of other WWII vets. I pass it every day on my way home from work, so I can stop in daily for a visit. Not an easy decision, and I told him before that he can stay with us as long as he wants to, but it was his call, and I feel a bit guilty to say that I'm feeling relieved that he's decided to go to an elder care facility. It's pretty much consumed Lisa and I caring for him. I thank God for Lisa, who's done so much over the last few years to care for him. Next year we'll be able to make it to MD and WNY Rally. Anyhoo, I wanted to share that with my Venturerider friends.

I've a buddy looking to sell a lever action Marlin 45-70, it has a scope on it, and he says he'll throw in a couple of boxes of shells. He's looking for $750. I was interested, but I've got too much of that stuff already.

Since alcohol's legal, marijuana should be legal as well. My only issue with legalization is that if it's legalized, you should be allowed to grow it in the backyard for personal use. Gubment should stay out of it as much as possible. Having said that, I doubt I'd use it anyway. I did it a few times 30+ years ago, never since, and I really didn't care for it. Made me laugh too much and then get mellow. With alcohol, I'm pretty good at metering my "dose" and, depending on the situation I can get to where I'd like to be and stay there. I'm not experienced enough with weed to know how to do that, and since I'm happy with booze, I'll just stick to that.

Haven't done any real off road riding like I used to for a while, and I really don't want to try. I'm 55 now, with responsibilities and can't chance getting hurt. I don't bounce like I used to, and don't heal as quick when I take a fall. What I can say that hill climbing was always what interested me, and I used to notice that it was the old guys with the extended swingarms that used to conquer the monster hills, while it was the youngsters that used to buzz around like lunatics. I used to like to hang with the old guys even back then. My old buddy that I used to ride with still does it, but, now at 56, I'm sure he'd be the first to admit that he'd have a hard time spending the whole day on the bike like we used to. I know that a day of working around the property, or even working on the truck, climbing around under it will get me hurting that night. Been there, done that, and I know what it's all about, so I'm happy to sit around the campfire with a few beers and listen to the bikes off in the distance. I still enjoy a bit of off roadin', but have gotten a bit long in the tooth to think I'm invincible, and no longer feel that I've anything to prove. I'd be surprised if anyone past 50 would say they can ride like they used to. Getting old definitely has it's limitations, but, at this point, I'll say it's not ALL bad. Do what you enjoy, but there's no shame in acknowledging that you're getting up in the years. Kudos to you for being willing to get out there and enjoy life, ....just don't overdo it.

This gettin' old stuff ain't for sissies. I'll keep ya in my thoughts and prayers for the best possible outcome....we need ya around here.. Be well.

Saw this on Craigslist. I'm sure The Boss will put it where it's supposed to go. I couldn't figger out how to put a link in classifieds. https://columbus.craigslist.org/mcy/d/1983-yamaha/6632270681.html