douglaskinney_phd

Rode my bike and noticed a pretty good oil leak on the left side. Appears to be coming from up around top on the motor, under gas tank, right around or above the rubber housing by the carbs. I haven't pulled the tank to see if I can see anything else. Has anyone had this problem that could give me some clues on what and how to look for this leak? Thanks in advance. Update: Finally had a chance to run the leak down. It appears to be gasoline rather than oil. Right under the air filter box there appears to be a rubber joint with a clamp on it that connects from the bottom of the air box to the top of the carb. ( I think) The clamp is set at the top of the boot, right below the air box, and will not tighten up. If I move it to the bottom of the boot, at what appears to be the top of the carb, I can tighten it up better but there is still a leak at the very bottom of the air box. The bike runs o.k. at 70 MPH. If I push it up to 85 MPH it will blow blue smoke until I take it back to 70 MPH.

Brian, Thanks for the link. I have been searching on google for this. I will download, print and put it to good use. Thanks again for the information. Douglas

Thanks to all of you for the great advice. I would have never thought of most of this ideas. The parking lot was my only thought. Right now I am a little, (O.K. REALLY) afraid of this beast. I am going to have to get an owners manual, there are some things on the bike I don't know how to work or even if they are working. One being the Air Ride System. The screen show the PSI to be at Zero? But that topic needs to be on another post I am sure. I live to ride, now if I can just ride and live. Great forum and a really great bunch of people. Much more helpful and understanding than my GZ250 forum. I will be back often.

I recently, two days ago, moved up from a Suzuki GZ250 to an 1986 Venture. I was wondering if anyone had any tips on how to adjust to the bigger bike. Once I get going on the highway I am fine, but the starting up, stop and go traffic and trying to turn around on a two lane is a bit of a challenge. I am 5' 10",156 and small frame. Too much bike maybe or are there some tricks I am going to have to learn. Trying to keep from falling on my.......