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bongobobny

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Everything posted by bongobobny

  1. bongobobny
    I agree totally with Squeeze, who is also one smart Kraut!! There is a wealth of info on this site and one big family of caring and helpful people to boot! I too fell in love with the 1st gens when they first came out but was unable to afford one. Think I was riding a '74 Yamaha XS500 at the time...
  2. bongobobny
    Pretty much if a stator goes, it goes period. There is a connection that can be problematic where the stator wires connect together. Contact Dragonrider Lewis as he is aware of the problem and can give you details. Now moreso I am suspecting battery cables. Yes, I know who FreeWC is. I've always considered them to be a bike graveyard more than anything else. Don't give up on the bike because, as you have already discovered, when they are running, they are beautiful!! You just are experiencing some kinks that need to be ironed out one at a time. These bikes generally are good for well over 100,000 miles and are generally very dependable. I wouldn't part with Goldie for the world, even if Becky did say I could buy a new one...
  3. bongobobny
    It could be that your stator is on the way out. The stator is the bike's equivilant of an alternator. Do a search on the subject as to how to test the output. You will need a voltmeter that reads AC voltage, which most do. OK is the battery indeed a "NEW" battery or one that the dealer claimed was new?? You may also want to check all of the battery cable connections and clean up the contacts as well. Pay special attention to the negative cable especially where it attaches to the engine. It may be time to replace those cables with some thicker guage cables...
  4. bongobobny
    Aint THAT the truth!!!
  5. bongobobny
    With the rear brake system, there is a proportioning valve that can get gummed up and cause the system to malfunction. As far as the carbs, Yes, seafoam seems to work best, but the real problem may be pinholes in the rubber diaphragms which is a common situation. These diaphragms are getting very costly and go for around $60 on up apiece! The '83s were also prone to frames cracking. Not a common problem but significant to the '83 model. Other problems are hard starting when hot, due usually to the poor battery cables. Replacing with larger diameter wires helps, and using an Odessy Dry cell battery definately makes a huge difference. Just keep posting whenever a problem comes up and you will get lots of expert advice here! Also do a search for each topic and check out the technical info section for lots of good advice...
  6. bongobobny
    I agree with the battery thing! Sure sounds like your battery went south. I highly recommend spending the extra bucks and buy an Odessy battery!
  7. bongobobny
    Ahhhhh!! I carefully re-read your first post and you say you can't tune in anything even when the engine is NOT running... Oops, my bad! It just may be atmospheric conditions this time of year. Did it work OK within the last few weeks?? Does the radio in your cage work ok? Check for corrosion on all the antenna contacts, especially where it plugs into the chasis in the fairing... But if FM is OK I'm thinking it's not an antenna problem.
  8. bongobobny
    May be time for new spart plug wires and resistor caps...
  9. bongobobny
    Nathan, Valu has the exact same screw that you need for the cover if you get the old ones off, however they are not rust proof. You ned to replace with stainless steel screws. I haven't had a chance to check out Lowes or Home Depot yet. What you may want to try is a good #2 phillips screwdriver and give the screwdriver a couple of really good smacks with a hammer to really drive the point into the metal, and then turn while pushing down. This may or may not work depending on just how bad the heads are stripped out. Worst case senerio I have spare clutch and brake master cylanders that probably could use rebuilding that I will sell you reasonable. The rebuild kits go for around $20 and are not that difficult to do. You need a good set of retaining ring pliers from Sears (I have the set needed) to get the guts out. I should probably get about around $20 - $25 apiece for the master cylander...
  10. bongobobny
    Also great that something you bought off ebay was good! Probably the next step should be a strong dose of seafoam. I would put older plugs in for that, as the seafoam treatment could foul your new plugs...
  11. bongobobny
    Yes I did, but haven't had time to answer yet. Will do soon!
  12. bongobobny
    Yup, that sounds like our Rocket!!!
  13. bongobobny
    Well, the good news is that you obviously have good compression if there is a huge difference between plugs and no plugs. Are you seeing a good "mist" as it turns over with no plugs? I am strongly suspecting your battery is weak. Motorcycle batteries aren't that big or strong to begin with...
  14. bongobobny
    Forgot to mention, you want to check the oil level with the engine setting for a few hours for an accurate measurement. Halfway up the window is just about right. At or near the bottom, add some. At the top, it's overfilled and can cause problems such as throwing it out wherever it can, possible blowby thru the rings, etc...
  15. bongobobny
    The hard part is GETTING the bike up on the centerstand. A short length of 2X4 or 2X6 placed behind the rear tire then wheel the rear tire ON the wood block definately helps. From there just lower the center stand as far as it will go, and place your heel against it and rock/pull the bike further to the rear and the center stand should pop right into place...
  16. bongobobny
    Try telling that to Enzo Ferarri... No, unless you are building a racing machine, I will generally agree with you, however, there are many instances when proper torquing and torquing techniques are essential unless you want to stress and distort metal. A good rule of thumb (whatever that means) is if there are 3 or more bolts holding the part on, you are better served torquing down in a specific sequence. I use permatex antiseize on any thread that is not in an area that receives oil because when it's time to take the bolt out again, it will come out with no problems. All threads should be inspected and cleaned prior to installation. The biggest mistake people make is using WAYYY too much of the product. Just a fine thin coat is all you need...
  17. bongobobny
    Not sure if this is what you need but you only have 9 hrs. Sean is a great guy to deal with... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1986-86-91-VENTURE-ROYALE-3PC-REAR-CHROME-TRIM-NICE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ10066QQihZ013QQitemZ230154003085QQrdZ1
  18. bongobobny
    As stated above, the TCI, which is located below the battery box can cause a problem. Their contacts can become corroded and cause problems. There have been a few threads on this subject, and you may want to remove the TCI, take the cover off, and let it either bake in the sun, or a low temp oven for several hours, along with cleaning the contacts. Yes, it is possible for one of the diodes to be bad causing one cylander to misfire. I assume you checked the suspect cylander for spark and know it is an electrical problem rather than a fuel delivery problem??
  19. bongobobny
    I put one on mine and wired it directly across the battery so that I can plug in a battery tender during the winter storage months... Elsewise it's there for the sake of bveing there. I even threw out the cigarette lighter part and put a rubber plug in it to keep it waterproof...
  20. bongobobny
    Ahhh!! I already answered his PM and THEN read this thread...
  21. bongobobny
    I should have a spare one, Mike, I'll check later. PM me your addy and it will be on it's way. Next time, buy an Oddessy dry cell. They are supposed to last around 10 years. Well worth it just for the extra power...
  22. bongobobny
    Or, come down and try out the extra one I have and see how you like the height of a tall one. If you like it, you may use it untill you can pick up another one or if I ever put the parts bike back together...
  23. bongobobny
    I for one did not know '83's do not have a reserve function! I just know my '84 does...
  24. bongobobny
    You are right, it's a typo. Your capacity should be around 5.5 gal with the resrve. You should get just a tad below 40 mpg. I generally make it around 140 to 160 mi between fillups without going to reserve. The gas gauges on the Venture can sometrimes need adjustment or replacement of the sender unit. It's not a hard thing to do at all. Gee, if you were in Springville, all you had to do was come across Rt 39, which has a lot of nice twisties in it, and stop by. I was in my garage adsjusting my shifter and puttering around with other things. My phone number is in the member's directory...
  25. bongobobny
    Well, I just bought one, and hope it fits!! I guess I'll find out soon enough...
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