MikeWa

A bathtub for your Venture ? Mike

Deep loose gravel and sand are no nos. Well used compacted gravel or dirt are no problem. Be careful where you put your foot when stopping. Otherwise just enjoy your trip and the experience. Mike

I like the blue ones. Mike

A truly sad story. You just never know when your actions will bring joy or happiness into someone's life. Or how important that happiness will turn out to be. We are very sorry for this loss and our prayers go out to Dan and his family. Mike

Thank you. Mike

If you have red lenses white bulbs are better. Mike

Congrats. Mike

I'm with Goose. The exhaust gas analyzer is the best way to go. Especially if it is an infra red type analyzer. The old Wheatstone bridge CO /AF ratio testers are just to slow and not all that accurate. With a good infra red exhaust analyzer you can also compare HC readings which will tell you for sure if everything is working ok or not. Some of the modern ones let you have it hooked up while you take a test ride and print a graph when you get back. I wish more motorcycle shops would learn how to use them. Mike

Perhaps ypu could just push start it? Mike

Could be air in the clutch fluid. May need to be bled. Mike

Neil It was nice to meet you also. I thoroughly enjoyed our visit. And learning about your bike. Here is the link to the v-max rear end swap. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=13266 Mike

What no picnic basket? I'm leaving. Mike

Well done

+1 on low tire pressure Mike

Waste spark ignition systems fire the plug on the exhaust stroke as well as the compression stroke. Some tachs need to be set to two cycle to account for the extra spark. Mike

That sounds very unusual. Are you sure it is the ignition switch again? Hopefully just a loose connector or something. It would take a very high current draw or a bad (burned) connector to cause the switch to go out again that quickly. Perhaps a problem with passing lights or some such thing. It is definitely time for an amp meter on the circuit. Mike

Some 08 models manufactured in 07 were also affected by the loose headbolts. Since this caused a coolant leak I would imagine any bike on the road would have been fixed by now. It would be an easy thing to have a dealer check the history on any bike you purchase just to be sure. Mike

Clive Glad you are not seriously hurt. Hope everything else works out. Mike

So does that mean that a 'Bill of Sale' for anything from anyone not registered with the DOL is not valid in Delaware or do they just have a thing for Harbor Freight? Mike

You might give these guys a try. http://www.yamahasportsplaza.com/ Mike

See if you can find a mechanic with an emission analyzer. And the knowledge of how to use it. Ask them to check your HC and CO readings. If they can do this on a dyno it is even better. This will aften help detect the cause of an otherwise undetectable problem. Mike

Go here http://www.starmotorcycles.com/star/products/modelhome/682/home.aspx Click on products. Then select a product other than Venture. It comes up 2014 model. Select Venture. It comes up 2013 model. Then go to contact Star. Call the phone number and ask about the Venture. Or go here and see the 2014 lineup. http://www.starmotorcycles.com/star/products/modeloverview/ls/2014/model_overview.aspx I sent Yamaha / Star a letter to let them know how disappointed I am about discontinuing the Venture and how much I have enjoyed owning one. If Yamaha has future plans for the Venture they are keeping it to themselves. Mike

Bob It is rare to have to re-jet these for an exhaust swap. Air and exhaust is another story. While your mileage is low it may not be to far out of line. Several of us around here have noticed a severe fall off in fuel mileage with this years winter blend of gas. My RSV fell from 45 to about 32 mpg. While my friends 2012 Harley Ultra dropped from 44 to about 35 mpg. Granted Washington is a long ways away but something is going on with the gas. Mike

As pointed out in another thread the Venture is no longer listed on the Star 2014 lineup. Mike

If you want to send a note to Star Motorcycles about their exciting 2014 Venture here's the address. http://www.yamaha-motor.com/assets/common/blank.gifhttp://www.yamaha-motor.com/assets/common/blank.gifStar Motorcycles Contact Us Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA 6555 Katella Avenue Cypress, CA 90630 Sales, marketing and distribution of Star Motorcycles. Star Motorcycles Customer Relations (800) 656-7695