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alvald83

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Everything posted by alvald83

  1. alvald83
    Would you just cover the glass completely? I have a small hole in the center of the glass.
  2. alvald83
    During my bike cleaning today i decided to try to clean the clutch sight glass. I used a screw driver to lightly scrape away the thick oxidation. Then the problem, fluid began to leak from the center of the glass. Can i repair this with sometype of glue or adhesive. I'd really hate to go through the sight glass replacement process.
  3. alvald83
    Imagine having those bad original brakes. Then getting it back from the shop and having half of that. I thought my brakes were fine before. During their inspection they found dirty jello like fluid. maybe the jello was holding it all together.
  4. alvald83
    Thanks for the info, I may be De-linking my brakes soon as well. Its funny because the only reason i hadn't de-linked up to this point was because i was too cheap to spend $250 on the stainless setup that i would do at the same time. But i have spent more than that letting the dealer full around with my original sytem. Lesson learned. If the dealer can get it bled properly, i will make that (de-linking and stainless upgrade) my next big $ project. And use that time to do it myself and learn how my brakes work.
  5. alvald83
    Just got my bike back from the shop. My head bearings must of been toast, because steering is completely different. I have a problem with the brakes though, They feel very spongy and it takes much more force to stop. I called them and the mechanic said that he bled them multiple times and that is as good as he could get them. He told me to bring it back and he could re-bleed them. I dont think that he is bleeding in the proper sequence. Should i take it back or try to bleed it myself? BTW, they rebuilt the calipers and MC and attempted to bleed the brakes (this was the local Yamaha Dealer, can u believe that). Does anyone know a Mechanic in San Jose that knows how to work on these bikes. I asked the mechanics opinion about my bike going cross country, he says, " get a new bike". When i told him that i would make it no problem, he says, "you're more brave than I am". Cant wait to do it and come back and talk to him.
  6. alvald83
    Im finally taking care of the steering head bearings at the local Yamaha dealer in preparation for my cross country ride. I also had them do a complete bike check and found that my front brake calipers were not releasing completely ( i asked them to find out why my gas mileage was not where i thought it shouild be). They found milky like brake fluid in the system and suggested rebuilding the system. I gave them the OK to rebuild the calipers and master cylinders. I cant afford the stainless upgrade at this time. The only thing that i didnt like was the fact that they are charging 5 hours of labor to do the head bearings (original est. was 3 hours). For $780, i should have a not only better handling bike but also a little better gas mileage (since the brake pads wont be dragging anymore). My last shop supposedly flush the syetem last year. What causes the brake fluid to turn into this milky thing that they described?
  7. alvald83
    Does anyone take spare fuel on a long trip? Im thinking about taking spare fuel on my cross country trip, since i am riding solo. Does anyone know a good source for containers?
  8. alvald83
    Went out to work on the bike today, to check on all of the little things that have been bugging me. After finshing up, just before putting my side cover back on i noticed an oil leak which appears to be coming from the head gasket. About a month ago(some of you may recall), i had my oil changed and went on a 300 mile day trip. a few days later i went to check my oil and could not see the oil level through the site glass. It turned out that they had overfilled the oil. I drained it to the appropriate level and have ridden it for a month without any issues. My question is: Could this have been enough to blow a head gasket? There appears to be oil around the rubber carb boots as well.
  9. alvald83
    For some reason my radiator cap ('83) is stuck and i cant get it off. I got as far as turning the cap to line up the notches, then taking a screw driver to pry it up. Still cant get it to budge. Strange, it'll rotate freely but wont come off. I just hate break something and complicate the problem. Any ideas?
  10. alvald83
    During my day long yesterday, while riding on a rolling hilly road, i let off the throttle and went into the scary wobble that i have heard about. What is the best way to handle this scary event in the future?
  11. alvald83
    Hello guys, I know this topic has been gone over, but i just wanted to know how fast people are going to get they're mileage. Yesterday, i did a 480 round trip ride and got around 32mpg (80-85 mph freeway driving). Is this acceptable mileage? I know that i could improve that by slowing down, which i plan to do on my longer ride. Since i am still planning on doing this California to Louisiana trip in April, i want to make sure that i am getting the best possible mileage on my '83. I changed the spark plugs and wires earlier this year. I know tire pressure is important. What else do i need to do to make sure i am getting the best mileage possible? I hear people getting mileage in the 40's, is that just because they are driving 60 miles an hour? Just Curious? Thanks Al
  12. alvald83
    thanks, that is an important thing to know. I guess i'll leave it alone and spend my money in a different area.
  13. alvald83
    Before my long trip in april, i am considering replacing my rear shock. Has anyone done this? Do they make a good aftermarket shock. I dont really need an adjustable one, just something that i know wont fail during my long trip. (i started reading about the broken frame issue, and think a new shock might help, since my frame doesnt have a rust issue.). Is there a way to see if my shock is working properly? In the past i have increased the air pressure in the rear shock, just to see it go back to its original pressure and height days later. My bike is not a Royale. I just want some imput, because i know that these are very pricey.
  14. alvald83
    Thanks Skydoc, Great info! This covers just about all the questions that have been popping in my head. Since this trip will be my first solo and my longest trip ever on a bike, i want to get as much info as possible.
  15. alvald83
    I have an oppurtunity for a cross country ride from (San Jose)California to (Baton Rouge)Louisiana in april. Do you think an '83 Venture can make that trip? My bike has no issues right now and i do have some spare parts (TCI, voltage regulator, and CMS etc.) that would join me on the trip. My bike has around 46k miles on it right now, new tires, new stator, and front progressive springs. Any Suggestions on things that i should do before the spring trip? Correction, it has 36K on it. Has anyone done this trip before? I have 14 days for my trip.
  16. alvald83
    I have an oppurtunity for a cross country ride from (San Jose)California to (Baton Rouge)Louisiana in april. Do you think an '83 Venture can make that trip? My bike has no issues right now and i do have some spare parts (TCI, voltage regulator, and CMS etc.) that would join me on the trip. My bike has around 46k miles on it right now, new tires, new stator, and front progressive springs. Any Suggestions on things that i should do before the spring trip? Correction, it has 36k on it. Has anyone done this trip before? I have 14 days for my trip.
  17. alvald83
    I have my oil changed at a local shop, but i like to check it before a long ride. The window seems to be cloudy. I believe the shop puts close to 5 qts.
  18. alvald83
    I have changed my oil regularly since i have owned my bike (4 years). The problem is, i cant see through the oilcheck window. How do i check my oil? How do i clean the window? http://venturers.org/Forum/download/file.php?avatar=11210_1269700717.jpg
  19. alvald83
    Like i said in my post, i had it that way but when i tightened the wheel, it would barely turn. Thats why im confused. I was thinking maybe i have that washer and the washer next to the wheel reversed.
  20. alvald83
    That looks to be a newer bike. Since my bike is an '83, would it still be the same?
  21. alvald83
    After replacing my tire on my '83 venture, i think i reinstalled my rear wheel incorrectly. If you are looking at the rear from behind, in which order should the washers go on? When i installed them in the order i thought they came off, the wheel would barely turn. Should there be a washer between the caliper bracket and the swing arm? At this time i do not have a washer between the swingarm and caliper bracket, but im afraid it may be wrong? It drives fine, but i want to be sure incase the brakepads are missalligned.
  22. alvald83
    I am having my rear tire replaced this weekend. What final drive work should i have done while the wheel is off? I have heard that the rear splines need to be serviced. Is this a good time for that? Thanks Al
  23. alvald83
    When the lights go out, the light in the switch goes out as well. They never flicker, they just go out completely. The switch is a 3 wire lighted switch that goes out when the lights go out. On some rides they'll go out then come on awhile later.
  24. alvald83
    I installed a set of driving lights about 6 months ago. I wired them independently, with a relay and switch. The lights have recently started going out and coming back on at random times. When i installed them i made sure to have very good ground connections to avoid ground problems later. My question is, could a bad relay act this way? I have already replaced the switch, and since the switch is a lighted switch, i can see when the lights go out. When they do go out after i shut down my bike for awhile, i try them and they work. I think it could be the relay. When i replace it what should i look for? Im sorry, electrical circuits are not my strength.
  25. alvald83
    It does have some buffeting at higher speeds 65+, but i can live with that, since i wont be using it for long trips. I rode around some country rodes yesterday for about 3 hours and it was a perfect amount of airflow for a hot day.
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