Rob Swallows

Gary's trick does work and I've used it on several bikes through the years. Never had a problem on 70's vintage motorcycles running Castrol "GTX", or Klotz oils however in that timeframe. I just serviced my oil in the Venture and have put about 70 miles on the change and the clutch is finally starting to act like it should as far as shifting to neutral when stopped, and hot. It has dragged since I started riding again this year. I have no idea what was in the crankcase as far as type but the prior owner stated the Yamaha dealer did all his service. I have come to doubt several things I was told however. I followed Steve's advice, (M61A1) and used Honda "GN-4" oil and am happy with it so far. A genuine Yamaha filter was used also with exactly 3.5 litres of oil dumped in which center the level in the sight glass.

There is a chrome shield that bolts onto the bike deflecting the heat away from the passenger. I've experienced the same as you mention and it didn't have the shield but will be included if I make the purchase. Regardless it will never be a machine to ride with shorts and flip flops. Wouldn't even consider that so no problem with me. Yes, they are a beautiful bike and powerful, smooth with exceptional low speed handling. Should I replace my Venture this winter, the Roadmaster is what it will be.

We have Bub's on our bike and they're a little bit loud with droning on a long ride. I too may look for something a bit quieter although they sound great.

Well with the bike back together and an itch to ride I set out on my merry way. Found out pretty quick it's a tad bit warm so stopped at the store and picked up a bottle of water. Matter of fact, really didn't want to get too parched so grabbed a few: Fit like they're supposed to be there.

I now believe it to be a 1/2 castrated VMax. Though still having one nut remaining, "It" is running on all four and is much smoother through the rpm range than prior. It will zip right up to 100mph without hesitation at about 2/3rds the pace of my 1973, 1974, 1975, and 1976 Kawasaki 900Z1's did, but hey, it's a touring bike and is very smooth. Took me a while to figger out what the hell the rattling was from the back end that was never there before; then I realized my trailer hitch insert was installed. Pulled off to the side, removed and stowed the unit, and all quiet as before so my hitch seems to be sound. I'll know later in the week if it performs as it should. The bike runs good enough I'll keep it for the balance of this riding season, (which is 12 months long for me) and purchase my wife a new car instead. Clean and balanced carbs make a difference I do believe. Rob

All a new experience for me. I am based out of Hanna City at the old Air Force Station but I travel all over the country repairing navigation systems on airfield and control centers. Bet you're glad that Allen Road construction is in the past.....

Tried to send you a photo and same as before. Only asks for a url. Thanks, Rob

I can't seem to send photos via pm's at all. The window opens asking for a url only which I don't have. The direct acting "browse" button is non existent. Is this normal? Thanks, Rob

My wife has always been great at driving from the back seat so this will be a great benefit/addition to her natural talents..... We are going to do the same thing as you with the bluetooth but we have to get acclimated to it first. I have charging ports in the trunk but the batteries last a good time on the phones so no real need for us to plug in during actual riding. We'll have to meet up sometime for coffee or something. I work around Dunlap often or get up there at least working Mt. Hawley airfield as one example. Rob

Nope, I don't talk on the phone while riding; in fact I don't drive while talking either. Wife gets aggravated with me when I pull to the side or hand the phone to her till I can get to a stop. Fixed far too many automobiles which were involved in collisions due to distractions of electronic devices. However the bluetooth option will probably be used by my wife but she's always a passenger. I've not looked at the Kuryakin product but will. I need to ensure over the weekend that I'm keeping this bike before putting more into it. Thanks, Rob

I like the idea of the pocket bag on top of the dash but haven't purchased one yet. My wife is concerned about reaching her phone while on the road without stopping. My phone sticks with industrial Velcro to the tank bib and doesn't move at all. I can bluetooth through the intercom or plug into the bikes system. Either way I'm covered.

Kind of my thoughts too about being too small to be much use. I'd seen the inaccuracy to their advertisement but that's what happens when you employ those worthy of serving fries with your burger to look after your business. Thinking of having a pocket added to my backrest for a cell phone which would be an easy reach for my wife when riding tandem.

My upholstery gent says he can make me a pair of these quite a bit cheaper but wondering how useful they actually are? Seem like they would impede opening the saddlebags. http://www.ebay.com/itm/YAMAHA-ROYAL-STAR-VENTURE-LEATHER-GRAB-RAIL-STORAGE-BAGS-/391531588321?hash=item5b2919eae1:m:mRONmLBgKy9kpF9wcLhbzNw&vxp=mtr Anybody use them?

You are correct in the placement. I had foster parents quelling the violence in both the Detroit Race Riots, and the Watts Riots. I was too young to differentiate at the time and confused them in my post. Thanks for the clarification. Rob

Nothing on the bike except stage equipment to finish up major service this weekend citing I finally get to remain home. Planning to ride next week. Laid out cut lines to narrow a trailer axle too for my motorcycle hauler.

The Watts neighborhood riots in Detroit metro area were the first major uprising that wasn't in the southern states. Kind of a result of Johnson's "Great Society" structuring.

Forgot to post this which are the original float bowl gaskets from my Venture. I didn't photograph the insides of the carbs but they were worse than these show. All good now with OEM parts replacements and thorough cleaning. Cylinder #1 , and #4 seals are on the right which were the two misfiring at higher speeds. The idle was perfect. Although I've not ridden the bike since repairing it, it's probably going to be better than it was.

The masses tend to straighten up when they see the offender/convicted hanging on display knowing there are repercussions to actions. They want to be traitors to society, treat them as such and administer punishment accordingly.

They see the news and media also. Someone got away with it someplace else and it's figured they can get a way with it also. A good system of justice application is all that's needed in the public square to curtail this type activity.

I know several folks whom have purchased Harbor Freight tig welders; an absolute exercise in frustration is usually the end result. I have a couple tig machines and both are older industrial units but work very well. The advice to take a welding class is good as the practice needed is long and arduous to start out with unless very good at oxy fuel welding. Puddle manipulation and feed rate of filler material after baseplate wetout is absolutely essential to be right in this process. Quite easy after a bit of practice but until you can "read your puddle" and read it well, there will be no good welds to trust. Cleanliness, cleanliness, and more cleanliness is paramount especially with aluminum and knowing the composition of the baseplate material to use the proper filler for. I couldn't part with stick machines so only have five. Three are portable engine driven units, (older Hobart Bros. machines) and a couple are Lincoln. I'm a little light in migs with only two but they satisfy the spectrum I work within. I have also recently acquired a 500 amp Lincoln "Commander" but haven't picked it up yet. I'll use it for my portable bore welder setup working on dozers and such once I retire from my current employer.

Guess any kind of sense didn't apply to running an engine within an enclosed space.

I loaned out my 3400 watt inverter generator to a very good friend to power his DJ equipment over the weekend. For those into amplified music or public address you know spurious noise spiking is also amplified, and undesirable. He reports back this generator is exceptionally quiet in operation with no noticeable "hum" , or background noise of any type at elevated dB levels. The generator's engine noise being spaced 100' distant, was not a factor but is also very quiet. Basically just as clean of power as provided by the utility company. I also had him take my vintage 1962 Onan 5kw set which is not inverter based, and the reports in this application are good and acceptable, but not as good as the new inverter technology. This same guy is playing my daughter's wedding early next month and given his feedback, there may be another one on my want list. The old Onan set I've had over 40 years and is a really good mechanically quiet unit, but parts are getting hard to come by and it really likes it's fuel.....

nothing wrong with Papal and all the buyer needs is an email address associated with your account to send the funds to. The transaction can be seen in about five minutes via your email and Paypal accounts as the transaction posts. When selling larger ticket items I take a deposit via Paypal, then cash on the barrel head upon item pickup. Remittance in full if the item is being shipped. I've been using Paypal for over 15 years and not a single issue with it; buying, or selling.

You can't fix stupid, don't waste your time trying. Seems like you're paid to fix equipment, not be judgmental of the customer base. Probably best stick to what you are paid for IMO (of course) before you find yourself unemployed.

Mostly raining like a cow pissin on a flat rock all day in mid Central Illinois.