Prairiehammer

I figured you would speak up about this, Mike, since you were intimately familiar with the mod (and Dano?) I suspected the worst. What is the long term prognosis? Will the starter catastrophically fail, leaving me stranded in New England in August? Is Dano still able to get the parts he needs from Yamaha to do the mod?

And I can vouch for his transmissions being noise-free, although a bit garbled and subdued. Chris' transmissions come in loud and clear.

Recently (started this spring), I hear a very distressing "clang" when the engine dies from too slow idle. IE, when starting cold with the choke off and the engine cooled (at a gas stop, for instance) or when idling from a cold start and because the idle speed is too slow with the choke off. My "choke" has always been more like an on-off switch instead of the expected linear activation; so to avoid a racing engine while warming up, I reduce the amount of enrichment and try to maintain a semi-fast idle (1500 rpm) with the choke. I often fail that, and as I am suiting up, the engine may start racing or may just start idling too slow and die---with a clang! It did an especially loud clang as it died while too slow idling this morning and then when I restarted, there was a definite "knock" emitting from the stator cover. I could feel the knock in the handlebars and placing my hand on the left engine guard I could feel a knock and simultaneously hear it. Have I broken the starter sprag? Or one of the springs in the sprag unit that pushes the roller(s) back to the start (neutral) position?

Or as I witnessed this weekend at Don's, the fuel petcock was closed. (Second Gen). Same symptom.

That only applies to our "antiquated" First Gens. The way I understand it, Yamaha took a technological step backward when designing the Second Gen. We have VOX. I think the "Mic-Mutes" are supposed to do what our First Gen's did from the factory. Progress?

They are made in Korea (at least the Tour King is). The load rating is identical to the D404, (761#, rear) which is to say that most people will overload them with a two up, loaded Venture. http://tinyurl.com/lqwdvv6

Yep, you are correct regarding the rack was not originally intended for the G2. It is for a Honda GL1500. I had purchased it on eBay with the assurances that it would fit my 1990 VR. It did not. The front legs landed on the vinyl armrests. There were two other G2 Ventures at Don's MD that had that same GL1500 rack on their trunks. In fact, I took Mike over to Joe Pat's Venture to show him what it would look like on his bike. So as not to be disingenuous, I also explained that the rack was not a Genuine Yamaha rack and showed Mike what the Yamaha racks looked like on the Venture and pointed out the reinforcing straps, etc.

Undoubtedly, since I actually took a loss on the rack sale. I just felt fortunate to be able to recover SOME of my "investment", especially gratifying though, to see a naked RSV finally get dressed.

That's 'cause I started in on ol' Mike right off the bat with my spiel. And lawdy, lawdy he bit as soon as the rack hit his trunk. I love it when I can get a Scot to part with his money.

I am always amazed and gratified when I see the politeness and consideration exhibited by the Queen's subjects.

You mean this guy, Michael? Why, I wouldn't have bought a thing from that shyster. Good luck, I say!

Who da thunk old farts could work like that? http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=77372&d=1370879583

So next year we all dress up looking like YammerDan on Sunday, June 9, 2013? Kewl!

Two color schemes in 1989: #1. Primary: Graceful Maroon, Yamaha code: 0RO #1. Secondary: Miyabi Maroon, Yamaha code: 0JY #2. Primary: Dull Blue Cocktail, Yamaha code: 08B #2. Secondary: Dark Grayish Blue, Yamaha code: 09B

I actually considered mounting a high quality LED flashlight or two like that onto the bike and running it off twelve volts with a knock down transformer.

The First Gens have a 10.5:1 compression ratio, yet "regular" gas is called for in the manuals. I built a Ford 390 back in the Seventies that had 12:1 compression ratio. Now THAT required Premium (Sunoco 260).

You have to add yourself to the map. Not saying Freebird couldn't do it, but privacy issues may result if he were to arbitrarily start putting people on the map. Perhaps not all members WANT to be on the map. Just sayin'. See above. BTW: Your Google "Globe" location takes me to Dieppe, FRANCE. Are you in France or New Brunswick?

I was going to bring my little camp stove and a coffee percolator, but your setup looks better. Do you also have a beer cooler fully stocked? If so, I am currently drinking Bud Light. Thanks a bunch!

All Ventures had a spring and all had an air bladder. The earlier Venture shocks had a rubber shroud covering the spring.

All Ventures came with an air shock. The Royales just added an on board compressor and controller.

Perhaps, but I have tried to drill stainless before and burned up some rather good drill bits. I was mostly being facetious, Jeff in my first post. Thanks for the kickstand pads.

Jeff, Could you drill a hole in a couple so I can attach a lanyard? I have a habit of driving off and leaving them. When we were using crushed soda cans, it was no big deal, but a nice piece of stainless is something I want to keep. Currently I use a 4 inch electrical junction box cover. I attached one of those cheap coiled lanyards and it stretches to the ground from it's anchor on the chrome bar next to the radio and then slip the box cover into the knee pouch when leaving a site. But the stainless would be über cool, if it had a hole. Just sayin'.

Dano, I'd be interested in the engine guards. They are for a MKII, correct?

The 41R will work on 1984-1989 Ventures. Blue label The 1983 uses the 26H TCI. Black label. 1990-1993 use 3JJ TCI. Yellow label. But, don't get fixated on the label color, time and heat might change the color a bit. The 1FK sounds like a V-Max number. And it worked in your '89 until recently? Hmmm.

Another safe de-greaser is "Simple Green" and hot water. Simple Green will cut the gasoline varnish, especially if combined with compressed air and a toothbrush. If your significant other has no objection, a double dose of dishwasher detergent in the dishwasher will do a presentable job of cleaning the disassembled carbs as well. Just make sure the small pieces are contained in a mesh bag or strainer.