Prairiehammer

It can be done, but it would require a different trunk mounting rack (one from an 1986 or newer). I am uncertain if the sub-frame on an '83 is the same as on a 1986. The trunk mounting rack bolts to the sub-frame. The trunk would not be removeable after this modification, unlike the trunks on the 1983-1985.

Did the clicking continue with the clutch lever pulled in as you coasted in fourth or fifth? If it did; as the bike slowed, did the clicking frequency slow as well?

Did the clicking go away in fifth gear? Did the clicking sound increase and decrease with change in road speed? Was the click rhythmic? Did the sound change in intensity or frequency with a change in engine rpm? Could you identify where the sound was coming from? Engine? Wheels? Helmet?

Mike's photos are good. And here is a picture of the Markland trailer hitch installation sheet.

1986 US Royale had the Urishi Black (Primary) with Marshall Gold (Secondary) and Birch Brown (Primary) with Copper Brown (Secondary). 1986 Canadian Standard had Midnight Silver (Blue) As far as I can tell there was no US Standard Venture in 1986.

Brian, It can be a bit of a pain to remove those scoops without damaging the two tabs opposite of the screw. The tabs are deeply notched to catch a lip around the perimeter of the fairing opening. Like Randy says, try to wiggle/slide the scoop toward the centerline of the bike while twisting the screw side out. I broke one of the tabs off the my chrome scoops while installing. But once the screw is installed it can't fall out nor is it loose. The scoop has to fit inside the black plastic duct that is inside the fairing when reinstalling. It wasn't easy to do on my bike.

That list is not correct for 1987 Ventures, at least for US market Ventures. 1987 Standard (US): Primary= Orion Silver (Dark Blue), Secondary= Aurora Silver (Light Blue) 1987 Royale (US): Primary= Alluvial Gold, Secondary = Silky Gold 1987 Royale (US): Primary= Elegant Brown (Medium Greyish Brown), Secondary= Imperial Brown (Tan) Urishi Black/Marshall Gold was not a US 1987 Venture color. Birch Brown/Copper Brown was not a US 1987 Venture color.

1983 Petcock http://www.ebay.com/itm/YAMAHA-FZX700-S-SC-T-TC-Fazer1986-1987-NEW-Fuel-Petcock-Gas-Tank-Switch-Tap-/400459241942?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5d3d3b19d6&vxp=mtr

I may be beating a dead horse, but all this talk of vacuuming and drilling around the gas tank is scaring me. I certainly don't want to learn that this exercise in cleaning a tank has resulted in singed eyebrows or much worse. A friend of mine was installing a gas tank in a car last fall when it exploded. The force of the blast broke his neck and he has spent the last several months recovering. The tank he was installing had been sitting empty and open to the atmosphere (through the removed fuel pump port) for several days and yet... As I have said before, the use of any electrical tool, be it shop vac or electric drill in the vicinity of the open gasoline tank is an accident waiting to happen. Brian, the creation of a hole in the filler neck is a Second Generation tip to allow more fuel. I am not certain that it is an issue with the First Generation. Even if you decide it is important, do not use an electric drill motor to create this vent hole. If you feel you must clean the rust with a wire brush, use a brass (non sparking) wire brush. Be safe. I am continually amazed at the lackadaisical attitude people exhibit when it comes to gasoline. Gasoline and it's fumes are dangerous!

I know you said once the tank was dry, but the idea of using a shop vac to clean a gasoline tank is a very risky endeavor. The universal motor on most shop vacs use brushes in the motor that arc. And the evacuated fumes are blown right through the motor and past the arcing brushes.

Pond monster ? Never mind. I'm still in the running for the Master Bedroom, Don?

Any of these places sell OEM parts including cables: http://www.boats.net/parts/search/Yamaha/Motorcycle/parts.html http://www.speedsupplies.com/partslisting.asp?position=180&increment=500&category=YA http://www.bikebandit.com/yamaha-motorcycle-parts/oem-parts/s/m14 http://www.ronayers.com/ http://www.cheapcycleparts.com/oem-parts/yamaha?intid=YAMBANNER And of course there is always you friendly neighborhood Yamaha stealer.

I entered my marker and info. I am listed as a user, but the main map does not show any markers. There are no visible markers when I click on "show on map". Why no markers visible? On the dashboard: current markers 0

Lots of handlebar mounts for the Garmins with the ball: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=nvi+motorcycle+mount&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR2.TRC1&_nkw=nuvi+motorcycle+mount&_sacat=0 And this one looks similar to Fred's: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Motorcycle-GPS-Mount-GARMIN-Nuvi-Streetpilot-1-1-4-bar-/190681880018?_trksid=p2045573.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D27%26meid%3D6829229928645849291%26pid%3D100033%26prg%3D1011%26rk%3D1%26sd%3D190681880018%26

Point taken, Mike. Though the space between the CLASS/CB and coolant reservoir is already taken with "stuff"; tire plugging kit, four sparkplugs, Goop, etc. I stole the pouch on the trunk from Debbie and put the air compressor in there. She'll just have to find someplace else for her road stuff. Ouch! Not the head!

Mike, I carry a 12 volt air compressor in my saddlebag now. I changed the plug end on it and plug it into my battery tender pigtail when needed. I increased the in-line fuse to 10 amp and everything works well, but I thought if the onboard compressor could be utilized, it would be one less thing to have to carry.

On another forum, a Venture owner has rigged his CLASS to fill the bike's tires, utilizing an extension hose. The Gold Wings have the capability to use their onboard compressor as a tire inflator. Has anyone here done something like that with a Venture CLASS compressor? Quote from the thread (the thread involved the difference between early Standard ignition switches and Royale ignition switches. The poster had his CLASS pump wired to run on demand while ignition switch is ON, instead of normal ACC position for CLASS): "I can even fill the tires with my CLASS system (using an extension hose I carry ) and I can keep the engine running so the battery won't discharge if held over 1200 RPMs with my throttle hold." A couple of thoughts came to my feeble mind after reading that. 1. Where does one tap the compressor output? Apparently, he installed a Schrade valve somewhere, but where would one tee the output line to feed the Schrade valve? How does one make up the fittings? 2. I've often wondered if the CLASS compressor could be used for tire inflation, like the Gold Wings, but I was uncertain of the CLASS compressor duty cycle. How long can you run it at any one instance? How long would it take the CLASS compressor to fill a tire?

Congratulations! But June 8th is my birthday, so I think I should get the Master Bedroom by default.

Did you count my posts above? Or do I have to say "I'm in"? Nevermind, since I'm disqualified, I'm IN

OK, Don... If I win, can I sublet the Guest House (or Master Bedroom)? I'll be by myself. Maybe Minimuffin ?

Disqualified?! I was so looking forward to my Inaugural Freebird Maintenance Day...in the Guest House would have been a nice bonus...with or without Mrs. Freebird. As a consolation prize...may I pitch a tent in your yard next to the pond. Won't have to stumble as far during those middle of the night reliefs.

So, if I win...do I get the Master Bedroom and you get the guest house during my stay. I plan on just two nights there. Does Eileen plan to sleep in the guest house, too?

I don't own a California model like yours, so don't take this as gospel, but this pic might help:

The screws that secure the chrome windshield trim (MKI and MKII use same) are still available for $4.00 or so: http://www.boats.net/parts/detail/yamaha/Y-90149-05185-00.html The hex socket screws that hold the chin cowling are also available at above site for $2.00 each and presumably at your friendly stealer: http://www.boats.net/parts/detail/yamaha/Y-90110-06078-00.html

I was fortunate to find a NOS (in OEM carton) on eBay some months back and for less than a ubiquitous Slipstreamer. I know that doesn't help you, but the point is keep an eye out on eBay. Currently, there is a OEM windshield on eBay though used, it looks pretty good. http://www.ebay.com/itm/1989-Yamaha-XVZ13-XVZ1300-Venture-Royale-Used-Windshield-/380601363542?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item589d9bec56&vxp=mtr Another after market seller of Venture Royale windscreens is Cee Bailey. Pricey: http://www.ceebaileys.com/yamaha/xvz13venturews.html Also Precision Plastics: http://www.precisionlexan.com/