Prairiehammer

I will need a BFW for the handlebar nuts, too. I know I don't have any metric sockets that large, but isn't a 1 and 1/8" socket nearly the correct size for those nuts? Or is it 1 and 1/16"? So I will bring a breaker bar and/or a 1/2" drive ratchet, an extension and a couple of sockets to fit the nuts. Anything else? Carl, I don't have any 10 weight fork oil. I have 15 weight fork oil, but I suspect I wouldn't like the ride with 15 weight. Do you have room on your scoot to bring some 10 weight oil?

If someone has the 17mm hex socket to remove the fork caps, I'd like to install the Progressives. Thoughts? Surely not too involved for a Maintenance Day...is it?

Yep. See you this afternoon. [h=2]41.206881, -89.186961[/h]

That is a 1984 Venture Standard. The VIN and build date are on a white label on the lower frame rail just under the brake pedal.

Most definitely put high-temperature (I like the copper based) never seize on the bolts/nuts/studs. It wouldn't hurt to use the same copper based never seize on the pipe joints.

Some time ago, I purchased a passenger armrest on eBay. The seller claimed it was off a 1987 Venture. When I received it, I could not for the life of me, figure out how it was mounted on a MKII. As I researched the possibilities, I came to the realization that the armrest was originally intended for a mid-eighties Goldwing. The PO had removed the two tabs that would have clamped the armrest (via U-bolts) to a bar on the Goldwing. I put the armrest on the shelf and continued my search for passenger armrests intended for the Venture. Never did find any. Jim Crane @Jayceesfolly asked on this forum about wanting armrests and I gave those Goldwing armrests to him. He was going to cut and weld the brackets to fit the Venture. Subsequent to sending the armrests to Jim, I discovered a write-up in which a Venturer member had modified the exact same Goldwing armrests to fit his Venture. I sent that document to Jim. Below is the Goldwing bracket that I had, and a pic of unmodified Goldwing bracket. And below is the mod in .pdf format. Good luck! armrests from Gold Wing.pdf

Usually a shot of carb spray into the pilot screw well will blow the O-ring and washer out. Hold a rag loosely over the hole to catch the flying parts. Alternately a dental pick can be used to hook the washer and O-ring.

Marty, take the saddlebag to SIBS in Lasalle. I had some MKII saddlebag latches without a key and he made up a key to fit.

You described #49 hose layout. He asked about #44 hose.

Number 44 tube goes from the left front corner of the airbox (drain for accumulated oil in airbox) to the "T" in the crankcase vent hose.

Yep.

Some have mounted the larger R/R in the same general location as the stock. Others have mounted it up front on the left side below the "shin cowling" (lowers) and one guy put his in the chin cowling (1986 and up.)

In addition to all the good suggestions above, consider how you are braking; do you use both brake levers? The "rear" brake pedal and the front handlebar lever? Or do you use just one as you slow and stop? It seems inconsequential, but applying the brake to one disc or the other can "pull" the front wheel in the direction of the applied brake disc. Most of the time, it is not a factor, but at walking speed and below it can have some effect.

The 1983-1985 Ventures had a rubber washer in the steering head (between the two "castellated" nuts). A common mod was to replace that rubber washer with a steel washer of a specific thickness. It was called the "Furber Fix". Yamaha eliminated that rubber washer around 1986 and changed the steering head spindle "stack" of nuts, washers and locking tabs. Because of complaints of a "clunk" in the front end. There was also a service bulletin about the front end clunk: M83-015 Additionnal Predelivery service .pdf M83-016 Steering Head Noise.pdf Front End Noise.pdf Steering_Head_Noise.pdf

I have picked up on eBay the original Venture grips, new old stock. Occasionally I see really good used Venture grips on eBay. The Venture grips are longer than most grips. Grips intended for the GL1500 and GL1800 are the correct size as well. Note that OEM grips are different from right and left. (The throttle tube requires a larger grip diameter than the left grip.)

Jim, get into contact with @Neil86 (Neil McRobbie). He has a 1986 Venture and has been a LONG time Venture nut. He may have a lead on some OEM mufflers. He is in Rocky Mountain House.

Is his name "Bill" or is it "Charles" ? (Charles is on his profile) Are they coming back next weekend?

16898 Hawley Road Oberlin, OH 44074 "Getting ready to head up". Not heading up today are you?

Couple people on VRO have done that. Snaggletooth and Twigg. Here's Twigg's write-up on his conversion: http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?67750-Headlight-Conversion-to-HID-Projector-%28-86-93%29

Um, Charles, Maintenance Day is NEXT weekend, the Thirtieth. Just sayin.

OK, they are yours, Jeff. I WILL remember to pack 'em. In fact I will put them in "Camping Central" (Maintenance Day version) right now.

Speaking of ammo; Anyone out there want some Winchester-Western 7mm Remington Magnum fired brass? I've got 20 each. I'll give them to whomever wants them at MD. But speak up, because I won't bring them to MD if no takers. I also have one 30-06 fired brass with headstamp FA 38 NM. "National Match"

Thank you for the VIN, reefer. I can't explain the date discrepancy, but sometimes there were some really long sitting leftovers. Your bike was made in April 1983; add a month or so to get to the States and then it may have sat in a warehouse waiting for a dealer to order it, but by then the 1984's were out. It MIGHT have sat that long waiting to be sold, but I doubt it. By 1987, the second version of the First Gen was on the showroom floors. But who knows?

Rick, I hope you feel better soon. At least you were having fun when you decided to exit. Cheers!

Just make a contribution for the Maintenance Day expenses here? http://www.venturerider.org/forum/vbdonate.php?do=donate