Prairiehammer

Examine the slide diaphragms carefully for tears and pinholes. Lightly stretch and straighten each diaphragm along with a strong backlight to reveal perforations. Closely examine each slide for cracks. Hold the slide upright (diaphragm up), plug the vacuum port (at the now bottom of the slide) with a finger tip and pour gasoline into the slide interior. Cracks will manifest as gasoline leaking (seeping) out the slide side. Clean the bore of carb body where the slide is supposed to, um, slide. Check all the diaphragm/slide return springs for identical at rest length. The vacuum path is fairly short and simple. Air passing through the venturi creates a negative pressure (vacuum). The vacuum port on the end of the slide allows vacuum to be applied to the outer diaphragm chamber. This raises the slide. Any leakage due to a perforated diaphragm or a cracked slide or misplaced diaphragm lip (allowing leakage to atmospheric pressure around the diaphragm cap) will mean there is not enough vacuum generated to overcome the return spring force. Since you mentioned the "pea shooter" method of cleaning, you are probably aware that there is a more thorough, but similar method, variously called "the shotgun" or "shotgunning". You apparently haven't tried the shotgun yet. There is a 50/50 chance that you may get the pilot jet (the real culprit) clean enough with the "shotgun".

Indeed the 1200 float valve assembly is unique to the 1983-1985. And to the 1987-1988 XV535. All use the Mikuni BDS34. Subsequent XVZ13 models use the Mikuni BDS35. The needle is apparently not available by itself. One seems to have to purchase the entire valve assembly, PN 22U-14190-15-00. Same assembly is used on the 1987 & 1988 Virago XV535. New assembly can be purchased from Yamaha or here: http://www.boats.net/parts/detail/yamaha/Y-22U-14190-15-00.html Doing a quick search on eBay for the above part number uncovered just ONE: http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-OEM-Yamaha-Needle-Valve-Virago-535-XVZ12-22U-14190-15-00-NOS-/261461717647?hash=item3ce055328f&vxp=mtr Let me do a bit more research and see if I can't find an alternative source for just the needle.

IF the engine is warmed up AND the pilot jets and pilot circuitry are clean, then it will idle and take some throttle but the throttle has to be applied slowly until you get into the midrange where the main jets are starting to feed. Notice that it died after he quit giving it gas? Trust me, it will run like crap without the airbox. It doesn't even run well (lots of bogging and stumbling) without the air filter installed but the air box buttoned up.

Three characters. HA!

I note that your starter relay (solenoid) is (oddly) mounted upside down. Make sure that there is no interference with the posts on underside of the solenoid or damage to the wiring to and from it. Overall, it appears to have been potential for lots of shorts and bad connections, especially back there under the seat. I take it you transferred all the circuits from the old primary fuse block and the circuits from the old secondary fuse block to the new fuse block? Did you also put the CLASS power circuit into the new fuse block? What about the main fuse? If you retain the old main fuse, open it up and insure that the fuse mounting screws are tight and corrosion free. Also make sure that the main fuse had not blown sometime in the past and the PO inserted some kind of jumper to replace the old blown fusible link.

Rodney, I am planning to go to the MD. But I am going to avoid I-80/94 at the Illinois/Indiana border by going cross country on Illinois 17 to Kankakee and then on to Westville, Indiana where I will pick up the Turnpike. If the day is nice and I have the time, I may not take the Turnpike at all. Figure on getting to Don's in time to set up my camp and then go to the Quaker Steak for supper with the gang. What time did you imagine you would be by here?

I believe that Yamaha was CYA. It takes a fair amount of time to cycle through the CLASS regimen. Time that your attention and eyes would not be on the road. From a practical stand point (not saying that not running into the truck stopped unexpectedly in front of you is not a practical consideration), the CLASS pressure sensor might be thrown off by the changing dynamics caused by the undulating road surface. The pressure would be in a flux. Properly, the CLASS is supposed to be adjusted while the suspension is unloaded, ie, with the bike on the centerstand. If one adjusts the CLASS when on the sidestand for instance, the actual pressure reading will be substantially different than if checked while on the centerstand.

RIVCO has quit selling the spin-on oil filter adapter. This eBay seller offers one for the VMax and First Gen: http://www.ebay.com/itm/261045385834?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

It is not comparing apples to oranges. Both Ventures are intended as Luxury Long Distance Touring Machines. The two do have different ergonomics, but as for features, the First Gen beats the Second Gen. Seriously? No VOX? No passenger audio controls? Air up your suspension with a bicycle pump? No centerstand? No tachometer? Smaller trunk? Smaller saddlebags? Tell me SOMETHING that a Second Gen does better than a First Gen? Beuler? Anyone?

Another place that Yamaha cheapened the RSV: tool kit. Here is a pic of the RSV kit: And here is a pic of the First Gen Royale tool kit, followed by a list of the tools included on the 1990: And I should note that the QUALITY of the tools included in the First Gen is very good, on a par with Craftsman.

I am going to assume since you mentioned pumping the shocks up to "M" setting that you have the CLASS. There are a lot of joints in the CLASS system, any of which could leak at the fitting. Spray soapy water at all air hose joints you can find. Spray the soapy water around the air collars where the collars sit on the upper fork tubes. There is a pair of O-rings on each collar that could be leaking. Uncover the compressor and air valves under the trunk and check for leaks on the valve body and all fittings there. The fact that both front and rear go to "0" suggests a commonality to both front and rear. That commonality is the valve body. You may also be experiencing leaks in each branch, the front and the rear.

Berryman Chem Dip (not to be confused with Berryman Chemtool) http://www.berrymanproducts.com/products/carb-and-parts-cleaner/berryman-chem-dip-professional-parts-cleaner/. The Chem Dip is in a 3 quart can with parts basket and is safe for plastic and rubber parts. http://www.amazon.com/Berryman-0996-Chem-Dip-Carburetor-Cleaner/dp/B00DSMEL2A Chem Dip is also available in a five gallon pail, but I have not found it locally. Perhaps an automotive supply store that caters to auto shops and dealerships carries it?

An alternative to beating the seats out with a punch and hammer, is to press each seat out with a vise and a strategically placed bolt and piece of pipe on the outside:

The Cleveland Clinic has surgeons with experience with the Acticon Neosphincter, but those surgeons are in Florida. Seeing how the Cleveland Clinic is home based in Cleveland, I would think they would have knowledgeable surgeons in your location. http://my.clevelandclinic.org/Florida/Home/departments/colorectal_surgery

The Second Gen Venture 1999-2013 uses the same junction box for the throttle cables and cruise cable. The junction box is not sold as a complete assembly, but the individual parts, including the housings and the rotors are still available new. And of course, there are a lot more available as used for Second Gen. Throttle cables are different but the junction box is the same. Just a FYI.

That four wire MKII brake switch with the 'noise filter' is a valuable item; it is not available any longer (obsolete) and last retailed for US$188. Make sure you save it! Someone will want one someday. Same thing for the clutch switch; obsolete with a last retail of US$65.

Just swap the brake switch from the MKI to the MKII master cylinder. The float switch wires are the same on either MKI or MKII.

The 1983 front brake switch has two wires, whereas the 1986, with cruise control should have four wires.

That is the points set that you want. Search on this site with the search term "18-4615" and you will find plenty of information to confirm that is the correct part for the RSV pump.

Use the MKI brake switch in the MKII master cylinder/reservoir assembly.

Thank you very much, Dennis. Would you check the label under the brake pedal and tell me the build date? I'm gonna guess: 10/89? Appreciate it.

I believe the cover you are speaking of is the black plastic lever cover. Simply spread it and remove it from the assembly. It just snaps over the lever pivot bolt. Number 39 on this illustration. You think the 'plunger' is leaking? Is brake fluid leaking externally? Or do you suspect the master cylinder plunger is leaking internally? Thus not applying hydraulic pressure to the slave? Be very careful working with brake fluid around the Venture, especially when working on either of the handlebar master cylinders. Spilled brake fluid will not only ruin the paint, it will destroy the ABS plastic that is used extensively on the Venture. In addition to the painted parts, all the black plastic visible on the upper part of the fairing, the radio console, the CLASS console, etc. is ABS. Cover with a soft cloth, then cover that with plastic and then cover that with cloth. Seems overkill, but if you have ever experienced the destruction of the Venture plastic due to unnoticed brake fluid spillage as I have, then it is worth the trouble. Just so you understand, the clutch hydraulic fluid is BRAKE fluid, same as in the brake hydraulics.

Apparently you and India are just hearing about the Second Generation VMax. It is not new. New VMax came out in 2009.

My new to me 2016 XVZ17 with 35K miles (second owner) needs more oomph. I was wondering if anyone knows of an aftermarket EFI mapping program available for the Third Generation Venture? Seems like there should be, but I have not found any offered. I thought perhaps a program for the VMX17 could work, but none of the vendors offering the VMax tweak program say it will work on the XVZ17. Maybe because of the cruise control on the Venture? The fuel mileage has been excellent (50-52mpg), so I figured I could crank a few more horses out with a new map, even if the mileage dropped a bit. Thanks for any help.

Yes.