Prairiehammer

You have a Venture? When did you get that?

I think I would go with the 'silver' (Salt Lake Silver and Anthony Gray) Standard. Fewer miles, presumed better condition engine and carbs. You may be able to clean the 1988 tank without removing it from the frame, but removing the fuel tank is easier then swapping the engines. Since much of the 1988 luggage is already removed, removing the rear sub-frame (which is required to remove the fuel tank) would go fairly easily. All the plastic will interchange. You could even move the audio and CLASS to the 1988 from the 1986, if you wished. The electrical wiring would have to be adapted, but physically/mechanically the components will fit right in.

And what C.O.P. (bike model) did you end up using?

Thanks, Jack. Yeah, I had found that one before, but it has mixed reviews. Some say it is not a very steady read out; ±50 rpm bounce, some have said it doesn't work on their motorcycle, etc. I am looking for an accurate tach that will allow a 'lean drop' method for setting air/fuel mix. That means a tach that will show 50 rpm change. I was hoping someone had first hand knowledge of a good tach for using with the Venture.

I am requesting suggestions for a digital tachometer for shop and tuning purposes (not for mounting to the bike). I have an old analog Tach/Dwell meter, but it doesn't work on the Venture. Do the currently available tachometers use an induction connection for sensing spark or does one have to connect to the coil directly? What do you technicians use on the Venture? Where to find one? How much should I expect to pay for a middling meter?

Your 1988 is a Standard Venture, so no CLASS or factory audio, but it has an air adjustable suspension, just not adjustable with an on board compressor and CLASS controller. What's the two VIN and build dates if I may?

Pat, I am not familiar with Sea Foam Trans Tune, but the '4X concentration, has more detergents...' is worrisome. The components of the fuel system and the components of an automatic transmission may be dissimilar enough that the increased cleaning power of the Trans Tune may have ruined some components of the Venture fuel system. But I don't know that for fact, just speculating. There are four reasons that the Venture carbs will overflow: 1. Stuck float or stuck open float valve 2. Bad float valve needle or bad float valve seat 3. Bad O-ring on the float valve seat 4. Saturated (too heavy to float) float Any of the above will result in the carb bowl overfilling with the resulting fuel running out the bowl vent line to emerge in front of the rear tire as you describe. The fuel that you observe 'washing fuel all over the rear exhaust manifold' could be because of a ruptured or disconnected bowl vent (overflow) line near the carbs. The described leak could also be from a leaking fuel supply line(s). I would remove the airbox and examine all the vent lines and fuel supply lines on the carbs while the engine is running. Oh and don't be alarmed if your vent lines don't look like the ones in the picture. The pictured carbs are of my California intended Venture. The bowl vents are (were) all connected to a valve that would allow venting to a charcoal canister.

I was watching that 1989 transmission on eBay and when I saw it was sold yesterday, I wondered if it was you who had bought it. You got a very complete assembly for a very cheap price. I wouldn't be surprised though, if the shipping to Finland of such a heavy package will cost as much or more than what you paid for the transmission. Good luck.

I took my only Venture key into the local Yamaha dealership and they cut a new one for $7. I had already tried the home centers, hardware stores, etc. but none had the proper blank. The dealer did and had the key cutting machine. Ten minutes and $7 and I rode away with a spare key.

James, I can see the Peru and LaSalle water towers from my place. LOL Ten minutes or so. I have a vehicle and COULD go to Princeton, but I figure if I ask Marty to bring the bike here, then it will be an incentive to get it on the road. You are welcome to motor over to my place and help supervise, though.

While it CAN be done, it is pretty difficult. Every time you adjust one, then that throws off the others. Back and forth, four times each or more. Four carbs. Back and forth, etc. It is possible, I suppose, but you might spend an hour or more only to discover that the synch is still off. Check your voicemail.

Here is a graphic of the CMS and it's icons.

I'll make a deal with you, Marty. Become a supporting member here and I will synchronize your carbs for free. Just ride the bike over here.

That 'bolt' is a plug. A technician would remove that plug and screw in the CO sensor of the exhaust analyzer. To avoid confusion: the cylinders are numbered thus: LF=#2, LR=#1, RF=#4, RR=#3.

I wish I could help, Jason, but the 'maps' I have are for the 1990, I think it is different for the 1986, since the 1990 has only one pick-up. Maybe not. @dingy will chime in here now (now that I have 'paged' him) to offer a solution.

Red Covered Bridge near Princeton? Why is there a DNR officer stationed there? Don't they have better things to do than harass photographers?

Yes. The 1985 trunk is larger; virtually the same size as the 1986>, but is still removable like the 1983 & 1984.

Correct. The transmission from a XVZ1300, 1986-1993 will interchange with 1983-1985 XVZ1200 without issue. Here is one from a 1989 that is even more complete, with balance shaft, output gear, shift drum and shift forks for only $52.50! http://www.ebay.com/itm/1989-Yamaha-Venture-XVZ1300-XVZ-1300-transmission-trans-tranny-/291375484776?hash=item43d7550f68&vxp=mtr Here's another good buy from a 1986: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Yamaha-1986-1993-XVZ1300-Transmission-Gearset-w-Trans-Output-Gears-Set-/400792958067?hash=item5d511f3473&vxp=mtr

Anssi, if you are considering using used transmission parts, only use those parts from the 1986-1993 Venture. Parts from a 1983-1985 transmission will have the same problems with second gear that you have. Complete 1986-1993 XVZ1300 transmissions are on eBay, sometimes for very little money. http://www.ebay.com/itm/90-YAMAHA-XVZ1300-VENTURE-XVZ-1300-YM102B-ENGINE-TRANSMISSION-GEAR-SHAFT-ASSY-/351351360728?hash=item51ce2c4cd8&vxp=mtr I obtained the complete transmission from a 1986 for $30 USD; less money than a single new gear.

Admirable resurrection!

For that kind of money, it had BETTER look sweet!

Skid. Your float level is prolly gonna be a bit too high.

The small orangish filter/strainer is actually the standpipe. It has been removed from the petcock body in that picture. Yes, sometimes debris from the tank will plug the strainer(s). Unless the debris is adhered gasoline varnish, back flushing will usually clear the screen. More commonly, the plastic standpipe(s) fall out of the petcock body. Then of course, there is no strainer to plug, but the debris will pass through the open petcock, hopefully to be captured by the main fuel filter. If the taller standpipe does fall out, then there is no reserve capability. In the Venture carbs there is also a small, stainless steel, fine mesh filter (called the net filter) immediately before the float valve assembly. It is rare to have a plugged net filter.

I've contemplated that question myself in the past. The valve consists of a hollow plastic tapered plug. Tapered plug valves are inherently difficult to turn because of the high friction between the tapered plug and the matching tapered cavity in the valve body. Add the accumulated gasoline varnish and detritus of 25 years and the friction is even greater. If the tapered cavity within the potmetal petcock body becomes corroded (likely) then the tapered cone/plug gets even harder to turn. I would clean the plastic plug/cone and clean the internal cavity, ensuring there is no pitting or abrasive crud. If you decide to use an aggressive abrasive on either, be very careful to not remove any material or change the shape and fit of the tapered cone or cavity. Finally, a bit of grease (silicone or petroleum) will undoubtedly help relieve some of the friction, but I have my doubts as to longevity of the lubricant in the gasoline environment.

If by 'small inline filter' you mean the two upright vertical plastic strainers, yes there are two of those strainers on all the First Gen Venture petcocks, except for the 1983, where there is just one strainer, because the 1983 petcock does not have a reserve.