RedRider

+1 on the WoLo (Stebel) horn. It will get other's attention. Oh, and get the CarbonOne bracket. RR

Per the show's website, Yamaha Motor Corporation is scheduled to have a booth in Chicago. The exhibitor listing for Dallas did not include MamaYama. RR

Oil thread - must be winter As mentioned, the Venture has a wet clutch (the clutch plates are in the engine oil). Therefore, you need an oil without the newer friction modifiers. Look for this on rear panel label on the oil jug: The Rotella T4 qualifies: The T4 is full dino oil. Rotella T5 is a synthetic blend, and T6 is full synthetic. Take your pick. My bike seems to like the T4 just fine. RR

What a great ride. How long do you have for your trip? Vermont and Maine are really nice additions as is upstate NY. RR

Congratulations. You purchased the best looking and fastest of the 2nd Gen Ventures. Lets see if I can remember your questions without going back to the start - 1) Carb boots - They are likely fine. These boots are actually two layers of rubber with a metal liner between them. Mine look just like yours and have for the last 100,000+ miles. Still running the original boots. If you still aren't convinced, start the bike and spray carb cleaner on 'em. Dollars to doughnuts you won't hear a change. 2) Handling at speed - My first instinct is tires; either pressure or age. Mine loves to run at 80-85 but gets kind of skittish about 95. You may also want to check the pressure in the shocks. The rear shock will handle up to about 45 psi (IIRC). The front forks will take up to about 7 psi. DON"T ADD AIR WITH A COMPRESSOR IN THE FRONT SHOCKS!! Use a small handheld pump or you will blow the seals. The Progressive pump is excellent as it is a zero let-off pump. Believe it or not, it is as inexpensive to purchase the HD branded pump (same thing just with the bar and shield logo). 3) Cruise control - Doesn't work over 80 mph by design. It runs on vacuum and therefore doesn't hold very well at 78-80 mph. Try it at 65 to test it. It may be fine. 4) Passing lights - pretty well covered already. BTW, there is likely a button on the lower left inside of the fairing (next to the cig lighter outlet) that turns them on/off. 5) Backfiring on decel - Carb tune and sync. Might need bowl float height adjusted (do this when you do your first valve shim adjustment as you need to pull the carbs). AIS installed or not won't make much (if any) difference. Of course, if you have an exhaust leak that would cause it also, but I expect it is the carbs. 6) Horn - There are two horns on this bike. One is under your seat on the throttle side (side of engine) and the other is in the left lower fairing. Don't spend a lot of time to get these anemic beepers to work. Make sure the button is making good contact and then change out the side horn to a Stebel/Wolo horn. Run it through a relay. Leave the other horn in place and don't worry about it. You won't be able to hear it over the Stebel even if it is working perfectly. 7) I might suggest hooking up an ignition bypass relay. One of the few weaknesses of this bike is the ignition switch contacts. They are not designed to handle additional amperage of things like auxiliary lights. There is a thread on here about it. Not something I would put at the top of my list, but once you get used to doing some work on her, it is a nice safeguard. Fairly easy to do. 8) Pay your $12 to Freebird (our esteemed leader). Best money ever spent if you own a Venture. 9) Ride, ride, ride. It is a great bike. RR

Depends on what riding you want to do. Comfortable 400 or so miles a day? Rick does a great job with his mods. 1000+ miles a day? Russell Day Long is the only real choice. Don't waste your money on Corbin, etc. RR

Welcome. 50k miles wouldn't worry me a bit. I have 157k miles on my 2000 and would be comfortable taking it across country (if the weather were a bit warmer) at any time. Bombproof engine. It will likely need a little maintenance, but we can help you through that. Fairly easy bike to work on. Depending on the options/add-ons, you might be able to get the price down a little bit ($2500 or so). Go for it. RR

It had a cassette deck until 2012 or so. ABS isn't slated to be added to this platform until 2040. RR

There was a metering valve setup done by one of the members that addressed this problem. Let me see if I can find it. Edit: Here it is: LINK RR

FYI on buying a new clutch slave vs rebuilding. It is cheaper to replace with new in this case. RR

The standard clutch assembly on a Gen2 Venture is also 5.8ftlb (8Nm). As usual, Earl is spot on. As a note though - use an inch-lb torque wrench on this. 70inlb. A ftlb torque wrench is not generally going to be very accurate at this low setting. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN. Don't ask my how I know. RR

And... There is a nice group of VR members in the WI area that can help when needed. Just let us know. Welcome. RR

FYI on heading down to the Immigration offices in Chicago. Drive to Kenosha and take the North Line from there. It drops you off a few blocks from the INS offices. Google 'Metra train schedule'. Took that when we needed to get a same-day passport for son #3 a few years ago. Good luck in getting this resolved. RR

I've used a LittleLite for illuminating the tankbag map/instructions during night time riding in LD rallies. Works great and can be wired into the 12V. RR

It does seem to be a rotary argument. RR

What I could tell of these articles (not going to pay for the complete download) is they apply to the complete crankshaft/multi-piston engine inertia. My comment was directed at the very specific scenario presented: I've had to do the inertia calculations for a system similar to a crank/piston (actually a Scotch yoke). Single piston. No reflected inertia when all is lined up. All in good fun. RR

I'll jump in here for this one. The reflected moment of inertia (to the crankshaft) of the piston and rod have to stop and reverse direction is ...... ZERO! There is no moment when all the components are lined up. Therefore, no moment of inertia either. RR

Fool, Stop it!!!!! I just got a new-to-me bike that needs the tires scrubbed in!! No snow until after Christmas!!! Arrrrggghhh! Why do I live up here? RR

2009 BMW R1200GS Adventure Flew down to Melbourne, FL on Friday and rode it home to Fond du Lac. Made it in time for dinner Sunday (along with a stop in Charleston, SC and Fort Wayne, IN to see family). This is intended to take over the Long Distance duties from the Venture. The Venture is being retired to trips with the wife. Let the farkling begin! RR

Good luck tomorrow. Look forward to seeing pictures a smiling new US Citizen tomorrow. RR

I think all the major items have been covered: - Rear shock - Mine went out at about 100k miles. Replaced with a Hagan for about $400. - Fuel pump - The points arc. Replacement points are available for about $30. My original is still working fine at 155k miles - Ignition switch - Routed all loads around the switch early. Not had an issue. - Parking lot speed heaviness - Installed raising links which helps tremendously. - Periodic maintenance such as wheel bearings, relube suspension mechanics, replace front springs (need to do this again), lube splines, etc. Other than that, gas, tires, periodic fluid changes, and ride. Oh, and there is a solid contingent of VR folks in Packer country. Go Pack Go indeed! RR

Wish you were closer by. I would drop of my take-off R/R from when I changed my stator. Pretty sure it still works. RR

Welcome to the family and congratulations on a good buy. You will quickly find there are several folks on here that really know their stuff. ^^Cowpuc^^ is one of them. I learned something today. Guess I can go back to bed. That is a great post. RR

'72 Kawa H2? Be still my beating heart. RR

First order of business is to replace the clutch fluid. If it is old, it will contain water and act funny. If you are going to change out the clutch, +1 on the Barnett spring upgrade. RR