Peder_y2k

If adjusting the pilot screws had no effect, then there is definately something seriously wrong with carb function. On my bikes, turning the pilot screws either in or out to extremes will cause the engine to quit frome either a lean mixture or a very rich mixture that will not combust. Non reposnsive pilot screws is a real clue, that is to say that a radical mixture change is ineffective. You sure that a pilot screw tip is not broken and stuck in the carb body? -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA

I went out into the garage and looked at all my bikes, and looked underneath on the floor for any wet spots....found none. Then started looking for a bike part delivered from an e-bay seller that got mislaid, not finding it again. Came back inside from the cold (48*F) to warm up and think about next spring riding. -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA

New coolant 4 months ago. Will consider stop leak experiment. Thanks George -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA

Found this thread and will use it as a repair guide. -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=67565

Thanks Carl.... I'll check it out. -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA....where it is 49'F. calm, and clear, visibility 10 miles

One with an electric motor, like ZERO bikes have. That's because the battery will always be low/dead and the motor just sits there, so the bike never wears out. -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA

11H-12438-00-00 SEAL, MECHANICAL11H-12438-00-00 SEAL, MECHANICAL11H-12438-00-00 SEAL, MECHANICAL is shown as "Part Obsolete", but on google search I find same part number assigned to other bikes/ATV's still available for around $25.00. Would it be safe to assume this is same part for my '88VR? -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA

I'll be darned, on closer inspection the coolant is exiting the water pump weep hole. This leak is minor (3-4 drops) and occurs only when the bike has been shut off after being thoroughly warmed up. As it cools down, leak stops. Comments? -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA

Slow leak developed at this hex plug. What fix? Is it an o-ring, or a crush washer seal? Lower right side gen1 slightly below and to the rear of the water pump. -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA

Forgot the Yamaha xv535 for your list. Liquid cooled mc engines are like small car engines. Maintain them and they last and last. Ignore them and they dissapoint you. Air cooled not so long. -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA

Safety reflector tape......... yellow with black stripes, as if you are improving night visibility markings. -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA

I had a professional 3 gas analog exhaust analyzer, but found the factory settings unworkable for my bikes, so I used old fashioned 'tuning by ear' to get the engines to run perfectly. Still thinking fuel mix is off, and likely the pilot circuit (pilot screw adjustment) is the culprit, presuming the carbs are well synched. BTW, sold the EGA Good luck........ -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA

If the floats were changed, were they adjusted correctly for proper fluid level inside the carbs? Also, the pilot screws may need adjustment to compensate for the age and wear of the engine (breaking-in). If they've never been adjusted, evidenced by the original anti-tamper plugs still in place, this could account for the bogging. -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA

A true synthetic also will find any miniscule leak point and leave the engine. Start with the basic, then if leaks develop, change to the stuff with the additives for old worn engines like yours. FWIW, true sythetics will break down from high heat and revert to a highly corrosive acid that eats iron and aluminum fast. Not very likely that your engine could produce those temps such as 1200 dgrees F. Higest temp a car/truck engine can generate in cranckcase is about 400*F, so you're safe. Just don't use it in jet engines like you Lear Jet has. The first widely available true synthetc is AMSOIL, and they have a great product line including auto tranny fluid and gear oils that Mobil 1 does not have. I still use dino oil....Shell Rotella T in my mc's and Mobil 1 in my newer car engines. There are also a host of phony synthetics out there, Castrol for one. These are simply highly refined dino oil. -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA

"AND this is why I love my 1983" Same here with an '82 ford van and '87 Samurai.......then things get complicated with an '89 Chrysler 2.5l Turbo GTC....but not so much. I choose a level of technology I can understand and repair easily and inexpensively. Haven't been to a repair shop of any kind in 40 years as I do it all myself, 'cept car tires....but I can do those also. I still recall a Road&Track magazine article from the late '50's entitled "Death by Distraction" that keeps ringing in my ears -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA (66y.o.)

Drain and clean the internals of the carbs as if you were fixing a problem. Make certain the slides and slide bores are clean and dry. Lightly oil any and all o-rings. Assemble the carbs as if they were to be installed. Place a couple packets of desiccant in a big ziplock bag along with the carbs and place on a flat shelf with carbs correct side up, as this permits gravity to keep the inlet valve open and the tip seal not in contact. Years from now when you need them, first check the slides for free movement with light finger pressure, and if good then install the set and fill the carbs and fire it up. -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA

Have had my Yamaha XVZ12/13 experience since 1988, moved up from an XS1100 Special. Awaiting a new premium touring bike from Yamaha.........and not any glorified cruiser style Harley copycat like the gen 2. Riding since 1955 learning on a Harley flathead springer with dead-man clutch and side shifter on a rutted Alberta prairie road. Couldn't stop moving as a cloud of blood thirsty mosquitoes was chasing me. -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA

I'm still here 3x every day looking and reading, but if I don't have anything significant or informative to say, I stay quiet. -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA

Here's that same offer on Craigslist. I agree on the $1000 less price point, but I'm not in Canada. With 75,500 miles on it....... the selling price needs adjustment. I watch Seattle craigslist regularly and there have been several western Canada offerrings of late, just not a lot today. -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA http://victoria.en.craigslist.ca/mcy/4106831396.html

Function of the 'plate washer' is to prevent the sharp edge at the end of the spring from damaging the oil filter seal when under compression. Over time, the spring can knife its way through the seal if no plate washer is used. With spring at wrong side of oil filter, the oil passages doen't line up for proper flow of oil through the filter, so most oil goes unfiltered. No spring allows the filter to slide along the bolt and again, the holes don't align for proper oil flow. -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA

Harley riders snub Buell..........which was a Harley company. BTW, who cares what harley riders do or don't do, as long as they keep up their houses and mow their lawns. -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA

I had a '78 and these bikes were known for high speed front end wobble.........as were most all bikes. They did not turn very well swinging wide at agressive speeds, but we don't ride like that anymore. The middle gear system was prone to failure. I liked the kick start along with the electric start, so a weak battery was a non issue. The kick start was gone by 1980. Gasoline was free back then, so economy was not considered, but I know my '88VR gets better fuel economy today even with 10% ethanol unleaded. -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA

At first blush, did you try enriching the idle mix by turning the pilot screw out some? On my machine that runs great, the pilot screws can all be turned in to the point the engine slows down due to the mix being lean, then turned out until it slows down again from being too rich. The 2-1/2 turns out is just a starting point. -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA

Google search Kuryakin semi-ridgid tour packs for starters. -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA

That's a real good idea for the idiots among us. This idiot is gonna get started doing same thing.....or something similar with that unused sensor circuit. Maybe a pressure switch in the passenger seat...... to let me know if she's not there.......... -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA