1st Gen Mileage Question

[PBJ]

By the way The Maxie Brown and Gold Rules! Ask Friesman and Gigawhiskey!

[cowpuc]

My original 84 Gold Royale that the kids fondly named BEEGEE (B.G. = BIG GIRL) followed me home from an Estate Sale back in the 80's with a tad over 20k on her.. Lost second gear in her at almost 50k while drag racing a friend on a V65.. Continued doing cross country rides with my kids in tow and shortshifted our way alllllllll the way to 190k on her,, never did replace second gear. Had replace 2 water pump seals, one water pump impellar, updated Stator with the little oil splasher, two sets of Progressive Springs (I do a lot trail riding with the kids seeing the country) - ### GET THAT STINKING FISH OIL OUT OF FRONT FORKS - REPLACE WITH 7.5 WT!!## , three clutch packs, clutch master rebuild kit, fresh battery every other year (low voltage is #1 cause of starter failure so why chance it), countless tires and brake pads. I actually like riding in the rain and usually speed up when it is raining so my bikes tend to get abused.. I have had some issue with water contamination in both clutch and brake fluids so I have learned to clean/unplug the little bleed back holes in the masters for all, also keep lube on the stud your rear brake pivots on... Very early on I purchased a quick release oil plug for mine so I could drop the oil in a parking lot at an Auto Shop while traveling.. Learn to sync your own carbs - you will be amazed at how quickly they will change and at how it effects effeciency AND performance..l

My 84 began leaking oil on the top end around 100k but I rode it HARD! It later began losing some around the drive shaft seal shortly after that.. I never bother repairing either - would drop a quart between changes..

Anyway,,,,,,, The last trip Beeg made was out to the West Coast,, would still run 90 all day long in that great, vast desert heat on the way out BUT coming home I knew she was hurting... Believe it or not I was mentally planning the announcement to my wife that I was going to "need" another bike (you would have to know me to understand that one).. As I turned the corner onto our road, at 3 in the morning, an 83 Std sat in a neighbors yard with a 4 sale sign on it.. Stopped - OF COURSE - in the dark and looked her over.. Right side PERFECT, left side like it had been sitting in the rain its entire life about halfway down - left pipe rotted right off.... 24,000 on the clock!!!!!!!!!!!!

Went down the next evening, let the guy tell me how bad he needed it out of the yard - hadnt ran since his brother parked it many years ago,, original cover had rotted off exposing the left side.... Told him how much I would pay for a parts bike and took it home.. Pulled valve covers, prelubed the top end, fogged the jugs, rocked her in 4th to bump the pistons - she was free as a bird!! Did a mix up of parts with my Royale so the kids and I have LOTS of "memory parts" when we hit the highway..

It now has 139k on her!!! No oil leaks yet!! I am older and smarter now so when I race V65s I go easy on second gear.. Yea it has cost me a little in the mid range racing BUT it all equals out in the other gears and beating the neighbor kids aint so important anymore (yea right)....

Oh - by the way - welcome to the forum and congrats on owning one of the world most overlooked motorcycles - enjoy!

'Puc

[84xj1100]

BP&J,

 

Forgot to mention that you were quite right, I have the other Yamaha classic as well...the XJ1100 Maxim. I bought it new in 85 and turned the clock about 5 yrs ago, shortly after the TDI/TCI (black box) went TU. Found the 82 (then found a TCI about a month later) been ridin the 82 ever since and want to redo the 84. You'd be surprised at how many similarities there are between the Maxim 1100 and the Ventures. Intregal braking, computer monitoring including issues like the side stand switch, they even use the same oil filter.

 

On another note...maxie brown and gold????please:Im not listening to..of crse grey rules but blue is a close second........

 

Puc,

 

Thanks for all your info.....I actually did some real hard comparing of the 1st and 2nd editions....I opted for the 86-93 version because of the larger more refined engine, revamped tranny and the increased luggage capacity.

 

Scott,

 

Thanks for the offer to assist.....perhaps we could do coffee at some point if our paths cross....BTW.........What is with the fuel valve on these things??????? I was a Chief Instructor for the MC crse in Winnipeg for the last 12 years and we have always told folks to ride with fuel in the "on" position...when she studders reach down with your left (theoretically available hand) and switch to "res". How is that even possible on this bike?? If you leave it in "res" and she sputters???? Yes I keep track of my fuel with the odometer but there's always that little sigh of relief when you have that little extra in "res"

[Venturous Randy]

[quote=84xj1100;311361

What is with the fuel valve on these things??????? I was a Chief Instructor for the MC crse in Winnipeg for the last 12 years and we have always told folks to ride with fuel in the "on" position...when she studders reach down with your left (theoretically available hand) and switch to "res". How is that even possible on this bike?? If you leave it in "res" and she sputters???? Yes I keep track of my fuel with the odometer but there's always that little sigh of relief when you have that little extra in "res"

 

I, like a lot of others on here, leave the gas valve in the reserve position, I feel that getting a LITTLE trash in the system occasionally is a lot better that accumulating A LOT of trash in the bottom of the tank. I feel that with a fuel gauge and a warning light, I have not felt the need for a reserve. If I was relying on the reserve to remind me, I would have a lot more worries about trying to get out of traffic to stop and turn reserve on as I feel it would be very dangerous to try to turn reserve on at highway speeds.

RandyA

[silent67]

My 86 gets between 40 to 42 mpg when I stay around 55 t0 60 mph. She has about 67 k on her and still runs great. I sinc the carbs about twice a year.

[Wrongway]

I had 154,000 miles on my 1990 when I sold it. Still ran great. MPG 28-38 depending on wrist position.