OldGazer Posted March 18, 2011 #1 Posted March 18, 2011 '91 Venture Royal. Stupid thing stands almost straight up when its on the kick stand. Makes it kinda difficult to put the stand up with a passenger aboard 'cause I have to lean the bike to the right. I took the stand off and used a grinder to flatten the foot. Apparently the mold is shaped so the foot has a "peak" at the mold line. This gave the bike a little lean, but not as much as I'd like. Question is, is this an inherent design characteristic, or is the stand too long. HINT: The stand was replaced by the pervious owner. Thanks! Y'All ride safe....
Condor Posted March 18, 2011 #2 Posted March 18, 2011 '91 Venture Royal. Stupid thing stands almost straight up when its on the kick stand. Makes it kinda difficult to put the stand up with a passenger aboard 'cause I have to lean the bike to the right. I took the stand off and used a grinder to flatten the foot. Apparently the mold is shaped so the foot has a "peak" at the mold line. This gave the bike a little lean, but not as much as I'd like. Question is, is this an inherent design characteristic, or is the stand too long. HINT: The stand was replaced by the pervious owner. Thanks! Y'All ride safe.... Cliff, If you're runing low pressures in you CLASS the bike will stand up straighter. Also if the tires you're running are low in pressure or undersized sidewalls it does the same thing. :cody
OldGazer Posted March 18, 2011 Author #3 Posted March 18, 2011 Condor: Tires are properly inflated, and I played with the CASS settings before I broke out the grinder.... I've never had a bike that doesn't lean when its on the kick stand....
Condor Posted March 18, 2011 #4 Posted March 18, 2011 Condor: Tires are properly inflated, and I played with the CASS settings before I broke out the grinder.... I've never had a bike that doesn't lean when its on the kick stand.... This is the first time I've heard where those suggestions didn't work to develope an acceptable lean. I still don't think it's the side stand. Could a previous owner installed a lowering kit?? How much travel do you have in the front forks?? How hard is it to get the bike on the center stand. A lowered bike is next to impossible. I have a '91 that has a slow leak in the rear tire. When it's enflated to max side wall it's no problem getting it on the CS, but if it looses 10-15psi from sitting it's next to impossible. And before we go there guys, I'm very aware of all the techniques to get a 1stGen on the CT.
GaryZ Posted March 18, 2011 #5 Posted March 18, 2011 This is the first time I've heard where those suggestions didn't work to develope an acceptable lean. I still don't think it's the side stand. Could a previous owner installed a lowering kit?? How much travel do you have in the front forks?? How hard is it to get the bike on the center stand. A lowered bike is next to impossible. I have a '91 that has a slow leak in the rear tire. When it's enflated to max side wall it's no problem getting it on the CS, but if it looses 10-15psi from sitting it's next to impossible. And before we go there guys, I'm very aware of all the techniques to get a 1stGen on the CT. My experience is that when my rear shock is low on air, getting it on the center stand is a real chore. I had a flat tire last November (rear) and it was worse. Two friends had to help lift it on the center stand. With 30 - 50 lbs of air and the E3 tire properly inflated it slides on the stand without much effort. My side stand actually seems a little short with the shock and tire aired up! Look at the fork position in the top triple tree. Mine has the fork leg flush with the top of the tree. My side stand measures 10.25" from top of pivot bolt to tip.
Condor Posted March 18, 2011 #6 Posted March 18, 2011 My side stand actually seems a little short with the shock and tire aired up! Yep, When I put the '83 on the side stand it'd lean over so far it scared the 'H' out of me. I'd have to double check to make sure it was actually down.... You could definately spot it in a group....
SC89Venture Posted March 18, 2011 #7 Posted March 18, 2011 Isn't it better to keep them on the center stand to keep the floats sitting level?
Rocket Posted March 18, 2011 #8 Posted March 18, 2011 Cliff, If you're runing low pressures in you CLASS the bike will stand up straighter. Also if the tires you're running are low in pressure or undersized sidewalls it does the same thing. Also if the stock fork springs are still in there, it will not have as much lean as well. When I put progressives in the 83, it raised the front end by 3 inches, increasing the sidestand lean.
GaryZ Posted March 18, 2011 #9 Posted March 18, 2011 Isn't it better to keep them on the center stand to keep the floats sitting level? I really don't think there is a float issue with the bike on the side stand. There can be an issue with the side stand sinking into the ground, or hot asphalt, and falling over. I generally put the side stand down, get off, then put it on the center stand.
GaryZ Posted March 18, 2011 #10 Posted March 18, 2011 Also if the stock fork springs are still in there, it will not have as much lean as well. When I put progressives in the 83, it raised the front end by 3 inches, increasing the sidestand lean. This could be the real answer to OldGazer's original question. My VR has Progressive Springs installed and I bet Condor does too
mbrood Posted March 18, 2011 #11 Posted March 18, 2011 Besides the bottoming issue, it might be an indication that your front springs are over the hill, letting the bike settle too low. I put Progressives in mine and then the lean angle was horrendous so I took out the plastic "preload" and she now sits with the "proper" lean.
Condor Posted March 18, 2011 #12 Posted March 18, 2011 My VR has Progressive Springs installed and I bet Condor does too Wellllll?? OK, you win... But.... it had a pretty good lean before the Progressives. The Progressives gave it a scary lean...
OldGazer Posted March 19, 2011 Author #13 Posted March 19, 2011 This is the first time I've heard where those suggestions didn't work to develope an acceptable lean. I still don't think it's the side stand. Could a previous owner installed a lowering kit?? How much travel do you have in the front forks?? How hard is it to get the bike on the center stand. A lowered bike is next to impossible. I have a '91 that has a slow leak in the rear tire. When it's enflated to max side wall it's no problem getting it on the CS, but if it looses 10-15psi from sitting it's next to impossible. And before we go there guys, I'm very aware of all the techniques to get a 1stGen on the CT. I dont' think the bike has been lowered, but I really have no way of knowing. I'm the third owner, and the previous owner is (to be kind) mechanically challenged. What clues should I look for? Since I don't have enough ass (I weigh in at 150# after a good meal), getting the bike on the center stand is impossible with out a helper.... As for the fork travel question, I suspect the forks could use some maintenance. At speed (say 70 to 80 MPH) the bike can get a little twichy, and hitting a bump can rattel my teeth.... One thing that may help get me on the right track is knowing what the stock ground clearance is supposed to be....
OldGazer Posted March 19, 2011 Author #14 Posted March 19, 2011 My experience is that when my rear shock is low on air, getting it on the center stand is a real chore. I had a flat tire last November (rear) and it was worse. Two friends had to help lift it on the center stand. With 30 - 50 lbs of air and the E3 tire properly inflated it slides on the stand without much effort. My side stand actually seems a little short with the shock and tire aired up! Look at the fork position in the top triple tree. Mine has the fork leg flush with the top of the tree. My side stand measures 10.25" from top of pivot bolt to tip. My side stand length checks out. I'll check the forks in the morning before I tear into the water pump (Time for new seals....drip, drip, drip....). Thanks for the tips.... Y'All Ride safe...
Reddog170 Posted March 19, 2011 #15 Posted March 19, 2011 My bike leans pretty good when on the side stand. When getting it on the center stand that is a nightmare. I have had a couple buddies come over and none of us had an easy time of it. Maybe each one is just a bit different.
93 venture Posted March 19, 2011 #16 Posted March 19, 2011 Your front springs are shot, i had the same problem, i think the progressive spring cost around 75 bucks and are well worth it.
Reddog170 Posted March 19, 2011 #17 Posted March 19, 2011 Yep I am sure of it. I am just spooked of taking on a job like that, never done it before. Shaun
Keemez Posted March 19, 2011 #18 Posted March 19, 2011 (I weigh in at 150# after a good meal), getting the bike on the center stand is impossible with out a helper.... It's all in the technique/strength and has very little to do with body weight or machine weight. I will allow as how the Venture is a little more difficult than others.
Rick Butler Posted March 19, 2011 #19 Posted March 19, 2011 Cliff, Your springs have lost all of their sag. You can help this situation out some by maxing out the air in both the front and rear, but you really need to replace both springs where Progressive still has a replacement spring for your rear shock as well as fork springs. Hope this helps, Rick '91 Venture Royal. Stupid thing stands almost straight up when its on the kick stand. Makes it kinda difficult to put the stand up with a passenger aboard 'cause I have to lean the bike to the right. I took the stand off and used a grinder to flatten the foot. Apparently the mold is shaped so the foot has a "peak" at the mold line. This gave the bike a little lean, but not as much as I'd like. Question is, is this an inherent design characteristic, or is the stand too long. HINT: The stand was replaced by the pervious owner. Thanks! Y'All ride safe....
OldGazer Posted March 19, 2011 Author #20 Posted March 19, 2011 I checked the fork tubes and they are even with the top of the tree, so I'm good to go there. I also checked on Progressive springs.... My wallet passed out, turned blue, and went limp.... I checked a local dealer's web site (Commonwealth Powersports) and new stock springs are about $63.00 each. Much better price, and seeing as how I'm a "stock kinda guy," I think I'll go that route this winter. In the mean time I'll just live with things as they are. After I checked the suspension out I removed and resealed the water pump. Only thing I didn't have with me was a set of snap ring pliers.... (The bike is parked at my club prez's house next to his RS TD/Voyager Trike). Took me a little longer getting the pump apart, but so what.... The oil seal and the spring loaded main seal were toast. The ceramic seal looked OK, but I changed every thing, including the O-rings for the pump cover and the plastic connector pipe. Coolant system checks out fine, no runs, no drips, and no errors. Fan comes on at about the middle of the temp gage, and riding temps never got above the black line below mid-scale.... Sweet... Tomorrow is a riding day..... Thanks for the help fellas, and Y'All ride safe....
Reddog170 Posted March 19, 2011 #21 Posted March 19, 2011 Not sure where you got a quote for progressive springs but they are cheaper than your stock replacements. I think they are about $90 per pair shipped to your door, but double check with skydoc on that. He has them for sale. Best of luck and enjoy the ride. Shaun
OldGazer Posted March 19, 2011 Author #22 Posted March 19, 2011 Your front springs are shot, i had the same problem, i think the progressive spring cost around 75 bucks and are well worth it. Item # 11-1112 is $92.95. I must have clicked the wrong thing last night and came up with a price just shy of $500.00.....
93 venture Posted March 20, 2011 #23 Posted March 20, 2011 Progressive Fork Springs Pair 45/70 #111112 $58.77 YAMAHA Mfg. #: 11-1112 Our #: M 02990 Vendor #: PS-1112 FITS MODEL: Venture Royale 83-94 http://www.mawonline.com/newsite/progressive-fork_springs.htm
Dano Posted March 20, 2011 #24 Posted March 20, 2011 Item # 11-1112 is $92.95. I must have clicked the wrong thing last night and came up with a price just shy of $500.00..... You probably checked out a Progressive rear spring...........
Rocket Posted March 20, 2011 #25 Posted March 20, 2011 You probably checked out a Progressive rear spring........... More likely a progressive rear shock assy, at that price.....
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