Anyone have "little known secrets" about 2nd Gen

[Rick Haywood]

If you run Satellite radio split the fairing and run a splitter inside from the original aux jack so you can hook it up without the tape deck door being open. You can also mount the antenna inside the fairing so it is out of the way.

[Barrycuda]

  Mike G in SC said:

 

If you have daytime glare in your windshield from the gas cap, cover it.

I had a fancy gas cap cover, someone stole it. Now I have a cut up sock on it.

No one steals the sock!

 

I wouldn't steal the sock either. For that same problem, try this: find a beer Cousy at the dollar store and cut it and pop it on. Match the color fornyour bike. It holds up well and dries quickly in the rain. ( vs. sock)... Credit( that I know of for me saying this) goes to the rider of the black cherry RSV owner/ rider at B2Moms at the BBQ...

Edited June 30, 2013 by Barrycuda

[dacheedah]

  Barrycuda said:

I wouldn't steal the sock either. For that same problem, try this: find a beer Cousy at the dollar store and cut it and pop it on. Match the color fornyour bike. It holds up well and dries quickly in the rain. ( vs. sock)... Credit( that I know of for me saying this) goes to the rider of the black cherry RSV owner/ rider at B2Moms at the BBQ...

 

Cougar showed me you can do that and use it to hold your drink also

[Sailor]

Ladies love the 2nd gen, especially the midnight special. Please don't tell my wife!

[VentureFar]

You all are great. I have learned a lot. Any one "lurking " please chime in. There has to be more.

[Barrycuda]

One last thing...my color scheme happens to be the fastest....just saying

[VentureFar]

  Barrycuda said:

One last thing...my color scheme happens to be the fastest....just saying

 

See barracuda that is good info for newbies. Some want faster and some want better mileage like me on the Midnight Venture.

[Yammer Dan]

  VentureFar said:

See barracuda that is good info for newbies. Some want faster and some want better mileage like me on the Midnight Venture.

 

 

Good Info but WRONG!!!!:rotfl:JUST ASK!!

[VentureFar]

  Yammer Dan said:

Good Info but WRONG!!!!:rotfl:JUST ASK!!

 

See I should have read this thread before I bought my 5000 mile 2007 4 months ago

Now you tell me.

VentureFar...

[spear]

Don't know if this qualifies to be included here, but my fuel tap is permanently set at the Auxiliary position. No need to reach down in traffic to switch it over from the main if that runs out. I always peek at my fuel gauge (as one does) and I know when I'm running low.

Who else does this?

[awsmsrv]

  spear said:

Don't know if this qualifies to be included here, but my fuel tap is permanently set at the Auxiliary position. No need to reach down in traffic to switch it over from the main if that runs out. I always peek at my fuel gauge (as one does) and I know when I'm running low.

Who else does this?

 

I do, I do.

[djh3]

I tried using the "second" trip meter to follow my oil change milage. I was a bit miffed when I went to check the milage and it said something like 400 and I knew I had been way more than that. then a member tells me it only goes to like 1000 miles. So dont know what good it does really.

[VentureFar]

  spear said:

Don't know if this qualifies to be included here, but my fuel tap is permanently set at the Auxiliary position. No need to reach down in traffic to switch it over from the main if that runs out. I always peek at my fuel gauge (as one does) and I know when I'm running low.

Who else does this?

 

It does qualify. Anything qualifies.

I don't do "local" riding so all my gas stops are planned and stretched as far as possible. . If I run into headwinds or driving too fast and use too much gas I want to have positive control of the information, I see the reserve light come on and I start calculating if I will or won't make my planned stop. - if not- I don't worry as I carry 2 liters of gas with me for just such eventualities.

In my old Honda Spirit with no gas gauge, it simple started fuel starvation bucking and slowing. It was the only way I would now to switch to reserve. If I was getting close to reserve and IN traffic, i would switch to reserve before needing to so I wouldn't have a truck eat me up.

Also- note for this thread:

 

When I switch to reserve, I swing open the gas cap key cover.

When I stop for gas which could be 30 to 45 minutes later it reminds me to move the gas lever back to main.

 

VentureFar...

[Cheesehead in flatland]

  Barrycuda said:

One last thing...my color scheme happens to be the fastest....just saying

 

I agree, the 2003 color scheme is definitely the fastest!

[Long Tall]

  sarges46 said:

For the cruise try this

 

push set then immediatly push the button to resume....down/up. I found this works well.

 

This is what works for me also....Do it no other way.....

 

Long Tall

[bill4you502]

I can testify to losing shifter bolt and subbing a side cover bolt. On the way to M.D. I looked down and saw the shifter hanging by the linkage! I didn't know that the side cover has a "Dummy" bolt (towards the front) that also fits the shifter! Reading these threads is a greay way to learn these little known "secrets!"

 

:backinmyday:RIDE ON AND RIDE SAFE!!

[Condor]

  sarges46 said:

For the cruise try this

 

push set then immediatly push the button to resume....down/up. I found this works well.

 

 

Or.... a lot of folks just push the set button twice. I used to keep pushing the set til it finally kicked in.... then someone gave me the secret.

[Yammer Dan]

  Cheesehead in flatland said:

I agree, the 2003 color scheme is definitely the fastest!

 

Still Wrong. Oh this was 2nd Gens... I'll stop til they catch up and see which gets here first. I needed a nap anyways.......

[Barrycuda]

  Cheesehead in flatland said:

I agree, the 2003 color scheme is definitely the fastest!

 

See?! I Knew Cheesehead was awesome, and correct.

[Barrycuda]

  Yammer Dan said:

Still Wrong. Oh this was 2nd Gens... I'll stop til they catch up and see which gets here first. I needed a nap anyways.......

 

 

Yammer Dan is just a bit upset bc his first Gen comes with the state mandatory antique license plate, Youngsters marvel that its not in a museum....

[Barrycuda]

  spear said:

Don't know if this qualifies to be included here, but my fuel tap is permanently set at the Auxiliary position. No need to reach down in traffic to switch it over from the main if that runs out. I always peek at my fuel gauge (as one does) and I know when I'm running low.

Who else does this?[/]

 

Is that harmful in any way? You just leave the petcock valve on aux the whole time? It still runs fuel off the main tank until it hits a certain mark?

[VentureFar]

  Barrycuda said:

  spear said:

Don't know if this qualifies to be included here, but my fuel tap is permanently set at the Auxiliary position. No need to reach down in traffic to switch it over from the main if that runs out. I always peek at my fuel gauge (as one does) and I know when I'm running low.

Who else does this?[/]

 

Is that harmful in any way? You just leave the petcock valve on aux the whole time? It still runs fuel off the main tank until it hits a certain mark?

 

In a different thread we were told it is just personal choice. The switch to reserve is really just pulling from lower in the tank - an NO it doesn't HELP the sediment in the tank to drain from the bottom all the time because the bike is bouncing around the sediment all the time as you ride anyway.

[AKRefugee]

On the rear brakes the inside pads will wear faster than the outside pads. When the inside pad gets down to about half of the outside pad you can switch them around therefore giving you a bit longer life on the rear pads.

 

If you leave the plastic dust cover off the rear brake you can look down into the pads from the top with the saddlebag open to see the widths of the brake pads. You will need a good flashlight to do this but you will not need to crawl around on the ground to check your rear brake pads.

 

When you change your rear tire you can put a 45 degree filler in place of the 90 degree and set it to the right side of the bike. Way easier to check your tire pressure before a ride.

Edited July 2, 2013 by AKRefugee

[SilvrT]

Not sure if this qualifies for a "little known" thing about a 2nd gen but it is an observation...

 

We just got back from a 3 day ride to various points in the BC interior.

 

We saw 2 2nd gen Ventures, 6 Victories, about 10 or so Goldwings, a spattering of other brands and types, and more Harleys than you can imagine.

 

Point being, there's not a lot of em around as we rarely see them on our travels and over the past month, not counting this past weekend, the ones we have seen belong to riders we know (two in total) and one used to be ours.

[Guest tx2sturgis]

The Venture trunk racheting gizmo is junk, just remove the strut, the trunk lid will operate much better.

 

If your fuel pump is a few years old, and the bike sits awhile, the pump sometimes will 'stick' and you will run out of fuel in under one mile..(blame this on ethanol). Just remove the left cover (above the passenger footboard) and tap on the pump (black cylinder looking thing) with a wrench or screwdriver handle, with the ignition 'ON'. You will hear it click back to life. Also, treat the fuel with Seafoam or Startron. Your fuel pump will thank you, by working better.

 

The hinge bolts on the saddlebags lids will loosen over time and use, just remove the fabric cover and tighten the hinge bolts.

 

If you havent found it yet, the factory tool kit is UNDER the right saddlebag foam floor pad, in a little recess. Your welcome.

Backing the Venture can be a chore, especially if its a slight uphill, or on grass, or with loose gravel under you. While seated on the bike, and with one hand on the grip, pull that grip back all the way toward you (bars fully left or right), reach back with the other hand, grab the pasenger grab handle. Lift up FIRMLY, and with your legs now fully pushing down on the ground, push the bike backwards a few feet. It works, although you will be backing in a curve. But you can make adjustments as you walk it backwards or change your hand positions to move the bike where you want it. (note, if you have a Venture trike, sidecar, or a GoldThing, this does NOT apply!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 2, 2013 by tx2sturgis