Newbie question

[Boatnut]

Hi all, looking at buying a very well cared for 120,000klm 1985. Runs excellent, idles perfect, no noises, second gear seems to be fine, owner has just gone through bike: new stator, suspension all works 100%, new filters, dash all works, good brakes, fork seals good, tires good, coolant changed and all new seals/o-rings, starter replaced with the upgrade 4 brush model, etc etc....

He basically went through bike to get ready for long trip and then plan changed....

The bad: left side muffler got damaged and now tip is rusted through. Bike seems to be very "flat" past 1/3rd throttle. As in makes no extra power? Thought the power should build with rpm but as much, if not more, throttle response at 2,500 as at 4,000. Might almost hear it kinda have a steady miss in one or two cylinders under hard throttle. Not sure, very subtle if there is.....

I am looking at this purchase as a second winter bike. Not interested in getting involved in an on going project/witch-hunt to fix. Almost like main jets are plugged in one or more carbs?

Anybody help out with this? Common?

I'd think it was low on compression apart from the rock solid idle and zero blue smoke. Timing advance?

Or, is this just the nature of the beast?

[Yammer Dan]

Bike will run as strong as anything you have rode of that size if you get it right. Join up and it won't take long.

[Wizard765]

This could be a number of different things. The Carbs could need a good cleaning or the TCI could have failed (this sounds like what mine was doing when the TCI failed. But it also could be a bad vacuum hose going to the MAP sensor.. I would check that hose first. Anyhow if the price is right it will be a great bike for you. BUT if you are looking for something that you won't have to work on I believe that could be a problem due to the bike being 30 years old there will most likely be things to tinker with periodically. I beileve the bike is worth it though. Awesome bike to ride. Once you get it running properly you will be very happy with the performance.

[Boatnut]

Thanks for the response Yammer Dan. I fairly sure it's not right, pretty sure? power is meant to be at least linear, if not building with rpm. Looking for thoughts what the issue could be. Not interested in buying this bike if it starts out being a project..

Looking to buy an inexpensive, reliable winter bike that I can basically just ride and do regular maintenance on.

At the price point, if it needed anything major I would fast lose interest in purchase.

[Boatnut]

Thanks Wizard. Understood a 30 year old bike will need some tlc. Just don't want to start off with a gremlin lol... Maybe not the right bike for my need. Lots of systems and electronics to malfunction. Should probably look for something simpler.... He is looking for $2,500 . If it ran as it should, I was in same ballpark.

Cost for a "TCI"? Available?

[dingy]

Last 4 digits of serial # after 1413 had transmission problem fixed at factory.

 

Gary

[Venturous Randy]

We hope you join as we like 1st gens. Just out of curiosity, what is the last four on the serial number? That makes a difference on the 2nd gear issue.

As far as the running. it sounds like you may be running on three or two cylinders. Start it cold and let it run for 30 seconds or so and feel all the exhaust pipes or use a in-fared temp gauge. Plugged pilot jets will make it run crappy as well as holes in diaphragms. These bikes are sensitive about spark plugs and the spark plug caps have a resistor that can corrode.

This is just a few of the basics to check and as you get into it, there are a lot here that will help. These bikes have plenty of power when running right.

RandyA

[The Tooch]

Ok. I haven't been here that long.........and I can't believe someone hasn't told him "Seafoam" yet!

 

You guys are letting me down?

[Boatnut]

It's 1405.... On line at same time as they intro'd the fix but just a few too soon lol....

This bike started up ,with choke, when it was 10C today. Choke off after 5 seconds and it

idled as smooth as a sewing machine. Zero coughing or backfiring or vibration. The tach needle didn't move until bike had been running for maybe 5 min. Continued to be slow responding. I put that down to age? Maybe not, maybe that is another clue?

Could it run so well at idle on only two or three cylinders? I'm used to my Road glide. You know even if your missin half a cylinder

[GeorgeS]

YES, on three cylinders, you will not even realize that one cylinder is not fireing,

untill you pull out onto an Open road, and try to accellerate past about 50 MPH.

 

Just driveing around town, you will not notice it. I did this once on my 89, was working on it, and left one plug wire disconnected, I was 5 miles down the road, and did not notice it untill I tried to accellerate thru about 50 MPH.

 

Assumeing, No other problems, that is !!

[Yammer Dan]

#2 cylinder operates the tach. Could be TCI going out or dirty connectors. Seem like #2 is 1st plug to go.

[Boatnut]

Thanks guys. I do suppose these are a different beast than my v twin.

I have to ask, TCI? guessing a control module of some kind? Cost?

[bongobobny]

TCI = Transistor Controlled Ignition. Yes it is a control module, in modern terms it would be an ECM. If even available, new is ridiculously priced! Member Dingy supplies us with an aftermarket setup with a modern version that is plug and play.

 

There is also an excellent video available on ebay for PROPERLY rebuilding the carburetors and setting them up. The carbs have a lot of things going on with their operation and can cause various different hiccups, but when properly rebuilt and set up can and will unleash the true power and performance these bikes are capable of producing...

[Flyinfool]

One other thing to consider.

Since you are coming off of a V twin, especially if that v twin was an HD.

These engines like to rev. If you drive it like you would a v twin you will be sure that something is wrong. Mine likes to cruise around 3500 to 4000. Under 3000 rpm it is a real dog. Does not even start to make good power till around 5000. Do not be afraid to hit red line, that ain't hurting nothing on this motor, just do not miss your shift.

[Boatnut]

Thank you all for the advise and passing along your experience/knowledge. I am very tempted with this bike I've found, however, the complexity of the carbs, potential TCI issue etc etc is somewhat scaring me away. Can anybody tell me the approx cost of a full set of carb kits ?

Also how much is this aftermarket TCI?

(Understood that is Dingys concern but a ballpark amount?) I have pm'd Dingy but no reply so far.

I need to make a move on this deal one way or another in fairness to the current owner.

[Yammer Dan]

These carbs are really pretty tough. Have you used Sea-Foam or BerryMan's Chem Tech?? Most can be saved with a good soak while still on the bike. TCI's are hard to come by. Can be caught on E-Bay. I got one last month for $2.50. Not going to happen often. And I've paid big bucks for the Ingitech ones. Are they any better? Don't know never used one. Without knowing the bike you are gambling as with anything that old. A lot of help to be had here for only 12 bucks a year. Best deal going anywhere. I would gamble on another one of these old beasts but please don't tell my wife. Buy It We can fix it and it is a great ride!

[bongobobny]

I've seen NOS TCI's, which are no longer made, go for around $800. Gary's Ignitech goes for a couple hundred. Look in the sticky section of this forum...

[Boatnut]

Thank you all for your time taken to help me. I have decided against buying this bike. Actually decided against buying a second bike period. Finally realized that even though I have the time, (am retired), more than capable of working on an older bike, I own a new 2013 bike with a seven year unlimited mileage warranty. I should just ride IT, and spend that extra time maintaining and cleaning IT after winter rides.

Again , thank you all.

[Yammer Dan]

Thank you all for your time taken to help me. I have decided against buying this bike. Actually decided against buying a second bike period. Finally realized that even though I have the time, (am retired), more than capable of working on an older bike, I own a new 2013 bike with a seven year unlimited mileage warranty. I should just ride IT, and spend that extra time maintaining and cleaning IT after winter rides.

Again , thank you all.

 

Let us know where it was??

[Boatnut]

No problem.... bike is as described in add apart from the issue I've asked about. Has some minor damage to left hand bag and tour pack. Not cracked, scraped.

I'm pretty sure it is a basically sound bike, just needs the right owner.

 

http://www.usedvictoria.com/classified-ad/Yamaha-VENTURE-Royale-ON-COLLECTOR-PLATES_20030674

[JohnT]

Ok. I haven't been here that long.........and I can't believe someone hasn't told him "Seafoam" yet!

 

You guys are letting me down?

:sign yeah that:In the early part of the season on occasion mine will run like POOP. Seriously, Seafoam is a Godsend. It can very easily be just that if the bike has not been ridden regularly.

somebody had to say it.

[Yammer Dan]

Sea-Foam could very well cure this one. Not a great deal but not bad.

[Wizard765]

It's not an 86 either. It's an 85..

 

Looks clean and completely original. I don't see ANY add ons..

[Trader]

Look around long enough and you'll find one as good for about $1000 less.

[Peder_y2k]

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