Chaharly Posted February 19, 2015 #1 Posted February 19, 2015 Hey guys, So I think I found my next bike. Its gonna be a 1989 Yamaha Venture Royale with that beautiful 2 tone dark cherry paint job. It has 22k miles and the person I'm buying it from is the second owner. He's owned it for 7 years in those 7 years he's put on about 5 thousand miles. It runs good, its never been dropped, and its always been garage kept. It looks like a sweet bike. I'm just looking for a little guidance on things I can do to make her last me the summer before I do the REAL maintenance stuff. I'm looking for things like changing the clutch/brake fluid which I'll do. She's gonna get quite a bit of seafoam in those first thousand miles. This bike is pristine So i'd rather not take it apart if I can help it!
Flyinfool Posted February 19, 2015 #2 Posted February 19, 2015 In addition to what you said Sync the carbs. Have a new set of plugs ready, heavy Seafoam will foul plugs. Check the date code on the tires. as well as look close for any sign of cracking. Change the engine oil, rear end oil and antifreeze. Fill the gas tank and go like hell..........
eagleeye Posted February 19, 2015 #3 Posted February 19, 2015 Sounds great man! Ask him when the last time the rear splines were lubed, AND get out and ride.
Donvito Posted February 19, 2015 #4 Posted February 19, 2015 Great find. I bought my 87 new and rode it often for the first 8 years. Riding decreased after we had a child. I really got back into it about 3 years ago and the worst thing you can do is not ride them. It took me about two years, and a lot of work, before it began running great again. These bikes need to run. I'll never make that mistake again.
bongobobny Posted February 19, 2015 #5 Posted February 19, 2015 Yup! Vital fluids change, seafoam, plugs, and check tire age...
cowpuc Posted February 19, 2015 #6 Posted February 19, 2015 No idea if the MK 2s have the same fork springs in them as the 1's. One of the things that I have noticed thru the years is the amount of sacked fork springs there are out there. I have a hunch that the 1st Gens springs will sack just from being parked during non riding months without the wheels off the ground - I only say that cause all of mine have needed Progressives when I purchased them and all of them were low mileage scoots when I bought them. Its fairly easy to check and see if the boingers are sacked, let the air out of the forks and see where they set in height with the bikes weight on em. New Progressive Springs and a fork oil change and that puppy will ride like a new scoot!!
Venturous Randy Posted February 19, 2015 #7 Posted February 19, 2015 If going to Progressives, MKI and MKII should be the same. For me, I do not put any preload on the Progressive springs and that brings it up to where the springs are at about where the tube plug will bottom out. With no preload or added air, this still raised my bike an inch or more compared to the old springs and about 10 psi air. Now, with a pretty good load on the bike, it still does not bottom out. Randy
Prairiehammer Posted February 19, 2015 #8 Posted February 19, 2015 (edited) No idea if the MK 2s have the same fork springs in them as the 1's. One of the things that I have noticed thru the years is the amount of sacked fork springs there are out there. I have a hunch that the 1st Gens springs will sack just from being parked during non riding months without the wheels off the ground - I only say that cause all of mine have needed Progressives when I purchased them and all of them were low mileage scoots when I bought them. Its fairly easy to check and see if the boingers are sacked, let the air out of the forks and see where they set in height with the bikes weight on em. New Progressive Springs and a fork oil change and that puppy will ride like a new scoot!! If going to Progressives, MKI and MKII should be the same. For me, I do not put any preload on the Progressive springs and that brings it up to where the springs are at about where the tube plug will bottom out. With no preload or added air, this still raised my bike an inch or more compared to the old springs and about 10 psi air. Now, with a pretty good load on the bike, it still does not bottom out. Randy Agree that new fork springs will probably be in order and also agree that Progressive® springs for the MKI and MKII are the same SKU, however, has anyone noticed that the 1983 Yamaha front springs are unique; different part number from 1984-1993. Another thing I have pondered: The MKII weighs variously 49-64 pounds heavier than a XVZ12TK. And yet the same springs from Progressive®? Perhaps that explains why the preload varies so much among users.Weight, Venture.pdf Edited February 19, 2015 by Prairiehammer
tz89 Posted February 19, 2015 #9 Posted February 19, 2015 I would replace the original headlight bulb with a bright modern real motorcycle bulb. They are expensive but you can just swap and you will be much safer and happy at night. Replace the battery or at least load test it so you don't get stranded. Yes to tires. Yes to fluids. Yes to sync and plugs. Consider new plug caps and wires. But yes get out and ride it - it needs you! And congrats on having the fastest most handsome bike ever made!
Chaharly Posted February 20, 2015 Author #10 Posted February 20, 2015 Do you guys think the front springs can wait until this winter? I've had my fill of working on the bikes this winter! I know its kind of a safety issue. Also will the CLASS work with progressives?
eagleeye Posted February 20, 2015 #11 Posted February 20, 2015 Of course it can wait. When are you picking it up?
Chaharly Posted February 20, 2015 Author #12 Posted February 20, 2015 Of course it can wait. When are you picking it up? Not this week, but the next coming up week is what its looking like. We got a whole 950 miles one way!!!
Flyinfool Posted February 20, 2015 #13 Posted February 20, 2015 It all depends on just how bad is bad. Try a hard stop, if the front bottoms out real easy then you should do the springs right away, if it does not bottom out easy then it is safe to wait. Right now the springs on my 88 will only bottom out with a near the edge of traction stop, while hitting a bump in the road. They will be replaced just for the better ride. Most people either remove or disable the anti dives with the progressive springs. The CLASS will still work with the progressives, but for most people it is not needed in the front. Most run the front at 0 PSI with progressives.
Chaharly Posted February 20, 2015 Author #14 Posted February 20, 2015 It all depends on just how bad is bad. Try a hard stop, if the front bottoms out real easy then you should do the springs right away, if it does not bottom out easy then it is safe to wait. Right now the springs on my 88 will only bottom out with a near the edge of traction stop, while hitting a bump in the road. They will be replaced just for the better ride. Most people either remove or disable the anti dives with the progressive springs. The CLASS will still work with the progressives, but for most people it is not needed in the front. Most run the front at 0 PSI with progressives. Thanks for the advice flyin fool! We'll just Have to see how it goes
RedRider Posted February 21, 2015 #15 Posted February 21, 2015 Not this week, but the next coming up week is what its looking like. We got a whole 950 miles one way!!! I realize Nebraska is 2 weeks from anywhere, but where the heck is this bike?
eagleeye Posted February 21, 2015 #16 Posted February 21, 2015 It's in Ohio if I am correct. I remember taking a bus out to NY to pick up my 86 venture, now that was a venture!
Chaharly Posted February 21, 2015 Author #17 Posted February 21, 2015 I realize Nebraska is 2 weeks from anywhere, but where the heck is this bike? Its in Leavitsberg ohio! Quite the jog from us
Yammer Dan Posted February 21, 2015 #18 Posted February 21, 2015 If it seems to need carb cleaning for its 1st jolt grab a can of BerryMans Chem Tech at Wally World next to the Sea-Foam and dump the whole can in a tank of gas (about 4 bucks) Ride it hard and follow with carb cleaner of your choice. Sea-Foam is great. Marvel mystery Oil is very good. The BerryMans is a little harsher than Sea-Foam and I don't like to use a lot of it but on vey dirty carbs it is Great!! I use Marvel Mystery Oil because Sea-Foam wants to get rich all at once........The Mystery Oil is a great Maint cleaner and cheap. I like cheap. You might want to start looking for a fork Superbrace. A set of Braided brake lines. R6 calipers. Progressives. Driving lights.....You getting the idea??? We can help ya go broke......
cowpuc Posted February 21, 2015 #19 Posted February 21, 2015 Do you guys think the front springs can wait until this winter? I've had my fill of working on the bikes this winter! I know its kind of a safety issue. Also will the CLASS work with progressives? If it truly needs springs, it might not be a bad idea to drop a set in - its really not that big of job. Having full travel of your front suspension is best for the bike and for you! Lots of unpredictable riding surfaces out there, about the time you hit a series of stutter bumps when you are hard on the binders trying to keep from smacking into some kid talking on a cell phone while they just pulled out in front of you,,,, well, trust me, you will be GLAD those Progressives are sucking up road chatter instead of getting bounced off the road... Hopefully that new scoot is PERFECT and needs NOTHING!
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