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In memory and sincere gratitude for those who shed their blood and paid the ultimate price so we could live in freedom = THANK YOU!!! Puc

I've been watching a lot of utube videos lately about WWII and I'm amazed at the courage and sacrifices made to beat back the Japanese and Germans. So many young men willingly went on missions that they knew there was little chance of surviving. I can only hope that I would have had that level of courage. I served a tour in the USArmy in S. Korea but did not have to fight so I don't know. My respect and eternal gratefulness for these young men has no bounds.

Hey Jason, Congrats on finding your clutch issue! This has been some journey. When you are ready to replace your clutch, just send me a PM and I will get you all the parts you will need to make that clutch system like new. Good luck with that repair, and like the Puckster, you seem to have a flair for bringing your repair story to life for the members of this forum. For years to come Jason, future members of the forum will turn to this thread and glean the knowledge that you have shared with us all. Thank you for that sharing of wisdom. Earl

I've never served, but my Father served WWII in Italy, and my older brother is a Combat Veteran of Vietnam, and I often reflect on the fact that if Dad hadn't returned, I wouldn't be here, and if Lenny hadn't returned, my life would have been much different. He's been a powerful force in my formative years. Thanks, Dad and Lenny, and ALL Vets for your service and your sacrifice. Not just the USA, but the world would be less, had you not served.

To all who served and protected, past, present, and future. Thank you! Keep doing what you were trained to do! We Got Your Backs!💪👍

Yea, thanks too all that step forwarded and took the oath instead of looking for an excuse not. A brave man only dies once a coward dies a thousand deaths.

Went with the 7 x 14 aluminum, with the wood floor. Decided to go with the wood floor 'cause the trailer I have now is 17 years old with original wood that's still in good shape and I sometimes get creative when trailering oddball stuff and end up building off of the floor, which means driving screws into it. I think the wood is a lot more forgiving of such mistreatment. Anyhoo, went and picked it up today. Thanks everyone for your input.....Always valued and sometimes even wise. 😃

Boy this hurts my feelings reading about trailering Ventures😩😩😩, these conversations are usually over on that other bike forum. That being said I’m either gonna have to trailer mine or cage it to Vogel if I get to go, gotta haul my daughter’s stuff to Bama that weekend for school. At least we won’t have to worry about slipping in the oil on the trailer floor like those others 🤣

You are correct, @cowpuc. The tab was not sheared off, just bent. You're a man after my own heart... cheap & quick! The clutch teardown wasn't that bad and will plan on skydoc's clutch upgrade (plus springs) this winter and now that I know what I'm getting into waiting on parts for 2 weeks won't be a big deal. Picking up a T30 Torx socket in the morning and will see about finding an alternate dowel pin. Tried a T30 bit I had lying around and twisted and unfortunately did some damage to the screw. Read that it's been Loctited so probably throw some heat on it and possibly my Dewalt impact screw gun. Thx agn!

You know,,, relooking at the pics you posted @JFootman I think I misread what I initially thought I saw.. I initially thought the tab that holds the pin in was sheared off but looking a little closer I can see that it is just bent upright (this allowed the pin to slide out???).. I also noticed that Partzilla has those parts in stock and cheap.. Here is the fishe I am looking at:https://www.partzilla.com/catalog/yamaha/motorcycle/1983/xvz12tk/shift-cam-fork and looking at part numbers 14, 7 and 8. Notice the pins (14 and 7) are different pt numbers so probably different size pins. Tell you what my friend, if I were on the road and stuck camping in a Hardware store parking lot while I had my bike tore apart I would remove that plate that secures the pins, go inside the hardware store and purchase a drill bit that measures the diameter of the pins, borrow a bench grinder from the hardware store backroom and cut off the shaft of the bit to match the length of pin I needed and make myself a new missing pin.. I would then knock that bent tab back down into place, put it back together using atv sealant for a gasket and enjoy my trip.. Matter of fact, and seriously,,, I would do the same thing even if I was home only I would make a new gasket for the cover LOL. That would DEFINITELY keep me enjoying my riding adventures until I could get up to Michigan to pick up my free parts bike LOL....

I once brought a bag of yellow dog treats home from the hardware store, the kind where they have open bins with a small shovel and you pay by the pound. A couple days later I asked where all the dog treats went, I got a quizzical "What dog treats" I said the they were about an inch square and yellow. I think it was that same shade of green in here face as she told me she thought they were cheese crackers and she ate the whole bag. She said they were pretty good. BUT But coming from an open bin in a hardware store, who knows what they were actually made of or what may have crawled or settled on them.

I once got lucky fishing out a part by sticking a small but powerful magnetic pickup tool down thru the oil drain back holes and was able to fish steel parts out of the sump. Try every access hole you can find. I have not looked close enough at the internal layout of the oil pan to know if it is possible, but my concern would be something making its way back to the transmission gears. Under acceleration or climbing a hill and accelerating a part could move toward the back.

Good point. Not only was the initial pressure taken without weight on the seat, but I have a Diamond R centerstand so no weight at all on the shock. Just went out to the garage and rolled the bike off of the centerstand. Went from a starting pressure of 27# to 35#. Information that I never would have realized without the FOBO. I realize that the true test is how it rides, but with me always checking on the centerstand, I was getting "fake news". Thank you for your observations.

OUTSTANDING J = YOU ARE ONTO IT!!! GOOD JOB!! I was going to ask where you were located earlier in the game but failed to do so but with this most excellent finding you have I had to peek at your profile page... BEAUTIFUL FAMILY you have there my friend.. I am a family man myself,, 4 kids (who have all survived thousands of mile on the back of a beast just like you are working on) and a lovely wife of 41 years (also with thousands of MK1 miles under her belt).. Get this,, I also have a son named Jason with the last name initial "B",,, farrrr out and groovy eay? I also noticed you live in Indiana (main reason I checked your profile = see where you are located)? I am in Muskegon MI 49445 if you want to check distance after reading this offer. I have x3 retired MK1 parts bikes sitting under covers in my back yard of which I know for certain have decent parts in them to fix the tranny issue in your scoot.. You are more than welcome to shoot up here and take one home with you if you would like. No fee,, no strings attached (except for black black no trade backs LOL).. By the way,,, Genius? LOL... Gearhead is more likely... Thinking about it though,,, being a life long backyard gearhead has proven to be a blessing and a curse,,,, I wonder if real geniuses experience that same blessing/curse thing,, hmmmm.. Thanks for the compliment though!! Puc

As far as tie-downs, I would bolt steel D rings through the cross frame braces and not give another thought to it.

In a moment of weakness 27 years ago today I exchanged rings and ate a cake so I got the bike out and we got in around 100 miles to celebrate today.

That was cold blooded Ben! but it was funny 😄

Before putting a new one on check to see if you have any oil leaks. If you do than replace it with an HD badge

You sure you didn't mean to say left lane is for passing. Last time I was in Germany I was told by my wife's uncle that on the Autobahn in Germany and Holland If a cop sees a vehicle has to pass you on the right your the one who gets the 600 euro ticket. Same hold s true if you stay put in the left most lane and refuse to move over for faster moving vehicles, it is required that you move right and get out of the way of the faster vehicle approaching from behind

Quick update. Went out to try and take video of the bike starting and running. Wouldn't start until I remembered it was in or in between gears so pulled clutch while starting. Starter engaged and lunged forward a bit despite full pull of clutch. Turned off and tried again but same result. Gear indicator showed 4th (as opposed to blank last night). Let it sit & tried again with no lurch. Remarkably was able to keep clutch pulled and shifted into neutral. Wouldn't go into first until I shut her off & did the "Puk Rock" and dropped into first after running back up through the gears. I think I'm going to pull the clutch tonight or tomorrow. Welcome any words of wisdom & insight! Here's a video walk-around for anyone wanting to offer their $0.02 on the validity of ~65k miles.

Regarding the dark oil...I read a recommendation here to add Seafoam into the crankcase, shortly before an oil change, to help break up any sludge. I now do that on my Venture and also on my other vehicles. I have a '98 F150 that mostly sits, sometimes weeks+ at a time. When I first added Seafoam about 50 miles before an oil change, I was shocked what kinda gunk was coming out when I drained the oil. Seems that the seafoam did loosen some stuff up in there. Also, when I change oil on the venture, I let it drain for at least 30 mins, put the plug back in then hop on the bike and lean it side to side as well as apply the front brake & rock back/forth, put it back on the side stand, pull the plug and presto: more oil comes out. I will do this several times over the next 30 minutes. Once I put fresh oil in, it actually looks like fresh clean oil in the little window. You are definitely adding value here for guys like me who are learning as we go and trust me, this group will give you support no matter what your level of knowledge or skill. They pushed, prodded, encouraged and taught me and now my bike runs like a champ! Forever grateful.

Firstly You need to be a seriously nasty and/or have an extremely bad attitude here to wear out your welcome. Secondly You cannot ask too many questions its not possible. This site thrives on sharing. Even those of us that know our way around these bikes fairly well and can solve most issues, still find ourselves learning new things and are always intrigued when a new puzzle presents itself because in the process of trying to solve the issue we are inadvertently adding to our own knowledge base so we can be even more helpful down the road. So carry on and don't be afraid to share the challenge.

Just so you know,,,,,,,,this forum doesn't exist because it makes money, it is only here for us to help each other. If we fail in that then the forum is will soon become useless. That being said, the spinoff is that many of us became/become friends and so would drastically miss this forum, so in that way you are helping out a great deal more than you think.

JF,, did you take a peek at the video I posted and is your summation posted above in response to that video? I am trying to make sure we are all on the same page of understanding.. You are more than welcome for the help,, its a way of life in the VR club..

Hot off the press,,, JF if you cant successfully run thru this test I highly doubt that your issue is clutch related.. Take a quick peek and see if this works for you: Copy for the video I just posted on my youtube channel reads: ''I have a friend, JFootman, who is working on his 1983 Yamaha Venture and trying to determine whether the motorcycles inability to shift is clutch related or transmission failure related. Here is a simple test I have used for years that has helped me in determining where to begin a repair.. JFootman, I hope this little video helps you in some small way!!"" and here is the vid:

Thx for the thorough write-up, Puc. I'll admit it saved me some time searching the forums on "how to bleed a banjo bolt"! I will do the bleed & the rocking test. I'll have to do a little research on the clutch basket and once my posts meet the quota I can post some pics for y'alls inspection! Thx again, gentlemen. You've renewed my hopes in keeping the ole' girl!!!

You would take her word over mine. And just so you know I disagree with everything she is going to tell you.

That's not the question, anybody can find a map and directions,,,, question is, how good are you at following directions? Never mind, I'll ask Marita.

To start with its EH not Eh and at least you got a whole year to figure out just how YA'LL gonna make fun of us Kanuckians (good luck with that) Keeping in mind @BIG TOMhas tried for years and failed.

I can tell that the people that I have talked too on this forum are a bunch great people , who have a faith in God ...I do know that God looks after what belongs to him ..God has been good to me over and over again

You guys have been a real blessing to me esp lately. Keep up the good work guys ive really enjoyed reading the various posts and theres no end to how creative you guys are with the different projects. I like this site way more then any other ive been part of over the years and its thanks to guys like you.

The proper pronunciation down here is “all y’all”.

Lots of media you start with friends and then start loosing them. Here you start with few or no friends and gain many.

As a relative newcomer here, and someone who is new to working on motorcycles, the way I was not only accepted but encouraged and taught is unheard of on the internet, in my experience. I quickly learned to shun social media and do not regularly share my life experiences online other than through communications to friends and family - which grew immensely upon joining this group. God Bless all of you and your families!

I like the idea and is something I will definitely be giving some serious thought too.

I will stand on this fact,,,, my rolling journal covering 6 MK1's beginning in 1987, covering +1,000,000 miles of Venture adVenture:

There are quite a few Christians here, and some of the best people I know of.

Hello Forum. I was in need of some parts for my "new to me" RSV and Squidley stepped in with several parts that I needed to get my new ride detailed like I want it. He is a good honest man that shipped parts to me to inspect before I sent a check, it's rubber by the way, to pay for them. We have a lot of good members on this Forum and I am thankful I am geting to know some of them again. Steve.

Heck with him, I’m still trying to figure out how my $12 has gotten so expensive. Between mods, maintenance, and rallies this place cost me a fortune. 🤣🤣🤣

If you can repair the stuff that it will need, buy it. If you have to pay someone else to repair it, buy a newer bike. One member bought a cheap not so good 83 and had about $5,000 invested by the time it was finished because he paid someone else to repair what it needed. He seemed happy with the end result. And most shops won't work on a bike this old. Another member bought a clapped out 83 and did a frame up repair himself and it looked great afterwards. They are fast, fun bikes after you get them roadworthy.