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I appreciate all the comments. I have no plans to leave the group. We have made too many friends here over the years. Who know when riding season starts up once again. I still might get back in the saddle. But as of right now, I am staying with both feet on the ground, and my mind in all of those wonderful memories of riding.

New dedicated crash vehicle driver! Hope you still make it to Maint. Days and such.

@Yama Mama!!!! Yeeee hawww!!! I know just how you feel Peggy! I had to make that decision numerous times thru the years. 1st it was to stop competing on the MX tracks, then it was no more dirt bikes at all, then it was no more touring. TIP and I moved on to E-Bikes as our main 2 wheel excurtions and I have no doubt that will have its limits too. It's hard as heck to make those decisions and it's different for everyone how they want to proceed. Personally I am proud of you for facing the feelings of its time. Makes no difference though concerning our lasting friendship. We ALWAYS have each other! Tell your first husband HI for us!! Puc, TIP and Tweeks!

The white and blue wire does not give a positive signal. It grounds the neg side of the relay. So if you take a test light the one small terminal should be live all the time. If not you need to trace back to see why. If it is, jump the other small terminal to ground or bat neg. The engine should crank over, if not relay is the issue. If it does relay is OK and you need to trace the wire back to the starter switch. there are a series of relays and switches on that ground circuit that under normal conditions complete the circuit to ground if any of them or open the relay will not get ground and will not operate. These switches are your clutch switch, kick stand switch, neutral switch and panic button. Also a dirty start button can be at fault it is not uncommon to have to take the handle bar switch apart and clean the contacts etc.. I recomend tossing an old carpet under the bike before taking this apart. There are springs and other little things that can go flying when you take this apart (very carefully) or bounce away if they hit the floor. To help you understand a lot of the above I have attached a schematic for the starting circuit I retrieved from the tech section. 86-93 Yamaha Venture Starting Circuit.pdf

I agree with all the others. This is a decision only you can make. You ride for your own reasons because that's what you want to do and not because others say you should. On the same note its your decision and yours only, for your own reasons, when you decide its time to give it up. You really don't even need a reason if you feel its time then its time. However stop gracing us with your presence and you darn well better have a good reason because ya can't just up and walk away from family. Plus You know you can still attend M&G even if its by way of 4 wheels.

As others have said that's your decision to stop riding but you don't have to leave VentureRiders hang around.

I agree with everyone here as it is YOUR decision not anyone else's ! Phantom Wife(my other half)quit riding with me back a couple years ago when I was diagnosed with Diabetes 2 and lost 100lbs over that winter. I miss having her ride along with me but I understand!! But I myself do not intend on stopping riding any time soon!!! As someone said you have the choice to come back any time YOU want but until then enjoy what you want to do for now!!

That day will come for all of us and only you know when that day is. I decided to quit riding back in 03 for the reasons you stated and sold my bike. I had a new bike come spring of 04. If you are happy with your decision who can blame you. You can still hang out here though.

I certainly understand . I sometimes question the wisdom of it, but I still feel the benefits outweigh the risk. There's a feeling I get riding that I haven't been able to get otherwise. I think of when I first take the bike out of it's Winter resting spot, ( Heated shed) and go for the first ride of the year.....Man...that feels great....I instantly remember why I enjoy riding. Wish I could do it more...As I age I can see where I'll eventually want to give it up, but not there yet. As part of my job, I regularly use ladders to get up on commercial roofs; I'll be doing it today. I seem to mind that more then I did when I was younger but still have to, as it's part of my job, so I still do it. Like when riding, now, I'm a bit more cautious and thoughtful before jumping on or off that ladder. Transitioning from ladder to roof or roof to ladder is always the scary part. We all need to decide how to handle the risk / reward thing for ourselves. Godspeed.

When you decide to stop riding after many years it comes hard ...I have been riding since 1963 and I still cannot make the decision not to ride ...I will ride a smaller bike , and if I don't feel safe then I will make the decision ....

We hope to still hear from you. We’ve been friends for a long time now.

When you know it’s time , you just know. You had plenty of years in the saddle. Maybe one day Ron will consider a trike. It’s so much more stable.

My son has been recording/mixing music for Beyonce' for over 10 years. She won 4 Grammys last night and my son who recorded/mixed her music was awarded 2 Grammys. This makes 4 Grammys total for him! Had to brag a little! Sorry!

Factory service manual will walk you through tear down procedure.

When I did mine I used a strap to hang the inner fairing from the ceiling instead of a full removal. While you’re already in there I’d consider steering head bearings too. They’re a known issue with not having much grease.

Hey Bill, That Cowpuc, he's a gem! The only thing I wanted to add is that we have a member on the Forum, Dano that at one time machined a 6 sprag Starter Clutch. (Heavy Duty) If in fact he no longer offers that upgrade, I offer one. (But I would prefer that you check with Dano first!) The stock Yamaha Starter Clutch has 3 spring loaded "Pins" called sprags that engage and connect the starter motor to the engine during start up. With the Heavy Duty unit, you have 6 spring loaded sprags instead of 3, and this distributes the engagement load over 6 pins instead of 3. The failure point is actually the housing that holds the pins, so by adding more pins, you decrease the load on the housing in any given area. Pin spring failure is also another area that causes a starter clutch to go out. Cowpuc is spot on about the maintenance of the starter motor and the use of a GOOD strong battery. The sprags of the starter clutch engage due to centrifugal force, so if the battery is weak, or the starter is dragging because of dust from the brushes, the you don't get FULL engagement of the starter sprags. Only the model years 1991, 1992 and 1993 of the MKII Venture and Royale came with the 4 brush starter. ALL second Gens. came with a 4 brush starter. I hope this starter info helps you Bill, and Good on YOU Cowpuc for sharing your vast knowledge of these wonderful motorcycles with a fellow member!! Earl