ChiefCass

Simple solution: I'll verify air pressure on parts and ride bikes and measure ground clearance to bottom edge of bags when I get home Saturday. I'll post then. Eyeball says 2 inches different ... Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Maybe... after I strip my needful things off her I'll put it up fer sale... wait & see. Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Thanks. That's probably EXACTLY what's going on. 20/20 hindsight shows me seller was evasive about parts source. Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Those are only pics I have with me... I'll take and post more this weekend, God willing & the Creek don't rise. Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

And me post-testride... GRIN! Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

This is picture of bike with airline broken off the original(?) shock - low rider. Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

My nephew, who put 45000 miles on my 89 parts bike. I was asking him why the centerstand seemed so short - bike has both wheels firmly on ground while on centerstand! He said rear wheel should be 1-3 inches off the ground and something's funky with the monoshock. The previous owner supplied the old shock and yoke assembly so I could repair it in future - said he got replacement online and it fit / lined-up just like original. I smell a rodent... I'll get pictures when I get home this weekend once the honeydew is did. Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Figured I owed it to all to drop "the rest of the story". Found Yamaha dealership to do work on the bike and, after 5 weeks of sitting on it they told me that they declined to work on it due to age. And by the way have you seen our Star motorcycles? Another dealer agreed to take on the project so I loaded her up and took her to the new dealer. On Saturday. On Sunday I found a Blue 1989 Yamaha Venture Royale freshly listed on Craigslist 30 miles from me. I bought it. I pulled this (Burgundy) out of the dealer and she sits in my shed as a hanger queen (parts bike). Btw - the engine swap WOULD have been cheaper. Thanks Folks. oh, and see my post in First Gen Tech asking for info on new bike... Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Hi all. Newbie needs help. Bought an 89 XVZ 1300. PO let me testride with "blown rear shock air line". I told him I'd buy bike if he fixed. I bought bike and I'm told it sits THREE INCHES TOO HIGH IN THE REAR!!! I know it ain't anywhere as smooth a ride as my old Wing... even with only 5psi in the rear shock. What's going on and did I screw up royale [PUN] I have an 89 parts bike in the shed (blown head gasket, broken clutch cylinder and other) but I really am not ready to do a shock swap if it's something simple. Ideas and opinions please...

Hey, Senior! (or am I reading you right?) [senility SUX]

I used to have nice custom woven tiedown straps that grabbed the forks above the top crossover under the fairing when I had my GoldWing - sadly I let them and the trailer go as part of the deal when I sold it. I figured that would be the best way to hogtie the Venture but I got in a hurry and was reassured that "handlebar tiedowns always worked" so I did it. Sigh... Older, not wiser...

Thanks, guys, for the recommendation(s) to transplant another engine into it - I didn't know that leaving it sitting would cause such a rabbit hole of problems / expenses. Gonna need to re-think my strategy, fer sure! Meanwhile, still trying to "recruit" a mechanic... Feel free to volunteer . (NAVY = Never Again Volunteer Yourself) Loving the knowledge in this community so far. Again, THANKS!

Hi all. Newbie to the Venture world. I bought a 1989 XVZ1300 from a relative this Spring and, according to him, it needs a headgasket. It was running with low power / miss, overheating but not adding water to the oil when he parked it nearly 2 years ago this Fall. I've been off bikes for awhile after selling my `86 Honda GL1200 in 1998 and really want to get back on the road. The bike sits in the garage because I lack the time (and energy and skills) to tackle engine teardown. I work 65 hours a week on average and simply don't make enough time to get the bike rideable. I live in Gladwin Michigan and I'm looking for a mechanic willing to take on this project. I can deliver the bike on trailer (loading a dead bike is a JOB!) to your location and throw money at you. Work needed: -Head gasket right front cylinder -probable carb clean due to varnished gas standing in tank -clutch switch broken on initial transport due to inexpert strapping (yeah, ME). -battery -cooling system flush -possibly much more due to standing 2 years... I'll let the expert decide what is needed and back him all the way. Please holler via PM or point me in the right direction via reply if you think you can help me - obviously, time is not an issue here - I've sat on her this long letting my cash recover, I figure I might get to ride next Spring if the fates favor my endeavor . Thanks for your time and any advice you can render. "Cass" GSMC(SW) Carl F. Cascaddan, USN Ret.