cowpuc

ALL great advice (as always) IMHO.. I have had both the "oil seal" and the "Water seal" on the impellar shaft fail on the water pump(s) on my MK1's and both resulted in leakage from the weep hole on the bottom of the pump before contamination occurred.. My water cooled MX bikes were all internal water pumps that would leak into the case when a seal went and you could easily see the oil turning into chocolate milk but they were not designed with the weep hole... Vaz, IMHO,, ya might check and see if the weep hole is open on the bottom of the water pump and see if your picking up any oil from there. Because that weep area is located between the oil seal and ceramic water seal, if there is a seal problem associated with the impellar shaft it really should show up there as long as the weep hole is open.. Does that make sense?? Another thing I would do if it was mine is pull the rad cap itself and check it closely for oil contamination,,, maybe you or a previous owner some how got some oil mixed in with some antifreeze and its just showing up after a top off.. I have never had "Twinkie" problems but have heard of some folks who have too.. Never even had one apart but my understanding is that both oil and coolant frequent that area - thinking I would follow up on Yamagrl's suggestion if it does show to be an actual issue and its not water pump related.. Vaz,, you in need of the whole tank or just the cap?

Dont tell Carbon One but I was so excited about actually owning a MK1 with a working second gear that I just HAD to spin up his old bike and see what she'ld do in second.. Creeped real close to 80 before grabbin third = MAN that felt good .. Suckers will spin up if ya let em!! Speaking of spinning em up,, any of you lop eared varmints ever spin up an R1? Never owned one (still on my bucket list) but rode a buddies,, told me to pin it in 1st gear and hang on - tap it out to the rev limiter and check my speed = 103 IN FIRST GEAR :guitarist 2:

GOOD THREAD CAMOS = right there with ya!! A HUGE tip of the hat and thank you to ALL the "Steves" (and Stevettes too) out there!! :bowdown:

Judging by the skiff of snow over spray we got out of that last one as the 20" plus of powder went over head on its way to New York - I would say our buddy @Flyingfool has just about got the velocity stacks on his Snopercharger tweeked for winter and set for longggg range... You lop eared varmints may just rue the day you with The Wisconsin White Washer!!!:snow::snow::snow::snow::snow::snow:

I have stored 2 ways and both very successfully .. One is fairly simple and most enjoyable = put it on the center stand as Jeff mentioned to take the load off the boingers, Seafoam to spec and then leave it all together, start it up at least once a month, let it idle to temp, rev it a little to keep the carbs flowing with fresh fuel, drop it in gear and spin the rear wheel and stop it from spinning with the rear brake to keep em freed up = with this method you get to visit with your scoot and make plans for next year PLUS, if your really touched like some folks around here - you can sit on it and pretend your .. The other way, which gets more involved and not as much fun. Seafoam or Stabil to spec and fill tank, double check AF, run to make sure the entire fuel system is treated, center stand the bike, pull the battery and put on tender, steel wool stuffed in breather opening for mice control, drain carbs, smack each brake caliper with rubber mallet to drive pistons in (you can tell they are in by wiggling em a little), stuff steel wool into pipes for mice control, light coat of wd-40 on all chrome/metal (stay away from brakes) - spraying down mono linkages, swing arm joints and other pivot points a plus unless your scoot has zerks (I like to use spray White Grease for this), drape some carpet foam over bike to absorb condensate and then cover with a decent tarp that will cover complete bike. Make a wrap around the tarp with a rope to seal it as close to ground as possible and then under the bike and over the saddle area to keep it from getting blown off in the winter winds. ** - bleeding in new hydraulic fluid and lubing throttle cables with one of those cheapy cable lubers and some synthetic bicycle chain lube (best cable lube I have found) is optional but is a good time to do it. Reverse direction come spring but change the oil before you fire it up so all the nasty stuff is in the bottom from sitting. Fill the carbs by bumping the kill switch till the bowls are full and pump stops. Pump brakes till solid.. Pack up n drive off into sunset - dont forget so you can come on here tell about your adventures and not get in trouble with the !

Probably got brain freeze from tweekin on the White Washer ,,,,, ahhh ohhh,,, its for the Pucster:duck:

Our assistance list show's " @MongoE9 " as someone listed in Nashville. Might be worth a shout out to see if he would be able to assist...

oppsss,, didnt mean to cut your request for help loading off Heather.. Wish we were closer I would gladly shoot over and move it for you - wonder if a quick search in the VR Assistance would reveal someone in Nashville willing to help. OUCH on the wrist fractures = just dont be trying to do ANYTHING till ya get that puppy fixed right!!

Ohhhhh Nooooo!!! Sorry to hear this Heather!!! PRAYERS UP for your surgery and a complete recovery thereafter!! Also, THANK YOU for letting us know Yamagrl! Like Squid mentioned - PLEASE let us know if there is anything we can do! Puc n Tip

You betcha JF - your more than welcome and THANK YOU for the info!!! Like those other +3000 viewers following your epic adVenture here = eagerly awaiting your next installment!!!!

Was trying to be all inclusive by including the opportunity for one of our club members who - if looking at purchasing a scoot so they/we/you/me could post the link up and get opinions on the deal/bike if they wanted.. Just another chance to motorcycles .. I really hadnt even thought about the ad's disappearing after a couple days = instantly making the post pointless .. Oh well,, I'll just keep tossing up the idea's like clay pigeons so Don can shoot em down = keep my brain sharp and his quick draw steady

Coff, as far as extra parts, I carry a spare fuel pump and spare relays BUT - in over a million miles have only had to swap out the pump one time out in Wyoming. I did have one other pump failure but was able to make it out of the mountains in Utah by splicing a piece of gas line to the tank vent above the one way valve on the vent line and holding pressure in the tank with my mouth = worked great BUT found it a little difficult to concentrate on the fuel supply to the carbs while balancing a MK1 fully packed and a kid on the back while single tracking out of there - thats when I started carrying a spare pump. Usually its the points on the pump that fail - probably could get away with just carrying an extra set of points but I carry a complete take off pump with filter and hoses still intact - I did have a filter decide to crack and used the spare filter I had but a filter is fairly easy to replace from an auto parts store.. Listening to your bike miss sort of sounds like its starving some on the low speed jet system. How does it run if ya hit em hard? Can you feel it come alive when the slides open up and it gets up on the main jet, Suggest: Start it cold, let it idle, put some spit on your finger and spit check each header (like testing a hot iron) and see if its hitting on all four when its idling. Could also be water in the fuel - drain the bowls in a jar - let the jar sit a minute and see if water collects. You put new plugs in it again? Maybe ya got a plug that didnt take to kindly to the carb cleaning.. ] Thinking he may have been talking about the diaphrams Jeff - 4 clutch springs for $99 seems pricey

Actually you probably werent even running on a full two - by the looks of those diaphrams - slides were probably only coming open half way or less on even the two jugs that were hittin Right there with ya and excited for ya Coff!!! Hey,, get em up and living life like he's suppose to be --- if ya wick on em in forth of fifth gear, hit 4 grand and the clutch slips a little - do yourself a HUGE favor = back off, buy a set of these http://www.ebay.com/itm/Barnett-Heavy-Duty-Clutch-Springs-for-Yamaha-XVZ1200-Venture-1983-1985-/391598550258?fits=Make%3AYamaha%7CModel%3AVenture&hash=item5b2d17acf2:g:x5wAAOSwzaJYBaqR&vxp=mtr or something similar BEFORE ya slip the plates to much.. Probably safe ya a BUNCH of cash on new plates too!!

Heyyy,, hi ya Vaz!!! Glad it worked for ya brother .. Wanna little more inside info on some crazy stuff pertaining to that suggestion I have tried around here? Years ago, while searching for a quick fix for totally plugged carbs I did some personal testings with a variety of carb cleaners.. Seafoam actually came in last place as a soaking cleaner (left the part in raw Seafoam and the stuff did nothing - I still use Seafoam but only to assist in keeping things open over long periods of time) - that spray cleaner did a pretty good job BUT - the REAL amazing stuff is a product called "Chem Clean" - comes in a gallon can with a little dip screen inside of it. That "Chem Clean" is AMAZING stuff but extremely harsh - left a 1 inch oring in it over night one time just to see what would happen and the next morning it looked like a donut someone at Krispy Kream had left in the hot grease to long:detective:.. I dont tell everyone this cause the suggestion can easily get out of hand but I will tell you cause I know you wont hold it against me if things go south. There have been times that I have been in the middle of a bike ressurection process and needed to find out exactly what I had before I wrapped a bunch of time and money into the project. As you know, plugged jets - stuck floats and varnished filled carbs are a way of life around stuff that has sat for a long time.. I cant tell you how many times I have pulled valve covers to pre lube cams and then did exactly what you did using "Chem Clean" to clean the carbs while on the scoot enough to be able to run the scoot, do a test ride just to find out what I had. It's a crap shoot when you use the stuff whether or not you will end up having to rebuild the carb cause of o-ring or inner diaphram damage BUT - sometimes those jets are plugged solid that they would have to be replaced anyway.. I gotta say though,, thru the years there have been times that the carbs cleaned up perfect and did great for thousands of miles with no problems.. I know this all sounds down right crazy cause carbs are not suppose to be that difficult to deal with - seems like an hour or so to remove a carb and clean it would be no problem.. Can tell ya,,, getting the airbox assembly off a 6 cylinder CBX Honda or even a CB750 or an early kawi Voyager can be an all day job if done right - just remember this post if ya ever find the need to be able to run one to see if its got a rod missing or broken balance shaft BEFORE you put a bunch of time/money into it.. If you ever try the stuff, dont go beyond 1/2 hour on the soak and followup with spray carb cleaner and a good cleaning with gas to get it all out. Its the ONLY stuff I have found that will open totally clogged low speed jets if possible...

HOKEY SPAMOKEY - you got that right Coff - them puppies are SHOT!!! Did all four have holes in em? Genesis is gonna stand up and when you get done sorting him out brother!!!

Every once in while I run across something on Craigs or Ebay that catches my attention and it seems like it would be fun to chit chat with the lop eared varmints here about it - not in a trying to sell someone something way but in just a discussion type of a way. Today I noticed an Indian Chief with a side car on it on Craigs and thought to myself - wonder if any of my buddies have any experience with that type of side hack.. Couple days ago I noticed one of those little electric mini bikes like Eck restored - been fun to by comparing the pics Eckster posted of his with the one I noticed. Then there was the built V-Max with a Fallicon balanced and welded crank and 41mm flat slide carbs not to long ago,,, ,, kind of like walking into a bike shop or window shopping bike shops with family members here:biker:. @Freebird, I TOTALLY understand and appreciate the reasoning for not allowing "bikes for sale" here in the Water Hole but it seems like for discussion purpose - the classifieds may be somewhat limited to folks looking to buy or sell something and not visited much by those looking for open discussion purposes about things they may have found for sale and are considering buying or just plain old chit chat about something that caught their eye.. Wondering if a sub-category in the classifieds section titled "Mud Hole" :duck:might be something that would enhance the site.. What do you think Boss? Another one of my pointless, dork wad ideas ? Puc

JF,,,, ANYTIME MY FRIEND,, absolutely ANYTIME = DOOR IS ALWAYS OPEN!!!:thumbsup: Matter of fact,,, make it some time when we are holding one of our Meet/Greets and Eat Meats and I will personally buy you as many of our 1/4 pound all beef Hot Dogs your Mexican touring belly can hold - also you would probably get to meet some of Michigans FINEST lop eared varmints known to man!! If ya let me know your coming I will post it up here on the site and give you star billing = wayyyyy above even Elvis who comes and plays for us sometimes !! Don't have to though,, just "ding dong" our door bell if your in the area and we can go from there! If you go to our club's "Member Map" you will find our place right on the Lake Michigan shoreline. Click on my balloon and BINGO - instant Puc.. About your adventure = now THAT is what I am talking about = WOWZZZzzz WOW WOW WOW brother - wowzy wow wow wow = JUST AMAZING:scared:!!! Been a good long while since I have read stories and seen pics like that:thumbsup: = MOTORCYCLE TOURING AT ITS FINEST,, all on the seat of a $250 Venture - OUTSTANDING JF!! Your "book" (you REALLY should write one), with pictures should be submitted to Mom Yam - maybe submit it - maybe they would hire you as a new bike test pilot and supply you with a new bike to take out and run the socks off from every year = never know:guitarist 2:.. Problem with reading amazing stories from a fellow who shares in most of our passion for riding is it inspires (AND THIS STORY IS EXTREMELY INSPIRATIONAL) lots of questions. Mind answering a few? - have problems finding fuel in Mex? - over all, did you feel welcomed by the general public down there, get chased by any Bandito's or have any LEO issues? - they have posted speed limits or can ya let er buck if ya want? - any special insurance requirements? - can a person pull over and tent camp on those open lands down there? - was a "pass port" all that is required to pass thru customs, any time limit on your stay (if you wanted to stay all winter could you)? - any sign of motorcycle shops (places to buy tires or other parts)? - did find the language barrier difficult or was there ample English speakers around? - about how many Peso's for JF,, THANK YOU for including us on this epic adventure. It is an HONOR to follow this and my wife (Tip), our bike (Tweeksis) and I are completely hooked and eagerly await your next installment. PS - those canyon walls are gonna make for some GREAT dreams tonight!! Kinda reminded me of Needles Highway in South Dakota that I HAVE to visit at least once a year - BEAUTIFUL JFMAN, JUST BEAUTIFUL!!! you da man JF,,,,,, YOU DA MAN Puc

ROCK N ROLL!!! :Happy Birthday: U.S.M.C. and a HUGE THANK YOU to ALL the Men/Women who have served or are serving therein!!! :usa::usa::usa::usa::usa::usa::usa::usa::usa::usa::usa::usa::usa:

Careful Snipe, last time I fell for one of Jeff's tricks like that I ended up with 10' of on my deck and being greeted by Frosty The Snowman at Freebirds Maintenance Day in Ohio the following spring!

Get caught in one of those 5 hour traffic jams, get home, open the trunk to find a bunch of peeping chicks jumping around in there

No idea if you'll be near Big Bend N.P. but it's definitely worth the time if ya are!!! Make sure you stop for gas on your way in at,, ,, I think the place is called "Marathon".. Tiny little hole in the wall joint run by the nicest guy you'ld ever wanna meet PLUS - its the last chance fill up before you turn south and make the fuel station in the park:happy34:

Right there with ya Snipe!! I recall a of @zagger 's scoot crossing a river once.. I wish Zag would repost that one cause it will REALLY make ya ... Hey Zag,, would also LOVE to hear the story of the front end of your bike,, ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT in a one off, custom mod, one of kind, positively inspirational kind of a way

All of the stickers and frills I got hanging on Tweeksis have an earned story behind em Snipe and that cup holder holds one of its own. One of the really fun things I have always enjoyed about attending the Sturgis Rally is rescuing treasures from the roadside. Have came home with hats, gloves, jackets and of course, lots of Harley parts rescued from the road side. Many years ago I was out there with my brother in law and my cousin. We were with the lines of Harley's headed for Rushmore out on 16. Came to an intersection and noticed that "Bike Buoy" cup holder laying in the other lane. Made a quick median turn around and grabbed it.. Been with me every since and got thousands of miles of use from it, sure a lot easier than reaching back and removing my water jug from its holder back over the right saddle bag every time we need a swig .. **Side note - had a buddy get killed cause his water bottle in his forward mounted cup holder bounced out of its holder and got caught in the steering:95:. Been using Styro Foam cups only since!!

87 to 2016 wearing out 5 MK1's and working on our 6th I gotta say, IMHO, Mom Yam did an amazing job on em.. Spent many 16 to 18 hour days in the saddle and I have zero complaints in comfort design.. Being a 1st Gen rider all these years I can also say I have always been impressed with their performance and frugal fuel economy (almost said I wished they would have came with the V-Boost but I had a V-Max and MPG went right out the window). ,,, this is toughy cause I have REALLY enjoyed my Ventures,,, Ok,, I got it.. - better stator's and proper oil cooling for em from the get go. - correct metalurgy on the thrust washer that caused 2nd gear issues (that's a tough one though,, have REALLY appreciated buying em cheap cause of this and short shifting for 250k miles on a 500 dollar scoot). - coulda had something besides ink pen springs for fork springs - better clutch - better brakes,, loose the link and use dual disc on front. - better headlight - could have designed a mechanical advantage center stand like Kawi did on the Voyager 2. - could have designed a much better carb rack IMHO,, one that would allow for bowl removal with out deracking for wayyyy simpler access to the goodies inside - be nice to just be able to pull the rack, flip it over and open em up. - could of put zerks on the mono, swing arm and neck. - could have designed the exhaust system so the frame rails were the lowest part of bike.. Better for off roading and easier to put on a frame lift. - "B" plugs instead of "D" plugs so they arent so sensitive to choke blackening. - the reserve lighting unit was a waste of time and money. - could of kept that little zerk on the swing arm that does nothing and saved a million dollars... -

Might wanna check his kick stand for wear Coff.. Put em on the center stand, lower the side stand and see how much side play you got in it - its amazing how much lean you will get with just a small amount of side play.. You really should check it and fix it if its loose - they are known to fail at the most embarrassing times