Keysyrider

I have it all pulled apart again and now the drive shat will not pull out of the swing arm. I grabbed the end with channel lock and wiggled it as I pulled and it is stuck on something. I've now ruined the seal at the final drive end of the shaft but that's easily replaced. Just wondering how much pull I can out on this shaft in an effort to remove it. I have a shop manual from Yamaha which is just about useless.

Just took everything off down to the wheel. Spun the wheel and everything seemed OK, so I put the mufflers back on, the bags, the seats, started it up and put it in gear and click, click, click, click. Getting really good at taking it apart and putting it back together again. Tomorrow evening I'll check the drive shaft. Way to P-O'ed to do anything more today.

With shipping and tax and all included the kit was just under $80 CDN.

Had the V Max gearing installed while traveling home from Florida after Christmas. Once home I filled it to the required level with gear oil, installed the drive shaft, rear wheel, and everything else. All went together nicely. Thought I'd go out for a wee ride today. Went to engage the clutch and I heard a crunch, like the gears in the final drive are not engaging or something in that direction. So-- now I guess I take the back end off the bike again and try and see what the problem is. This really sucks!! I hope they put the final drive together properly. Anyone had this happen to them?

Check eBay first. Got mine in chrome a few weeks ago for $39.95 plus shipping.

Just got a reply from Scott at Canadian Cruiser Supply and I will need the LED bulb, the fan and the driver. Total cost will be $95 CDN plus HST.

We have not met but I am encouraged by the fact that there are good people out there like you and your wife. Too often love turns to hate, the two strongest emotions known to man, and in divorce there are no winners, just lots of wounds and scar tissue. Without our wonderful Lord and Saviour you could not have pulled this off. As humans our tendency, or bent, is towards sin and evil but the bible says that God is Love. That is what His Son displayed here on earth and that is the basis of His government. He is the source of love and He gives it freely to those who ask. You and your good wife have asked, and He has given,until your cup runneth over. Your story, unlike so many, has a happy ending because you rely totally on the Lord. Hold onto Him just like Peter did on the Sea of Galilee and you will both live together in etrnity one day. God bless you for sharing your private story. It has given encouragement to many, I am sure.

Now that looks like what I wanted to get in the first place. I prefer LED over HID but it looks like you have to purchase a fan unit @ $15 and an LED Driver @ $35 as well as the the LED Head Light @ $45. Is that correct? On an aside--I was in your neck of the woods last July when I did a writing tour of the St. John River Valley. My story just came out in the April Issue of Motorcyle Mojo. We have an old friend who lives in Fredericton and we had a fabulous breakfast at Sweet Belgian Desire. Love Fredericton.

Thanks Steve, will do.

Will this work on my 2013 Venture S? http://www.motorcyclehidlights.com/yamaha-royal-star-1300-classic-lights-c-93_457/digital-hid-kit-slim-ballasts-p-209 Was looking at another one but it comes from England.

Although I have sworn off riding after dark, for obvious reasons, I can still get caught in a situation where I have to. For those reasons I thought I should get something that cuts further into the darkness. The first thing that came to mind was an LED bulb but I cannot seem to find one that works for the Venture. When I saw the cost of the HID I thought that would work just fine. For some reason I had thought that HID would be in the hundreds of dollars range. I think I will go ahead and order a kit and get it installed before we leave for our big Branson trip at the beginning of May. I will quite likely be asking for some techy support from you electronic gurus out there in Venture Land.

Anyone have any input on this. It looks like a great price but maybe I'm not seeing something here. http://www.ebay.com/itm/H4-Hi-Lo-Yamaha-Royal-Star-1300-Classic-Venture-97-Motorbike-HID-Conversion-Kit-/271057875676?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item3f1c4ef2dc

Wow! You are right up there with Evel Kneivel. I raced motocross professionally from 1967 till 1974. From that I got one dislocated shoulder and one pinched nerve in my back. I feel really lucky after reading your history. It was road riding that broke my ankle, dislocated my other shoulder, and then the big crash in 2006. I should have listened to my wife and kept the Gold Wing rather than getting an FJR. I did learn a big lesson that day and that is to always remember that the road is not like a race course--YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT LIES AROUND THE NEXT BEND!! I am more carefull these days and should I ever really want to let-er-rip, I am only about ten miles from Mosport Park. Of course I'd look pretty foolish on the track with my Venture.

My wife and I joined a couple of months ago because we have some friends that recently joined. We have over 80 members in the Kawartha Chapter and it is very active, in soite of their octogenarian membership. You have to be 40 or over to join so that pretty much eliminate the squids on the crotch rockets. The convention is in Branson from Monday, May 5 to Thursday, May 8. They have rides going every day but on Thursday we are heading down to Eureka Springs. Two years ago I wrote three stories about Arkansas for Motorcycle Mojo, the premier Canadian motorcycle mag. Going back to see a couple of people we met who own the Grand Central Hotel and have dinner and listen to Jerry Yester.

August 10, 2006. Nice evening ride to meet some friends at a chicken restaurant nearby. Leaned into a right hander and the road was covered in sand. The FJR slid sideways across the road in a full lock, feet up slide. Hit the far shoulder and high sided right into a tree. The body went into stress mode and I went into shock. Don' remember anything until I woke up in a hospital, the second one, in Toronto. The first hospital said I was in too bad shape for them to handle it. Broken pelvis in two places right beside the replaced hip joint. Three broken ribs, three broken vertebrae, and a broken hand. Lost so much blood to bruising that I had to have two transfusions to top me up. Within two weeks I started fixing the bike from a chair. Sold the FJR and in March 2007 I bought a GL 1800. Don't recall any real issues with riding again but I can understand that some would. While in the hospital, a friend asked if I would ride again. I told him that when I had to be placed on the bike with a cherry picker and after being pushed to get me going--if I then fell over, I would consider getting a trike. ha ha. Still riding and now have a new Venture. I know it's easier said than done, but block that bad part out of your mind and get sometwo wheeled therapy. It's the best thing you could do for your psyche.

I was just wondering if any members of this forum belonged to the Retreads and are going to the International Conference in Branson in May. I have planned a four day pictresq ride to get there, then some great riding in the Ozarks.

Is anyone on this Board a member of the Retreads MC?

Thanks for all the advice. I had a utopia on my Gold Wing so I am familiar with it. I phoned Linda today and mine is being made and I'll have it in a couple of weeks. Looking forward to seeing how the new Venture works out for me. I bought a trailer hitch, a Stebel air horn, an LED tail light bar, and now a Utopia back rest. I have my GPS hooked up and in a few days, when it arrives, I'll have my Gerbing controller installed. That's all I can think of that this bike needs. Oh ya, I have had the gearing changed in the final drive also. It's the first day of Spring and once the snow is gone I'll be ready!

Does the Utopia just bolt on or do you have to cut holes in the foam and seat cover to mount it?

Looking for a back rest that bolts on with the stock 2013 Venture S. My back has seen too many motocross races and motorcycle miles and screams at me for a break. I found a few on eBay so I am looking for sugestions from those who have one.

Yes, the mic plug in is for using with a Bluetooth setup when you have a phone. Just taped it off and now I'm good to go. Thanks

Does anyone know what the "Mic In" plug is for on the Zumo 660 wiring harness? I need to listen to my Garmin which is what the "Audio Out" connector is for, right? I think it is for use with a cell phone or Bluetooth but I just want to make sure.

Yesterday the thermometer topped out a 14C. I am finally getting the initiative to get my new Venture decked out with the niceties. Garmin 660 GPS, trailer lights hookup, tail light LED bar, heat controller, and a Yamaha luggage rack. Leaving for Branson, MI is 47 days for the Retreads Convention. Hope the snow is gone by then!

So, do you plan to leave town every Friday the 13th? I would have chosen Port Stanley. Much nicer and quieter.

You sound like my 4 year old grand son.