videoarizona

Mama, Happened to me too. My friends clued me in...so I posted a warning to FB that someone was cloning me, they took care of it. Idiot was gone within 24 hours. david

Do the therapy and you will come out OK! God Bless and good to hear all went well!

I bought my 950 Tourer at a Ride Now dealer in Tucson. They were good to me as far as service. Today, I called then went to visit CSA in Tucson. They are an everything stype shop. Quads, scoots, bikes, etc.. I got some brake pads for my 89 VR. Price was retail but they had them in stock. No waiting for mail. The important thing is the people were really nice there. Sales lady was cordial as I looked over a couple of bikes...no pressure there. Phillip, in parts, talked to me for a while saying they had two mechanics that knew the Ventures and loved the older bikes. He also mentioned that parts were getting scarce but they are usually able to find most of what the customers need. Don't know how true that will ring, but if it is true...then at least those of use who live in the Southwest may have a good source. I'm pleased they have mechanics who know the older bikes. That alone could be a life savor at some point. FYI, david

Yep...good advice. I transitioned from the 650 Classic to the 950 Tourer to the Venture. Those first two were terrific to get back in the saddle with. Wish I had lept the 650! david

I agree. The Venture is a heavy bike. easy to control at speed except you really need to pay attention to braking. But it's biggest issue, for me, is at a stop. If I do something dumb, like not pay attention to where my foot is, the Venture will go down...and it will not be easy to get back up! Ask me how I know! Get a small bike, take the safety course, learn emergency maneuvers, then practice. Once you can really handle the smaller bike...move up to the Venture.

My results from last weekend's 400 mile run. 50 miles - lose first bar 70 miles - lose 2nd bar 90 miles - lose 3rd bar (half tank) 110 miles - lose 4th bar 130 miles - lose 5th bar 150 miles - lose 6th bar Reserve light comes on. Averaging around 42.6 mpg.....so with approx 1.3 gallons left....I should be able to safely go between 30 and 40 miles after light comes on before I coast to a stop. Or crud up carbs with tank debris! Also...if I have high winds or lots of hills, the first bar will drop off around 40 miles. If I then watch....the rest of the bars drop off at 20 mile intervals. So my gas gauge seems linear in that respect.

That's why they made sailboats!

You youngsters....

Kevin...not the Apache trail...right in Pine! As far as taking rear end apart...that's the plan...after this coming weekend. May be on another ride....further testing necessary, you see! Bill.....I'm curious too. Rick...Payment for enjoying the dump in the dirt? Grins...Ok.. Sure, where/how?

Frank, Noise is still there, but I haven't popped the seat yet to finish checking all the connections. BUT, in the ride this weekend, I was able to check out the source of the noise. It's not regulator...it's there all the time on the intercom and CB, regardless of electrical load. Only varies with RPM. So it's probably a bad plug wire or one of the coils. I'm still thinking of a bad ground, but sure haven't found one yet... david

Bob, Interesting conclusion. Making me wonder if you had some crud in the tank/filter and it is finally clearing out. I'm with Pete....my 89 VR rolls smooth from idle to redline in gears with no hesitation or surge. It scares the crap out of me when I ring it out a bit. Wishing you luck and continued success with this. Learning experience for all of us! Thanks, david

Rosie, The tires are new Metzlers. Less than 1K miles on them. Yep..I do think I have a drive issue. Just need some time that I can get together with someone and tear the rear end apart. david

Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd, Sultans of Swing, Gerry Rafferty, The O'Jays, Chicago, Santana, Three Dog Night, Queen, Bette Midler, Barry White, Gorden Lightfoot, ...arrgh!

In A Gadda Da Vida, Young Girl, Time has come today, and so much more. There is no way I can pick just one song... david...

On my way back from the mountains this morning...thought of all my friends that have lost their way on this Earth...Prayers up for Warden & Skid.

Well..took off this weekend for the first major trip of my 89VR. From Green Valley, AZ to Pine, AZ. 390 Miles rountrip 42.6 MPG Consisting of highway (75mph) Major roads (65mph) Major hills (6% grades 2 to 4 miles long) Local roads (25mph and some dirt) VR performed very well. The altitude at Payson and Pine did make itself known - not as much pep. But overall, impressed with the high speed handling, comfortable ride and ease of the ride. My rear end did get a tad tired...so either my seat is worn or my butt is! Only issue I had was my fault. Turning around on a narrow dirt road, I backed up into a ditch...then was tentative releasing the clutch and lost balance. Over she went on left side. I couldn't hold it up...so let her down. Engine died as it should. I turned off key then tried to use the 120 pound weakling method I saw on internet to raise the bike. Nope. Guess the 120 weakling is stronger than I.... couldn't walk it up. Got a guy to come out and he and I struggled for a few minutes just to get her up high enough to put kickstand down. Cleaned her off and found the fairing scratched enough to show the seam. No other damage except to my ego! So any advice on lifting a 1st generation VR...I'm all ears. Other than don't do that in the first place! Guess I need to take the word "tentative" out of my vocabulary when dealing with the VR. Lastly, the whine I hear when backing off on throttle is there at all speeds, so it's obviously something in the gear train/drive train that is worn or not adjusted properly. The other whine I have is there from 55 to 70mph and increases a tad during left lean and more on right lean. Was suggested that a certain brand of tires would do that, But I don't have those tires. Could be related to first whine or ???... who knows? Great ride though! I feel like I can trust the VR to go anywhere I care to ride...which is a good thing. Now have to find someone who can repair the fairing and match some paint. And sorry...no pictures. To busy riding! Beautiful views though...have to do this again when it's cooler. Was a bit warm. david

Full gear...all the time. Only changes are mesh in summer, leather in winter.

Update: Took a good part of the bike apart. Didn't find any condenser, so it either was not installed by Mom Yamaha or a PO took it off. Along the way, took the audio pieces out. Everything looked brand new. No junk on any connectors, all cables were tight and clean. Radio looked brand new as well. Followed the antenna feed and intercom feeds...everything good. Put back together and noise still there. Going to live with it for a while and ride this weekend. After that...may try again. Thinking about a new antenna anyway! That might help. thanks...all....I do appreciate this forum and it's people! david

Thanks, Frank. In looking over the supplemental schematic, I found the condenser is tied to 12 volts...so I guess it was a "smoothing" device. Probably just took the ripples out of the charging system. So if I understand you, I need to pop the seat and start tracing all the intercom wires, checking grounds and probably adding new ones to act as shielding. I could probably wrap the intercom wires as well...want to think on that. Had similar issues at a USAF radio station that was very close to a pulse radar system. Took some work to build a Faraday cage around the entire production areas...but was successful. I'll also look into taking the radio out and cleaning it up as well....grounds. Always the bane of a good signal! Thanks again!

Sounds like something I would like to have. Don't see it listed for 1st gen VR, though.

Thanks, Gary. Will crawl around the left side again and see if that little bugger is around. If not...will think about a replacement. But I am concerned about the 12 volts on the red side....

Oh.....mine was "hot" without the key. 12.6 volts to ground.

Yep...looks like same plug. Hmmm....wonder if I could find something that would work....can't seem to find it here in the US. Thanks guys! david

Dingy, That is exactly the problem I am having...electrical noise on my intercom and CB. So where is the condensor unit located? I can't find anything anywhere near the plug. I'd appreciate any further guidance. I have the bike up on the center stand now.... Yes this is for the 89 Venture Royale. Brian, checked the fuel pump...still running. I think it's for the condensor as well....just can't find the sucker!! david

Found this connector while cleaning the electrical connectors on the left side of bike alongside the frame above and to the left of the fuel pump. In looking over the schematic, I can see only one two wire connector with one red and one black wire...and that is for the condensor which is used with the voltage regulator. However, the black side is a frame ground and the red wire has 12.6 volts to it. So, any ideas? I simply do not see anything within range of the plug that is unplugged. I can't get to the regulator to see if the 2nd connected is connected to anything.... TIA, david