videoarizona

Rich, You will find the CLASS has another nice use....put the CLASS system in "auto".... crank up the rear, then front pressure... then go ahead and put her up on the center stand. She pops right up now! This comes in handy when you are traveling and are loaded. Just don't forget to let the pressure down once up on stand. The cruise control "shouldn't" add drag to the throttle cables. Unless they are dirty or need lubrication. Of course, the cable movement may be easier on the mk1's simply due to a simplified system. The CC works very easily although there is a trick that makes it slick....when at speed...hit "set", then "resume". She usually comes on quicker with less loss of speed. Remember, this is a 1st generation "computer" controlled system...kludge is the word that comes to mind. But it does work well. I like it better than the 2nd Gen CC. My 89's brakes are still linked. I like them, they work well. Suggest you try them out after you clean up the system then make your decision. I still have low speed stability with the rear. You could make your own knurled knob covers for your side bags and use them instead of the screws/bolts. Makes it faster to get the bags off. And yes, you can get quite a bit of stuff in those Mk2 bags. Much more than I can in the 2nd gen!

Prayers Up... on a continuing basis for Bob and Becky!

No trick. I just twist and pull. BUT, that said...the last time I had troubles pulling a muffler, the gasket (?) was torn and that made it difficult for me to get the muffler off. I had to order a new one.. FYI.[/color]

Happy Birthday, Carl! Great to meet you at MD this year!

Didn't know that...good to know. Thanks. Maybe hit a junk yard and find some canisters. https://www.amazon.com/Premium-Indicating-Silica-Industry-Standard/dp/B013L31PQ0/ref=zg_bs_3013604011_28?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=JAVZE8CEF22HK43HVK1C I don't know what the diameter of the crystals are....or if it matters. but above link may have some ideas...

Put some wax on the cheesecloth? Doesn't have to be much as the pores are so small. Even a tiny bit of cheap face mask would work. The cloth chosen will affect the frequency response that the microphone hears, but I think it's looking for generic noise anyway...so no issue there. Seriously, I doubt a hole that small would get much water in it with any type cloth covering that has some water resistance. You don't want waterproof stuff...

I do like that color on the Venture.....

Tom, Recommend you do pick up a service manual...just download from our web site. While you are reading about the 2nd Gen Venture in the Tech section, check out all the posts in each area. Take your time, lots of stuff to read. Also, at the bottom of each post page, you will see "suggested" threads that are usually similar to what you are reading. You can follow those way, way back...and learn lots of stuff. Then, since you are familiar with bikes, go ahead and check the bike out. Brakes, rear end, fuel, plugs, etc.. Never hurts to start a maintenance baseline of that new to you bike. An added benefit, getting to know your ride is crucial when something happens. Last, get out and put some miles on her after your initial checkout. You will find her to be a comfortable touring machine. Oh, these V4's love to rev....don't be afraid to hit the limiter in your first 3 gears. That should get you over the speed limit....4th and 5th are both overdrives...and we rarely use 5th unless going over 65mph. Don't lug her.... BTW, Welcome to the group!

Pull the tank and look down on the left side. You can see the pulley where the cables meet. Clean and lube the cables, then do the Adjustments/freeplay suggested by manual at the bottom first, then at the handlebar last. You can buy a cable lube gadget that clamps on the cables and helps get the lube where you want it. Cheap.

My Walmart isn't carrying the Quicksilver 20-50. Both of my scoots love that stuff. Similar in performance to the Yamalube 20-50. go figure...

I doubt the clutch will fail. @cowpuc got over 200k miles on each of his 83's, fully loaded, 2 up and hasn't had problems. Almost every problem with the clutch comes down to the fluid. Replace it regularly and you shouldn't have problems.

I don't think that dissectant (SP?) wears out. Ijust absorbs so much moisture then stops working. Dry it out in the oven at low temp until it goes back to it's normal color. Pink? Other than that...I'm following your posts with interest. Love seeing a VR come back to life, especially one in such good condition.

Cheesecloth? Ask your wife....Pats up in Phoenix so I can't ask her.

2nd vote for the stuck float on one of the carbs.

It should say somewhere on the site, I remember reading it. Hang on...I'll call the Boss... @Freebird....what's the max size for photos to upload? Thanks, david

You can always change rear tires again. You now have experience in changing it....and to be honest, based on your comments...I agree...go back to a sport bike tire. Sell the new dual compound tire on Ebay. Probably get most of your bux back...

Just pulled my plenums off today to check plugs and clean up scoot. My left side was a bit gunked up as well...and I keep my oil level at 1/2 mark on site glass standing straight up. I've heard that's normal as the left side is the low side on the stand so any vented crankcase fumes get left there..leaving some gunk. Just cleaned and put back together is what I did. Not worrying about it.

Can't help you there.....There must be a way if you have an inkling of reading about it. Without looking underneath there, there would be way to much electrical and stuff to disconnect...maybe making it more trouble than it's worth. But again...

The parts manual shows them as one piece.....I referenced the number and page for you to check out. I don't of anyone who has had them out. I'll give a shout out to cowpuc...he's our resident 1st Gen Guru! Let's see if he jumps in here within the next day. And to Prairiehammer. He knows parts on the 1st gens like no one else on the planet. P.s. You might want to add your bike year to your top left area...Helps as there are some differences between the Mk1's and the Mk2's. Mk1's I believe are 1983-84 and Mk2's are 1985 to 1991?? I looked up your info...you said you have an 83. OK...either gentleman should be able to help...

Are you talking about the bolts that clamp onto the risers? The head faces to the rear in your picture? If yes, They should just loosen. Then you have to put some WD40 or something like it on the shaft to be able to lift up the lower bar...as it's probably on there since factory. Put some WD or your favorite stuff on the heads and inside the crack on the lower arm. Tap it gently then let it sit... Sometimes after a day of sitting and a little heat...they will loosen up. Now if someone put locktite on the bolts, then heat is needed to break the bond. Good luck and let us know how it's going... Update: In looking at the parts diagram...you don't need to take off those top bolts off the lower handle holder (Page E10, part #11 ) to get the lower steering arm off. Parts diagrams and such are located in this web site further down the list of forums. They are downloadable. 1st generation Venture Royale.

Really? I heard they were one piece. Looking at the front coils, they sure look sealed to me... But... Update: Well..right and wrong. The coil and wire are molded together. BUT, you can strip off the cap and replace that if it's corroded. @V7Goose has a thread about it when he was looking at the coil failures and found none. Just the corrosion in the caps. P.S. Wonder how @V7Goose is doing. Never did hear from him for a meet and eat last May when I stayed in Ruidoso, NM. Hope he's ok!!

Richard....If memory serves...Yes. And unplug the vanity light. Then you can get to the CLASS system stuff easily. I don't remember if the passenger backrest or it's cable have to be undone.... The problem with these bikes is they are so dang dependable....stuff like this doesn't get done to often!! So my Olde Brain doesn't get the exercise it needs to remember clearly! Heck, just jump in...you'll figure it out. Grins! Then let us know....so I can refresh my brain... Wait a minute! Are you talking about the entire rear end sub frame? That would be one definition of "luggage rack assembly"? The answer to that would be "I've never done it so don't know." If you are talking about the side luggage pieces, I've always taken off the 7 bolts and their spacers ...leaving the chrome frame on the scoot.

Thanks guys...went back in. @SpencerPJ: Can't cut and splice on the 2nd gens....the plug wire and coil are one piece. Bag thing is if it goes bad...buy coil assembly. Good thing, no corrosion on wire!

My philosophy: Since all this is so esay to do: Plugs. Check each year if Iridium. Change if not. Engine oil, once a year. Before the winter break. Get those acids and stuff out of there. Rear end oil, about every 2 to 3 years depending upon dusty conditions. Use synthetic. Front Shocks, every 2 to 3 years. Cheap and easy. Clutch Fluid. Every 2 years...it will accumulate water and dirt...change it. Brake Fluid. As above. If it's the least bit brown colored....change it. Hint...do them both at same time. Brake pads. Check each year. Rotate RSV rear pads to even wear. Clean and operate the pistons while you are there.. Rear End Splines.(all of them-includes drive shaft) Lube every tire change or every 2 to 3 years. Do these things and the bike will take care of you. Do not do these things in a timely manner and the bike WILL take care of you.

In the post screen where you are typing your message.. there are 3 rows of icons on the top left. The 2nd row starts with a "B" looking icon. In the 4th group on that row (the group with the icon of the camera)....the 4th incon looks like a home screen we used to use to watch mom and dad's home movies. Hover mouse over that icon...it should say "Insert Image". Click on that. Little window pops up. On top you have a choice of getting the image from a url (like google drive) or your computer. Choose one. Then either click on "OK" if using the url or "upload" if from computer. Make sure you have the screen cursor where you want the picture to go in your post. Do suggest you put some space around the picture by not typing right up to it..it./..use the space bar or enter key to give yourself some room. If it doesn't upload (website says upload failed...) the image is to large. Use Photoshop or any image program to get it down to a more reasonable size. That's it...easy.