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The gas cap screws may have been loose when the bike was put away. They are underneath the cap. When they do loosen, the cap becomes misaligned with itself and the two dogs that hold the cap in the tank won't open properly. That's one idea. The 2 dogs might not be opening all the way due to rust, corrosion...? Last, the thing just might be stuck on there....the gasket has rotted and is now dried glue instead of rubber. Turn the key and hold, then wiggle gently with a slight rocking motion, side to side to see if you can get the 2 dogs to retract enough. If you can't move the cap at all...she's stuck. BTW, When you do get it open....check the 2 screws, clean the gasket then put the cap back on. Unless the gas was run out of the tank completely before being put away, I wouldn't even think of using that gas for anything. Take the tank off and clean it out. Then replace the fuel lines. They are probably rotted away inside too. Last take the carbs off and clean them thoroughly. Small effort but will keep you from having fuel issues with the carbs when you do get her running.

Download the service manual from this site. Go to page 8-53 and start from there. I'm still thinking you haven't found the backup fuse for the audio system. That fuse goes directly to the CB unit. And no, I'm not sure I've ever seen it either...but I would look under the trunk by the CB unit...maybe the manual says where... Page 8-61 is the start of the CB troubleshooting guide. They first get you to check the grounds....

...and here I was thinking the vapor thing was nothing more than the left side burning off the moisture that accumulated in that pipe...being as it's downhill from the rest of the scoot... But what do I know about "them kind" of motors?? Nothing...nothing!

I'm back. I had a really good response about this being an easy job. Unfortunately, my computer ate the response. Sigh. Every once in a while this web site will go to a colored screen and nothing works...no matter what I do, it stays locked up. Then "boom"....by itself it goes away and the web site comes back with an empty response. Gone. So I'll keep this simple. Yes it's an easy job @suds. I bought a gasket for that "just in case" moment. Put the scoot on the center stand, fought my way down to sitting on the floor and went to work. I took the case cover off, bent the wire bracket out of the way and moved the wires. Then took the clutch slave off as I was going to replace it anyway while there. Took out the slave, took out the switch and cleaned it up. Cleaned the engine case where both the switch and the slave sat, then put it all together. Mind you, I was also looking for a leak using a little blacklight. I had put some stuff in the oil that helped people find leaks....but I didn't see anything while replacing parts. So put it back together. Took a while to get the new clutch fluid back down into the slave. Hint: open the bleeder at the slave and fill the master...let gravity help. Just don't run the master dry or it's start over time! That was it. I took pics as I went...more for my help later if I forgot and had to leave the bike apart for a few days. Remember, there's lots of info here on how to do this....with pictures...so do the research, order the parts, then go to work. Should take a few hours at the most. Replace the clutch slave if yours is original. Won't hurt and will help down the road! david

I have to get on the road...will get back to you later. But it's an easy job.

There are a few switches and such that will keep the bike from starting. On our 1st gens, your is a 1990?), The clutch switch, the sidestand switch, the emergency shut off switch on right handlebar, the tip over switch, ignition switch, etc.. Also the flickering back and forth showing the gears and neutral can be a bad ground somewhere in the entire circuit (ugh) or even the neutral safety switch is dirty or not making good contact. This is the weird shaped switch located on lower left side, under the intermediate gear case cover directly to the rear of the stator cover. Area here: Here is switch: There are 3 small screws that hold it on and an orange (usually) colored O ring inside. The rear side (the inside) has the contacts. The rectangular contact is neutral. The rest can be figured out by remembering shift pattern. There is a pin sticking out of case when you take the switch off. Put bike in neutral BEFORE you take the thing apart. Clean the contacts and make sure the pin has some tension pushing it out to make contact. Be careful here as pin can fall out. You may need the gasket for that cover as well....I did on mine. BTW, I cleaned the contacts but it didn't stop my intermittent showing neutral or 2nd gear. It still does that once in a while on my bike, but she starts everytime...so who knows! My first guess is the kickstand switch, followed by the emergency shut off switch. Make sure these are clean! The rest can be an issue as well...but these seem to be the main issues....Also, if you do take the switch off to clean....be careful putting the screws back in. You are tightening an old plastic part that that gone through a gazillion heat cycles...to tight on the screws and you will crack it. The O ring does the sealing so just snug the screws up evenly. Hope this helps...

Jeff, I have all the bells and stuff on my pickmeup truck. BUT, they can be turned off...with the exception of anti-lock brakes. Let's face it, you can't do donuts in the parking lot full of snow with all that stuff on! BTW, I read a nice write up on the differences between all wheel drive and 4 wheel drive on the GMC's. Quite interesting how you can use all wheel drive 24/7 on any surface at any speed since the front clutches are in "neutral" (so to speak). Great for people like you who drive in sometimes snowy roads. I didn't know that. The only issue is it takes a second or so for the truck to realize it needs all 4 working and engages the front clutches. But it does work well in snow and mud. Of course, regular 4 wheel drive is just that. What I do really like is the slow speed hill descent. Flip the switch on that thing at about 4mph and watch my truck go down a steep, rocky trail at a few miles per hour without me having to touch the brakes. You can speed up or slow down and the truck maintains that speed. Pretty cool and don't even need to be in any 4 wheel drive mode!

I was a Dodge guy for 40 years. Cars and vans. Got very tired of replacing stuff on them. Brakes, compressors, water pumps, suspension pieces, you name it...it broke. Even one 318 gave up a rod at 160K miles. Went Ford...to many issues. Seriously! I liked them. Quieter than the Dodges for sure...but....unreliable for me. Then in 2004, went with a brand new GMC Yukon XL. Never owned a GMC. Best dam vehicle I've ever owned. Never replaced anything until 206K miles when the right front wheel bearings started making noises. Easy replacement as they are a one piece module that simply bolts on! Brakes, water pump, compressor, electronics, trannie...all were original! Remember, that truck towed my 2 ton sailboat all over the country for 15 years...not one issue. Finally traded it in a few months ago after 219K miles. She was still running great with that 5.3 aluminum block still not burning oil and getting 18 mpgs. Hard to see her go....but towing the trailer was an issue...the 4 speed didn't have enough gears. I looked at the Toyota and Nissan but neither had the towing capacity I wanted. (9200 to 11K lbs depending upon hitch). Not very good mpg's either. Sure did like the build quality though! I bought a used 2015 Sierra Denali with 6.2l V8. It pulls the trailer (6k lbs) like it's not event there. (420hp-460lbs of torque) Gets me over 20mpg's (have seen a steady 32mpgs in V4 mode at 70mph). I get 12 to 14 mpgs towing the trailer and 14 mpgs towing the boat at 65mph. The only complaint I have is the ride quality suffers because the PO put on a 2.5inch lift kit and stiffened the suspension. With the 20 inch wheels and 60 ratio tires...she does ride like a truck instead of a luxury pick up. I'm getting used to it. Even the wife is really liking the comfort and quiet cab the Sierra has. I'm hoping the truck lasts as long as the Yukon did. If so...It will be the last truck I own...time will tell.....

1: Check the fuses...in your manual there are 3 fuse locations on the bike. Look for ANY blown fuse. I don't remember, but some circuits are dual purpose...(makes no sense to me)! 2: Check that you didn't accidently mute the CB. The controller on the left handlebar should turn on the CB and you should see some indication of channel, etc.. 3: Last, pull the front fairing. Stand in front of bike and look just to the left of the headlight. You should see some large round inline connectors. Pull each one and make sure to plug each back in firmly. You can coat the connectors(not the pins) with a dialetric grease to keep water out. One of these plugs is for the CB...and it may have come loose. Although I can't see how as they are usually pretty tight. Hope this helps...

While I was prepping the trailer for the last trip, I was walking back and forth across the yard loading from the garage to the trailer. On one trip, something didn't seem right. I turned around and looked at the yard.....finally saw this. See if you can pick him out. Hint: About 6 feet long. On our last camping trip, I wasn't paying attention. Our hostess saw the little guy and got him with a shovel. Chopped his head off. Then buried the head because the head can still bite and she had dogs....She skinned the rest, put the skin in the freezer and took the meat outside to feed the coyotes and such that drop by for a snack. BTW, he was sunning himself right next to the pad area where I parked the trailer. I must have walked around and by him 3 or 4 times. With my hearing, I would have never heard him rattle and warn me. Can you see him ...look in the red circle.... Fun stuff....

Prayers Up! Doug is at Peace. I believe firmly that now is the time to celebrate his life! God Bless his family.... And Puc.... Thank you so much for sharing this very personal time with us...your Venture family. Our love and prayers....

I do that all the time. With a straight face. I'm pleased to say I'm seeing more of them able to handle it. Maybe it's the sunshine.... Feeding their brains down here!!

What did I do to my 89 VR today? Looked at her, then put the next year's tags on her. Trying to get up the courage to sell her. sigh....

Ah Puc...I'm so sorry to hear this. Prayers to the family and that your brother will have a peaceful transition to whatever is next... Sad.....:95:

Steve, my apologies...I forgot about the shock oil. I upped mine to 10wt when my forks were rebuilt on the RSV. Much better. I think the bike needs it. Also, I run maybe 2 lbs of air in front and 25lbs in rear...35lbs, 2 up...and like the ride. Get yourself one of those progressive type air pumps. https://www.amazon.com/Progressive-Suspension-GP3-60-0-60-Gauge/dp/B000WJEORY Nice in that you can air up the shocks with real time pressure reading and you don't lose air when you disconnect. You can find them at all different price points... You don't want to use a larger pump...can blow the seals quickly. Let us know how your rebuild comes out!

YIKES! I go away for a few days for some boondocking camping at a lake and you have a BIRTHDAY! Well..... Happy Birthday, Scott! Keep'em coming Bro... :biker:

Yikes! I hurt from just reading your post, Earl! Wishing you a quick heal and do be persistent in PT! That effort will pay off, Big Time! I'll be thinking of questions....so get the mind in gear, Earl! Seriously, get better fast....

Nah....I'm a youngster (70's), but grew up watching the oldies!

VStar 650. Next up would be the VStar 950T. She could fit on that one too, but it's heavier. Doable. Highly recommend them.

As just mentioned....check the steering head bearings..there's not much difference between to tight and to loose. BUT, before I did that, I would go over the front end with a fine toothed comb. Check all bolts for tightness...including the front axle. Loosen everything and re-tighten to spec. Somewhere along the line that should cure the problem. If it doesn't, then the forks need to be rebuilt. It's easy if you want to take the time and all the needed info is here on the forum. Plus if you get stuck...we can help. You can get parts on line at various vendors. Boats.net is one. I suggested you start from scratch...to help you establish a baseline for your services done on the front end. Not that things go wrong with these scoots...very dependable. But with a baseline, when you do have an issue...you won't have to rely on memory for what you've done. Tires....I love the Shinko 230's...however this bike is a bit heavy for those. They will run just fine, but the rear will wear quickly, as the 230 is a great, rain riding, soft riding tire. Soft means more wear. My suggestion: Go with the Shinko 777HD tire. Make sure it's the HD version. Longer wear and they ride wonderfully on these heavy bikes. I had a new pair on a journey from Arizona to Michigan. Chicago sent a nail my way and the rear tire bit the dust. Replaced with a 230 (all they had) and I see wear after only 4K miles. Shinko has the 777HD in stock in our stock sizes and they work well. I'm running the stock size up front and like the stability in heavy winds with trucks zooming by! But tires are like oil...we all have an opinion....for what it's worth... Welcome to our group! david

Prayers for Linda and family! I'm so sorry to hear this. (rant on) Dam it, with all the bux being spent on finding a cure, why are we not stopping this dreadful cancer??? (rant off) Prayers up for your wife's family and for you both!

Thoughts and Prayers for your brother and his family! I'm so sorry to hear. God Bless.... david & pat

No I didn't ask him. He was interested in the bike though. It showed me he's one of the "good guys"...likes to ride regardless of the scoot. We yapped for a while then he was off to LA.

Well I'm glad you guys are finally getting close to riding. We, on the other hand, are getting close to NOT riding...at least until October. As you know, I do try to get up north into the mountains at various times in the summer here, but coming back into town is almost unbearable....over 100 degrees in stop and go traffic really beats me up. Now if I could leave at 7am and come back at 11 pm....I could do it. But that is hard.... So you might not get any more pictures from me for the summer season. Be up to youse guys and gals to take pics so I can drool and dream of riding... I will get some pics of our camping activities and boat stuff this month. And no cowpuc, I can't take the high heat that you used to ride in. That's to hot for me, especially since I ride AGATT. Both Pat and I have real troubles in that kind of heat. Another reason why getting old sucks..!!

Jack Benny? He was a has been. I'm of the Al Jolson crowd...lol!