Neil86

The starter thing is the starter solenoid, and the main fuse is next to it. You can test the stator wires at the RR plug. I realize you feel like leaving well enough alone but chances are something is weak and probably it will get weaker.

Yes thats correct....any voltage test you are measuring voltage between 2 points. You want to be on a low DCV setting so you can see any voltage drop. The RR connector will be hooked up still...and you will have to backprobe the RR connector to get a reading. A poor connection somewheres will show up with higher current flows (higher rpm) giving a higher reading.

here is the test procedures for the whole system..... http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=81297 You have to pay attention to the meter setting....resistance and short testing are done engine off on the stator wires....AC voltage is done with engine running.

Basically you are checking how much drop there is in voltage between 2 points.... so you test RR red vs the battery positive at elevated rpm. If everything on the harness is clean and tight...should be almost 0.0 V on your display. Repeat the same test on the RR black vs the battery negative.

I think he measured from the cap to ground...ie cap, wire, secondary coil winding?

Pretty sure all 1st gen fans switch the power to the fan. Yes the early Venture had a one wire thermoswitch that grounded, but it just grounds the fan relay coil, which sends power to the fan. Later models have a 2 wire thermoswitch on the power supply to the fan, no more relay. The advantage of the running light wiring on post 5 is you know there is 12 V to the fan and a ground from the fan...so its most likely running.

see post #5....

Best bet is when you have time, retest the electrical....assume nothing. If everything passes...test again hot.

Earl... since you handle new parts...have you run across many of the 4 brush units needing the brush set vs the 2 brush units?

Earl pretty much has it, actually its 1991-93 Ventures were built with 4 brush starters. Yamaha eventually superceded the older starters so if you ordered a new starter for an 83-93 you got a 4 brush. If you go into the parts lists you can see where the brush holder changed in 1991. Prior to 91 you can order 2 brushes, 91-93 you order a brush plate set (and this part is same right up to 2011 Ventures). If you order aftermarket starters you could get a 2 brush. the prefix 26H or 4NK just tells you the first model that identical part was used so there will be slight difference in the first gen and 2nd gen starters but they will fit. There are a few parts on the RSV that have been used since 1983 and still carry a 26H prefix...one example is the clutch hub in the rear wheel.

The Royal Stars debuted in 1996, and they used a 4 brush starter. The RSV (2nd gen) has had the 4 brush since 1999 when the RSV debuted.

Has the bike been ridden in rain recentlý......could be TCI got wet.

Anything changed on the ignition system in the last few days....wires etc? Thinking bad connections at coil or caps. During the low power epsiodes does the tach act incorrect vs road speed....ie does it follow road speed even when loosing power or drop and jump back up. It sounds like mileage wise the bike is running on only 3 cylinders.

I believe you are looking for item 9 on this parts diagram... http://www.boats.net/parts/search/Yamaha/Motorcycle/2000/ROYAL%20STAR%20VENTURE%20-%20XVZ1300TFM/SHIFT%20SHAFT/parts.html

Probably vibration was shaking the terminal as you revved up the engine.

The idle speed screw sets the #2 carb throttle plate....so if the right 2 cylinders on your synch tool are carrying the load the idle speed screw has been backed off trying to reduce idle speed. As Frank says...as you adjust the right bank the engine will slow down, so you have to screw in the idle speed screw opening the #2 plate and its vacuum should start dropping.

well as I say....somehow...have a look at both. These bikes have typically been through several owners hard to know whats been done and when.

Its possible the variance you had on the red wire on either side of the RR plug was not using the same ground point for each test...ie higher reading vs battery ground then the connector black due to the harness issue.

Yamaha changed the linkage and swingarm in 1988..if he somehow used a 83-87 linkage it might explain the difference. The linkage arm length is most likely different....best bet get the parts bike out...side by side and compare the linkages. In any event...don't ride the bike till you sort out the cause. heres 86... http://www.boats.net/parts/search/Yamaha/Motorcycle/1986/VENTURE%20ROYALE%20-%20XVZ1300DS/SWING%20ARM/parts.html heres 89.. http://www.boats.net/parts/search/Yamaha/Motorcycle/1989/VENTURE%20ROYALE%20-%20XVZ1300DW/SWING%20ARM/parts.html

Another possibility are the oil supply tubing lines from breather cover up to cylinder heads...either leaking or transporting a drip down to breather cover.

You might test for power at your fuse....marked TAIL. Bad fuse, fuse clips etc. The CMS will not alarm if the fuse is bad.

Look closely for oil higher up running down cylinders.

You can check the terminal on temp sender....under the riders right side, remove the trianguliar side grille, (2 screws) under you will find 2 sensors....the sensor with bullet connector is temp gauge....very common to work loose, remove, squeeze ends a bit, reinstall. The other sensor with flat connector is fan thermoswitch.

The front left is #2 cylinder...same ignition coil the tach reads.....so unless your tach is reading waaaay high, its probably right. Any chance the other 3 have different plug wires, making it harder to read with inductive clamp?

and all the grounds were cleaned at some point.