Venturous Randy

The reason you are getting very few responses is since the 2nd gear issue was fixed on the early 1st gens, there have been very few transmission related problems on these bikes. The other problem has been the pins coming out of the end of the shift drum and with the year of your bike, I don't think that should be an issue. As Micarl suggested, pull the side cover and make sure all the external shift mechanism is working properly. The only problem I have had with mine after going to the later trans is the spring that holds the detent in place had broken. Randy

It is my understanding that about 70% of effective braking is done by the front brake. That's a lot of brake use to give up by not using it in an emergency. Randy

Just out of curiosity, how much of a front braker are you? For those that don't use their front brake much, I suspect that the rear tire would wear much quicker, especially when it is getting thin. Randy

Go here and you should be able to find a manual on your bike. Welcome aboard. Randy http://www.venturerider.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?13-First-Gen-Tech-Library-READ-ONLY!

The biggest factor is throttle position at any speed. An example of this is running at 40 mph in 5th gear, thinking you are doing good keeping the revs low, but, if without changing the throttle any, you downshift one gear and the bike speeds up. Then, to maintain the same speed, you have to reduce the throttle some to maintain the same speed. The same thing applies to running in 3rd at 40 mph and again, without changing the throttle position, you upshift to 4th and to maintain the same speed you have to let off the throttle some. Most people do not get their best fuel mileage on these bikes because they are lugging the bike more than they think are. We tend to feel that by running a lower RPM that we are using less fuel because it takes so much to fill the cylinder on each stroke, but it actuality, there is very little difference between RPM's as much as how open the throttle is, which in turn dictates fuel consumption. Randy

Yep, it would not have been the same place without you. Randy

They also help a little on reducing engine noise. Randy

You need to check the spark plug cap as there is a built in resistor that can get corroded. Had this happen on a friends bike with the same symptoms. Take the cap off and there is a screwdriver slot to disassemble it. Be careful as there may be a spring in there. Randy

She ordered you a V-Max final drive to go with it? Randy

Looks like there is a lot of green and yellow and some red in the area. With what is coming, it looks like it is going to be a real rainy night. I really wanted to come this year, but just could not make it. Linda and I did take a ride on the Blue Ridge Parkway today in my 2nd Miata and it was an absolutely beautiful day. Randy

The problem is the noted thrush washer and thrush plate. What causes this to wear is a too soft material in the thrush plate. The reason this wears is due to the spring pressure pushing against the washer/plate. It is not due to the bike being run hard. As the thrush washer/plate wears, it reduces the engagement on how far the second gear dogs go into the matching gear. To make this worse, when the problem starts, it will put more pressure on the fork that holds second gear in place, bending the fork tips and allowing even less engagement. If you look at the forks on a bad unit, you will see there will be score marks on one side of the tips of the forks and on the other side of the fork in the "U" shaped area. These forks can be straightened, but it is probably better to replace them. My suggestion is to pick up a complete 2nd gen transmission assembly from Pinwall, including forks and the shifting drum, along with a V-Max final drive and you will be a happy camper. Randy

When it rains, it pours. As bad as it is, it sounds like you both are lucky. I hope your stint works out and you do OK with it. So, Charlene decided she wanted a trike, huh? I hope she is going to be OK too. Randy

Wow, this is a tough thing to wake up to. I hope he is going to be OK and will sure be in our thoughts and prayers. Randy

Probably since the Venture weighs a bit more and I have yet to see a V-Max pulling a trailer. I have a V-Max final drive on my 83 and have had it with the stock trans gear set and the 2nd gen trans set and to me, the V-Max/2nd gen set up is perfect gearing for my bike. Keep in mind that the 1st gen was designed when the speed limit was 55mph and when Yamaha went to the 2nd gen, they geared it up to the point that many were running 4th gear more than 5th gear. Randy

I have had my 83 for over 19 years and have put almost 150,000 miles on it. Of all the bigger bikes I have sat on, it fits me the best. I have a scooped out Corbin seat that fits me good. It has been an extremely dependable bike and in all those miles, I have only had to tow it home once and that was from a poorly crimped wire connection that someone else had done before I got it. I have yet to put one mile on it this year as I have been involved in so many other endeavors and my plans are to do the fork/brake upgrades, and I already have the parts, I have just not focused on it yet. To me, my bike has a great deal of personality and to a great degree it is me. I also have an 85 VR and a 96 Goldwing and the 83 is what I love. Randy

Linda and I were there in 2010 and at that time, I was hoping for some rain because it was so hot. I remember there were some black clouds off in the distance, but we never got rained on. Randy

When I try to help someone with suggestions and they want to disregard everything I say, I just give up and quit trying. Usually this same person is doing like you say, disagreeing with everyone. Randy

I am wondering if Boss Hoss has switched over to the LS series all aluminum engines from General Motors. These engines are more compact and being all aluminum weigh at least 100 pounds less than the standard 350 Chevy engine. You can buy a crate LS3 that is rated at 525hp and this is one of the engines that guys are putting in their Miata's. Randy

Hey, ya gonna change your name to "Wingerous" now? Randy

Are you saying that "The Pile" you got included a TCI? If that is the case, you don't have much to complain about on the bike you bought. These TCI's are getting more pricy everyday on ebay. I have a 41R series TCI on my 83 and all I did was just move the vacuum hose from the carb to the inlet port on the manifold. Randy

I would love to be going this year, but just can not make it. Linda and I are in the process of putting her house on the market and I have several projects that must be finished before I have better access to my garage. In fact, with all the upgrades I have planned on my 1st gen, I have yet to put one mile on it this year. Linda and I went to MD several years ago and it will always be one of my great motorcycling memories. I hope to again attend in the future and use the Timeout Camper, even if I tow it up there with one of my Miata's. The last time we stayed in a motel. I hope and pray that everyone has a great time and a safe and fun trip. Randy

Keep in mind that the last time we had a Venture generation change, it took five to six years before he new model was introduced. What has it been since the last 2nd gen, one or two years? Randy

On 1st gens, both MKI and MKII's, the TCI is originally located under the battery box. I originally moved mine into the left side near the radio and then moved it on to the airbox. The igniters are located behind the stator and the wires come out under the clutch slave cylinder. Randy

It can also be related to the wiring coming out of the igniters. Get a small can of WD40 and if it starts missing, pull the cover off of the clutch slave(the rubber square cover where you bleed slave) and spray down in the hole area very good. Let it set a minute and go riding. I have had the same problem and my TCI is mounted on the airbox. Randy

Since I have had my 83, about 19 years and have put 150,000 miles on it, I have never ran out of gas and I have ran it to about 225 miles on a tank of gas and still had gas left. Yes, the low fuel light had been blinking for a while, but I knew what the bike was capable of. I have found these bikes to be very consistent on gauge reading and can trust them. As far as what you have been told about fuel additives, your situation is a prime example of where SeaFoam works well and may help you. You can choose not to use it, and that's fine, but you have very many on here that use it and it improved their situation. As far as fuel mileage on mine, I have gotten as good as 50mpg and usually get at least 44 to 46mpg unless I am running at 75mph on the interstate for long periods. As far as a reserve valve, you don't need it. If the bike quits as you are out on the highway, you probably could not reach down and change it anyway. Good way to get killed. What I think you should do is run it down some and fill it up and calculate how much distance you are getting for a known amount of gas. Once you KNOW what you are getting, then WE can give you some suggestions on improving what you have. Randy