Venturous Randy

It's fixed, I got em back. After riding the bike for a few more days, I knew I had to do something as I am an avid signal light user. My grandson, Shane, has been helping me and this afternoon he went to the garage and studied the large schematic I have taped on the cabinet and traced a common link with the emergency flashers to a connection and found corrosion on one of the pins. He cleaned it up and now it is working. It was the connection right behind the right front signal light that goes to the emergency flasher switch. That boy makes me proud. RandyA

I was going to change mine while I had it apart, but when I called the Yamaha shop, it was going to be about $21 for the fuel filter. I just figured I would change it later. RandyA

My thoughts were not leaving here until Thursday morning, but we are getting so excited about getting down there that we may come down Wednesday afternoon, unless it is raining Wednesday. Remember, I don't have the enclosed trailer like you do. I look more the Beverly Hillbillies going down the road. RandyA

Without you being here, I have thought about just cancelling the whole thing. I just don't think it will work without you being here. In fact, I don't remember us ever having a get together that I was at, that you were not there. I don't know what time your Dr apt is on Friday, but I bet if you took your packed bike to it and hurried him, you could probably get down here before it gets dark. One way or the other, we can find you a place to sleep. Remember, gas prices are down and the weather going to be beautiful. I'm trying to make you feel guilty and I have never seen you on a 2nd gen. Just remember, if you are in a hurry, bring Brown Sugar. RandyA

The hole to hole spacing is also different. RandyA

Wow, this week is here and I still have so much to do. I hope everyone coming is doing OK. It looks like we are going to have nice weather from mid week on. RandyA

Just a reminder that if you are coming to Asheville and want to be on the ICE (In Case of Emergency) list, please forward your info so I can add you. RandyA

It is so good to see a bike that someone brought back from the almost dead. Many would have skipped over that bike and you have put the work and love into it to truly make it your's. I hope you get many great miles and smiles with it. Thank you for the update for what you did. Great job. RandyA

Hope you have a great and special birthday Bob. RandyA

I have a Frigidare/Electrolux glasstop stove that has an oven problem. The broiler quit and we found that one of the terminals had broken and thought it was fixed. After replacing the terminal, we still don't have the broiler and now the bottom element is not heating. In checking both for power, they both have 120 volts coming to one side of the elements. It is my understanding that with the elements unplugged and turned on, I should have 120 volts to each side, therefore 240 volts across the elements. It appears to have 120 volts across each of the incoming wires. This thing has a lot of electronics in it and I wonder if it is worth fixing. Any strove or appliance gurus out there? RandyA

We did try the cancel unit from Shane's bike and it did not help. I will pull the headlight again and look at some more stuff after while. Thanks for the responses. RandyA

Hey Fredrik, great to hear from you. Here in the states there seems to be a pretty good supply of parts, both new and used for these old bikes. As far as engines, they are pretty bullet proof and love to be run hard. There are some issues on the 83 to early 85,s on a second gear problem that is well documented here. I just swapped out the engine on my 83 that had 167,000 miles on it and it ran great and did not use oil. I put in a 30,000 mile engine I had put a 2nd gen transmission in it. As far as the comparison between the early Venture and the 1200 Goldwing, the Venture is more of a Sport Touring bike with a bit more power and I think many on here will say handles better. RandyA

Hey, come on down, we can help you celebrate your anniversary. After 19 years you probably need a few new ideas anyway. RandyA

Not to be confused with what a pickup truck does to your bike at a gas station. RandyA

Darn, Puc, I was trying to figure how the Asheville bunch fits into all this and I think we have some in all three categories, but, they are a lot of fun. RandyA

Thanks Kevin for posting this. I ended buying one of these complete sets and using the whole thing. All the cables were in very good condition. This really helped me out when doing my engine swap. RandyA

I was just getting ready to send you a PM or call you and see how it is going. I have to say that you have a beautiful bike and I am so impressed with what you have accomplished. I am so glad I could help out and really enjoyed our conversations. As you may have seen, I also was able to get my 83 back on the road with the 2nd gen transmission in and I am pretty happy with the results. I hope to get this engine running as good as the old one did. Now, are you ready for a road trip where we can admire the bike it person? We would love to see you in Asheville next week. RandyA

Grandson and I spent a couple hours tracing circuits and still did not fix the signal lights, but the emergency flashers are working. We swapped out the reserve light unit, the turn signal cancel unit and the flasher unit and still no go. One of the things I am seeing is the yellow/red wire that comes to the signal switch is only getting about 6.6 volts. On Shane's 83, he is getting about 12 volts on that wire. I may do a 12 volt jumper to that wire and see if it makes a difference. RandyA

I just suggested your situation to Eck. RandyA

Hey, before you get banished, we would love to see you at Asheville. I understand Skid may have room for you. RandyA

It sounds like you are well on your way of putting together the things that make a 1st gen a better hot rod and a good highway bike. I was not sure about the solid motor mounts as I was getting some vibration when I first rode the bike with the pilot jet problems, but after getting it running smooth, I have not noticed that vibration. I think all of us will be riding with Mark in our heart. At the last Asheville rally two years ago, I was going thru some major issues and Mark stepped forward and did a great job of being there and welcoming everyone and was great entertainment himself. Our "Warrior" will definitely be missed this year. RandyA

Joe, I just checked and I am on D-21, so we are good. Thanks, RandyA

For those coming to the Asheville Rally, I always like to do an "In Case of Emergency" list. Thankfully, we have not had to use the info for a crash situation, but it was used for coordinating of meet-ups. I would like to use this format so I can just do a cut & paste: It also helps if you keep it a simple font and no color. Your name(s), phone numbers, where staying, estimated arrival, emergency contact number with name or relationship. Randy Atkins 423-726-0431 , KOA, Thur afternoon, 423-335-1484, son Please forward it to my home email; rsatkins@comcast.net or PM me here. I will have copies for everyone who is on the list upon arrival and will be glad to e-mail you a copy before you leave if I have the info by Wednesday. Thanks, RandyA

Yeah, Linda had a Dr appt on the 15th and had to change it yesterday. I hope you can get it worked out as I am looking forward to seeing you. RandyA

After my engine swap, my signal lights or emergency flashers are not working. I have not started looking at the wiring or anything, but looking for suggestions. RandyA