Venturous Randy

Let's start with the basic things. Do you still have power as in lights and everything else. When you said it won't start, does it still crank over? Is the TCI still under the coils behind the battery? If so, you may want to take it loose and move it on top of the air box. I will need to look at the schematic, but I believe if you cut the black wire coming out of the TCI, you disable all the safety features. If any of them are at fault, the bike should start. One other thing that I know can be a problem is the tip over switch. It is mounted in a rubber strap and if the strap gets rotten, it can let it hang crooked and keep the bike from starting. RandyA

A little more info; The thread has some more on the differences on the various years and bikes; http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=81284&highlight=gear+ratios As far as the clutch slipping, many years ago I replaced the clutch discs with new ones, even though the old ones were within spec. The biggest difference was I replaced the six springs with stronger ones. It made the clutch lever a bit stiffer, but I got used to it. I have never experienced any slippage since and that is with running the bike hard and also pulling a 450 pound camper. RandyA

OK, I do have a 1200 engine that has about 30,000 miles on it that I do have a 2nd gen Venture transmission in it that I am trying to get motivated to swap out. The original engine is still in the bike with 167,000+ miles on it and still runs great. I currently do have a V-Max final drive in the bike and would love the gearing if it just had a 6th gear. But, running around the mountains here I still get about 43mpg's. Compared to a stock trans and a stock final drive, going to the 2nd gen trans and V-Max final drive will give approximately 10% lower 1st, 5% lower 2nd, 3rd and 4th will be identical and 5th will be about 5% higher. I have the exact numbers on my locked up other laptop, but these are very close. The 2nd gen RSV trans ratios start about the same as a 1st gen, but are wider spaced. What you would have is the same thing as the 2nd gen guys going to a V-Max final drive and most all are very happy with it. They just moved all the ratios down about 10% and it especially made 5th gear a lot more useable and can help the gas mileage along with making the bike a bit more quick. As far as us doing the job, you could have anything you want shipped here and we could stage it. The only down side is the local Yamaha shop carries very few parts even though it was recently taken over by Jim's and you know Jim's. As far as gaskets, it is according to how they were put on. I usually put Permatex on one side and usually the whole gasket will come off with it and not tear. We can put our heads together and try to figure out what we will need. As far as parts, I do have a lot of spare parts and also have an 85 venture that I am trying not to make a parts bike out of, but parts are there if I need them. I have not talked to Linda about this yet, but she adores Tippy and I know she would love to have you here. I think it would be fun and we have some other VR members that live around here and we may have some of them over. I hope this all makes sense. RandyA

Hey, if you come down, we will find some place to put you two and you will have the most fun you will ever have at any rally you have ever been at or going to be at, period. Now, if you really want to do some good fixing on that blonde of yours, there is a V-Max final drive on ebay right now for I believe less than $100 including shipping and I have a spare 2nd gen and a MKII transmission that if you and tippy wanted to come thru a few days earlier, we could swap out the trans and final drive. That would fix your 2nd gear problem and I believe you would be very happy with the results. It sounds like you have a good running engine and this would really help things. Think about it and you two can stay here while we are doing the changeover. It's not too bad here as I have had Aussie Annie and Alan, Rocket and Eck and I think they all survived. RandyA

Yeah, don't you forget Trina or the........water!!! RandyA

Hey Puc, this reminds me, I am looking for some entertainment for Asheville, are you going to be available? RandyA

We don't care what you are riding, we just want to see you. Damn, I can't believe I just said that. RandyA

I am so happy for you Eck. I do wish you could slip out for a day or so and stop by Asheville. You know you will be too wound up at that time and need some distraction for a while. We will find somewhere to put you Best wishes for everyone involved. RandyA

OK folks, we have about five weeks until the Asheville Rally and it is about time we start getting serious. For those that have never been to an Asheville rally, it is a bit different than most rallies. To describe it, it is probably more like an extended meet and eat. There are no registration fees and if you want a door prize, you will have to bring one. We do not have any collections for worthy contributions. We do suggest that if you want breakfast or some of the other meals we put together, you make a buck or two contribution to the pot just to help out. In the past, we have usually had a breakfast of pancakes and meats and this is when most will get together and decide what they want to do for the day. There are so many great rides and places to see that you could spend several weeks and still not see everything you want to see. In the past, we have gotten group discounts to go to The Biltmore House and to the top of Chimney Rock Park. We have also gone to Grandfather Mountain. This is also where the Lynn Cove Viaduct is and it is an engineering marvel. The Blue Ridge Parkway is near by and going north takes you toward Mt Mitchell, the highest point east of the Mississippi and going south takes you to Cherokee and also has the highest point on the parkway at over 6,000 feet. The BRP ride to Cherokee is the most magnificent parts of the parkway with many open vistas where you are not looking through trees. From Cherokee you can go through Maggie Valley, where the Wheels thru Time museum is located. As far as rallies, this is about as cheap as you will see. If you tent camp, we have never had anything said about doubling up on any of the large sites. There are several motels in the area and you may want to see where others are staying and maybe share there also. There may also be some cabins available, but I would not want to wait much longer. Another thing some of the ladies have done that have gotten a little tired of riding is some have taken the cages and gone shopping at near by Black Mountain, which has a bounty of little shops and antiques. These are the days the guys may go to someplace like Highway 80 from Marion to the BRP and it is a lot more fun than The Dragon and is not held to 30mph. Anyway, whether you can stay for Wednesday thru Sunday, stay for the weekend, or just stop by for a visit and ride, everyone is welcome. RandyA

I have campsite #20 reserved for Wednesday thru Sunday. RandyA

So, now that you are the "Director of Engineering" or "Senior Engineer", it may be time to go job hunting. I have been down that road where the writing was on the wall and I guess I just did not read the writing well enough and got caught up in a mass layoff and company being sold. I was about 51 at the time and it was not fun looking for another job. I wish you the best and there are still a few companies out there looking for good experienced people. You just have to find them. I wish you the best of luck. RandyA

Not sure how the memory on speedometer on the RSTD works, but I don't really understand what you are asking. So, you want to take a bike that has 2,068 miles on it and make it look like it has 48,000 miles on it? RandyA

I like the extra lighting dna and have been trying to find something that will fit the trim near the radiator. Another one I added that really helps from the side is LED lights mounted on the side bags where the reflectors went. They cost about $7 each at Walmart and I just drilled holes for the wires to go through and ran the wires down the inside of the bags and put tape over them. I then put some quick connects near the top to unplug them when I remove the bags. Where did you get the lights you put on the radiator side covers? RandyA

Sounds to me like brake fluid is getting to them. Are you carrying a can of brake fluid in the bag that may be leaking a little or do you have a leak on your rear caliper? RandyA

Actually, the day the hurricane was on the Outer Banks of NC, we had one of those perfect days. Low humidity, temps in the valleys of about 80 and in the mountains about 70 and visibility of 50 miles and crystal clear. My grandson and I rode over the mountain just shy of Asheville and he treated me to Chinese for lunch. We had a great day. RandyA

I just filled up my Infiniti for $3.08. It was $3.38 with $.30 off per gallon using Food City card. RandyA

I got three!!!!! Actually, I only got two. RandyA

I can come down and help him. RandyA

I have a problem with my 83 getting wet around the area where the wires come out of the stator and it will misfire. I think it is the igniter wires breaking down. I carry a small can of WD40 in the bike and if it does not clear up pretty quick, I will pull out the rubber plug where the clutch bleeder is and spray down in the hole good and it almost always takes care of it. RandyA

Hey Arthur, how are you doing? I hope you got through without any damage. We were thinking about you and your family. RandyA

I hope you folks on the east coast, especially near the Outer Banks are going to be OK. This one may not be as bad as some, but be careful out there. I love this part of the country and hate to see the damage a hurricane can do. This thing is pretty big at about 450 miles in diameter. RandyA

Here I have been sitting here on pins and needles waiting for a followup. Brian, thank you for asking about this. RandyA

Tippys got that look on her face of "hummm...what in the heck are you talking about?". RandyA

Are you going down to visit Arthur and I'm not talking about ADC either. You may not get to do any swimming at Tybee Island if this tropical storm turns into a hurricane, which will be named Arthur. If that is the case, there will be a lot of vacant rooms. Good luck and hope you have a good trip. RandyA

To keep from having to look, it's an 87 Venture. RandyA