Venturous Randy

Many years ago on my 1st gen, due to how difficult it was to put my bike on the center stand, as I tended to run as low air pressure as I could (inseam challenged), I took my stand off and shortened the legs 1/2 inch. This, in effect, lowers the rear tire about 1 inch. Now, the rear tire is still off the ground plenty while on the center stand, but it really helped. When your bike is on the center stand, how far off the ground is the rear tire? If anyone decides to shorten their center stand, they need to keep in mind that whatever amount they take out, it will double at the rear tire. RandyA

Hey Keysyrider, now that it looks like you are going to have some options on getting rid of this bike that you hate, do I get a commission on it if you sell it since I started it? RandyA

I have finally come to the conclusion that this the only way I am ever going to have a smoking hot body. RandyA

As I rode along with you two in the video, the first thing that came to mind for me is how much you need a V-Max rearend and a good 2nd gear. Even though it is only about 10% lower, it makes a real big difference when you are going slow or starting out, especially when in a rough spot or up hill. It would also be a lot easier on your clutch and the amount you are having to slip it. The downside for most is adding a little more RPM's at highway speeds and to me, that is getting more annoying as I ride. But, I am getting closer to getting my butt in gear on putting my spare 1200 engine in the bike with the 2nd gen trans with the wider spaced ratios. The other thing that came to mind is the load you are putting on your cooling system. On my 83, I suspect that the fan would be running constantly to ride in the conditions you are in and a slipping clutch adds more heat. It would also add a lot more load on your charging system that is already marginal at best. As far as the way you load your bike, I can understand what works best for you. I feel, as you noted, most of the load back there is not particularly heavy, but my concern would be with how much a crosswind would want to push you around, especially at lower speeds, but you seem to be good with that also. Another concern I have, and this is a personal preference, is I believe in having my bike lit up for others to see me. With the trunk bar, the light bar at the bottom/side, the rotor cover lights and the two on the side bags, all LED, my bike is lit up pretty good with about twenty added lights. I also have fog lights that are fused through a switch/relay run directly to the battery. That way, if I ever loose my main fuse, I still have lights to get me stopped. I did loose a main fuse several years ago and never did find out why. If you don't, you should carry a couple of fuse strips with in your tool bag. With your setup, I would consider adding the lights that replace the reflector on the side bags as they not only are bright from the side, but can be seen from the back of the bike. The other thing I would consider doing for your loaded setup is making a light bar, maybe out of PVC pipe or aluminum tubing with LED lights for the brakes, running and turn signals that you could pin on the back of the bundle with a quick connect like for a trailer. I say this because sometimes it is the little things that can get you in trouble and as I have gotten older, I have become much more aware that there are a lot of folks out there with limited vision, especially at night. I am really enjoying living vicariously through you and Tippy on your adventure and look forward to each update. RandyA

No doubt that his show was a part of my growing up. Different world now. RandyA

I had a great Father's Day. My son came over and after tinkering with his 86 Venture that appeared to have a dead cylinder and after he changed a plug and the cap, he and my grandson on his 83 Venture took me to lunch. After a great lunch, we took a local ride through some forested back roads. Even though it wasn't a real long ride, it was good. I feel real lucky to have a great relationship with my son and grandson. RandyA

I'll give you $12 for it. RandyA

Filled up today with the red light blinking for about 20 miles and the trip odometer reading 190 miles and it took 4.3 gallons to fill up. Not bad for a 166,000 mile engine and a V-Max rearend RandyA

The 07 starter went for $174.50 with 27 bids. Looks like the world has figured out that the 2nd gen starters fit and fix much of the 1st gen starter problems. Like some others, I bought a 2nd gen starter for about $50 and I was the only bidder. RandyA

Only you would go to a fancy event dressed up and tell everyone on the internet that you got your clothes at Goodwill. You are sooooo special. RandyA

If this is true, you are very lucky. RandyA

At what point did 2nd gen bikes have the four brush starter. I see that Mother said 99 and up and others say 96 and up. Member sent me a PM about this and I was not sure. RandyA

How often have you removed the rearend and removed the drive shaft and grease both ends and the coupling? If you have not done it, I suspect you will need a drive shaft and a coupling. There are some on ebay right now. One more thing, you do not need to remove the swing arm to check the drive shaft. You can take off the bags and take the brake caliper off, undo the axle, remove the brake caliper bracket. If you have a problem pulling the tire out, you can pull the rearend by undoing the four nuts on the housing and pull the rearend off. The drive shaft may come out with the rearend or not. If it doesn't, just pull it out. One thing to watch for is there is a washer on the axle and make sure you put it back in the same place. RandyA

Wow, that was eight years ago. Bike is still doing pretty good, paint job is getting a little beat up in some places. A lot has changed in those eight years for me, but at least I am getting better looking.......or maybe not, since I am dealing with vision problems now. Thanks for posting this Skid, it brought back some fun memories. RandyA

You can not imagine how much I envy you two. I have never been out west and would love to go. We love your updates and look forward to them. You two be careful and watch out for the crazies. RandyA

Reminds me a lot of a early 1st gen without the V-4. I still think that Yamaha has/had more intentions for the V-4 in the V-Max than just the V-Max. That engine detuned would make a great engine for Venture for many years to come. They spent a lot of money developing that engine and you know it would be so unstressed at about 130hp in a new Venture. RandyA

Three things; welcome to the forum and we hope you join as it will be the best $12 you will ever spend on your bike. Second, either put the year of your bike in your header or always note what it is. Third, check the plastic hex nut that is the by-pass valve below the radiator. The top of the letters should point to the 5: 0:clock position. If it is open and the water is not going through thermostat, it can go through too fast to cool. RandyA

I have a 96 Wing, but have never ridden it. I need to fix a broken gear in the starter system. RandyA

I have a friend that had a 1200 Goldwing and compared to my 83 Venture, my bike was considerably quicker. I did not ride his bike, but I feel that if you tried out a good running 1200 Venture, you may be surprised at how strong they are, especially at higher RPM's. The 86 up Ventures are more of a touring bike and I feel a little less sport touring. They are heavier, have about 50% more luggage space and with the 1300 engine, a little more bottom end torque. I have had my 83 over 18 years and have put 143,000 miles on it with a total of 166,000 and the only engine work was to fix the second gear problem. It still runs great and will scream. RandyA

I am a bit space conscious, both in the car and on the bike. I detest tailgaters and I try to give the vehicle in front of me space. A couple of years ago coming up from Chattanooga on the interstate, a pickup was in front of us, all running about 70mph and all of a sudden a baby bed that was folded up and laying in the pickup decided to fly. I was able to miss it, but if I had been closer or on the bike, I may not have been able to. The guy in the pickup pulled over and I wish I had called the cops on him. RandyA

Ya know, I had not thought about the possibility of moving the windshield down an inch or so. I have another windshield that came off the 85 bike that may be useable, but I don't think it is very clear. I will try to find it and see how it will line up and use it for a template to cut it off and drill new holes, or I can take mine off. That's what makes this site so great, sometimes we can get target fascinated on only doing something one way and not even consider any other options. Thanks for the suggestions and comments and I will see how it will do. RandyA

The OEM Yamaha four brush starter does not have the screws on the sides like the two brush does. I am not sure about any aftermarket starters. RandyA

Ditto, this made a big difference on my starter. I have a four brush on the shelf, but this one is working so good now that I have not thought about putting it on. RandyA

Shane, my grandson and I decided to ride out and get some dinner and he dropped his bike at a redlight. I was in front and came to a stop in the left track of the lane and he pulled up in the right track. We were first in line in the right lane of a four lane divided street with the road having a lean to the left. As Shane was coming to a stop, he got his boot caught on something and before he could recover, he tipped over to the left. Fortunately, he was far enough away from me that he did not knock me over too, but it was close. When it happened, the guy in a pickup behind us jumped out and ran up to help pick up his bike. With me knowing I needed to pull up some so there would be room, as I moved forward, I caught my highway foot peg on his windshield and broke it off. The sad part is this was a very clear windshield. With the breaks being behind the windshield trim near the mounting screws, if I knew what this windshield was made of, I would glue it back together, as we have all the pieces. This is a Markland windshield. Anybody got any suggestions? RandyA

Yep, if your summer home is the Biltmore Estate in Asheville. RandyA