Venturous Randy

I called you before it ended and did not get an answer. I used the number in your profile. I also sent you a PM with the link earlier. I don't know what else to do other than buy it for you and then come up there and put it in for you. RandyA

Ya done good. The best I have done was 50 mpg going from about 1,300 feet up over 6,000 feet going from Asheville to Cherokee and back to Asheville on the BRP. I wasn't behind a 2nd gen, but I had one behind me that I had to go slow not to loose him. Is there anything you have done that you want to share with us? RandyA

Not sure where it is going, but highly suspect where it is not going. It does not take much of a leak to empty the clutch master cylinder and from the master cylinder through two hoses and a metal line there are several places to leak, especially the hose going from the metal line to the slave. Also, unless I missed something, I did not see where he stated that he did not have any visible leaks or smoke coming off the collector. He just suspected it was leaking and wondered how difficult it was to remove the slave and he has not made another post since. All the speculation was done after the original post and he has not been on here in over a week. OK, your turn. RandyA

Yes, I have had several complete clutch systems apart and that is why I questioned getting brake fluid into the engine oil. Not to say it is not possible, but to me the likelihood of getting leaking brake fluid past the clutch rod seal seems highly unlikely unless there is virtually no sealing of the clutch rod seal. And, in this case, the amount of oil coming out of the engine would probably prevent or wash away the brake fluid from getting in the engine anyway. Sorry, just cannot see getting brake fluid into the engine, but I've been known to be wrong before, just ask my ex. RandyA

It drops in just like replacing the stock one. This one had the forks, the shift drum, which is different than your 84 and everything you would need to upgrade. The big difference is the gear ratios are wider spaced and 5th gear is a little higher. I have a 2nd gen trans in a spare 83 engine I have, but have not installed it in bike yet. RandyA

I just could not pass up a deal from Pinwall on an 03 RSV 2nd gen trans. I waited to the last second to see if anyone else was going to bid, but ended up being the only bidder. I got the complete trans for $49.95 +$24 shipping. I would like to pick up a good MKII 1300 engine and put that trans in it for future use. RandyA

If brake fluid will leak into the engine, you would know it by all the oil leaking out of the engine. Not sure what you mean by "push rod channel". RandyA

How can you get brake fluid from the slave into the engine? RandyA

I wonder why the motorcyclist's name was not listed? Did the news video state his name? RandyA

This is what I do. Turn in the ignition switch and cycle the kill switch several times. I will do about half choke and most time fires right up. Sometimes I will have the choke off and as it starts cranking over, I will start adding choke. Never use any throttle until it starts. RandyA

And, when are you having your first maintenance day? RandyA

Yep, this is typical of a cold solder joint in the CMU. RandyA

You need to remove the CMS, the readout in the middle of the dash, and take it apart and resolder the connections. There is a how to in the 1st gen tech section. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=33328 RandyA

I counted the teeth on both the 1st gen and the RSV and everything was as is noted on these specs. RandyA

Several of us have picked one up from Pinwalls when they are listed on ebay. There was one on there about a month ago with a $50 starting bid and I am not sure anyone ever bid on it. I got one for about that price a year or so ago and I think I was the only bidder. RandyA

http://ts2.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.4833471422267639&pid=15.1&w=169&h=126&p=0 I got a Ducati 125 Bronco just like this one about four months before I turned 14 on June 1st, 1964. It had the candy apple red tank. I was at my girlfriends house one Sunday evening and when we came home from church, it was gone. I had a good idea who stole it, but could not prove it. It was found in a river after being thrown off a bridge. I got it back and ended up completely taking it apart and cleaning all the mud and mica out of it. I put it back together and rode it for a few more years. In retrospect, that helped a lot in my learning about bikes and mechanics at an early age. The guy that stole it came to an untimely death a few years later with a 12 gauge shotgun to the chest, but that's another story. RandyA

Thanks for the clarification Rick. Evidently Yamaha realized the earlier RSTD"s were just too high geared to be able to use 5th gear very much. This does give us 1st genners more options for those that want to consider transmission replacements, especially for the 83 to mid 85 models with the 2nd gear problem. Cowpuc, with the way you load your bike and the off road trips you take, the V-max rear would be great for that part. The approximate 5% higher in 5th would probably not hurt on level land, but for pulling, you may have to drop back to 4th a little earlier. 4th is the same ratios with the 83 stock setup and the RSV trans, V-Max set up. I keep putting off changing to the spare engine and would actually like to pick up a 1300 engine and set it up with the RSV trans, V-Max rear. I think the extra torque would be even better. RandyA

When you replaced the cover, did you use a new gasket? The clearances are so tight that if you did not use a gasket, it can bind up. RandyA

To add to Dingy's great pics, if you look at each of the shafts, there is a score mark that lines up with the split in the clamp. As far as the heel/toe shifter, I have heard several that have broken their stator cover with this shifter. It may be due from the load being different during shifting. RandyA

Another great story Scott. You make us feel like we are there. Thanks. RandyA

The V-max rear is not for everyone. I don't think many on a 1st gen would like them if they did any interstate riding. I know that on my 83, it gets a bit buzzy at 70 and up. But it is a lot of fun around town and riding the mountains. Ruffy, you would do well with the RSTD trans and the V-Max rear. They have a 5th gear that is about 5% higher than the Ventures. The RSTD would do even better as that have about a 6% higher primary gear on top of the taller 5th gear. You would still have the peppy low gears, but still have the lower RPM's on the highway. My spare 83 engine has a 2nd gen Venture trans and I am looking forward to having it in. I don't usually do much running in the 80 to 85 mph range for any great length of time. RandyA

As I have stated before, on my 83, a front Avon and a rear E-3 is the best handling setup I have had and I have put 133,000 miles on the bike since I have had it. RandyA

TN law is 15" above the seat. My stock bars are probably over that with the lowered Corbin seat I have. I just could not imagine how much more difficult it would be than it already is to maneuver these things around at low speeds with ape hangers. RandyA

If it does have a blown head gasket and has sat that long, I suggest you pick up another engine and transfer the carbs, starter, etc, over to this engine. You will have a lot more time and money in rebuilding this engine. The biggest concern would be any rust in the cylinder with blown head gasket. As far as strapping bike down, I put the strap hooks up under the fairing on the frame. There is a good place on each side to hook. RandyA

The story was not about Harleys. It was about the law on red lights and motorcycles. Just remember, not everything is about Harleys. RandyA