Venturous Randy

` I also have also worked with fiberglass on various projects, including the bike and I personally have not had good luck with fiberglass adhering to the plastic. RandyA

The variable part? RandyA

I was there year before last and it was HOT!!! I was looking for some rain, but it never made it, coming or going. RandyA

Due to my bike being 30 years old and having various places where I was having some resistance in the ignition system, I was seeing a voltage drop on the red wire going into the TCI. The was causing an occasional starting problem and also causing a low RPM stumble when riding. Since then, I have installed a standard relay that takes voltage from the red wire that was going to the TCI on the large connector that now powers the relay and am using a fused wire directly from the battery through the relay to the TCI. This way, when I turn on the ignition, I get about 13 volts to the TCI rather than 10 volts or even less. This has improved my starting greatly and has also eliminated the low RPM stumble I was having occasionally. Another plus is I was occasionally seeing a voltage drop on the gauge while riding, down to about 12 volts. After installing the relay, I am seeing about 14 volts on the gauge anytime the bike is running, especially above idle and I usually have my idle set about 800 RPM's, which is low for some. It has also eliminated an occasional problem where the bike would just die while idling and having all the lights on. I assume the TCI was just not getting enough voltage to run. I did this mod a couple months ago and have yet to see any negatives. RandyA

OK, a couple of things; I thought a saw a question about the tip-over switch. It is located up behind the headlight and can be a problem. I had a problem with it coming loose from the mounting and hanging down on one side and making the bike run intermittent, as it was not completely cutting the bike off. I remounted it with the up direction pointing up and that fixed it. Second, if my memory serves me correctly, you can disconnect or clip the black wire running to the TCI and that will bypass all the safety switches. This is the black wire on the larger connection on the TCI. Third. How much voltage are you getting from the ignition running to the red wire on the TCI. I was running a little low on voltage that was causing a starting problem and installed a relay using the power coming from the red wire and having a fused wire directly from the battery going through the relay to the TCI. This means when the red wire was energized through the ignition, it energized the relay putting about 13 volts to the TCI. This really helped the starting and the low RPM running of the bike. RandyA

Yep, and much more aerodynamic, especially the 83-84's with the smaller side bags and trunk. But, that is what you give up to be a HD wannabe. RandyA

I have also noticed the larger difference between the grades of gas. I have also seen the old diehards that insist their vehicle needs the higher octane or even says the higher octane gas is better or cleaner gasoline. This is even on vehicles that call for 87 octane. On most modern vehicles, knock sensors will retard the timing slightly whenever there is enough load that would cause pre-ignition. Given that most people rarely get into this load range, they really don't need or will see any loss of power by using the lower octane gas. RandyA

My 83 has a little over 160,000 miles and runs great. You are averaging slightly over 1,000 miles per year. I have been known to do more than that over a long weekend. RandyA

The speedometer on my 1st gen is off 1 mph at 70 according to timed mile markers and two different GPS's. Odometer seems real close also. The speedometer being off is a 2nd gen thing to make them think they are going faster. RandyA

Sounds like a resolder job is due on the CMS. This is typical and gives similar symptoms. There are good instructions in the repair section. RandyA

87, usually with ethanol. Took a ride thru the TN/NC mountains with some on the Blue Ridge parkway. All together, used almost a tank and a half of gas. I averaged 46.7 mpg and that was two up. Tank before that was about 45 mpg with some interstate at 70+ mph. RandyA

At 62 and with one eye, working on things like this is not as easy and not as much fun as before. I have some no-line bifocals, but usually I just have a couple of pair of cheap reading glasses of different strengths and if I need to see real close up, I will put both pair on. The best light that I have for this type is the small LED lights that are available that strap on your forehead. I get mine at Harbor Freight and they take three AAA batteries. I probably have a half dozen of these with one in each vehicle, especially the bike. RandyA

There is an 83 Venture, an 00 Venture and an 01 V-Max up for bid this week. RandyA

Thanks Brad for a great thread. USAF SSGT 69/73 RandyA

Make sure when you check the oil level that the bike is on the center stand and don't go over half full on the sight glass. Oil in the carb area is common if you are running too much oil. Welcome to the forum and hope you consider joining. It will be the best $12 you will ever spend on your bike. RandyA

Great deal , isn't it? RandyA

With everything hooked up, turn the ignition on and then cycle the kill switch off and back on several times. It should cause the pump to click several times each time you do this until the carbs are full. Try this and let us know what happens. RandyA

I did not know there any ratio changes from 83/93. There was a change when going to the RSTD in 96 and then again on the Venture after that. RandyA

I did not realize the E-3's have been out 10 years in a size that would fit the 1st gen. I remember having to wait on the front tire being released. RandyA

Yes, as mm noted, it is back open. It is amazing to look down this huge trough of where the landslide went. It looks like a miniature Mt St Helens looking off the side of the mountain. I bet it was an impressive site when it gave way. I wish I had taken my camera with me. RandyA

Mt Mitchel in North Carolina is 6,684 feet looking down on valleys 5,000feet below. The story goes that the Appalachian mountain range is much older than the Rockies and at one time were higher. But with the erosion over time, they are worn down. I was up on the Blue Ridge Parkway today between Asheville and Cherokee and the visibility was so good you could see 50+ miles. It was an awesome view. RandyA

I second this opinion as many folks never greased the splines and this does happen. RandyA

This is a thread on Mark's collector. RandyA http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=67487&highlight=COLLECTOR

http://www.wimp.com/motorcycletravels/ Beautiful views. RandyA

Tree friends, like in monkeys or birds? RandyA