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skydoc_17

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Everything posted by skydoc_17

  1. skydoc_17
    Hey Dan, Until you get back on your feet, I would willing to come to your house and do any work you need done on ANY of your bikes! Even though you can't ride well yet it would be great to see you at the Skid-In! Earl
  2. skydoc_17
    I will be at the Skid In this year and will have tools and equipment as well as parts for the Needle Mod, Carb. Diaphragm Replacement, Radiator Drain Upgrade, Replacement Side Cover Pins, Fuse Box Upgrade Kits and Carb. Syncs. As time permits I am willing to help any member Install any of these mods on a first come first served basis. If you are interested in having any work done please post here and you will be at the top of the list. I will make sure that I have all of the parts and tools with me to do the very best job possible. It is a pleasure to work on the bikes belonging to the members of this site and who wouldn't like to ride their bike home in better condition than when they rode it there. Earl
  3. skydoc_17
    Hey David, I have had good luck with the suggestion that GeorgeS made. I have attached a pic of one of the Carb. Caps. The red arrow is the Idle Mixture Screw and the yellow arrows are the Phillips Head Drain Screw and the Drain Vent hose. Sometimes, a pic to get you in the right area helps a lot. With a really good dose of Seafoam in the tank, crack the drain screw and let the fuel pump run the Seafoamed fuel thru the Carb. Bowl. Close off the Drain, let it set, do it again. I have seen this alot on the left side of the First Gen. VR's as this is the side the bike leans to while on the kickstand. It's worth a try before you go ripping the Carbs. off. Earl
  4. skydoc_17
    Thanks guys, I'll be there, I might even get there early and have some breakfast! What could be better, full belly, and a great ride with some friends! Earl
  5. skydoc_17
    Hey Craig, I would like to meet up with you at either Bedford or Breezewood Thursday, Midmorning. Can you give me an Idea when you would be in that area? I don't have a GPS and it would be great to follow you to WV. Let me know, and count me in! Earl
  6. skydoc_17
    Hey Herb, I think Marcarl might be on to something there. When I went to Freebird's MD I adjusted my shifter pedal for a pair of BIG heavy steel toed shoes I planned on wearing for this long trip. When I got back home and tried to ride with my light weight hikers, I kept missing gears and noticed I was having to lift my entire foot off the peg to shift properly or the tranny would clunk. When I lowered the pedal, the shifts were much chrisper and I stopped missing gears. Just a thought. Earl
  7. skydoc_17
    Hey Mark, If you could run a 150 on the rear it would allow you to carry more weight but the 150 is a bit to wide for the first gen Venture. If you get down and look where the tire passes next to the tube the drive shaft is in you will see that it is real close there. I have the Dunlop E2's (discontinued) on my bike now but have a set of the new Dunlop E3's ready to install when the E2's give up the ghost. Some riders run the Avon's and I have tried them as well but found them to be a bit "squirrelly" for my taste. A lot of members really like them so I wouldn't rule them out. A few members run the Metzler's but it seems that there have been a lot of blow outs with them, but some members still swear by them. A few run the Kenda, the price is right but have not heard much about the wear or longevity. Tires seem to be a real personal preference thing around here. Earl
  8. skydoc_17
    Hey Dave, Boy am I glad to see ya' "back in the saddle again"! Even though I saw the pics once before, I can't get over how nice that scoot looks! It sure would be nice to see ya' at the Skid-In. Maybe we could ride over together. Glad to have you back!!! Earl
  9. skydoc_17
    Hey Skid, I will be there Thursday afternoon and I will be solo. If there is anything I need to bring or if you need help setting up, just let me know. Earl
  10. skydoc_17
    I am going to tell this story as it pertains to the shop I own and work in where the people who ask me to work on their bikes usually want results, at a minimal cost. As I stated in the previous thread, twice, there are times when Seafoam does a fine job, for the purpose it was intended for. It is certainly not a "wonder cure" and it will not replace the removal and complete cleaning of a set of Carbs. on a VR. As I also stated, the plugs indicated to me that the Injection of Seafoam into the intakes was not warranted and that I usually reserve that treatment for high mileage bikes. The comment I made about the plugs needing to be changed was due to the fact that when the carbon deposits are removed from the valve stems they collect on the end of the plug and insulate the electrode, making it harder for the spark plug to function properly. In the first post I made, I asked the owner of the bike in question a series of questions, and made NO MENTION of Injecting Seafoam into the Intake Ports. It was only when another member asked me to expand my explanation of this treatment did I direct my response at him personally. In my opinion, The bottom line here is if you brought your bike to my shop with a complaint about performance issues, with vague symptoms, and no definite problems, I would try a few "low Dollar" fixes first, to try to "squeak" those last few HP from an engine that has a few miles on it or has been poorly maintained. If you came into my shop and asked me to remove, clean, and replace the Carbs. on your motorcycle I would be more than happy to do so... TO THE TUNE OF ABOUT $200.00 IN LABOR! I consider spark plugs to be perishable items much like oil and filters. To the naked eye, can the average person tell if a spark plug is defective? For the few dollars it takes to replace that plug or filter at the going Dealer shop rate of $45.00 an hour +/- a few bucks, do you REALLY WANT a mechanic staring at one of your plugs for 15 minutes at $45.00 an hour? As with many posts of a somewhat technical nature, portions of the post are taken and used out of context, with no mention of the information that was prior to the portion taken out of context. This is not the first time I have witnessed "nay sayers" to a mod or a procedure I use regularly, and there is a BIG DIFFERENCE between working on someone's motorcycle for hire, where you are responsible for the results and the customer's equipment as apposed to just "tinkering" with your own bike because for what ever reason you choose not to take it to a reputable mechanic. As a few of the members here know for a FACT, I invite any member to bring there bike to my shop, and you will get the very best service I can provide, for a minimum of cost, and I stand behind every repair I make. I personally would not go to a surgeon and expect him to allow me to "direct" the operation, after all, he is the specialist. As I have said many times, if you don't feel "warm and fuzzy" about any mod or procedure I talk about on this forum, You are perfectly within your right to not try it. My father told me a long, long time ago, "son, some people get it, some people don't". I hope this puts things into perspective for anyone that has been following the previous thread. My name is Earl Harrell and I am more that willing to chat about anything I have found out about the Yamaha Venture, and Royale.
  11. skydoc_17
    04 Midnight, First off, let me say that before I would do the Seafoam treatment, I would be asking myself the questions that I listed in the above post and would try to modify my riding habits and maintenance of my bike first. With that being said, I have attached a pic below of the rig I use to inject Seafoam into the vacuum ports where you connect to do a Carb. sync. Bike to operating temp., syringe hose connected to vacuum port, SLOWLY, feed the Seafoam into the vacuum port while reving the engine. (It's gonna' smoke out the tail pipe!) Switch to next cylinder. The rig I use holds about 1 1/4 oz. of Seafoam. ABSOLUTELY COUNT ON REPLACING ALL 4 SPARK PLUGS AFTER YOU DO THIS TREATMENT! The carbon deposits will melt on to the end of the spark plugs and make them hard to fire. I usually only do this treatment on pretty high milage bikes, or bikes that have been lugging around alot. By the way, I could not find your name in your profile, Do you work for the CIA? Since I can't look you in the eye while I chat with you about your bike, it would be nice to at least call you by name. Just my thoughts, for what they're worth, Earl
  12. skydoc_17
    Spark Plugs are Like Wives, (or girlfriends) You can look at them for an hour, you know something is wrong, but the challenge is to figure out what the heck to do about it! Here are a few questions I would ask myself it this was my bike: 1) When was the last time I changed air filters? 2) Have I been running mid grade or high test gas in the bike lately (no-no) 3) When was the last time I took this bike up on the freeway and got the revs up past 5000 RPMs? (even though these bikes LOOK LIKE a Harley, You can't ride them like a Harley!) 4) Did the sooty plug come from the Kickstand side of the bike? 5) Have you been riding and left the choke on lately? (See #3) If you will answer these questions honestly, and post the results I will be more that happy to chat with you about some of the issues I think you are dealing with. It could very well be a combination of a few things, and a few riding habits that are easily adjusted which would give you better performance. (Just for the record, I have used the tranny fluid trick on many cars and trucks in my younger days with good results. However, I prefer to use a syringe full of Seafoam in the Vacuum port of the intake boots on motorcycles, you would not believe what comes out of the tailpipe of a scoot when you give it a snort of Seafoam in the intake! *CAUTION* DO NOT TRY THIS IN A GARAGE OR INCLOSED AREA! It's a smoker!) The plugs on this bike would not lead me to believe that the Seafoam treatment is called for. Earl
  13. skydoc_17
    WOW JB, What a great idea! I really like the look of the helmet locks! I bet they work a lot better. Those Second Gen. guys better watch out, Soon we'll be swiping stuff off their bikes to put on our First Gens! Not to worry, we will just grab some parts, and then out run them!!! Great job JB, Earl
  14. skydoc_17
    I have been working on a 1989 Venture Royale with a lot of problems and I need some help on the transmission. When under medium to hard acceleration this VR pops out of second gear. Is the fix the same as on the MKI 83' to 85' VR's or is there a different problem? I haven't run into an MKII that has had tranny problems other than a slipping clutch. Can anyone please help me with this? Thanks in advance, Earl
  15. skydoc_17
    Hey Andrew, Welcome to the forum, and congrats on the "new to you " Venture Royale. Here is the link to the MKI maintainance and repair manual: http://labs.trunkful.com/vrmanuals/8385servicemanual.pdf Lots of good reading there, Now about that sticky throttle. If you open up the Run/Kill switch you will expose the ends of the throttle cables. I have had really good luck flooding the cables with WD40, or PB Blaster to free them up and then using a good throttle cable lube. I use the Belray which is a bit pricy but there are others on the market that will do a fine job. while you are in there use some CRC contact cleaner on the Run/Kill switch, these switches are known to be a problem with starting especially if they get wet from rain or a car wash (pressure washer). You will see the adjustment proceedure in the service manual for the throttle cables but try the clean-out and relube first. There is one rule here...we need to see pics of your scoot! Hope this helps, Earl
  16. skydoc_17
    Hey Tom, Where in Pa. are you located? If you are close, I have a brand new battery in the box, I could come by and we could put the new battery in and see if that takes care of your problem. Plus, we could take a look at those carbs. Earl
  17. skydoc_17
    I agree 100% with you Tom, I wish he could has stayed a while longer. It was such a thrill hearing about his country and talking about bikes and other things. I sure wish I could have ridden on to the Pocono's with Jonas and had dinner with you and Taters. That would have been iceing on the cake! As it turned out I had to cage to BWI to pick up my daughter who was comming home from Cali where she goes to school. This is her summer vacation. Will you and Taters and the rest of the NY gang be going to the Skid In this year? I sure hope so, you all were a blast to be around and it would be great to see you and the gang again. I hope it works out for you, Earl
  18. skydoc_17
    Hey Bill, If you keep creeping closer to the east coast, you'll be in Pennsylvania in no time at all! I too lived in Cali for over 20 years and the cost of living grayed a few hairs on my head! I hope you and your family enjoy your new home, and Jean and I will keep you in our prayers for safe journeys to NM. Earl and Jean
  19. skydoc_17
    Hey Micarl, There were three colors offered in 1987, the Venture Standard was Urishi Black (I have only seen 1 of these bikes). The Royal was offered in Alluviant Gold, and Elegant Brown. I have the Elegant Brown one. I hope this clears this up, Earl
  20. skydoc_17
    Hey Jared, Nice bike you have there, by the way it's a 1987 and if you need the gas tank door, I have one in that gold color. Get her home, get her cleaned up, and if you need that door, PM me. Earl
  21. skydoc_17
    After having spent the weekend at Freebird's Maintenance Day working on a few bikes, having a bunch of laughs, and meeting some of the nicest people on the planet it was my privilege to have Jonas from Iceland ride with me from Ohio to Pennsylvania to stay with Jean and myself for a few days. We rode some of Pa.'s most beautiful roads, met some very interesting people along the way and I even got Jonas to pull his bike into my "little shop by the creek" for an oil change, a Carb. Sync. and a few coats of wax. Jonas turned out to be a VERY intelligent and articulate gentleman, well versed on many subjects, and was full of praise for Jean's endless home cooking and my sense of humor. Both Jonas and I rode locally after the repairs on his bike and he found the rural area I live in to be one full of windy roads and endless beauty. I, myself looked upon the area I live in with "new eyes" as I took him from 400 feet above sea level to 2900 feet above sea level in just under 12 minutes. His bike ran flawlessly as did mine and we were just two riders, with no agenda, letting the pavement flow beneath our tires. I am sure it will be memories that Jonas will have for a lifetime, as will I. A special thanks goes out to Don Nelson (Freebird) for opening up his home and allowing me to visit, (you sir are a man among men!) and Dan and Sheri (IH TRUCK GUY) for having the courage to let me pretty much tear the top end off his bike. It is a pleasure to be a part of this wonderfully diverse group of people. A few pics of Jonas are attached, Earl and Jean
  22. skydoc_17
    Hey Chris, Welcome to the forum and congrats on your "new to you " 89'VR! Micarl has listed some valid items especially the tires. My check list for driving a used bike home is as follows: Bike starts and runs smoothly (If this is not the case, $3700.00 is a high price to pay. use this point to get him to lower the price.) Condition of tires (are there cracks in the sidewalls, are they way under inflated, if so, 1 up unloaded 38 front 40 rear will do) Make sure the front and rear brakes are functional (these are big dollar items to repair/replace if either is not functioning, get him to lower the price) Check the function of all lights (if not working you run the risk of getting a ticket on the way home, i.e. get him to lower the price) Check oil level (right side of bike, ahead of foot peg, in front of water pump, there is a window, 1/2 way up the glass with bike level, on center stand is best, you will need a flashlight.) Ask the seller to put the bike on the center stand (if he can't, ask him to lower the price) Check amp meter (upper right side of dash, if you rev the bike to 3000 or better, needle on gage should show a charge, if not ask him to lower the price) This last item is more of a mindset that a check item, I am going to cut thru the BS and say it like it is, You are looking to buy a 22 year old used bike for pretty close to top dollar, If I found 2 or more of the above items to be sub-standard and the seller was not willing to come down on the price (more like $3000.00 than $3700.00) then I would have it in my mind to walk away. I can assure you that this bike is going to $100.00 you to death even if it is a $3700.00 bike. If you pay $3700.00 and it turns out to be a $2500.00 bike, it's going to $200.00 you to death! Have your game plan in your mind before you get there and don't get caught up in the "thrill of the moment" so to speak. Even if everything I listed is messed up if he will sell it for $2000.00 then we can help you fix it up, but don't pay full boat for a bike that is not worth it. Calling a turd a rose doesn't make it smell any better. Just my thoughts on this subject, for what they are worth. Earl
  23. skydoc_17
    Your bike came with the stock Yamaha organic pads which combine average stopping power with minimal wear to the rotors, with that being said I have found that the aftermarket EBC "sintered" HH pads increase the stopping power considerably, but you do pay somewhat of a price in the lifespan of the rotor. My thought on this is it would be better to stop faster and LIVE long enough to wear out a set of rotors than to NOT stop fast enough and not be around but have a set of like new rotors on my bike. I have seen sets of EBC pads on Ebay for a good price and I buy mine from Chris @ Flatout Motorsports, here's the link: http://www.flatoutpowersports.com/fiche_section_detail.asp?section=198898&category=Motorcycles&make=Yamaha&year=1983&fveh=4522 Be sure to select Aftermarket Parts so you don't end up with the stock pads. If you have trouble selecting the right pads you can call Chris @ 1-765-342-6335 and he will tell you what part numbers you need, Tell him you are with VR.ORG and skydoc_17 refereed you. He is very friendly and very knowledgeable. Hope this helps, Earl
  24. skydoc_17
    Hey Geoff, Welcome to the group. The 1990 VR has many refinements over the earlier models and you should get good service from this bike. Try this link for a solution to the fuse box problem. http://www.venturerider.org/classifieds/showproduct.php/product/2131 Have a great trip and don't forget to take some pics! Safe Journeys, Earl
  25. skydoc_17
    I replaced the Diaphragms only with the Ebay ones last August and about 10,000 miles ago. For the the first 3000 miles I noticed that the new Diaphragms were what I would call a "little stiff". It didn't seem like the bike was as quick off the line but pulled much harder in the higher RPMS. I can now say that this is not a problem. The throttle response is excellent in the lower RPMS now that the Diaphragms have "broken in". I pulled all 4 Diaphragms at 8900 miles right before Freebird's MD to do an adjustment on the needle mod and found all 4 to be in excellent condition. Another thing I wanted to mention is the fact that with the stock Diaphragms (woven material, rubber coated) the Diaphragm actually had folds in it, and this is where the holes developed, with the molded rubber replacement Diaphragms the rubber functions much like a speaker cone and does not fold in on itself. I still have no Idea how long the replacement Diaphragms will last but at 1/4 the cost of the stock ones I am willing to wait and find out. I really didn't see much of an improvement in gas mileage when I replaced my Diaphragms but I did see an improvement in the way the bike started and ran. The needle mod was where I found a substantial improvement in the gas mileage, after trying 5 different shim thicknesses I have settled on -.040 over the stock nylon shim. I am not getting the best mileage (42 to 45 mpg) but I was able to get the plugs to "tan up" where as when I went to -.050 over the stock shim I got 48 to 52 mpg but the plug was as white as a ghost. Also I noticed a bit of power loss at top end with the -.050 shim, mind you it was a very slight loss of power. I also adjusted the idle mixture screws with a tach. and the 21/4 turn setting netted me the best starting and smoothest idle. As I put more miles on this engine I will keep you posted as to the life of the replacement Diaphragms and any other tricks I find as I try to squeak the best performance and gas mileage out of my 87'VR's 1300 engine. Earl
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