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RossKean

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Everything posted by RossKean

  1. RossKean
    I think the battery is toast. 12.0V is TOO LOW for a fully charged battery - should be 12.8 to 13.0. Put a voltmeter directly on the battery terminals while cranking and I'll bet the voltage drops to a very low level. (Meter on the terminals will show a bad battery whereas the meter elsewhere could be indicative of a bad ground or hot lead) If in doubt, have the battery load tested. It may pick up and hold a bit of a charge after you get it started but it drops off overnight. Ross
  2. RossKean
    Or a coil...
  3. RossKean
    I don't know if this may be part of the issue or not... It was mentioned in the original post that the battery voltage was 12.55 after being on a battery tender. A FULLY charged lead-acid battery should be 13.0 V (resting), or a little higher if just off the charger. Maybe the battery has a bad/weak cell? I admit that I know nothing about the sensing circuit or how it works. Ross
  4. RossKean
    As far as I know, the part at Ron Ayers is for the pair but you should check. The filters were on my bike when I bought it (used) but I had a K&N filter on my previous bike (Roadstar) - still had the recharge kit. Ross
  5. RossKean
    Try this link to the K&N site (Part Number YA-1999) http://www.knfilters.com/search/product.aspx?Prod=YA-1399 Don't know where you will find the best price. Ron Ayers has it listed for $87.75 Ross
  6. RossKean
    Just cleaned and oiled my K&N's. Good reminder for some often neglected maintenance. (Check your fuel filter too - PITA but should be done) If you replace the stock air filters just twice, you will more than make up the cost of the K&N's with enough left over to buy the recharge kit. The K&N filters will outlast your bike. Ross
  7. RossKean
    GeorgeS We have tried what you suggested with the front forks. Also checked (and greased) the swingarm bearing. It almost looks like a problem with the swingarm or frame. As I mentioned, with the front wheel perpendicular to the floor, there is a "tilt" to the rear wheel. SpaceMan (Ron) Try using a long straight edge or even a string and line it up on the front and back bead of the rear tire on one side. See where it comes in relation to the front tire and then try it on the other side. As far as I can tell, there are no specifications for this but in my case, there is a considerable difference. Yamaha customer "service" would not tell me if it was normal or not. The front tire I put on last year to fix the shimmy looks like it is beginning to cup a bit (10,000 km) already. I hope to resolve this issue before I have to replace tires. If I can manage the time off work, I am thinking about a ride to BC this summer. Definitely not a good idea to start out if the bike isn't perfect! We can exchange any other information by PM or by email, if you wish (I'll send you my email address). If either of us manages to resolve the issue, we should post back to this thread. In the meantime, I am interested to see whether anyone else has noticed this issue and how you may have solved it. Ross
  8. RossKean
    Ron Now that I have ridden the bike for a few thousand km and with some additional investigation and experience, I can make a couple of comments. I had to go back and review the details of the thread to remember what was covered. In essence, the bike has a slight but persistant pull to the left (not right as per the earlier posts). Not a function of tire pressure or tire condition. Replacing a mildly cupped front tire eliminated the shimmy I was experiencing although I believe that the alignment issue may have contributed to the cupping. Not a function of air pressure in the shocks. I was able to speak to someone who knew the previous owner quite well and I was assured that the bike had never been in any significant accident (for what its worth). Physical measurement clearly shows that the front wheel does not line up perfectly with the rear. A straight edge touches both beads on the both the front and rear tires on the right side of the bike. On the left side, a straight edge placed on the rear tire runs ~1/2" (or a bit more) to the left of the front tire. In addition, when the front wheel is braced perpendicular to the floor, the rear tire appears to be slightly skewed (bottom to the right, top to the left) by a few degrees. This is difficult to measure accurately. I have explained all of this to Yamaha Canada and they were of very little help. As far as I can tell, this is a manufacturing defect but since the bike is no longer under warranty, I think Yamaha is happy to tell me (politely) to pound sand. The bike is definately rideable although I am not happy about it. I am concerned about the ultimate safety and fear the issue will cause premature wear of tires and wheel bearings. I haven't given up on it. I am going to hunt down the regional Yamaha rep and get in his face about it. I have also spoken to a company called GMD Computrack about motorcycle alignment. Apparently, they have the equipment to properly diagnose and fix alignment problems. Not cheap but worth every penny if I can get this running perfectly. When I checked last year, in the east they had offices in Boston and Toronto - major road trip but not a big deal. I may end out there if Yamaha doesn't come through. I was planning on posting back to this thread once I had some resolution to the issue. Nothing yet but nothing happened over the winter and I haven't had a chance to do anything yet this spring. I will be interested to see what you find out. Ross
  9. RossKean
    For my bike, it is not an air pressure issue. I have tried various pressures in the front forks (same on each side) as well as zero pressure with the same result. Ross
  10. RossKean
    Thanks everyone! I guess I didn't look carefully enough at the on-line information available. I'm a little wider awake this morning and managed to find it. I'll see if the local Yammie dealer has it. KiteSquid After some other responses, I had another look at the parts listing under "Front Master Cylinder 2". It's there but the description "Bush" and the diagram were not immediately clear to me. Wanderer Just had another look on the site you posted. Found the part, cryptically described as "Bush" Neil86 Thanks. Didn't initially recognize it from the diagram, but I know what I need now! Ross
  11. RossKean
    I don't see this as a part number anywhere in their listings
  12. RossKean
    I already have the download of the parts catalog and service manual and did not find the information. The bits that I am looking for are not listed as separate parts. (page F6 is correct for the parts manual diagram) In the service manual, the diagram on page 4-35 shows it a little better but does not provide part numbers. The piece is described as "Holder (push rod)". Ross
  13. RossKean
    There is a brass piece in the clutch lever that depresses the plunger for the clutch. On the used 2002 Venture I bought last year, this piece is quite worn - I think the previous owner never lubed it. Does anyone know if this piece can be purchased anywhere? If not, I'll probably see if I can find a piece of brass rod with the appropriate diameter and drill a hole partway through for the plunger. Also, can the pivot bushing for the clutch (and brake) be replaced? Mine are a bit sloppy due to (I suspect) lack of maintenance. Didn't find part numbers for these bits in the Yamaha listings. Ross
  14. RossKean
    I wonder what would happen if you used a Speedo-Healer? Set it so instead of the speedometer reading 80 (and going 75), set it up so that when reading 80 you are actually going 85. I guess it depends upon where the cruise gets its signal for current speed. You would just have to be careful not getting a ticket with the indicated speed less than actual. Ross
  15. RossKean
    As per the link I posted, it appears that Kury has a new one that is quite different from the stiletto. It might be interesting to see how that one compares. Ross
  16. RossKean
    I didn't think the Kury ones were available yet and there are no weight specs on their website. Ross
  17. RossKean
    Kuryakyn lists the Baron ones as well as their new one here http://www.kuryakyn.com/index.cfm/go/Home.Products/catID/17/scID/116 I emailed Kuryakyn asking about the weight difference between the two and they just said the new Kury one is heavier; without being specific as to how much heavier. I also asked how either compared with the stock Venture ends and they did not make any mention of that in the reply. I would be interested in whether either is as heavy as the stock. Ross
  18. RossKean
    Has anyone compared the weight of the Baron's part to the stock bar weights for the Venture? Ross
  19. RossKean
    I also went from a Roadstar to a Venture (last year). In my opinion, the Venture seat is miles ahead of the Roadstar - I bought a used (2002) Midnight Venture late last year and it doesn't have the pillow-top seat. I find it pretty comfortable for long rides but sometimes I think a backrest would help. If you don't have them, I would strongly recommend highway pegs. I got the Kuryakyn ones Dually Offset iso-pegs and they are great (Kury product 7976, I think) I can put my foot on the peg or heel on the floorboard and toe on the peg and really stretch out for a change in riding position (I'm 6'3"). Can't comment on the bars other than say I have no problems with comfort. I am putting the Kury grips on them as soon as I get around to it - liked them on the R*. As it has been mentioned, the Venture has a very different power band than the Roadstar (or other V-twins). In variable terrain, I shift to 5th above 60 mph; sometimes 65. I might run down to 50 on very flat roads if I have no expectation of having to accelerate. The only time I might wish for a 6th gear is over 80 mph. Still getting used to the Venture. In terms of handling (especially low speed), the Roadstar was superior but overall the power, comfort, storage space and ergonomics of the Venture make it a better bike for me. I also plan to add the levelling links to see if slow speed handling is improved. You will enjoy the day you replace the stock tires. Enjoy Ross
  20. RossKean
    Make sure the CB switch is not turned on. It can run along with the radio. (There is a separate indicator lamp for the CB on the control housing). I know you removed the CB but I suspect there would be problems if it is selected.
  21. RossKean
    It wouldn't crank if it was the sidestand switch!
  22. RossKean
    I would LOVE to see something like that for the air filter covers. Cool alternative to the VERY expensive Yamaha chrome covers. Keep us posted! Ross
  23. RossKean
    Has anyone used the Emgo mechanical vacuum guage unit? Price seems good but I am wondering if they are sufficiently precise to set these carbs up properly. Ross
  24. RossKean
    This is in relation to the comment posted by Z Factor (above). I have to say that I agree! In terms of current membership, I don't think there are too many regular (or semi-regular) users out there who would have a problem paying the modest $12.00/year cost. The BIG downside is that membership will not grow. "Family" members appreciate the website and will support the service but how many will commit to a new (albeit small) expense without having a chance to visit, "meet" people and check it out. I forsee a declining membership and eventual demise of the site unless there is another way to get some financial support for VentureRider.org. Big wild-assed guess but I would suspect that we have a "hard-core bunch" that represents less than 5% of those who are current members. Perhaps there is another 10% or so who are semi-active. The vast majority of those who have signed up in the past are not currently active and this is the nature of internet forums. While the vocal 5% are optimistically supporting Don's request, I think it may not be enough to make the site self-supporting. If other revenue streams (i.e. advertising) are not going to be at least part of the solution along with freewill donations, I think it will be necessary to grant free trial memberships and/or limited access for prospective members or casual "clickers". Without this, I am afraid the site will be effectively closed to anyone new. I, for one, would never have initially joined if I had been asked for money up front. I sincerely hope that VentureRider will survive and continue to be a great resource for me and hundreds (thousands?) of other owners of these great bikes. Respectfully Ross Edited to add that I hope I am wrong on this. I have no idea how much it will cost to sustain the site but I hope that there is enough to make it worthwhile for Don to continue and hope that sufficient membership is retained to maintain the "critical mass" for the site.
  25. RossKean
    I see you got it all back together. When I saw on Friday, it was just way too clean and in too many pieces. You're going to have to get it out on the road this week and get some sand/salt/mud on it! Tuesday through Friday are looking OK weather-wise; at least better than today! I hosed mine off but and fixed my right front signal light that's about as far as I got. Maybe I'll do the fuel filter tomorrow since it doesn't look like its going to be a riding day. Ross
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