Jinksy4

Appreciate the advice. I now have a choice as to what "best practice" is - kinda. Theoretically, the orings are shot - realistically, there is data that suggests they last a good long time and can take much abuse. Since I've ordered replacements, because I assumed everybody would say "change'em out you moron", I'm going to replace them. It just proves that learning requires humility - and humility equals gathering information. In the future, if I need to work on the carbs, you can bet I won't replace the orings. Another problem solved:beer:.

Is it best practice to change out the float bowl gaskets when doing a carb float adjustment? My Venture is a 2000 and as far as I can tell, never been disassembled.

Thanks folks for the help. I found it down by the radiator held vertically by its oil film - no way to see it without bore scope. What a relief!! Ready to put it back together and ride - as soon as the rain stops. Thanks again!

I found it!!! The shim was stuck in a bracket next to the radiator guard. The oil film on the shim had positioned it vertical to line of sight. Noway to see it without a bore scope. Thanks to everyone for the guidance and the HF scope works really well for the money. Also found a metal clip which I have no idea where that came from. Look forward to getting it put back together. Thanks again folks.

Thanks - if I find it is in the engine I will keep that in mind.

Picked one up today - $68 with discount coupon. Really works good. Tomorrow will see if it finds the elusive shim.

I agree - just need a beer day to quit feeling sorry for myself. Getting a borescope today.

Appreciate the reply - I'm going to try and get a scope and hopefully not have to pull the cam.

Thanks - I did hear a pop. I'm thinking it did a belly flop down the timing chain void.

Thanks for the info - if it did end up down the the timing chain void where would it end up? That's what I don't know for sure. I could take the bottom cover off and retrieve it if there was a chance it went all the way down.

Thanks - it sounded like it was falling, bouncing on metal, but I didn't hear it hit the floor and my hearing is not that good. It may be laughing but I'm not.

Thanks folks - I'm going to get a borescope and keep trying.

In a previous thread, I mentioned launching a valve shim from #3 inside exhaust bucket. My fear is that it made its way down the void under the cam gear since I can't find it anywhere else. Is it possible that the shim made its way to the bottom of the engine where I could retrieve it by dropping bottom engine cover? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

I have fished a magnet around the inside under cam gears and am snagging nothing. Looked everywhere I can see and not coming up with it. It seems there is a lot of space under the cam gear and I tried to get a magnet down as far as I could - 4 or 5 inches - and got nothing. I'm going to let it go thinking it is somewhere in the garage. New issue - a small corner on top of a shim prying slot in the bucket broke off on #1 inside exhaust. I found the piece with a magnet in the oil next to the bucket. It is a clean break with no cracks and functions fine when cycling the crankshaft. Think there is a problem with letting this go? Thanks for all the input - this has been interesting so far.

During the process of adjusting the valve clearance, a shim that was not seated properly popped out of the inside bucket on cylinder #4 exhaust when I gently rotated the crank. I felt the resistance and was in the process of reversing the crank to investigate when it popped out. I heard it rattle down as if it fell to the floor, but can't find it anywhere. So, I have to think it went inside the engine. Question - is there an oil galley that goes to the bottom of the engine under the cam gear? I think it is the only place the shim could have gone if so. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks - yes the socket head cap screws. Appreciate the info on the short screws and the oil pocket. I was beginning to think that cracks had formed in the heads causing the leak into the thread.

Anyone tell me how much torque to use to seat new intake boots on a 2nd gen?

Left rear turn signal quit working. Took it apart to find out it was full of rust. Used WD40 to clean the contact areas and got a new bulb and it still did not work. The rust may have done too much damage and I may need to replace the assembly or at least repair it. Has anyone got any advice or experience removing the turn signal assembly? Thanks in advance.

Got a fire under me last night and split the fairing. The problem this time turned out to be the handlebar remote controller - which I just happened to have a new one from an earlier trade. I have not tie wrapped the connectors before and will do that this time for added support. Sorry to hear about your dealer experience - I do everything I can to stay away from them. They make me want to break a law or two.

Well - the 2nd gen radio went out again. Seems to happen every year now. Getting kinda expensive to listen to the tunes and talk to the truckers. Will split it open, exercise the plugs,and grease up the connections to see if that helps. If not, back to Ebay. Anybody have this type of failure - this often?

I purchased the tallest model, gray tint, and vent. When I installed it, it was so out of shape that I was afraid it would break something if I attached the screws. Gave them a call and I had to deal with the manufacturing manager - who really didn't have time for me because they were getting ready to go to Sturgis - and had trouble believing that it didn't fit - had to send digital pictures to prove it was junk. They then took a month or more to send me a replacement, so they said, and I never received it - which was hard for them to believe - they shipped it somewhere, just not to me. They ran another down the line and shipped within a week. Meanwhile, they charged my credit card for the windshields until they get the bad one back - which was never explained to me and we had words over that when I got my bill. When I got the replacement, it fit much better. Bottom line - it was not worth the trouble.

I know it looks pretty crazy. I found out from Ford that the tailgate could take up to 100 lbs and the bike is around 800 lbs so there was no way to make it work - even if the weight distribution was 50/50. In a couple days (I know - I'm kinda slow) I came up with using the 2x10 that was about 8 feet long and my sons and I tested it with different weights to see what the transfer would be to the tailgate. Turned out that with the bike strapped on, the support straps on the gate were actually loose. As far as loading it - I have a retaining wall that comes off my driveway that is the perfect height of the tailgate. That was an experience - I did not take into consideration that the truck would squat 6 inces when loading - tailgate got a little scratched - but it worked. In Las Vegas we drove around at night until we found some great landscaping at a Dr.'s office and unloaded. Took about 2 minutes to unload - got lucky - but it was Vegas. I would not suggest that folks use a mini pickup to haul a Venture - the front end is fairly light and you have to drive accordingly. Jinksy

The desert ride was great! I will definately do this again because there is just so much to see and do in New Mexico, Arazona, Nevada, Utah, and Colorado. The Grand Canyon was probably the most impressive out of everything. Even had a chance to do some rock hounding and found some jasper, fossils, and some lace agate. Here are a few of the pictures - the one in the swimming pool - they are the main reason I went for a ride.

I hate to admit it, but I could not stay up with a Wing today on a relatively good day to ride hard. My ride is close to 1100 lbs total travel weight and running at 90mph (uncorrected), the wing pulled away.....quickly. I mean out of sight in a few minutes. The Venture was willing - but I wasn't. At least I passed some Harleys today. Enjoy the new beast!

Spent the last couple days traveling route 50 through Colorado and Kansas. If you want a quick way through the Rockies – this is it. I had spent a little too much time cruising and needed to get headed home. This route is still fun with good scenery but has only 1 summit (Manarch Pass) then it is pretty much canyons and 5000 ft elevation meadows – that is until you get close to Kansas – which then is pretty much a straight shot with little stimulation. Gunnison and the Royal George are highlights in Colorado. Dodge City (which most of the roads were tore up) is a tourist stop in Kansas. Route 50 is the located pretty much on the old Santa Fe Trail with many history stops along its course. I spent a night in a mom & pop motel in Lamar, Colorado. It was so- so as far as amentities, comfortable for the price. But, it was so cool too. The owner was 82 years old, and after shootin’ the breeze for awhile, took me to a shed where he shared with me his pride and joy – a 1936 Plymouth 4 door, right hand steering - mailman version, complete. He has had it in storage for 40 years and did not have time to work on it because he was always busy with the Motel business. But now, at 82, he is making time to get into running order. I am having too much fun - but wife says I need to get home before the snow flies.