Great White

Unless I'm mistaken, the gents on the forum would refer to a 1992 venture and a Gen 1 MkII. Gen 1 being the first generation Yamaha venture, MKII being the second major update to the initial release (like ver 1.0 and ver 2.0 in computer geek speak). MKII is usually a military term referring to a hardware update, still the same machine but enough differences to be it's own variant. The registration papers will clear up what year it is (even if the frame sticker is missing) and if the engine isn't a 1300 it's been swapped indicating the bike has had some major work in it's past. If that's the case, problem is you have no idea how many miles are on the engine/transmission since the odometer is only going to tell you what is on the chassis. But for 500 bucks (even better at 250, I paid 200 for a parts bike with no engine), what do you have to loose?

From your description; I'd stop messing about, pull the carbs and do a proper cleaning and rebuild on them. Then a proper install and adjustments (air screws, idle, balance, etc) iaw the service manual. Its actually what should be done with all carbs that are a little "mungy". I've never been a fan of "tune in a can" solutions. They usually just limp you along until you have to tear them down anyways and the bike doesn't run to its potential while your limping along. I learned long ago that you actually save time, reduce frustration and end up with a better result by just yanking the carbs and doing it right the first time. This implies, of course, that someone has the proper tools and knowledge to do a proper rebuild. To get the carbs out of the boots you have to work each a little at a time. Theses are easy, try getting a Honda vf750 v4 carb set out!

Could be, maybe I'll read up on it. Seems logicsl to me that the acc position would remain live in on, but logic doesn't always apply to all things when engineers get involved! Since this is going to be a custom retrofit, I can have the option of wiring so it works when key is on. Anyone see a bad point about being able to adjust suspension "on the roll"?

Well, I'm bias to my 83 because....well, I have an 83! I will say I was quite surprised how easy it was to get used to for a "full boat" tourer. I'm not a fan of the Harley pattern cruisers either, but that's a personal choice. Everyone's got an opinion on that sort of thing. I wouldn't fault a guy for preceding the later models styling. Just what they like. Whether or not one bike is "better" that the other is pretty close to opinion as well. Sure, if you boil it down to pure numbers like mpg or et one might be better than the other. But we seldom buy bikes like this based on numbers like squids on crotch rockets. These are usually bought for looks, enjoyment and comfort and those things change from person to person. One likes the looks one doesn't, one finds the bike just the right height one finds it short, etc.. I will second the surprising quality and completeness of the factory tool kit. I'm used to most metric bikes having tools that really only resemble tools and were more like play dough hardness when you try to use them. I'm mean, a tire guage? I don't think I've ever seen one of those is a metric's tool kit.

Looks like I've found my next project for the lathe....

I'm thinking of putting the CLASS controller in a hidden location. Likely under one of the existing fairing panels. Can anyone think of a good reason to have the CLASS controller accessible while riding? I like the clean look of just the flat pocket doors in the fairings. I do know the Yammy manual says to not adjust CLASS when moving, but there's lots of things you aren't "supposed to" do in this world....

So, forging ahead since it seems no one has input yet. Plan: Iphone 4 with A2DP disable app (jailbroken phone) Water resistant handlebar case 30 Pin cable with audio jack Waterproof speakers t class mini amp (approx 20W rms per channel) Later on (need funds recovery first), Sena SMH10 headset to bluetooth to the phone for siri control and phone, blutooth intercom is part of the SMH10. Will work like so: Flip open handbar case, plug in cable (other end connected to 5V charger and 3.5 jack to amp), stylus for control while wearing gloves. Iphone will play music and out to the amp which drives the speakers. later on, when the SMH10 gets in to the system, I'll use the app to turn off a2dp so the sena won't play audio unless I chose it. But it will still do phone, siri and intercom. Except for the sena, I'm up to about 50 bucks in pieces now. Speakers came with "The Pile", amp/cable/case came from ebay. I went this way because pretty much everything can be hidden away on the bike. It will look like a standard Venture from the audio perspective. Time will tell how this works out.

Thing is, the air is an assist. Air also has odd behaviors when used as a "spring". There are vehicles that use air ride only, but they are designed that way. The venture isn't designed that way, its only an assist. The weight bearing assembly is the spring, you will always get better results improving the primary weight carrying device as opposed to the augmentation.

thanks. I was looking a them on eBay and wondering if they would work. thing is though, I may not even try to put the cruise on now. The 83 is so cherry and the 86 is so hacked, I'm thinking I might just stay with the super vista throttle lock that's already on there. I may try and salvage the air ride though, mainly just for the adjustability from the saddle. Audio stuff is going to be all sold off or scrapped I think. this is turning into a thread hijack so I'll respectfully stop here.

Sounds like you're good to go if you did all that scrubbing with a detergent.

Tires are a funny thing. You can get the exact same size from a different manufacturer and it can change the way a bike handles. Compound, profile, construction, and lots more. Typically though, a smaller contact patch will result in lighter steering. Just take a while and get used to the changed handling before doing anything "spirited". Also, new tires have a coating of release compound on them. it makes them a bit slick. Straight up and down it wears off the center pretty quickly, but I have known guys to not have "scrubbed in" the edges of the tire properly and gotten a nasty surprise first time they heel it over in anger. Just be mindful of it is all I'm saying.

Again, good to know. I was planning on attempting to swap the venture cruise from The Pile to the 83. Only problem is the guy i bought The Pile from sold the throttle cables on me and ruined the junction box. The whole bike is so hacked and I got so ripped off, I just don't want to look at it anymore for a while. The Pile is all in pieces now anyways (it's on shelves up in the parts loft) and the frame is out at the corner for garbage pickup.

Of course there's a 2015 venture, Yammy already has it on their web site: http://www.yamaha-motor.ca/products/details.php?model=4458&group=SM&catId=77

You did the right thing and walked away from an intolerant a-hole. Always the right move. Now it's just a matter of letting it go and moving forward. Don't let him live rent free in your head a second longer. You can take solace in the fact that he will not move forward in his life nor be able to. He's stuck in swirling vortex that prevents him from seeing anything in the world besides his own shallow and ignorant point of view....those people always whiter and become small and pitiful. It's just not worth the time or effort to even listen to them....

Yessir, you are quite correct. A closer look revealed The Pile brake switch has 4 wires at the connector. I only quickly looked while breaking it down and noticed the wire bundle sheaths, not the connectors.

A quick glance a the 83 and The Pile (86) revealed the same number and location of wires on each. I did not, however, compare the wiring connectors.

No catchy names or gps coordinates. Probably barely even noticeable on maps. Just a couple local back roads that wind up and down a local 400 foot high ridge. Sunny day, clear skies and empty twisty low speed roads. Zen moment.

Sure will. "The Pile" is one neglected collection of parts.

So, my venture is a standard model and even though I've just stripped down an 86 royale (AKA: The Pile), I don't plan to use the audio or cb. Outside of it being old and heavy, all the plastic is trashed and I wouldn't be able to install it. Missing the radio head unit anyways. I don't like the "wired" aspect of it either. So, what I'm looking for is: 1. Charging the iphone while riding 2. Siri voice control of iphone 3. bluetooth/wireless connectivity 3. wireless/bluetooth intercom (just me and the missus) 4. regular phone use (ie: calling, answering, etc) 5. Listen to mp3 while riding but, and here's the kicker: I want to have the option of listening to it through headphones or dash speakers. Except for that last one, it seems pretty easy. Sena seems to offer lots of options and a simple iphone charger fits the bill. But choosing between the headsets or the dash speakers kind of has me stumped. A small amp and a 3.5 jack would get the dash speakers, but how to keep it from playing over bluetooth when paired and still be able to control it via bluetooth? Any ideas?

Does anyone know, or preferably has done, 86 lower fork tubes on 83 upper stanchions? I have a set of 86 forks, but the upper tubes are rust pitted. My 83 has clean upper tubes, but the lowers aren't compatible with R1 brake conversions. Parts fische upper fork tube numbers are : 83: 26H-23110-00-00 86: 3JJ-23110-00-00 Not a good indicator....

Good to know. I can tuck away the master cylinder from the junker 86 I just took apart for my 83 when I do the R1 brake change. That gets a couple more bucks of use out of, what i am officially christening, "The Pile".

Here's the frame sticker from the 86 royale I'm scrapping: http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/r618/justonepict/E6CB6E1A-E647-4414-A2E3-04AD9E94E280_zpsaytnoql0.jpg Had 99800 kms on the odo.

Gawd I hate thieves. One of the most cowardly lowest form of life on the planet. Sadly, its a far too common event these days...

Meh, sooner or later every manufacturer drops the parts line for obsolete/out of production lines. Iirc, the mandated support they have to provide is 10 years after end of line. Doesn't matter much to me either way. I've got a lathe, a mill, a diy home foundry and the mig for the hard parts. I can even make the gear sets or pistons if I need. Gaskets and orings can be a little harder, but can usually be made or substituted. Plastic is endlessly repairable with plastic welding or salvaged parts. Its just abs after all. Electronics are easily substituted with modern components or salvage parts. Wiring is just wiring and a relay is a relay no matter what its installed on. I learned long ago if you're going to work on old, obsolete or discontinued machines (cars, planes, bikes, boats, etc) you better learn how to make parts as well as change them. Plus; my "barn find" fresh 1983 should run relatively trouble free for at least another 5-10 years, at which point I'll probabably have to give up riding anyways. Yah, yammy can go ahead and pull parts support, I'm good.

That's kind of weird for me. My 83 leans left just about right. I'd have to through my body into it to get it to tip. Maybe your springs/air shocks/forks bear closer scrutiny for sag/wear? Center stand is a bit difficult if you're not used to it. This is the heaviest bike I've ever owned and it seems a bit more difficult than I'm used to. A good pair of boots to put your weight down on the center stand lever is almost a must. Sneakers and such don't cut it. You can do it with sneakers (I've done it wearing crocks) but the sole of your foot is gonna hurt. The rest is just proper technique.