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frankd

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Everything posted by frankd

  1. frankd
    Yes, stators can be intermittant. I had intermittant charging problems with mine for a couple of years, and when it finally went 100% bad, I found I had 1 grounded phase on the stator. However, it went out when we were in Branson MO. and we drove it home to near Chicago. With one phase out, it would charge a little bit IF I kept the radio off and the RPMs up. in traffic. No problem at 65MPH. Another time my regulator went bad and my charge rate was low but it still charged at higher RPM. When I measured the leads I found that one of the diodes had gone bad. Your bike sounds like your charging system is completely out. Measure the stator leads just like it shows in the manual, and then measure the leads to ground. To ground you should get a high reading or an open circuit. When mine went bad it was a dead ground. If the stator tests good, you may want to try another regulator. They don't go bad often, but mine proved they do sometimes. The 6 diodes in the regulator can be checked by measuring (with your analog meter on ohms (or R X 1) from one of the leads that go to the stator to the battery positive terminal. You should get continuity in 1 direction, an open circuit in the other direction. Repeat between the stator lead and ground....you should see a good diode. Repeat with both of the other stator leads to both the positive lead and ground. There is no easy way to test the regulator portion.
  2. frankd
    Here are some of the reviews for this rig, including a report of installation on a motorcycle and using with a bluetooth..... Frank KA9J http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/6731
  3. frankd
    I guess I'll have to do some research myself!! I've never added a 2 meter rig because until the last couple of years good rigs with remote control heads didn't exist. Will this rig crossband? Frank D. KA9J
  4. frankd
    Yes, I'm sure molybendum disulfide grease would be fine, but the manual of my 83 says to use Lithium based grease (regular wheel bearing grease). I believe that part of the MkII is the same as the Mark I. Randy A....Thanks for the information about the drive shaft. Frank
  5. frankd
    Tim, I didn't mean to run the high and low beams at the same time. I thought you were going to install 2 ea. 65Watt headlights and turn both on low beam normally, and both high beams when you switched to high beam. If so, my suggestion would make it work without burning up the computer panel or the auto high beam switch. Frank
  6. frankd
    The forward end is probably identical to the 83, so yes it should get greased. However, my question was with the rear coupling. I remember reading in the 'olden' days when the Venture web pages were just starting on the internet how the 86 was lubed by the 80W in the shaft unit. After I bought the 89, I looked at the service manual online, and it mentioned to lubricate it. So I wasn't sure what I had to do. So now I gather that I pull the shaft unit just like I'd do on the 83. Although if the rear driveshaft coupling is lubed by the 80W, it'd make sense to drain the shaft unit first. Then I pull the driveshaft and grease the front with molybendum-disulfide grease. BTW, 30K probably isn't a bad interval for the front coupling because the driveshaft and the universal joint are a tight fit and there isn't much movement between them. However, on my 83, the rear coupling needs grease much sooner. My rear tires (Avon now, but formerly Dunlop) last 22-25K. I usually grease the shaft every time I change the tire, and also about 1/2 way through it's life. When I pull it apart, it's ready but not dry. Frank
  7. frankd
    I'm sure it's been discussed somewhere before, but I probably didn't use the correct wording when I searched ....... Do you grease the driveshaft couplings on a 89 VR like I've been doing for years on my 83? I bought a low mileage (30K) 89 and I'm getting it PM'd and ready to ride. Frank
  8. frankd
    First the spring, then the washer, then the oil filter. Don't forget about the washer....If you do the rubber grommet on the oil filter will get pushed in and the all the oil will be bypassed. I learned this on my XS-750 when I put the washer on first.
  9. frankd
    Yes, the 83-85 are identical...... If the new headlights are 65watts each, you would have 130W total. That would be approximately a 10AMP draw (P=IE, or P/E=I.....If you have approx. 13Volts at the headlight, 130W/13V=10A). 10 amps is too much for the computer panel and the automatic headlight module that switches to high beam if the low burns out. What would be easy to do is connect the first headlight to the old headlight wiring. I had a 65 watt bulb in my 83 for years and nothing burned up. Then use two relays to light the other headlight. Connect one relay coil to the low and one to the high beam lead from the bike. Connect one side of each relay's contact to a fused source and the other side to the respective headlight's filament. This way you'd only have about 70W draw through the bike's headlight wiring. The reason you have to have 1 headlight connected normally is that a relay's coil wouldn't draw enough current to satisfy the bike's computer module. This means that you'd have an alarm on the computer module. You can buy suitable relays at Autozone or Advance Auto. They have them displayed with the driving lights.
  10. frankd
    You want my opinion on the Bubs.....They were too loud for my liking. If I were going to buy it I'd have requested the stock mufflers---- But then again, I just turned 60. If I were younger they'd probably be just right. I agree on Squidley's bike. I really am only trying to help somebody out. The bike doesn't really belong to the dealer, but a friend of his.
  11. frankd
    If anybody wants what looks to me to be a good deal on an 2008 2nd. Gen Venture, you may want to contact my local Yamaha dealer (Rich's Yamaha, Lockport, IL--815-838-8130, ask for John). It had less than 900 miles on it when I took it for a test ride a couple of weeks ago. It's dark silver, and appears to be perfect. Barb and I rode it for about 1 hour, and finally at about 45MPH with just the right amount of throttle, I heard just a trace of a whine from the primary gearing, it's way less than my 83. The price is $13,500, and it has a set of Bub mufflers on it. However, if the original mufflers are available and if you'd rather have them they will swap them for you, your choice. Before you ask why I'm not buying it----It's the first 2nd Gen I've ridden, and I felt that I wouldn't like the seating position for a long ride. I ended up buying a low mileage 1st Gen from an add here in the classifieds. If you have any questions about the 2008, I'll be happy to answer them here, E-mail, or on the telephone. Frank
  12. frankd
    I use my jack stands and the axle to balance the tires.
  13. frankd
    A lot of years ago, I bought some chrome fork tube protectors for my '83. I thought they were made by RIVCO, but I see they don't list them on their site. Now I need another set--does anybody remember who makes (or made) them?
  14. frankd
    Thanks everybody. Red Rider, Geneva woudn't be a bad trip, but the best information here is that U-Haul has trailers for rent for $20. This week I'll check the local rental places for what's available here. I'm picking the bike up in Muncie IN. After I put the question on the web page, my brother just SE of Champaign, IL told me he has a motorcycle trailer. It's got a bike parked on it now, but that's almost on the way to Muncie for me. BTW, I live near Joliet, IL. Thanks again everybody for the offers and the information!!!! Frank
  15. frankd
    Does anybody have a trailer suitable for hauling a Venture that I could rent? I live near Joliet IL. and will be heading southeast to pick up a 1st. Gen. Frank
  16. frankd
    The front kneeling position looks pretty smart for a 86-93 first gen. However, on a 83-85, the bags slip off. However, you still need more room to keep from having to remove the rear fender to roll the tire out. What was discussed several years ago on the "other" site, was to put about 3" of wood on the ground where the center stand will land. Then with a little help on the right side, it's not too hard to get the bike on the center stand. This gives enough room to roll the tire right out. I pull the right muffler, but that's fast, only loosen the clamp bolt and remove the bolt it hangs from. Now this may also work with an 86 on, but I've never tried it.
  17. frankd
    Yes, I did it 50,000 miles ago. I also added braided brake lines. With these two changes, the brake pedal and lever are like a rock! I've also got Progressive Fork springs, and I'd suggest you have them also if you want to eliminate the anti-dive. BTW, my bike is an '83 and the brake feel improvement is worth getting rid of the anti-dive.
  18. frankd
    Next week we'll be riding the Dragon with some friends. Barb and I have ridden it 4 times, and our friends aren't all that aggressive in corners, but a while back there was a lot of talk about enforcing the speed limit etc. We'll be riding in the middle of the week. Have there been a lot of police on the Dragon lately?? Frank D.
  19. frankd
    I'm looking for ways to mount my Nextar Q3. I saw an add on E-bay for a mount that would attach to a 1" handle bar, but of course on a first generation Venture the handlebars aren't round OR 1" diameter. I could just use the suction cup on the windshield, but I'd really like something better. Any ideas?? How good does the suction cup work on a motorcycle?? Frank D.
  20. frankd
    Also, unplug the voltage regulator (I know, it's new, but....) and measure the load resistance. One of the diodes could have become very leaky and cause this very problem. BTW, the test light method to determine current draw is excellent. I also recommend it all the time.
  21. frankd
    Peggy, I'm 6'2", but I'm long in the torso, and only have a 32" inseam. The legroom was a bit less than my 1st Gen. but I could live with it. However, the seat put you so far forward that I didn't have room for my arms to feel comfortable. I also noticed that the 'boyz' didn't have enough room. I've thought back to the test ride I took on a Venture before I bought mine in '83. Both my wife and I agreed, we loved it. The only thing we didn't like was the color (of the test bike---black). I walked in handed the dealer the keys and told him I'd take the first red one he got in. I think that means that the 'Wing isn't for us. Ken, I wouldn't be surprised if you find some 2nd gen VRs with 300K. There used to be a couple of 1st Gens with a lot of miles on them on one of the earlier forums. One of them was up in Canada and had about 400,000 kilometers, or 250,000 miles. The owner parked it outside a mall and an old lady backed into it, totaling it.
  22. frankd
    Yesterday, Barbara and I test rode a full boat '08 GW 1800. It sure is a lot different than the 1200 Venture. It is the smoothest (both ride AND motor) motorcycle I've ever ridden, and also the quietest. A lot less wind noise than the Venture, and way less sound from the motor and exhaust (My Venture has stock mufflers). The GW has a little less leg room, but you are much closer to the ground than the Venture. Barbara had a bit more leg room, plus the passenger portion of the seat was bigger. Had some things I didn't like though. First off, the motor doesn't have much personality. It didn't have the snarl the Venture does when you shift it at about 4 grand. You sit much further forward, and this puts you much closer to the windshield and gives you a lot less arm room. After about 40 miles, I could feel cramps in my arms. The dealer said that somebody makes an adapter that allows you to move the handle bars further forward, but they are not adjustable like the Ventures are in stock form (although my Venture's are still in the 'stock' position). The GW doesn't counter-steer as easy as the Venture, it resisits changing course. It's a pretty bike, but I'm not sure I'd like it.
  23. frankd
    Yes, both frames were upside-down when the pictures were taken.
  24. frankd
    The trashed '83 frame and the freshly painted 84 frame.
  25. frankd
    If somebody will explain how I attach a picture, I will show you where my 83 cracked and how the 84 frame is improved.
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