Prairiehammer

I agree Tooch...thus, my use of the word. (I thought it a witty pun, but apparently it was too subtle.)

It definitely is a piece from the "center divider" of the collector. But how it became small enough to become lodged in the muffler is baffling. Some pics of the collector internals:

This past summer, my '91 began to handle like crap (two up, loaded for camping with trailer). I discovered that the front forks had no air. I'd air up the suspension with the CLASS and all would be good for awhile (days). But then it would start handling crappy again and I would discover that the forks were at zero air pressure. Fire up the CLASS and air it all up. All OK for a mile or so, then crappy handling (no air in front). I found that the CLASS controller was releasing the air, presumably because of road vibrations acting on the CLASS connector. Never did see any error codes. Resoldering everything fixed it.

You have a PM (here and on FB).

I will be in Colorado then. Sorry to miss the Canucks.

Originally those switches controlled remote radio tuning. If you use them, utilize a relay or two to activate your accessories. The switches and wires are prolly not robust enough to switch directly driving lights or a good horn.

If non-conductive silicone dielectric grease is used (as Doug suggests) there should be no connectivity issues caused by the dielectric grease. http://www.w8ji.com/dielectric_grease_vs_conductive_grease.htm

Commonly, one would wrap a length of vinyl electrical tape over that groove to prevent damage to the new seals.

The Venture rear shock linkage was changed on the 1988 model. What you have on the 1989 is factory for years 1988-1993. The "one small bolt" screws into internal threads on the pin that goes through the lower shock eye. The pin is then driven out to the left. Be warned though, that the steel pin is often frozen in the aluminum linkage arm. Also be aware that striking the right side end of the pin may cause damage to the end of the pin, due to the internal threads. Use a well fitted punch to avoid mushrooming the pin. Consider using the small bolt, mostly screwed in, to strike upon. Heat (from a torch) applied to the aluminum linkage arm may be required. It may also be necessary to remove the entire assembly from the bike and work with a bench vise.

I'm interested...especially if my Canuck friends ( @saddlebum, @stickhandle2, @Semi-retired, @The Tooch, @dogman, ad nauseum, etc.) are coming. Fourth of July is out, though. Planning a two-week trip to Colorado then.

Thanks, Don. I hope you have a pleasant Thanksgiving as well. Um, if I show up on Thursday, "Please, sir, may I have some more"? You will be truly thankful if @Squidley doesn't show in Oberlin.

Don't be vain. Reinstall the lowers and close the vents.

Jerry, is it possible you mixed up the months? I have a 1988 with a higher serial number than yours but with a build date of October 1987. Might the 1985 build date be 11/84 and the 1988 date be 10/87?

Thanks Jerry. At your convenience, would you provide the build dates?

Here's a thread about Road King mufflers on a First Gen, including a video with sound by Rosie. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?76299-Road-King-mufflers-on-my-91&highlight=Road+King And another thread: http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?48441-first-gen-RK-mufflers&highlight=harley%20muffler%20bracket

I suspect there is a fault in the starter clutch. Either broken springs, rusty and sticky rollers or worn/damaged clutch face on the 72 tooth gear (where the starter clutch 'sprag' engages) or cracked starter clutch, causing a failure to engage.

Not true, Jack. Currently, YUASA sells some of their AGM batteries dry along with a separate acid pack. For instance, the YTX24HL-BS for the First Gen Venture. Other YUASA AGM batteries are "factory activated" (shipped with acid inside).

Yes, the Venture mirrors are unique to the Venture, however, each master cylinder has a threaded hole (under a plastic plug) for standard Yamaha mirror stalks. The right hand threaded hole is left hand threaded (typical of most Yamaha mirrors. Some have installed ordinary stalk type mirrors on the master cylinders. Others have adapted other mirrors to the aluminum mounting base of the stock mirrors. There are some Venture mirrors on eBay. One of the cheapest, is a set of both right and left mirrors, for a starting bid of $10.99US! The seller is incorrect when he states this set is for 1986-1993 Ventures, for all First Gen Venture, 1983-1993 are identical. http://www.ebay.com/itm/1986-1993-Yamaha-XVZ1300-Venture-Chrome-Left-Right-Side-Mirrors-5263-/311470787856?hash=item48851b0d10:g:xMYAAOSwA4dWKmeP&vxp=mtr

Yes. The VIN confirms that the bike is a 1983 Venture Royale intended for the American market. But there was no factory cruise control on the 1983 Venture. Factory cruise control was not available until the 1983½/1984 Venture Royale.

Thank you, Steve for the information. Your bike's VIN confirms that it is a US model, transplanted to Kiwiland. I have sent the database per your request.

The pictured resistor is original factory OEM set-up. If you change to a MF battery, simply cut that resistor off along with the probe and install a 2.2K through 22K ohm resistor on the same wire stub and connect the other end to a 12 volt supply, usually the ACC tap on the OEM fuse block.

Failure to easily find neutral and clunky shifter operation are classic symptoms of a poorly functioning hydraulic clutch release. Flush the clutch hydraulic system with new DOT3/4 fluid and bleed. Ensure that the master cylinder is clean and not worn (worn seals or a pitted master cylinder bore will allow bypass of fluid, resulting in incomplete disengagement of the clutch. Air in the system will cause the same malfunction.) Shift segment pins do not normally affect the failure to find neutral. Usually, if a shift segment pin is missing, one cannot shift up past a certain gear.

Not all Mitsuba SM13 series four brush starters will work on the Venture. The motor rotation may be clockwise or it may be counterclockwise, depending on the intended application. The armature pinion may project more or less depending on the intended application. The armature pinion teeth may have different pitch (number of teeth) depending on intended application. Is the starter a used starter from a Second Gen Venture or other 1991 and newer Yamaha XVZ1300? Or is it a new aftermarket starter? From your description, it seems that either the armature pinion is not engaged with the gear in the starter gear train or the rotation of the motor is incorrect and the one way sprag is not locking up because of it. It is possible also that the starter clutch (sprag) is seized in the freewheel position.

Just to be clear, the later style shift segment still uses pins, it is the integrated pin retention that is the improvement over the stamped sheet metal retainer on the early version.