I just picked up a 2002 Venture 700 with 547 miles. This is my first sled, and I hope my wife will enjoy riding with me.
It's in perfect mechanical condition, but needs a good washing. With the help of some friends, I plan to change fluids, chassis lube, and make sure the track is running true.
This is how it looked when I picked it up.
It's in perfect mechanical condition, but needs a good washing. With the help of some friends, I plan to change fluids, chassis lube, and make sure the track is running true.
This is how it looked when I picked it up.
yamahamark
Member
Nice sled should be redhead motor they run for ever. You will get lots of help from guys on here. I would Check the trailing arms for any bends or dents and give the carbs a good cleaning. I clean mine every year.
yamahamark
Member
When changing fluids like the antifreeze be sure to get out any air bubbles or you will have a heating problem or Evan a meltdown same goes for oil no air bubbles. BUBBLES = BAD... Would also check clutches and make sure they are in working order....
I'm assuming the engine has a thermostat, but are there any bleed screws on the engines water jacket? My motorcycle has a bleed screw on top of the cylinder head to bleed out the air.
yamahamark
Member
Yes there is a thermostat. And the bleed screw is on top of the head where the coolant hose hooks up. The best way is to take the screw out and lift the front of the sled up so its higher than the back to make sure all the air gets out of the coolers... Also if your wife likes riding with you eventually she'll want her on sled..
sleddineinar
VIP Member
If that's a redhead, there is NO thermostat. What looks like a thermostat housing on the head is empty.
sleddineinar
VIP Member
When you change antifreeze, there is also a bleeder bolt on the back of the tunnel under the seat. Take off the seat & lift the back up, open that bleeder on the back to let the air out. Bleed it until both coolers under your feet get warm. Even helps to squeeze the hoses to force bubbles out. Also bleed from that bleeder on the head. But most bleeding will be done with the one on the back of the tunnel. Run the motor till it's warm while bleeding & top off the overflow bottle as you go and when you are done. Sometime these sleds are a pain to bleed and other times it's done in a few minutes. So be patient, and it wouldn't hurt to repeat the process a second time, before you start to ride.
yamahamark
Member
I totally forgot about the bleeder on the back. You can lift the front or back every body does it different but these are the most effective when bleeding.
dan.mcguire.921
New member
There's a YouTube video by PowerModz on how to do just about everything you want to do. Very well produced and easy to understand.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Thanks for the info. I'm in a holding pattern until my dollies arrive. That will allow me to unload the sled from the borrowed trailer into my garage, and then I borrow a friends lift for the maintenance work.
yamahamark
Member
Dollies are nice and makes them easy to move. As for the lift I just use buckets their cheaper..
What are considered good compression numbers for a red head engine? I'm hoping with 547 miles, the engine was just broken in. I plan to take a base line compression test for future comparisons.
yamahamark
Member
125-130+psi is great 120-125psi is good anything under 120psi i would do new rings maybe pistons to. If that's the original miles that redhead will run a long time trouble free if maintained properly..
That's what I'm hoping for. I haven't even ridden the sled yet, but I'm already looking at suspension mods.
yamahamark
Member
I would ride it first and see how you like it. Some guys like the ride and some don't. My dad has a very bad back several back surgeries and he would keep right up with me and never complain about his back. He sold it this year with 8,000 miles trouble free.
yamahamark
Member
When he rides my 600 sx and vmax4 800 he complains about his back.
Yea, that's good advice. Since I'm new to sledding, I probably won't know the difference between good or great. My sledding friends that convinced me to join their ranks have modded 'solo" sleds. If I ride one of their sleds, I might see if I'm missing anything.
I should probably buy a Go Pro. I can be the cameraman for my friends antics.
yamahamark
Member
After you ride awhile you'll notice. A difference between stock and mod suspension but to me the venture rode pretty smooth.. If you did upgrade the suspension I would go M10 or a 136 out of a viper..