I just discovered I'm not done yet. When I cleaned the carbs, I noted the jetting and compared what I found to what was OEM. OEM called for a larger main jet in cylinder #1. When I had my carbs apart, my larger main jet was in the center cylinder. At the time, it seemed odd, so I assumed Yamaha numbered the center cylinder #1 because it runs a little hotter and requires a larger jet. I put the jets back in the way I found them.
Well tonight, I realized my assumption was wrong. Cylinder #1 is the right, PTO side. This makes more sense. It matches the cylinder numbering nomenclature on every multi-cylinder engine I've owned before. I guess I'll have to pull the carbs one more time.
Pulling my Venture carbs isn't too bad compared to some of the motorcycles I've owned, but compared to the Polaris carbs I just cleaned, Yamaha carbs are more difficult. On the Polaris, there's only one hose clamp per carb and the air box pops apart with no tools needed.
Well tonight, I realized my assumption was wrong. Cylinder #1 is the right, PTO side. This makes more sense. It matches the cylinder numbering nomenclature on every multi-cylinder engine I've owned before. I guess I'll have to pull the carbs one more time.
Pulling my Venture carbs isn't too bad compared to some of the motorcycles I've owned, but compared to the Polaris carbs I just cleaned, Yamaha carbs are more difficult. On the Polaris, there's only one hose clamp per carb and the air box pops apart with no tools needed.
Vincent
New member
Hey dude.
Hope you don't mind. I'm using you thread to post pix of what I mean. In the first pic. This plate that's 80% hidden as another hole an inch higher for this bolt to secure threw. This is how it looks threw the bottom hole.
I'm not referring to the three bolts in the second picture as I'm sure you bolted them in the same place as this.
Hope you don't mind. I'm using you thread to post pix of what I mean. In the first pic. This plate that's 80% hidden as another hole an inch higher for this bolt to secure threw. This is how it looks threw the bottom hole.
I'm not referring to the three bolts in the second picture as I'm sure you bolted them in the same place as this.
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Pulling my Venture carbs isn't too bad compared to some of the motorcycles I've owned, "but compared to the Polaris carbs I just cleaned, Yamaha carbs are more difficult. On the Polaris, there's only one hose clamp per carb and the air box pops apart with no tools needed."[/QUOTE
that right there is when you need to consider the engineering differences between the two manufacturers. yep, those polaris carbs come out real easy, but when you compare them to the yamaha setup, which set of engineers took into consideration the worst case scenarios of what the carbs could ingest lacking a tight seal to the airbox, you will appreciate what you have to go through getting your yamaha carbs in and out. compare your yamaha sealed and clamped both ends set up to the polaris setup after about 2000 miles of riding and compare the cleanliness on the carb throats. thats what you see. now factor in moisture and snow dust that you dont see and look at the pistons. no wonder yamahas run substantially longer than polaris.
this observation coming from someone who has spent much time at a multi-line dealership. i could go on and on about what was thought about and what was not among the big four.
that right there is when you need to consider the engineering differences between the two manufacturers. yep, those polaris carbs come out real easy, but when you compare them to the yamaha setup, which set of engineers took into consideration the worst case scenarios of what the carbs could ingest lacking a tight seal to the airbox, you will appreciate what you have to go through getting your yamaha carbs in and out. compare your yamaha sealed and clamped both ends set up to the polaris setup after about 2000 miles of riding and compare the cleanliness on the carb throats. thats what you see. now factor in moisture and snow dust that you dont see and look at the pistons. no wonder yamahas run substantially longer than polaris.
this observation coming from someone who has spent much time at a multi-line dealership. i could go on and on about what was thought about and what was not among the big four.
Since I knew very little about sleds, I bought my Yamaha over other brands because it the lowest mileage unit in my price range. Since I've bought it, I've found out I got a god sled. I see it as a win/win.
yamahamark
Member
Yes Yamaha are great.
I've had all 4 brands and I keep coming back to Yamaha.
I've had all 4 brands and I keep coming back to Yamaha.
"Idle hands are the devils workshop" Since I have no snow, I couldn't leave things alone. I found a local shop that rebuilt/revalved the viper shocks I had. I had the rear shock revalved with heavier damping to match my Venture needs. I installed needle bearings in the shock mounts of the center shock, eliminating the plastic bushings. Now both shocks on the rear skid have bearings at the mounts.
My other challenge was the Viper rear spring had a spring rate that was too light and the ID of the Venture rear spring was too large to sit on the Vipers threaded spring adjuster. So I made a spring keeper that allowed installing the heavier Venture spring on the Viper rear shock. I used a steel washer 2 3/4" in diameter and 3/16" thick. The washer ID was too small, so I scribed a circular line on the washer that matched the Vipers adjuster. Basically, I enlarged the ID about 1/4 per side with a hack saw and die grinder. The new spring keeper sits between the Vipers adjuster and the Venture spring. I removed the rear shocks a few time now so each installation gets a little easier
.
My other challenge was the Viper rear spring had a spring rate that was too light and the ID of the Venture rear spring was too large to sit on the Vipers threaded spring adjuster. So I made a spring keeper that allowed installing the heavier Venture spring on the Viper rear shock. I used a steel washer 2 3/4" in diameter and 3/16" thick. The washer ID was too small, so I scribed a circular line on the washer that matched the Vipers adjuster. Basically, I enlarged the ID about 1/4 per side with a hack saw and die grinder. The new spring keeper sits between the Vipers adjuster and the Venture spring. I removed the rear shocks a few time now so each installation gets a little easier
.
yamahamark
Member
Never thought about that.
Vincent,
Sorry I didn't see your post until today. My sled uses the top hole. I don't know how easy it would be to use the bottom hole because my brackets have the nut welded to the top hole.
Vincent
New member
Can you post a pic. They're suppost to be a bolts. Nuts?
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I mis-stated, it's not a nut, but a round spacer. The round spacer is welded to the upper hole of the bracket. Here's some pictures.
I'm replying to my own thread.
Vincent, I now understand what you meant. After looking at my pictures, the spacer I was referring to is where the bolt goes thru the tunnel wall into the bracket. It looks like I can lower the shaft to the lower hole in the bracket.
Do I want to use the lower hole? When I removed the skid, I didn't remove the brackets from the shaft, only loosened them, and my service manual indicates using the upper hole.
Vincent, I now understand what you meant. After looking at my pictures, the spacer I was referring to is where the bolt goes thru the tunnel wall into the bracket. It looks like I can lower the shaft to the lower hole in the bracket.
Do I want to use the lower hole? When I removed the skid, I didn't remove the brackets from the shaft, only loosened them, and my service manual indicates using the upper hole.
Vincent
New member
Not sure. Some Ventures use the lower holes most seem to use the higher holes.These pics seem to illustrate the higher profile (lower holes).
Probably just comes down to driver's point of view. I would think riding with a passager often mite require the higher setting. Only trial, error and personal preference will have the final say.
Probably just comes down to driver's point of view. I would think riding with a passager often mite require the higher setting. Only trial, error and personal preference will have the final say.
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That's easy for you to say, I've never owned a sled before
yamahamark
Member
It depends on the weight of the two riders combined on which hole to use. You'll get the hang of it after awhile.