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Have you done any performance mods yet? Great videos by the way, looks like a great bike.
 
Discussion starter · #22 ·
Short video on how to change the clock settings, here we are in 2018 and still clocks in electronic items can be a challenge to change until you figure out the right procedure, in this case you have to uncheck the GPS button to get full access to the clock functions.

 
Discussion starter · #23 ·
Have you done any performance mods yet? Great videos by the way, looks like a great bike.
Np performance mods and don't plan to but there is now a tuner available for this bike I believe it is a PCV tuner. I just skipped over it because I don't have any plans to add a tuner to this bike it runs so good.
 
Discussion starter · #24 ·
I have ridden this bike and one negative was the service interval--
Now at 11k, aren't you looking at a valve adjustment in 4000 miles?

You sound like you ride like a gentleman-- I love Bridgestones....but never have seen anywhere near the mileage you're talking about and I can't imagine it on a bike that heavy with that much torque. Heavier bike = more wear. I try to be conservative, but love hammering the throttle, haha.

The ride modes are quite pronounced. I didn't like the Sport mode much. It was too jumpy to give my passenger a smooth ride.

Glad you can post this stuff on here-- the VOG is a great forum.

I hope they continue to evolve the bike and ditch some of the bells and whistles and chrome doo dads and do an "8-ball" version.
If you don't want all the bells and whistles then look at the standard Star Venture, it does not have all the features of the Transcontinental model and is $2,000 dollars less.

Yamaha recommends checking the valves every 16,000 miles but with the hydraulic lifters I am betting that like the earlier version of this engine used in the Raider and Stratoliner it will be rare to find it needing a valve adjustment. My understanding from those who own this engine in the other models dealers tell them if you don't hear it ticking don't bother checking the valve as they don't find them out of adjustment much.

I read one guy who did not do his first check until 50,000 miles and it was not out of spec.

The only thing I recommend is using an oil with 1500 parts per million of ZDDP (Zinc, Phosphorus) due to the flat tappet style cam and each cam lobe and lifter operating two valves and two valve springs, that will ensure you have a sacrificial coating on the cam lobe and lifter to protect them.

These new oils have reduced the amount of ZDDP and the new anti wear additives do not coat the parts the same as ZDDP does so you can risk scaring the cam lobe and or bottom of the lifter where it contacts the cam lobe. This is on any flat tappet style cam system by the way, if you have low spring pressures you can likely get away with the new oils, but in this engine you have one cam lobe and one lifter operating two valves and two valve springs at once.

In my opinion why take the chance, just run an oil with 1500 PPM of ZDDP or more and you will have proven protection for a flat tappet style cam. I run Redline 10w-40 motorcycle oil in mine for the ZDDP content.
 
If you don't want all the bells and whistles then look at the standard Star Venture, it does not have all the features of the Transcontinental model and is $2,000 dollars less.

Yamaha recommends checking the valves every 16,000 miles but with the hydraulic lifters I am betting that like the earlier version of this engine used in the Raider and Stratoliner it will be rare to find it needing a valve adjustment. My understanding from those who own this engine in the other models dealers tell them if you don't hear it ticking don't bother checking the valve as they don't find them out of adjustment much.

I read one guy who did not do his first check until 50,000 miles and it was not out of spec.

The only thing I recommend is using an oil with 1500 parts per million of ZDDP (Zinc, Phosphorus) due to the flat tappet style cam and each cam lobe and lifter operating two valves and two valve springs, that will ensure you have a sacrificial coating on the cam lobe and lifter to protect them.

These new oils have reduced the amount of ZDDP and the new anti wear additives do not coat the parts the same as ZDDP does so you can risk scaring the cam lobe and or bottom of the lifter where it contacts the cam lobe. This is on any flat tappet style cam system by the way, if you have low spring pressures you can likely get away with the new oils, but in this engine you have one cam lobe and one lifter operating two valves and two valve springs at once.

In my opinion why take the chance, just run an oil with 1500 PPM of ZDDP or more and you will have proven protection for a flat tappet style cam. I run Redline 10w-40 motorcycle oil in mine for the ZDDP content.
Hmmmm...
If they had hydraulic lifters, there could be no adjustment....that's the point of the hydraulic lifters.
There also must be a means of adjustment, which would be, I assume, a screw type or shims like in the Moto Guzzi -- which also calls for 15k adjustments.

What you say is encouraging-- I figured Yamaha had learned from HD and created a reason to bring dealers more service business. I do not want to be running to a mechanic every year for an expensive service .
Victory, HD, and Indian have hydraulic lifters --hence no adjustment procedure.
 
Discussion starter · #26 ·
Hmmmm...
If they had hydraulic lifters, there could be no adjustment....that's the point of the hydraulic lifters.
There also must be a means of adjustment, which would be, I assume, a screw type or shims like in the Moto Guzzi -- which also calls for 15k adjustments.

What you say is encouraging-- I figured Yamaha had learned from HD and created a reason to bring dealers more service business. I do not want to be running to a mechanic every year for an expensive service .
Victory, HD, and Indian have hydraulic lifters --hence no adjustment procedure.
The rocker arms have an adjuster screw/nut on them because each rocker controls two valves, you simply adjust the rocker arm to zero lash for both valves using the one screw/lock nut.

Unless you are experiencing valve wear or valve seat wear, with the hydraulic lifter this set up should really rarely need a valve adjustment. I think Yamaha is just being on the overly cautious side.

From researching this many owners of this engine in the Raider and Stratoliners say their dealers have told them if you don't hear any ticking from the valves don't bother opening up the valve covers as the valve will be in spec. That is a good sign as this engine has been in production for a while, Yamaha made some updates to it like adding a sixth gear along with some other improvements specific to the new Venture/Eluder but the basic engine design is the same sound proven design they have used for several years now.
 
this may or may not make any sense as i have no mechanical talent but i remember thinking that a valve adjustment on my vtx was going to be a big job . apparently honda has strategic holes here and there where you just pull a plug or a bolt and adjust from there, no need pulling valve covers off. had it done around 40,000 mi's and that babe ran like new after that , not that it ran that bad before though. memory isn't a strong point here so i could be way off :question:
 
I finally saw one these on the road the other day. It was the same model as @RedVic 's bike. These bikes look much better in person than in the photos we have all seen. Very good looking machine! @RedVic I'm glad this bike is working well for you. That is awesome!
 
The rocker arms have an adjuster screw/nut on them because each rocker controls two valves, you simply adjust the rocker arm to zero lash for both valves using the one screw/lock nut.

Unless you are experiencing valve wear or valve seat wear, with the hydraulic lifter this set up should really rarely need a valve adjustment. I think Yamaha is just being on the overly cautious side.

From researching this many owners of this engine in the Raider and Stratoliners say their dealers have told them if you don't hear any ticking from the valves don't bother opening up the valve covers as the valve will be in spec. That is a good sign as this engine has been in production for a while, Yamaha made some updates to it like adding a sixth gear along with some other improvements specific to the new Venture/Eluder but the basic engine design is the same sound proven design they have used for several years now.
You are spot on Sir, Yamaha has been using this system for years in many many of its motors. I believe its everything but the R1 that if you don't hear ticking don't touch it. I'm even a little fuzzy on the R1 because I've never heard one of those tick either.
 
Discussion starter · #30 ·
I did a video on the trunk space showing two full face helmets in the trunk. The new Honda Goldwing is a real challenge to get two full face helmets in and depending on how large the helmet is even a single full face helmet in its trunk. One helmet is a Arai Corsair X size small and the other helmet is an Arai Corsair RX-7 size extra large. Those who are used to the Victory trunk and saddle bag space will be happy with the trunk and saddle bag space on this Yamaha as well.

 
The rocker arms have an adjuster screw/nut on them because each rocker controls two valves, you simply adjust the rocker arm to zero lash for both valves using the one screw/lock nut.

Unless you are experiencing valve wear or valve seat wear, with the hydraulic lifter this set up should really rarely need a valve adjustment. I think Yamaha is just being on the overly cautious side.
On my Roadliner I checked the valves at 35k miles and they were perfect with no need for any adjustments. It now has close to 60k miles and still runs perfectly. I might check the valves again at 70k, but since I ride the Vic more often than the Yamaha it might be a while before I get there.

Based on my experience with the Roadliner, an Eluder is at the top of the list if I had to replace my Cross Country any time soon.
 
a screw type or shims like in the Moto Guzzi -- which also calls for 15k adjustments.
Just to be clear Guzzi's are not shimmed they are a screw adjustment.
Takes about an hour after you have done it a couple of times.
Past 40,000 miles I have extended the mileage to 25,000 & have never had clearances too tight or too loose.
 
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Discussion starter · #33 ·
Blackstone Laboratories Used Oil Report 4000 Mile Run
I changed the oil at 12,000 miles this run was for the full 4,000 interval. I sent my third oil sample to Blackstone Laboratories and this is the result.

Oil brand: Redline 10w-40 Synthetic motorcycle oil

Oil use interval: 4,000 miles

Unit: Engine Yamaha 1854cc V-Twin

Comments: Bill, This is an excellent third report for your Yamaha. You've run this oil longer than the first two samples, and wear held steady. That's excellent - it means you're getting less metal per mile. Not all engines wear exactly like average, and this case yours is better than most. You've got good averages established for the engine, those numbers in the unit/location column compare quite well against the universal averages. The oil is holding up well too, with a very strong TBN reading of 8.3. No fuel or water showed up, & the viscosity is fine for a 10w-40 oil.

Miles on oil: 4,000

Miles on unit: 12,000

Sample Date: 11/03/18

Make Up Oil Added: 0

Elements in parts per million

Aluminum 5 Universal Average 7

Chromium 0 Universal Average 0

Iron 5 Universal Average 12

Copper 2 Universal Average 7

Lead 0 Universal Average 1

Tin 0 Universal Average 1

Molybdenum 543 Universal Average 77

Nickel 1 Universal Average 1

Manganese 0 Universal Average 1

Silver 0 Universal Average 0

Titanium 0 Universal Average 0

Potassium 0 Universal Average 2

Boron 14 Universal Average 76

Silicon 13 Universal Average 10

Sodium 9 Universal Average 55

Calcium 2980 Universal Average 2521

Magnesium 7 Universal Average 182

Phosphorus 1748 Universal Average 1213

Zinc 1946 Universal Average 1410

Barium 1 Universal Average 1

SUS Viscosity @ 210F 73.1 Values should be 65-76

cSt Viscosity @ 100C 13.77 Values should be 11.6-14.8

Flashpoint in F 430 Values should be >375

Fuel % <0.5 Values should be <2.0

Antifreeze % 0 Values should be 0

Water % 0.0 Values should be <0.1

Insolubles % 0.1 Values should be <0.6

TBN 8.3 Values should be >1.0
 
I didn't see an entry for lithium. As I understand it, lithium can cause clutch slippage.
 
Hey Red, if the latest report of the new Yamaha's valve train issues as described in this copy/paste has any merit, it sounds like there may be a lot more to the SVTC/Eluders valve train issues than just choosing/using the proper oil. It almost sounds like a tolerance/design issue at the manufacturing level if the lifters are not rotating to keep them in proper wear. What do think? Here is the most recent report of the issue, at least apparently on the forums:

I really do not know that I can say that Oldman. I got really spoiled by the durability of our Vic's (and getting there with my Wing too now) and, even with the few Star Ventures that Yamaha was able to sell at way reduced prices after the delay of initial release caused by mechanical issues that were supposedly resolved, there are some major design flaw issues ongoingly being reported.
There are numerous reports of what I am referring to but here is a recent report from an ex-Yamaha Dealership off a Yamaha pay site that I just found:
""I started noticing more top end clatter checked valve clearance found front cylinder lifters not pumped up. pulled lifters found intake lifter scored along with cam lobe.
Intake lifter not turning in bore. yamaha replaced cams and lifters noise was still there. Is back apart and by the pattern on lifters the same lifter is not turning.
The bike has 6600 miles I have a small Yamaha dealership but do not sell bikes anymore. Have been working on bikes for 30 years.""

And here is a link to that thread : Lifter Cam Issue on my SVTC
 
Yikes. That doesn’t sound good at all. I certainly hope these are a few exceptions to the rule.
 
Yikes. That doesn't sound good at all. I certainly hope these are a few exceptions to the rule.
You got that right brog,, this aint looking promising at all for the new bike. It looks like there is way more to these reported valve issues than simply something using an oil other than Yamaha Lube as instructed by the manual can solve. If the issue is a design flaw in the lifters dealing with tight tolerances that would be something that could be overcome with a recall (I still do not quite understand why Yamaha did not just simply use Roller Lifters like HD does - makes no sense to me) but if the resistance to rotate is because of something like Push Rod angle like Harley was dealing with when they dumped the Evo design for the Twin Cam (to lessen the push rod angle),, that is a whole different subject - that could be cause for complete top end redesign and that may not bode well for the outlook of a bike that does not sell anyway..
I have heard of 5 different valve issues on these bikes not being reported on any of the Yamaha forums that I have read. This latest one about the exYamaha Shop finding the lifters that wont rotate is new to me though. I have a hunch that that latest report is actually the one getting to the issues though because Yamaha and their oils have been used in their V-Star line successfully for years. I think if I were riding a new SVTC, I would DEFINITELY stick with Yamaha oil so there would be no loop hole created for the factory to opt out of a rebuild under warranty, especially considering that the last 4 years of warranty on those new bikes are actually service contracts and not factory warranties.All this talk about push rod motor problems sure makes me think Yamaha should have talked Victory out of our beloved over head cam V-Twin design if they felt the need to go Air Cooled V-Twin!! Now THERE is/was an indestructible motor that actually does pull like a freight train LOL!!
 
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