Glad that worked out the way it did! I was thinking that if it wasn't the valve clearance that it might be a ring issue. That would have been a disaster! But most of the time I've found that issues like that are simpler than we fear they are! I just purchased an 86 so I'm learning lots from your videos! Also agree with your position on the jab! Thanks!
I have the same 1986 Venture (standard)...great bike BTW .the compression test should be done with plugs out and cranking with throttle wide open....you get low readings cranking with throttle plates at rest position. Regarding valves, I was able to trade shims with shops out of their kits even paying a $2 for each trade as new shims from Yamaha are $10 a pop. The other thing is Yamaha builds the en gine using 260-262-265-268-270 etc valve shims yet only sell them in 260-265-270 etc increments so you can dial in the clearances closer using the take out shims from previous valve adjustments. When I check valves its a lot easier using metric clearances as the shim numbers are metric...ie 270 is 2.70 mm if clearance is .02 mm tight find a 2.68 mm shim (268), if 0.02 loose find a 2.72 mm (272) shim.
I was actually thinking about that later. It shouldn't leak down at all. There is a Schrader valve at the bottom to stop it from leaking out of the hose. My problem lately is that my compression gauge has a few leaks. It seems to be working fine now. Just needs a good cleaning.
