Which owner are YOU

[motoman]

I'm pretty fortunate to have owned 2 out of the 250 Midnights made in 1981......../ Nice you were able to find a same year replacement! Unfortunately, for rarity purposes, those numbers were just rumors. Actually reality because of it's less popularity as a tour bike, IMHO the 81Venturer1100 likely had the least numbers and only produced one year.

[cywelchjr]

I'm pretty fortunate to have owned 2 out of the 250 Midnights made in 1981......../ Nice you were able to find a same year replacement! Unfortunately, for rarity purposes, those numbers were just rumors. Actually reality because of it's less popularity as a tour bike, IMHO the 81Venturer1100 likely had the least numbers and only produced one year.

Especially since the other rumor was that it was one per dealer, and there were more than 250 dealers in the US at the time they were made. The fact that so many have been found 30 years later certainly speaks to more than 250 of them per year, since they were only made for two years. Venturers which were as you said made only one years are much more than twice as scarce, although I did get an engine from one. Although maybe that's kinda sad, since that means the bike is probably not on the road being that part of how I know that it (among other pointers) is the factory oil cooler that was on it.

[oldbiker648]

1981 Venturer

Didn't know the Venturer existed, but it appears I have one, which I assumed was just an '81H with a touring package, although mine has a Vetter fairing with the mirrors mounted to the fairing (rather than a Pacifico), bags and trunk along with the oil cooler.
Once I learn how to post pics, I'll put some up.

[g15usmc]

I actually Do know that I'm the third owner, however that was not an option on the poll so i picked Who Know's not me! because there wasn't an option for me to pick...

[cywelchjr]

Didn't know the Venturer existed, but it appears I have one, which I assumed was just an '81H with a touring package, although mine has a Vetter fairing with the mirrors mounted to the fairing (rather than a Pacifico), bags and trunk along with the oil cooler.
Once I learn how to post pics, I'll put some up.

All 81H's are Venturers, as all came with the touring package and all were Vetter fairings. If yours actually says Vetter on it, then the original was removed and replaced with an aftermarket one. Vetter replaced Pacifico at least in part because a fire at the Pacifico factory in 78 destroyed all the molds, so very few Yamaha specific fairings from them for 79 and none after that, with Vetter made units showing up in 80 and the Venturer/H model in 81. The mirrors mounted on the fairing though was a PO thing, cause neither Vetter or Yamaha did that.

There are more than a few 80's that also look a LOT like Venturer's, but are not, as that type didn't exist till 81, and of course there were touring packs both Yamaha branded and aftermarket branded for all 3 previous years as well.

[oldbiker648]

'81H Venturer

Cy,
Thanks for the education. All of the badges on the fairing say "Yamaha", although we know the plastic work was farmed out. I'm a newbie as far as the fairing thing goes, but will try to do some research when I get a chance. Most of my riding has been naked bike until I bought the Road King, but it's kinda nice to wipe the bugs off the windshield rather than your face shield .

[tom clisham]

Here goes:

I have a 1978E that looks pretty cool & never gives me any trouble. It's my main ride. I'm 3rd owner of that one. Has special tank, round headlite,custom signals,leather bags, windshield, 4/1 Mac exhaust,pods.

#2: 1980 SG. All black, vetter fairing w/ lowers ,hard bags,rear rack with trunk. Just finished all new front brakes, has fishtail dual exhausts. runs great
2nd owner of that 1.

#3: 1979SF. Have original title. A work in progress.original owner did a wheelie
in 1981 & rode on his side for a while. Hasn't been run since. accumulating parts to restore to original. has 8000 miles.

#4 1980G. going to breack down & sell parts as PO can't come up with title.engine doesn't turn over. 16,000 mi (2nd owner)

[Special Ed]

What owner?

"I'm the 3rd owner of mine. And the last one!"
Ditto that!
Special Ed

[Winterhawk]

My 1978 XS1100 came from a pile of junk I drove 22 hrs round trip to Wisconsin to get. Turned out great. It helped having access to a shop like Merriam Cycle to restore it to better than new.

I rode it to work last night. With my headlight upgrade coming home at midnight was better than sex...LOL Not really, but close

[cywelchjr]

My 1978 XS1100 came from a pile of junk I drove 22 hrs round trip to Wisconsin to get. Turned out great. It helped having access to a shop like Merriam Cycle to restore it to better than new.

I rode it to work last night. With my headlight upgrade coming home at midnight was better than sex...LOL Not really, but close

Just noticed your post. If it's better than sex, or even close, your doing the sex thing wrong .

[motoman]

Glad to hear it worked good for you.........don't ride much at nite myself.......have BETTER priorities to attend to at nite........

[kflyboy]

Which owner

I am 2nd owner. Bought my 80 G back in 1984 with 2200 mi. on it. Now it is at 72,000.

[IanDMacDonald]

I am the third owner, posessing the original bill of sale, envelope with manual, and every receipt for parts, as well as notes for mods, valve shimming, etc.

Scott owned in for 21 years, purchasing it in '91 from the original owner whom purchased it in '80.

[madmax-im]

cant edit my vote to former Original owner of an 82 XJ1100...Now 3rd+ owner of a 79XS1100F...

[mack]

Oldf..rt

Yes fortunately I am that old. My 79 SF,was purchased off a showroom floor in mid june of 1979. No one but me has ever ridden it.