1990 Venture

[Cobia]

There's a 1990 Venture 1300 with 25k miles for sale in my area that the owner says it was running great until it was left out in the rain and now won't start. It looks really nice, although we know how digital pics make everything look 150% better, but he's only asking $950 for it. The cockpit looks awesome, like a space shuttle control center !!!!
What do you folks think? Good deal? What may be causing the failure to start? Opinions?
Thanks

[jetmechmarty]

The people who have them say you won't like to ride your XS anymore. It's a Cadillac. Go take a look. What could it hurt? You can fix it.

[Cobia]

Marty,
That's what I'm thinking, and it looks really nice too. Only thing is that I LIKE the way our XSs feel. I guess I'll have to sell the XJ, it's about time to let it go.

[jetmechmarty]

At that price, you have little to nothing to lose. If it's crap, you can get your money back selling the parts. If that's the case, time will be your only investment.

[tcoop]

I have an 83 Venture and I love it. I still ride the XS and the XJ. If I found a 90 for that price it would be in my stable.

[Cobia]

Talked to the owner today and although he said in the ad that it doesn't start, he said it a lot of it times it does, but not always. This began after it was left out in the for about a week. Any ideas??
It has a few cracks in the plastics here and there but not bad according to him.
The starting problem is obviously an electrical issue and the PO had relocated the starting button to the dash next to the radio.
I was reading up on these and the starter button/switch is a two position switch. The first position, as you push it in, turns off the headlight and the second actually activates the starter.
Any and all insights are very much appreciated.
Thanks

[motoman]

Talked to the owner today and although he said in the ad that it doesn't start, he said it a lot of it times it does, but not always. This began after it was left out in the for about a week. Any ideas??
It has a few cracks in the plastics here and there but not bad according to him.
The starting problem is obviously an electrical issue and the PO had relocated the starting button to the dash next to the radio.
I was reading up on these and the starter button/switch is a two position switch. The first position, as you push it in, turns off the headlight and the second actually activates the starter.
Any and all insights are very much appreciated.
Thanks

Should be an easy fix for the occassional no start. Diagnostics is no different than our 11's.....or any other older bike for that manner. Bad ground,right side control crudded up,etc.......you already know the routine. A plus is they didn't have the second gear issue like the early Ventures did, specially the 83's. That fix IS way more involved to get there than our ole' xs11's, and trust me, you don't wanna really have to go there.

[Cobia]

Brant,
I think Yamaha addressed the 2nd gear issue in the '85-'86 time period for these bikes. I did read that they suffered from that as well. There's a forum called Venturers.org which has been helpfull in my reaserach. Not as well organized as ours, but helpfull.
As far as the electrical, I agree with you. If an electrical illiterate such as me was able to handle the issues with the four XSs I've had, I feel fairly confident that I can handle this one. As it's a intermittent issue it has to be something like a loose ground or suck.... I hope.
I'm going to see it on Saturday, I'll keep you posted.

[bikerphil]

What time you goin' there Sat? Maybe I'll cruise up there with you bro.

[Cobia]

Phil,
I was going to call you to see if you wanted to go with me. It's in Royal Palm Beach. I'll call you tomorrow about it so we can coordinate.
Your expertise is always appreciated.
Thanks

[Old Red]

Another good site for Venture info is VentureRider.org

The Other Earl

[ESJr1642]

I have a 2009 Royal Star Venture, and while I have not joined as a member, I do spent some time on Ventureriders.org. They seem to have a few guys that are very knowledgeable on these bikes, as we do here. Ventureriders.org offers a trial membership if you wanted to float out some questions over there.

[tcoop]

With my 83 Venture it had the same issue with sometimes starting and sometimes not. I made the suggested upgrade (larger cables for the battery, new fuse box, etc.) and had the same issue. found the problem to be diodes in the TCI. They sometimes can be fixed (I tried and failed) or replaced by an after market one.

[Cobia]

Thanks for all the info guys, plz keep it coming. God knows I'll need the help.

[Old Red]

I hope that 25K is the actual miles on this bike, but remember this is a touring bike. May of these bikes have well over 100K on them; my 86 has 130K on it. I hope it has an easy history to back check on. That 25K could easily 125K.

The Other Earl