New Member - 1981 Venturer

[mcmotohistory]

Hi my name is Ric, bought an 1981 venturer in southern oregon in may 2014, for $900.00. Really liked the bike but of couse it needed work, The paint was gone, fork seals were leaking, had a crack in the frame rail behind the left shock, the fairing was a little beat up and needed a windshield and somewhere along the line the original luggage had been lost. I have owned alot of bikes over the years but never an XS11. I was really impressed with the bike, very smooth, good power, just really fun to ride. So I decided this was a good bike to put some time and money into. So I thought I would post some pics of my progress here.

This is how it looked when I bought it.

[mcmotohistory]

doaent look like my pics came thru, I'll try again.

[mcmotohistory]

First Project

First thing I did was start to look for the original venturer Hard Bags. They are hard to find but eventually I located a set with mounting brackets for I think it was $150.00.



Unforunately one of the bags was melted and unrepairable but the mounting brackets were good and I still have a good right bag(still looking for a left bag or set, if anyone knows anything) So with the mounting brackets in hand I started thinking what else could I bolt on there. I saw a picture of a guy on the net using a toolbox on his bike and it got me thinking. I headed down to the local Home Depot and found these Husky tool boxes. The side cases cost me all of $15.00 each and the top box was $35.00. THATS $65.00 FOR A COMPLETE LUGAGE SET!! So I said I gota try this, and they work great. They kinda have a Adventure Bike look to them, What do you guys think.

[madmax-im]

Its not original ...but it looks good...I like it...

[motoman]

First thing I did was start to look for the original venturer Hard Bags. They are hard to find but eventually I located a set with mounting brackets for I think it was $150.00.



Unforunately one of the bags was melted and unrepairable but the mounting brackets were good and I still have a good right bag(still looking for a left bag or set, if anyone knows anything) So with the mounting brackets in hand I started thinking what else could I bolt on there. I saw a picture of a guy on the net using a toolbox on his bike and it got me thinking. I headed down to the local Home Depot and found these Husky tool boxes. The side cases cost me all of $15.00 each and the top box was $35.00. THATS $65.00 FOR A COMPLETE LUGAGE SET!! So I said I gota try this, and they work great. They kinda have a Adventure Bike look to them, What do you guys think.

Nice find! Everything

is correct on bike cept for sidecases,tail trunk, otherwisw looks good! BTW, backrest is a Yammy accessory one as ALL Venturers came with the taller tapered one that had a zippered carry pouch behinf it. I just happen to have both versions

[Bikes]

Kinda "commando"......looks good.....

[TopCatGr58]

I saw a picture of a guy on the net using a toolbox on his bike and it got me thinking.

Hey...I resemble that remark!




Your bags look good, and I bet they are lightweight, just like my aluminum ones are..(Empty).

T.C.

[MaximPhil]

Its not original ...but it looks good...I like it...

Not orginal equipment yes...but very original idea. I too like it.
do he side bags/boxes unclip or are they permanently mounted?
the handle on top prompts the question.
Phil

[motoman]

Kinda "commando"......looks good.....

Negative on that response cept for the side cases and tail trunk! Those ARE different, but do follow the lines and lookof ori original Venturer model.And acually with the width of those sidecases can pack more goodies including helmets,etc. than original sidecases, So,with that definitely a good find!

[mcmotohistory]

The bags are bolted to the bike, but I went to wallmart and bought a couple of squareish gym bags that are the exact size as the boxes to use a bag liners, I think I paid about $20.00 for the pair.

[XJOK2PLAY]

Hi Ric!
I like it, and I like your ingenuity!
Cool!

Venturer's are cool tourers.
Looks nice!
Bob

[mcmotohistory]

New paint

After the saddlebags I had to do something about the bad paint and other cosmetic stuff. Did the paint job myself, which of couse included the windjammer fairing, that was a bitch , had to replace the fairing trim, at least windjammer still sells new trim, the windshield came from gustofferson in florida. I drilled out the three fairing lower holes and installed running lights going down the sides. Didn't want the lowers and it got rid of the holes. Also rebuilt the forks with new seals, progressive springs , and truck shock rubber gators. New tires front and rear. New handlebars, new horns and at last I'm ready to ride. Here's pics , I havent installed the bags yet but there going on soon.

[XJOK2PLAY]

You know, I feel bad for ya...
So, tell ya what... I'll help ya out and take it off your hands for ya...

Seriously... Nice job!