New (to me) Bike

[Madness]

Well I added a new bike to my stable today. I went and looked at
a '83 Venture that I found in the local Nickel Ads yesterday. Except
for some minor damage to the right side from being laid down at low
speed the bike is pretty clean. Just over 31,000 miles and black to
match Twisted. It is the basic Venture model vs. the Royal. It doesn't
have the radio/cb or the auto air adjust for the suspension. Checking
Kelly Blue Book and prices on Trader online I think I got a pretty
good deal on this bike. Kelly Blue Book listed retail for this year at
$2395 retail. Prices on Trader Online ranged from $1200-$3500.
I got this one for the outrageous sum of $850!!

In 1999 the owners cousin who previously owned the bike had just over
$1400 in service work done to the bike. New tires, brakes, all fluids
changed/flushed, tune up. I personally think he got taken to the cleaners,
but at least he took care of it. Since then the bike was mainly just ridden
for short rides with the grandchildren on back.

I haven't ridden the bike home yet. I'll go back and pick it up sometime this
weekend. I'll post some photos when I get it home. I have a feeling this winter
is really going to drag on.

[Robert Haller]

Congratulations on your new addition!

[sixtysix]

I had an 83 Venture Royale for a couple of years. It was trashed and stuffed in a barn. I completely tore it down and repaired/replaced everthing. Got it for $800 and had about $3000 in it when I was done.



Here is a link you need The Venturers

There is a small problem with 83's frames cracking somewhere in the swingarm pivot/center stand area. Check for this before you dump a bunch of money into it. The problem was corrected on 84 and up frames with extra gussetts. Also I think I remember something about no drain holes in these frames and rusting from the inside. Most bikes did not have problems but a few did.

Good luck with the new ride!!

[dntemp_ca]

Congrats on getting your 83 Venture. I had one too back in the 80's. Bought it for $1700 from insurance salvage for as it was layed down in a grass ditch by a novice rider. Had 1700 kms on it when I bought it! After putting about $1000 into cosmetics and new plastic, it looked and rode like new. Loved that bike! Gobs of torque...a bit top heavy, but real comfy. SWMBO (riding passenger) much prefers the 83 Venture over the current 78E XS11. I remember that I had a mod done by the boys at the Yamaha shop...factory recommended....I don't remember the details, but it was something about drilling a bigger hole in a certain nut that was in an oil passage. It was to improve oil flow. Regardless, I haven't heard of any oil-related failures. Lots of tips on the Venture Owners site. Enjoy your new ride.

[Don Hughes]

Jim,
Do not get on that bike!!!
If you do you will never get off it. I bought an 85 VR this spring and it is the nicest ride I have ever had. I loved my 78 E with Hannigan and Yamaha bags but there is no way I would go back to it now that I have the Venture. It is that much better a ride.
Just kidding about not getting on it.
You will love after you get used to the heavier handling until you get it moving; then it's a dream to ride.
Best of luck with it.
By the way, they have the famous 2nd gear problem as well.
Don

[Madness]

Too late Don. I picked it up and rode it home tonight.

Your right about the ride. Smooth and comfy. I wasn't really looking to get a Venture. I just happened across this one for sale and the price was right. I would have rather gotten the VR model, but this one will do until I decide if it's what I like. So far in the 60 mile ride home it was great. Maybe I'll trade up to a new VR model next year.

I'll try to post some pics tomorrow.

[fusionking]

New???? Do they still mak'em?

[Madness]

Oops.
No I don't think they make the VR anymore. What I ment to say was a newer used one.

[Madness]

Here are some pics of the 83 Venture I picked up last weekend.





Here are a couple of shots of the rights side damage.





I'll be trying to find replacement parts for the broken and cracked plastic. This thing rides like a dream.

[sixtysix]

Jim,

Nice bike! The plastic can be fused together with plastic weld epoxy available at most auto parts stores. (As long as all the plastic is there.) Also great for small cracks and stuff.

I did resize the photos for you though , it took like a minute even on mine for them to load. When you use image station, use the 'scrapbook' photo and click properties, then copy the URL from that. Last i knew you could not even link to the original...but i guess now you can. Anyway if you want them back full size let me know but this will work better for most users.

[Madness]

Thanks for the tip on the epoxy Gary. Also thanks for resizing the photos. It was kinda late when I posted and didn't get around to doing it myself. I'll have to remember the scrapbook tip.