83 Venture 2nd gear?

[mnflyer]

I am curious as to how many here have owned 83-84 ventures and lost 2nd gear and at what mileage and those that had no problems?

[mini-muffin]

We've got a few in those years. Yes 2nd has gone out. Not sure the exact mileage but from what I get from the guys somewhere after 65,000 is when it may happen. Also depends on how you ride. If you have 2nd go out you can ride it without for a while. Also if it happens the guys on here can get you through it.

 

Margaret

[scotty]

1984 royal. I lost 2nd in sept 2008.

Repaired at 94674.1Km january 2008.

[Venturous Randy]

My 83 started jumping in the mid 40,000 range under WOT. Before 50,000 I undercut the gears and put 60,000 more miles on it and then put a trans in from an 86 engine and have put 15,000 miles on it.

If you are mechanically inclined, you can fix it cheap and it is just a bit of work.

RandyA

[JPM]

My '83 was just about 60,000 miles when 2nd gear went out. I put the whole upgrade kit in and did a few other things while I was at it like solid engine mounts. A whole different bike when it was done.

 

Joe

[mnflyer]

I am curious as to how many here have owned 83-84 ventures and lost 2nd gear and at what mileage and those that had no problems?

 

Well the bike I am looking at is an 83 and has 24,000 on it so maybe It will be awhile before it goes. Maybe not horsing it in 2nd will give it a bit more life. I would only have about $1400 in trade value in it so I guess I could afford to do some upgrades/fixes. From all that I have read it can be a hell of a bike.

Thanks for the input.

[Dano]

Pull the trigger on that deal and get us some pics! We can work you through the upgrade before it goes, you got a couple of years before you need to do it. If the rest of the bike is in good shape, you're good to go.

[mnflyer]

Pull the trigger on that deal and get us some pics! We can work you through the upgrade before it goes, you got a couple of years before you need to do it. If the rest of the bike is in good shape, you're good to go.

 

I posted this in the 1st gen tech forum but will post here as well hoping to get some answers fast if I need to jump on this deal.............

I have found another Venture cheap $500. It is an 84 in excellent condition and runs well. AND sooo pretty red.

The problem is the transmission. 1st and 3rd are fine, 2nd skips and it will not go into 4th or 5th.

Sounds like it is shot to me. What is the availability of parts and how much ballpark figure to fix it? Even if I have to replace the transmission.

Recommendations as to buy and fix or not. I am reasonably mechanically inclined and have worked on bikes in the past so I may be able to do the work myself.

[Dano]

You better buy that one or I will! Second gear is easy to fix, probably a pin is out in the shift cam is why it won't go into 4th or 5th. Only things you'll have to buy is the side cover gaskets, water pump upgrade (to steel impeller), new thrust washer and split clips. As we found out a couple of months ago, I would replace the "holder" that goes between the middle gear (pinion) drive spring and the tranny bearing on the driven axle (can explain later, read post from July on "The Grinder").

You may have a couple of shift forks that need replaced, won't know till you get in there. It WILL require you to pull the motor and split the case, not that big a deal. Good time to put in solid motor mounts (delrin or aluminum), clean the carbs properly, put zerk fittings in the rear shock links, etc.

Overall, an EXCELLENT winter project if you've got the room to tear her down, I did the year after I got my Red. Be nice to see another one on the road! You've got plenty of help here to get you through this, let's get busy!

 

Dan

 

PS, you can call me at 317-370-0139 if you want to talk about it, you CAN "Bling" it out over time as I have

[keithert]

I traded my 83 for a 99 partially out of fear for the second gear issue. My bike had 40k on it at the time. The person I sold it to didn't start to have second gear issues until 65,000.