Thinking of buying ugly '87 VR w/ 50K miles. Opinions, please.

[tdeglass1]

I looked at an '87 VR with 50K miles on it today. Owner is asking $1200.00 dollars. I am tempted, but it has some "issues" that are obvious. First, it is beaten pretty badly. Plastic, vinyl, chrome, paint and metal pieces are all cracked, pitted, scraped, scarred, bent, gouged, loose, etc. They all seem to be in place, but they are pretty well abused and neglected. I kept looking though, because for the price I was more interested in the mechanical soundness of the bike than the cosmetics or looks.

 

The owner cranked the bike and let it idle while we talked. The starter turned the engine over slowly, but it fired up quickly. The idle was rough, and it spit and sputtered for a moment after the start-up. The off-idle response was also noticebly sluggish when the throttle was twisted. I shut if off for a few minutes while the owner and I chatted about other things that needed attention. He told me the fork tubes were leaking, and would need serviced. He acknowledged they were probably empty of fluid after I easily squashed them all the way to the ground. He told me the bike had been tuned-up a year ago. Coulda fooled me. We also discussed how to remove the seat (he didn't know). I wanted to see if I could locate the source of an obviouse oil leak/seep.

 

After a few minutes I started the bike up again, and it fired off pretty well. Twisting the throttle resulted in a sluggish (pathetic) throttle response. It gather RPM's rather slowly, and did not seem to have any umph off idle. It turned weakly while starting, but it did start. The owner later told me he had put a new battery in the bike this past spring.

 

I have not ridden the bike yet. What things should I look for on this generation of Venture that might not be so obvious to the un-trained eye? If the owner will allow me to run it down the street I will go through the gears and see how the motor pulls and accelerates, runs at road speed, decelerates, etc. I also want to see if the thing will start, stop, hold a set speed, turn, track and other such important and interesting things.

 

What should I expect to pay for fork seal replacement and fork service (and new Progressive springs?) for this rig? Are the brakes on the VR known to be durable/reliable? If there are carb problems on the Ventures are they a PIA to deal with? It has a oil weep somewhere on the back cylinder bank, as made visible by a considerable amount of gunk collecting on top of the rear engine case. Is this typical for a 23 year old Venture? Are the final drives on these bikes pretty durable, and do they give tell-tell signs if they are about to go out?

 

Thanks for any input. If there other links or posts that addresses these issues, please advise. I would be glad to link to them; otherwise, I look forward to your replies.

[bongobobny]

I'm thinking pass on this one. Obviously neglected. You will end up spending a lot of money to get it in good running condition...

[bald josh]

ditto, sounds like a money pit. for a bit more you could find a well maintained machine with no surprises. all the small stuff adds up pretty fast!

[Freebird]

I agree. If the plastic and chrome were good then maybe it would be worth sorting through the mechanical issues but it sounds like it is pretty bad. Unless you are looking for a real project and have the time and money to do it, you would be better off looking elsewhere.

[GeorgeS]

I would estimate about 1200 to 1500$ worth of parts, plus the cosmetic work, whatever that would cost.

 

Lots of work!! But if you need a project--- ??? well maby. However as an example, if you could find one in very good condx, I would estimate about $2500 to $3000 would be maximum value.

 

If you really want it, don't go over $500 offer. The guy let it deteroriate, and did not spend money for obvious " Fix's " that we here all know about. No reason for you to pay for repairs he did not do.

[skydoc_17]

Hey Terry,

First off, welcome to the site! If you are looking for a First Gen. Venture, you've come to the right place for info.

I love the First Gen. Venture Royale, and have spent a lot of time and money on them.

The motorcycle you have described is a $500.00 to $750.00 motorcycle tops! The fact that it will start is a BIG plus, but the fact remains that you will be looking at Valve Cover gaskets for the oil leak, a complete front fork service, most likely Carb. Diaphragms, Air Filter, Fuel Filter, Final Drive Service, Oil and Filter change, Rad. Flush, Clutch and Brake Fluid Flush, most likely, new front and rear brake pads, possible brake caliper rebuilds,

(I think you are starting to get the idea now)

If you are reasonably mechanically inclined, and have the time and place to work on a large motorcycle like this, AND could get the current owner to lower the price then this is a "just OK" hobby bike. If you will be taking it to a motorcycle dealer to get the repairs done then I agree with Bongobob and you should pass on this bike in favor of one that looks better and needs less service on it. If you do decide to take the plunge, I share my parts discount with the VR.ORG members, and have a few items in the classifieds for sale.

If you have questions about the repair work you mentioned, please feel free to PM me.

If you do decide to accept this challenge, when all is said and done, you will know this machine like your High School Prom Date when you are done!

Earl

[Guest Swifty]

...when all is said and done, you will know this machine like your High School Prom Date when you are done!

HUH? I knew my venture way BETTER than my prom date even BEFORE I "took her home"...I got to check out all her latches, I grabbed her handle bars, I got into her trunk, I check out her jugs...not leaks, I got as far as sitting on her and turning her ON, gawd what a sound she made...all that was WAY farther than I ever got with MY prom date!!

Of course, I didn't spend anywhere near $500 on my prom date...so for $1200 I'm hoping you'll get a lot further than I did. Good luck, Buddy.

[MiCarl]

Hey Terry,

First off, welcome to the site! If you are looking for a First Gen. Venture, you've come to the right place for info.

I love the First Gen. Venture Royale, and have spent a lot of time and money on them.

The motorcycle you have described is a $500.00 to $750.00 motorcycle tops! The fact that it will start is a BIG plus, but the fact remains that you will be looking at Valve Cover gaskets for the oil leak, a complete front fork service, most likely Carb. Diaphragms, Air Filter, Fuel Filter, Final Drive Service, Oil and Filter change, Rad. Flush, Clutch and Brake Fluid Flush, most likely, new front and rear brake pads, possible brake caliper rebuilds,

(I think you are starting to get the idea now)

 

Ya forgot tires.

 

The plastic pieces are very expensive new (when available). Last time I looked it was about $1,600 for a pair of fairing halves.

 

As someone pointed out earlier you should be able to get a really good one for about $3,000. Even if you got the one under consideration for free it could easily end up costing you more than a $3,000 bike.

[Marcarl]

Looks like somebody didn't spend anything on it, and ow wants you to pay him for the neglect,,,,,, look elsewhere, or offer to take it off his hands for $500.00,,,,, that's 500 in your pocket, not his,,,,,, my guess to get it into pretty condition is over $3000.00, not including labor.

 

Forks 100

springs 100

tires 300

fluids 50

gaskets 100

swing arm bushings and bearings 200

paint 200

tune up 50

carbs 100

brake pads 200

caliper kits 100

clutch cylinder kits 100

master cylinder kits 50

steering head 100

wheel bearings 200

plastic repair 100

 

 

 

Well that puts us at about $2000.00. Add some for incidentals and your on the way to $3000. Take off the $500 he gives you, and you're in the right price bracket for the scoot, but you did all the work,,,,, a good feeling I suppose.

My prices are all approx... some over, maybe some under, just wanted to show how easily it gets spent.

[ctraylor]

I have an 86 in almost perfect condition and runs great with 60,000 miles I'll sale for $3000.00 and will throw in a custom made trailer. I bought a BMW and don't need two bikes.

[Yammer Dan]

Might be worth 500 to someone that wanted to bring it back. How many miles and do the accesories work? Radio,CB,Air Ride, Intercom??

[Condor]

I looked at an '87 VR with 50K miles on it today. Owner is asking $1200.00 dollars. I am tempted, but it has some "issues" that are obvious. First, it is beaten pretty badly. Plastic, vinyl, chrome, paint and metal pieces are all cracked, pitted, scraped, scarred, bent, gouged, loose, etc. , I look forward to your replies.

 

Tell him that if he gives you $400 bucks you'll take it off his hands. My '87 came naked with mint plastic, an engine that after a tune ran like new, and only 39,000 miles. $450 bucks.... Somebody's looking for a sucker. Don't let it be you....

[6m459]

My first XVz12 was a "parts bike" I nursed back to life, and have had 6 seasons from and counting.

 

I was second highest bidder in an ebay auction where the highest bidder bailed. When it was offered to me as next highest bidder, I refused to pay beyond my last bid since the final price was artificially inflated by a deadbeat. Got that sucker for $500 in 2002.

 

If ya really want that project, I'd be low balling the guy. By the sounds of it, I'd start at $400 and maybe go up to $500.

 

I always haggle.

 

Hope this helps,

 

Brian H.

[jasonm.]

I have found that neglected bike on the outside are often missing the needed maintenance. Thus oil changes . Which leads to internal engine issues...low compression etc. And carbs sound like they need work. These carbs can be a chore. I finally got my carbs set properly after a number of R&R's on #3&4. Unless you know of another 1300 1st gen that you can swap parts with and buy both. Pass on this one or buy it diirt cheap and maybe part it out and Ebay the parts out to us out here. No matter, sounds like it ain't worth more than $500 due to it's poor condition.