Hello, Little help needed with my 83

[Reddog170]

Hello. I live in Iowa and have recently bought a 1983 Venture. It was suppose to just need a little work to free up the throttle but when I got into it it turns out that the carbs are in sad shape. I did get the bike to start and idle. It will not rev up due to the carbs. I had one person tell me that this is a big repair and I can be looking at over a thousand dollars in repairs. I do not think that is right. I also have a 1981 Honda silverwing that I spent several months putting together and was told the entire time that it was junk, well I have been riding it for 5 years and put almost 40000 miles on it without an issue. So I do not give up on things, I just find out how to fix them and move on.

Is there a trick to removing the carbs? Is there any places to avoid or makes sure to see when getting parts? I am really looking forward to getting her back on the road so any help will be greatly appreciated. Shaun

http://i654.photobucket.com/albums/uu264/reddog170/DSCF6432.jpg

http://i654.photobucket.com/albums/uu264/reddog170/DSCF6427.jpg

[MiCarl]

Welcome,

 

$1,000 is about right with new slides, floats etc. It appears you're doing it yourself so you should be less than half that.

 

From your pictures it's clear you got the air box out so you're halfway there. Pretty much all that's left is to disconnect the cables, remove the clamps at the carb holders and lift the set out.

 

You're going to have to split the rack into left and right halves to get the float bowls off. After that they're pretty much just like any other carburetor.

 

When I had my carburetors off I set the float levels before reassembling the full rack.

 

Have a look at the carburetor holders to make sure there are no leaks. Also check the slide diaphragms for pin holes.

 

That breather hose that goes up to the air box is a real bear to get on. You might want to put a new stretchier one in there when you put it back together.

 

I sell aftermarket parts - Thunder Valley. If you pay your $12 and become a supporting member I'll give you a coupon code that will knock 15% off the order.

 

Better get busy. Riding season is soon (we hope).

[bkuhr]

That plastic 4 chamber box forward of the carbs is the YICS box, about guarantee it has vacum leaks. Many here suggest get rid of it and plug the ports on the intake where the hoses were with heavy duty rubber plugs.

 

Disconnecting throttle cables at the carbs is a pain, and is easier to seperate at the slider behind the left faring. May deicde if any other issues with bike before starting such at electrical, and if so make the decision to pull the fairings.

 

Many here ready to help as you go

[Reddog170]

Thank You. I have already been riding my Silverwing so riding season is upon me, but I ride in all sorts of weather. I am working hard to get this Venture going. Looking forward to the step up. Shaun

PS I think I have gotten parts from you before.

[Marcarl]

There's no such thing as a stupid question, but a question without pictures often get stupid answers, so try to post pictures when you ask questions and the answers will be forth coming,,,,, it's just the way we are, we can't help it. So ask away and we all learn!

[Snaggletooth]

Hi Shaun,

 

What part of Iowa you live in? I'm out of Omaha and been through this issue myself on my '84. Might be able to offer some help.

 

I'd start with a Sea Foam treatment and go from there. It's a good way to start cleaning the carbs and fuel system from the inside.

 

Mike

Edited March 6, 2011 by Snaggletooth

[mini-muffin]

Congrat's on the new to you blond. Don't want to scare you, but how many miles does she have? Not sure if the previous owner mentioned the problem with 2nd gear or not. If it hasn't been fixed the guys can help you get through that or figuring out if it's been done. I can tell you 2nd gear isn't completely necessary lots of the guys ride without it for a while, my husband did.

Hope you stick around. Oh 2 questions

1 do ya like to eat?

2 do ya like ice cream?

If you answer yes to these questions you may be a VR member.

Oh and don't mind Marcarl none of us do. :crackup::crackup:

 

Margaret

[Reddog170]

Yep I like to eat, BBQ is my favorite and I do enjoy ice cream. I also enjoy jumping on a bike and just going for a cruise.

Now I did post a couple pics, they work for me but may not have come through right. I got the bike from a bike shop owner who rode it for several years before getting a newer one, the second gear problem has been fixed, he thinks. The carbs seem to be the only real problem right now. I have a switch and a couple wires I am scratching my head about but I am certain I will figure them out. The wires come off of the battery and go nowhere and the switch is on the left side between the radio and the handlebars, it lights up when turned on but nothing else happens. And the other glitch is that the fuel gauge does not seam to work. Nothing major there. Looking forward to getting her on the road. Shaun:fingers-crossed-emo

[gscbertrand]

Just wondering if you looked inside the gas tank? Use a flashlight not a Bic lighter.

[nyjerry]

Welcome aboard reddog.

There's a place in Canada to order new replacement slide diaphrams from at a good price. Do a seach on this site and you should be able to find it. If you don't no a venture will not rev up very well, with out the air filter in place and the cover on. Once you get it up and running good you will really enjoy the ride. They are a great bike.

 

nyjerry

[Yammer Dan]

I have taken sets of carbs as dirty as yours and cleaned them without pulling. I hate to pull them things. Cover throats so you don't fill engine full of cleaner. Use whatever carb cleaner you prefer. I use Gum-Out Gunk or Super Tech any thing at wally world that is cheap for the outside of them. Be carefull and don't get much of this into engine. Keep waret hose handy you don't want it to sit on plastic or shiny parts. Clean outside til they suit you. Then you need a can of Sea-Foam Mix about 1/2 can of this with about the same amount of good fresh gas. Pull line from rear of fuel pump use a extra piece of line to hook back up here and put into Sea-Foam Gas mixture. Start bike and run until you are sure carbs are full of this. Shut off and leave sit. I like to do at least overnight. Couple days seems to work better. Hook fuel pump back up, add rest of Sea-Foam to tank and ride it like you stole it til you need to fill up. I forgot you don't need a full tank of gas before you start I usually do it with less than 1/4 tank. This has worked several times for me but I've been told I don't know what I'm doing with my bikes.

 

OK Moderators you can call me Stupid and I don't give a Rats Behind.

[Reddog170]

Wish I had read this sooner. I just got back in from pulling the carbs. They are a mess, I now have 3 of them that will open and one that is still stuck closed. Wich is way better that what I started with. The diaframs are shot, three are cracked and the fourth seems to be working but will still be replaced. It has a full tank of gas that smells like pain thinner and a mouse nest under where the carbs fit. What a mess. But I just do not quit, ever. I have never failed to get anything running that I have bought. Back to it, Shaun

[mini-muffin]

Yep I like to eat, BBQ is my favorite and I do enjoy ice cream. I also enjoy jumping on a bike and just going for a cruise.

Now I did post a couple pics, they work for me but may not have come through right. I got the bike from a bike shop owner who rode it for several years before getting a newer one, the second gear problem has been fixed, he thinks. The carbs seem to be the only real problem right now. I have a switch and a couple wires I am scratching my head about but I am certain I will figure them out. The wires come off of the battery and go nowhere and the switch is on the left side between the radio and the handlebars, it lights up when turned on but nothing else happens. And the other glitch is that the fuel gauge does not seam to work. Nothing major there. Looking forward to getting her on the road. Shaun:fingers-crossed-emo

 

Yeah I think the rest of us seen the pics, somebody else must have missed them. Glad you were informed about the 2nd gear sometimes folks don't let the new owners know and they find out on here. We'll be looking forward to seeing you out on the road.

Oh in case you can make it we have maintenance day in Oberlin OH June 4th this year. Some bikes actually get worked on, but lots of BS and laughing goes on. Oh and we do eat. Be a great way to meet folks and this year Annie and Allan from Australia will be here and I think Jonas and his wife from Iceland will be here as well. You won't remember everyone's name, but it's ok none of us do either. I'm sure if you head over you could hook up with a group coming from somewhere that might be going by.

 

Margaret

Edited March 7, 2011 by Freebird

[Yammer Dan]

Sounds like you may have had to pull that set anyway.

[bkuhr]

While you haave the carbs out, also pull the battey box and pull the TCI out a plan to relolocate it to the top if the air cleaner. You will be glad you did if later you need to work on the TCI, as you could have diode issues(topic for later)

[Yammer Dan]

While you haave the carbs out, also pull the battey box and pull the TCI out a plan to relolocate it to the top if the air cleaner. You will be glad you did if later you need to work on the TCI, as you could have diode issues(topic for later)

 

 

 

 

GOOD IDEA!! And clean those connections on it.

[dingy]

OK, you can do the carbs the easy way (buy mine, & cheaper) or the hard way (rebuild yours).

 

 

I have a set of carbs that I just pulled off of an 83 bike. The carbs are fine, I am putting a larger set from a 1300 motor on in place. I upgraded to a 1300 motor last year but kept the 1200 carbs. The bike ran very well, considering the limitations of this undersized set of carbs.

 

PM me if you are interested in them.

 

I just puled all the diaphragm covers to put the stock, unpainted ones back on and replace stock jetting. Replaced main jets with #125's, stock is #117.5's. Fuel floats have been set on these. The sync is close but will need to be reset. Diaphragms are in good condition.

 

Cleaning your carbs on the outside is not going to make them run much better, You feel good, they look nice, but it doesn't help much.

 

I am butt deep in rebuilding the 1300 set. Rough cost to rebuild a set, and do it right is at least $600. Attached is a PDF file showing parts breakdown for a 1300 set. These are not the correct p/n's for a 1200 set.

 

One thing is shown at bottom of PDF that I did which does not need to be done is a VMax stge 1 jet kit. Though this kit did include upgraded slide needle valves.

 

List does not include new sliders, add another $150 if those are needed.

 

Two things that may not need replaced are the starter kit and enrichment diaphragm sets, these would save quite a bit if yours are still usable.

 

Attached are also a few pictures showing what a set of carbs look like completely disassembled. I have cleaned all these parts to death. All exterior parts have been glass beaded (not bodies or internals. Float bowl covers have been) It is time consuming to do, but doable.

 

Gary

[Reddog170]

Yep the last carb had to be completely tore down to free it up. The inside looks real clean. Got the floats reset and just need to order the diaphragms now. I am making progress, little quicker than I thought. They all had fuel in them and seemed clear throughout all the jetting.

Maybe next weekend, if I can get the diaphragms, I will be able to get her to run. Shaun

[Reddog170]

Well you all convinced me. I have now paid the dues and am a paying member. This seems to be an AWESOME place. I expected to have to wait several days to get a response, you folks are quick, and friendly. Thank You, Shaun

[Snaggletooth]

Hi again,

 

Here is the link to the thread on the connection for diaphragm replacements.

 

http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=32943&highlight=replacement+diaphragms

 

One of our members set this up and we keep buying out their stock. LOL! Saves a few bucks.

 

So you have just invested in the best Venture site available. Worth way more than the price. If it wasn't for these folks my '84 would have never made it to where it is today.

 

I'm partial to Blondes myself. As you are a next door neighbor......keep your eyes open for me. I'm always over there wandering around.

 

 

Mike

[Reddog170]

Keep forgetting to mention that I am a little south of Iowa City ,Iowa. Just for anyone around. Shaun

[Snaggletooth]

I think we have a couple of members not too far from ya. If you have a Dairy Queen in town.....some of these guys will have programed into their GPS already.

 

Now you mentioned BBQ...........I'm up for that!

 

Mike

[Reddog170]

My grill is always ready to go. And yep a DQ only 15 miles away.

[Lil Venturous]

On dads tci there was not enough room with his full sized battery to fit it on top of the breather. It hit the tank cover. He placed it under the radio.

[dingy]

On dads tci there was not enough room with his full sized battery to fit it on top of the breather. It hit the tank cover. He placed it under the radio.

 

 

You have to cut one of the mount ears off to get it to fit in there right.

 

Gary