1st Gen Long Trip

[jfarr53]

Hello!

 

I recently purchased a "mint" (and I mean mint") 1989 Venture with 28K on it. It has not been used much the last 5 years - only 1000 miles. There appears to be nothing wrong and everything works at this point.

 

I am planning a trip from Massachusetts to Jacksonville in May - then going to Miami, Key West then through GA, NC, WV, V, PA and then back home. Probably 3500 miles or more.

 

What do you think about running this bike that far? I am an old Winger - but don't know much about the Ventures.

 

Thanks for your input!

 

Jim

[Squidley]

Start it up and drive!

That Venture isn't even broke in with those miles and I have taken several Ventures on many roadtrips well over 2k miles. I would just say to make sure the tires are new and all your fluids have been changed out. Make sure all the basic maintenance is done and the bike will run forever.

If you have any technical questions make sure to look in the tech library or come on and ask questions in the 1st gen area. You wont be sorry and you will enjoy the trip

[stardbog]

Whatever Squid said, I'll switch engine oil with synthetic motorcycle specific one. will perform better in hot weather , and prolong time between changes. and yeah dont forget filter. Coolant fluid should be changed too. Check your brake pads, and TIRES. Dont get last mile out of tires on long trips.

 

Good Luck.

[86er]

Jim, I have an 86 that I bought in 04 with 46k on the clock. In the summer of 06 I did a 6 thousand mile trip to Co. and the four corners area. And in the summer of 07 I did an 8 thousand mile trip to Mt/Wy. The bike turned over 100K on that trip!

 

Like Squidley said, change out your fluid (including rear end unit), run some SeaFoam through the tank and enjoy your ride!

 

If you make it through Atlanta give me a call and I'll meet you for coffee or something. If you come through here on the second Saturday of any month, we'll be having a breakfast meet & eat. Watch the threads for the location monthly.

 

[gibvel]

I've got synth oil in mine (89 with about the same mileage) and just a word of warning. In the 1st gen. you might run the risk of some leaks popping up if you switch to synth. Mine will drop a drop of oil every month or so so I think mine faired well but just keep it in mind to watch for leaks if you do switch over.

[jfarr53]

Man- What a nice bike! I only rode it a very short distance (wicked cold here~) but I already like the feel and ride!

 

I agree with all the suggestions and am working on them now.

 

Thanks

Jim

[dynodon]

My 86 had just 24,000 miles when I bought it this summer. I needed some brake work due to no fluid changes in years. Sometimes people when they hear "change all the fluids" they actually do just the oil and maybe rear axle. But be sure to change the fork, all brake lines, the clutch and the radiator. Nothing helps bikes (and cars) live longer than fresh fluids every couple of years or so.

 

AFter I sorted out my brake problems (a plugged port in the rear MC was my problem) I put 3000 totally trouble free miles on mine late in the summer last year. Oh there was that one time when the bike totally shut off while I was leading our group to Galena IL in Sept. But it turned out I had just hit the kill switch, so I can't really blame the bike can I?

 

LOL

[86er]

One issue that I had with my bike the first year was, after riding at 100+mph for an hour, the clutch fluid boiled and I had no clutch! I got to a gas station and got fluid out of the master cyl and refilled it. That worked for the rest of the trip. When I got it home I switched to Valvoline's Sythetic brake fluid and not had that problem again. (I think Squidley has a picture of the bottle he can post for us.) I have also switched all my brake fluid apps to that stuff. I love it!

 

[Condor]

One issue that I had with my bike the first year was, after riding at 100+mph for an hour, the clutch fluid boiled and I had no clutch!

 

Wow!! I've never heard of that, and don't have the cajones to keep a bike at 100 for an hour.... Dude!!.

I use regular DOT 3 in the '83, and ran it for 6-7 hours in 105+ deg. temps last July:scorched:... at 75-80mph... with the temp guage right below the red zone, and the clutch never missed a beat. Clutch fluid will expand, and cause the clutch to slip if there's too much in the reserve, or the expansion hole is plugged, but boiling fluid is scary!!

[Squeeze]

Wow!! I've never heard of that, and don't have the cajones to keep a bike at 100 for an hour.... Dude!!.

 

I use regular DOT 3 in the '83, and ran it for 6-7 hours in 105+ deg. temps last July:scorched:... at 75-80mph... with the temp guage right below the red zone, and the clutch never missed a beat. Clutch fluid will expand, and cause the clutch to slip if there's too much in the reserve, or the expansion hole is plugged, but boiling fluid is scary!!

 

Brake Fluid is hygroscopic... The Fluid sucks the Water out of the Air. If it's too old, there's too much Water in the Fluid and this is what starting to boil first.

[Condor]

Brake Fluid is hygroscopic... The Fluid sucks the Water out of the Air. If it's too old, there's too much Water in the Fluid and this is what starting to boil first.

 

And that's exactly why clutch and brake fluids should be bled every year.... I think that once synthetic fluid is used it's very easy to get complacient, with a false sense of security, and forget about bleeding, putting it off for longer periods. But.... for added info just what synthetic do you use that's compatable with the DOT 3 systems?? On a clutch master rebuild one time I used a synthetic as an assembly lube on the cup. 24hrs later the cup had melted and stuck to the cylinder wall. Had to do it over again from scratch and those rebuild kits aren't cheap...... Very leary about synthetics....

[IH Truck Guy]

And that's exactly why clutch and brake fluids should be bled every year.... I think that once synthetic fluid is used it's very easy to get complacient, with a false sense of security, and forget about bleeding, putting it off for longer periods. But.... for added info just what synthetic do you use that's compatable with the DOT 3 systems?? On a clutch master rebuild one time I used a synthetic as an assembly lube on the cup. 24hrs later the cup had melted and stuck to the cylinder wall. Had to do it over again from scratch and those rebuild kits aren't cheap...... Very leary about synthetics....

Good point.Maybe I should put off rebuilding the clutch slave cylinder.

It's a pita to remove and I get a fluid change every 3 months because mine leaks quite a bit.

[Squeeze]

I use DOT4 Fluid on my Bikes. If there's a need for higher Boiling Points, use DOT 5.1 Fluid. All those Fluids are based on Glycol-Esther Base.

 

Do not use DOT 5 Fluid. It's a silicon based Fluid, does not ruin the Paint job, but can ruin the Seal in System.

 

 

As for synthetic Fluids, I think they can help under some Circumstances, the hygroscopic Effect is a Lot less than standard Fluids. But i do not see the Need of high-priced High tech in our Bikes. I agree with your Concerns about false Safety when using synthetic. It's just plain wrong that you do not need to bleed and replace that Fluid for Years. This is better Quality, no Question, but no Reason for exaggerated Maintenance Plan.

[Condor]

Good point.Maybe I should put off rebuilding the clutch slave cylinder.

It's a pita to remove and I get a fluid change every 3 months because mine leaks quite a bit.

 

Rebuilding the clutch master can't be any messier than one that's already leaking ... Actually it's not all that hard. the only pita in the process is getting the internal c-clip keeper out of the cylinder so you can remove the piston. I finally made a tool that will get down inside to get it out. There's a pic attached...if I can find it..... OK I couldn't find the good one, but here's a pic of a small needle nose that I reworked the tips on. I filed them down and put a notch in the end to keep the clip from disappearing over the horizon. It worked very well. The problem is that the piston shaft takes up so much room that it's hard to get anything down in there to compress the clip. I bought a set of mini-pliers at Harbor Frieght for about $5 bucks, and the long needle nosed was skinny enough to get in there.

[loehring]

I have an '89 as well. Bought it 2 years agao with 26k. I'm at 90k now and nothing but great riding. I've relaced the head bearings, clutch, carb diaph, brakes and fluids, and just rebuilt the starter. Everythings been realtively easy to work on and she's never left me stranded. I wouldn't hesitate to take her as far as the road will take us. Great bike.

[MikeM8560]

Get on and ride, let me know if you find yourself on the west coast.

 

Now how about some pics

[86er]

Wow!! I've never heard of that, and don't have the cajones to keep a bike at 100 for an hour.... Dude!!.

................................................................................................

I use regular DOT 3 in the '83, and ran it for 6-7 hours in 105+ deg. temps last July:scorched:... at 75-80mph...

That was soon after I bought the bike, Jack, and I don't know that the fluid had ever been changed. I was following a friend on an Aprillia Futura (a crotch rocket with pockets:rotf:). The temps were also above 100 degrees. He noticed his clutch going first. I think it was the water in line boiling, hence allowing less pressure to reach and operate the slave cylinder.

 

.....................................................................But.... for added info just what synthetic do you use that's compatable with the DOT 3 systems?? ..................................................................... Very leary about synthetics....

 

Valvoline has a synthetic and on the bottle it says: "Syn Power. Full Synthetic, compatible with DOT 3 & 4, and all systems". I have used it in both bikes for over two years with no problems. As I said earlier, Squidley has a picture of the bottle that he posted once before and might again.

 

Good point.Maybe I should put off rebuilding the clutch slave cylinder.

It's a pita to remove and I get a fluid change every 3 months because mine leaks quite a bit.

 

If you do rebuild your slave cylinder, go ahead and order and change the oil seal where the clutch push rod goes through the block. It's about a $5 seal and a real PITA if you have to go back in! If you go to Flatout Motorcycles it (on the 86) is on the clutch schematic, part #24.

 

I didn't change mine when I did the slave cylinder (didn't even think about it!) and it started to leak within 500 miles. I had to put up with that leak for the next 8 thousand miles on my trip. And that oil leak drops right on top of the exhaust collector! The smoke really stinks and is quite embarrassing!

 

[Doug Hare]

You guys are talking about changing all the fluids. Just wondering what you use for differential fluid? I am riding a 1984 with 60k kilometers on it. I really like the bike but I am concerned about problems because of its age. Thinking About buying a newer Venture or a Harley.

 

Any comments?

[Condor]

That was soon after I bought the bike, Jack, and I don't know that the fluid had ever been changed. I was following a friend on an Aprillia Futura (a crotch rocket with pockets:rotf:). If you do rebuild your slave cylinder, go ahead and order and change the oil seal where the clutch push rod goes through the block. It's about a $5 seal and a real PITA if you have to go back in! If you go to Flatout Motorcycles it (on the 86) is on the clutch schematic, part #24.

 

I didn't change mine when I did the slave cylinder (didn't even think about it!) and it started to leak within 500 miles. I had to put up with that leak for the next 8 thousand miles on my trip. And that oil leak drops right on top of the exhaust collector! The smoke really stinks and is quite embarrassing!

 

 

That's good advice Todd. I've been in that area so many times that to me it doesn't seem to be much of a hastle getting to it, and I'm really glad because the '91 is leaking somewhere up inside there... I hope it's the rod seal.... and laying down a smoke screen. Whew!!

When ever any of us pick up a new2us bike, the first thing that should be done is change all the fluids, engine, clutch, braking, final drive, no matter what shape the bike is in. Unless the P.O. can supply you with service records to the contrary, don't take his word for it. Consider the bike in dire need of service...

I think the boiling problem would have been cured by just using fresh DOT3. Synthetic is an alternative, but in my mind's eye an extra expense that's not neccessary. Of course, if syn3 won't absorb moisture, and is compatable with the seals, in the master and caliper, maybe I'll give it a shot???

[cmiles3]

Your fluid was old. It's alcohol based, and absorbs water from the air as it ages. It lowers the boiling point a lot. Also becomes corrosive. But synthetic fluid is good; just costs too much for me to use. I hate throwing away good stuff every year.

 

One issue that I had with my bike the first year was, after riding at 100+mph for an hour, the clutch fluid boiled and I had no clutch! I got to a gas station and got fluid out of the master cyl and refilled it. That worked for the rest of the trip. When I got it home I switched to Valvoline's Sythetic brake fluid and not had that problem again. (I think Squidley has a picture of the bottle he can post for us.) I have also switched all my brake fluid apps to that stuff. I love it!

 

[Gearhead]

One thing I would add is be sure to put as many miles as possible on the bike before your trip. Did you say Massachussetts? Well, it's probably colder than...well, cold. But if you can get 1000 miles on the bike before the trip it will give you a chance to shake out any other bugs like gunk in the carbs waiting to break loose and plug something, etc...

 

Regarding brake fluid, we tend to talk of the hygroscopic nature of brake fluid as a bad thing, but I'm not so sure that's true. I think it was engineered that way so any moisture that enters the system won't condense into drops or pockets that tend to corrode internal brake parts. I've heard that the newer, non-hygroscopic formulations are more prone to that.

 

Jeremy

[Yammer Dan]

You guys are talking about changing all the fluids. Just wondering what you use for differential fluid? I am riding a 1984 with 60k kilometers on it. I really like the bike but I am concerned about problems because of its age. Thinking About buying a newer Venture or a Harley.

 

Any comments?

 

Not broke in yet. Put about another 100k on it and then think about it the next 100. Might be time to trade.