ChiefCass Posted September 1, 2013 #1 Posted September 1, 2013 Hi all. Newbie to the Venture world. I bought a 1989 XVZ1300 from a relative this Spring and, according to him, it needs a headgasket. It was running with low power / miss, overheating but not adding water to the oil when he parked it nearly 2 years ago this Fall. I've been off bikes for awhile after selling my `86 Honda GL1200 in 1998 and really want to get back on the road. The bike sits in the garage because I lack the time (and energy and skills) to tackle engine teardown. I work 65 hours a week on average and simply don't make enough time to get the bike rideable. I live in Gladwin Michigan and I'm looking for a mechanic willing to take on this project. I can deliver the bike on trailer (loading a dead bike is a JOB!) to your location and throw money at you. Work needed: -Head gasket right front cylinder -probable carb clean due to varnished gas standing in tank -clutch switch broken on initial transport due to inexpert strapping (yeah, ME). -battery -cooling system flush -possibly much more due to standing 2 years... I'll let the expert decide what is needed and back him all the way. Please holler via PM or point me in the right direction via reply if you think you can help me - obviously, time is not an issue here - I've sat on her this long letting my cash recover, I figure I might get to ride next Spring if the fates favor my endeavor . Thanks for your time and any advice you can render. "Cass" GSMC(SW) Carl F. Cascaddan, USN Ret.
etcswjoe Posted September 1, 2013 #2 Posted September 1, 2013 Some one up your way should be able to point you in the right direction, I just wanted to say hey to a fellow Chief.
Phoneman1981 Posted September 1, 2013 #3 Posted September 1, 2013 Nice looking bike!!!! Sure hope you find someone that can bring it back to life. Welcome to the site.
Venturous Randy Posted September 1, 2013 #4 Posted September 1, 2013 If it does have a blown head gasket and has sat that long, I suggest you pick up another engine and transfer the carbs, starter, etc, over to this engine. You will have a lot more time and money in rebuilding this engine. The biggest concern would be any rust in the cylinder with blown head gasket. As far as strapping bike down, I put the strap hooks up under the fairing on the frame. There is a good place on each side to hook. RandyA
Squidley Posted September 1, 2013 #5 Posted September 1, 2013 If it does have a blown head gasket and has sat that long, I suggest you pick up another engine and transfer the carbs, starter, etc, over to this engine. You will have a lot more time and money in rebuilding this engine. The biggest concern would be any rust in the cylinder with blown head gasket. As far as strapping bike down, I put the strap hooks up under the fairing on the frame. There is a good place on each side to hook. RandyA +1 I am in agreement with Randy, lot cheaper. Welcome to the site from a former Navy guy AMS3
bongobobny Posted September 1, 2013 #6 Posted September 1, 2013 Make that 3 for the engine swap, easier and faster! You should be able to pick up a good running engine on Fleabay...
Phoneman1981 Posted September 1, 2013 #7 Posted September 1, 2013 After reading Randy's suggestion. I looked on ebay. Found a listing for a motor out of 1990 with 49K on it. Located in Denver. On a pallet ready to ship. I sent you a PM with the item number. Something to consider. That is about all the help I can offer.
ChiefCass Posted September 1, 2013 Author #8 Posted September 1, 2013 Thanks, guys, for the recommendation(s) to transplant another engine into it - I didn't know that leaving it sitting would cause such a rabbit hole of problems / expenses. Gonna need to re-think my strategy, fer sure! Meanwhile, still trying to "recruit" a mechanic... Feel free to volunteer . (NAVY = Never Again Volunteer Yourself) Loving the knowledge in this community so far. Again, THANKS!
Carbon_One Posted September 1, 2013 #9 Posted September 1, 2013 Carl I sent you a PM. I'll be willing to lend a hand if possible. I'll keep an eye on this thread to see which way you end up going. Larry
ChiefCass Posted September 1, 2013 Author #10 Posted September 1, 2013 As far as strapping bike down, I put the strap hooks up under the fairing on the frame. There is a good place on each side to hook. RandyA I used to have nice custom woven tiedown straps that grabbed the forks above the top crossover under the fairing when I had my GoldWing - sadly I let them and the trailer go as part of the deal when I sold it. I figured that would be the best way to hogtie the Venture but I got in a hurry and was reassured that "handlebar tiedowns always worked" so I did it. Sigh... Older, not wiser...
Barrycuda Posted September 1, 2013 #11 Posted September 1, 2013 Carl I sent you a PM. I'll be willing to lend a hand if possible. I'll keep an eye on this thread to see which way you end up going. Larry Chief, Larry is an EXCELLENT resource to have and knows his stuff. My 1.8 cents worth
ChiefCass Posted September 1, 2013 Author #12 Posted September 1, 2013 Some one up your way should be able to point you in the right direction, I just wanted to say hey to a fellow Chief. Hey, Senior! (or am I reading you right?) [senility SUX]
etcswjoe Posted September 1, 2013 #13 Posted September 1, 2013 Hey, Senior! (or am I reading you right?) [senility SUX] ETC with SW. I thought a GSM could fix anything mechanical
steamer Posted September 2, 2013 #14 Posted September 2, 2013 We have enough chiefs running around this place or what? welcome to VR Chief. MMCSSW
Huggy Posted September 2, 2013 #15 Posted September 2, 2013 Too many Chief's and not enough Indians it looks like!
etcswjoe Posted September 2, 2013 #16 Posted September 2, 2013 Too many Chief's and not enough Indians it looks like! Speaking of Indians I saw one of the new ones today.
BoomerCPO Posted September 2, 2013 #17 Posted September 2, 2013 Not enuff Chief's and too many pygmies pooching up our bikes....:rotf:Welcome to de Site Chief... Boomer....who sez using Gubbermint Drones iz too expensive fer pygmie distribution....
ChiefCass Posted June 11, 2014 Author #19 Posted June 11, 2014 (edited) Figured I owed it to all to drop "the rest of the story". Found Yamaha dealership to do work on the bike and, after 5 weeks of sitting on it they told me that they declined to work on it due to age. And by the way have you seen our Star motorcycles? Another dealer agreed to take on the project so I loaded her up and took her to the new dealer. On Saturday. On Sunday I found a Blue 1989 Yamaha Venture Royale freshly listed on Craigslist 30 miles from me. I bought it. I pulled this (Burgundy) out of the dealer and she sits in my shed as a hanger queen (parts bike). Btw - the engine swap WOULD have been cheaper. Thanks Folks. oh, and see my post in First Gen Tech asking for info on new bike... Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk Edited June 11, 2014 by ChiefCass
eusa1 Posted June 11, 2014 #20 Posted June 11, 2014 you should take time to meet carbon one aka/ Larry Skeels. he is a a wealth of information and a mechanical/ fabrication wizard:080402gudl_prv: welcome from Illinois:cool10:Mike
billmac Posted June 11, 2014 #21 Posted June 11, 2014 :rotf:Better look out, Puc will be standing next to your shed to take it off your hands.
ChiefCass Posted June 11, 2014 Author #22 Posted June 11, 2014 Maybe... after I strip my needful things off her I'll put it up fer sale... wait & see. Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
ChiefCass Posted October 31, 2014 Author #23 Posted October 31, 2014 OK. Here's our story so far... I purchased a Blue 89 XVR (Call her "Blu") this Spring and actually got a few miles in on it despite having a 1200-series shock on it making it sit 2-3/4 inches too high with 0 air in it. Stiff ride and downslope of seat aggravated my back problems so I did very limited rides. Meanwhile, the original Red 89 XVR 1300 (Call her "River" - don't ask) sits in my shed with a few parts removed. It doesn't start due to blown headgasket and sitting for 4 (5?) years. It has a lot of "Goodies" on it like bag rails, lights, footboards, etc. Most importantly, it appears to still have a good shock - it holds air for weeks on end and is probably the original issue... and I need it for my Blu. I'm deliberately NOT posting this as a classified so the folks who helped me out when I first hit VentureRiders get first crack at her. I'll sell River for a negotiable amount on the condition that the buyer strip and return the shock and linkage within 90 days. I'll accept any working shock (I still have Blu's blown one and its linkage parts) for a 1300 instead of River's if your intention is to restore her. I'll help buyer load her on their trailer if we can get to my shed through mud and snow. I'll include ALL extra stuff I've got for the bike - ask via PM for full listing of my junkpile. I'll even pay for installation of the CORRECT shock and linkage on my Blu. Basically I'm looking for a mechanic and sweetening the deal with some "spare parts". I live in Gladwin Michigan if that helps you evaluate the "deal". Reply or holler via PM if you are interested or know somebody who might be... and THANKS for your HELP! I do love my Blu!
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