I looked at an 83 with 5,000 miles

[Venturous Randy]

A couple of days ago I was on Craigslist and ran across an ad about an 83 Venture with the owner saying it had about 5,200 miles on it. I looked at it yesterday, thinking it must have 105,200 miles, but I am confident it had 5,200 miles. He had gotten the bike from the son of a guy that had it for a long time and had parked it because of dropping it due to the weight. This bike still had the original white lettered Bridgestone tires that came on the bike new. The rotors on the front looked almost new as did the exhaust. It was like looking back in time.

He said the bike ran good and had a lot of power, but needed a battery to run. The plastic was in good shape other than the upper right fairing where it had been dropped and a piece broken out. It was a blond Royale, but what killed the original value of the bike was he had spray bombed the front half of the bike blue to see what it would look like, as he liked blue.

He wanted $1,500 or make offer for the bike and I told him with the paint job, he is probably looking at a parts bike now and his price was probably a bit high for that. He and his son both had bikes with the son riding a VTX1300. They were both nice folks and I told the son that he should keep the bike and put a good paint job on it and keep it and I told him about VR.org. I noticed that this morning the bike has been removed from CL.

I thought it was interesting to look at a bike that was over 30 years old and only 5.200 miles on it, but I also know that it would probably take a lot of work to get the bike streetable.

RandyA

[CUCARACHA004]

yea, I to had brought a 85 venture for $650.00

that the owner said had only 12,000 miles on the bike.

he much of been high, cause the bike looked like it has

60,000 miles on it.

what can I said,(been token for a ride)..

[bongobobny]

You're right about it needing a lot of work!! I'm sure all the hydraulic fluid has turned to crystals and all the grease turned to glue! Just about any rubber will have rotted, and all "O" rings are now flat rings!

 

Other than that it should be fine...

[sandman]

Stopped yesterday and went up to door, no answer. A mkI was parked out front, 26k on odometer. Looked like new. Gloss black. Really looked nice.

[Huggy]

Sounds a lot like the bike I bought!! Owner says 8500KM on it. I paid $450 for it Has sat for 11 years. It now runs after a complete carb rebuild. Breaks have all been removed and cleaned. Clutch reservoir has been cleaned and rebuilt so has the slave. ALL the electrics work. Do I need to replace parts? Yes due to the effects of being out in the weather. BUT I wouldn't do it any other way. This way I get to know my bike inside and out. And since I have another bike I can ride there's no rush on to get it on the road.

 

[cowpuc]

Every time I read a thread like this or go and pick up another low mileage fixer upper I am shocked by it... It amazes me the people that buy a bike, ride it a few miles and than it sets, and sets, and sets for years.. I mean 5000 miles on a 1983 Venture,,, poor thing, all it ever wanted to do was be ridden..

[paysaw]

I revisited my original 83 Venture Royal.I bought it with 43kms original.To date it only has 47kms on it.It has the tools, chain lock . booklet and great looking plastic.I customized it too when i sold it and it has all kinds of chrome on it.I regret selling sometimes.Let me know if you know anyone who is interested.It is a beaut.!!!