What engine will fit 1st Gen Venture

[JTVenture]

My first post so bare with me. I know it's been probably discussed MANY times in other threads but I can't seem to find a definative thread that covers what I'm looking for when I searched. I'm looking at several Ventures in my area and am just a little leary of the infamous 2nd gear issue. My plan is to find one that has this problem and get it for cheap. I can then swap out the engine/trans with one from a year that doesn't have the problem and never have to worry about reliving it. I know that, some time in 1985 the problem was corrected and the engine went from 1200cc to 1300cc. Now I'm wondering what year range engine will bolt into an 83 or 84 VR with minimal changes if any? I've got my eye on a 1990 1300 engine that only has about 6K miles on it. Any information or direction would be greatly appreciated.

[MiCarl]

83 - 89 are very interchangeable. If the frame is an 83 I believe you'll have to either change the ignition module or the vacuum plumbing for the advance.

 

90-93 went from a TCI to a computerized ignition. If you put one of those engines in an earlier frame you'll have to either downgrade the rotor and pick up in the engine or upgrade the ignition module in the earlier frame. You'd also have to do some work on the wiring harness to use the more modern ignition.

 

The 1300 uses a different carburetor I believe. Life will be easier if you include carburetors in the swap.

[icebrrg3rd]

There is a serial number posted here somewhere that in '85 the engines made AFTER that number were fixed, second gear-wise. '83-'85 were 1200cc, '86 up are 1300. Plus what MiCarl said. If you're getting just the '90 engine, you'd probably have to swap in your ignition parts to work.

 

...what year range engine will bolt into an 83 or 84 VR...

 

Also, is yours a '83 or a '84? Danged first year '83 has a lot of year-specific parts as compared to a '84.

 

-Andrew

[JTVenture]

Thanks guys. Good information. I'm seriously looking at the Venture as my next bike project. I currently have a 1982 Suzuki GS850GL and was looking to "upgrade" to a more touring oriented bike with a little more grunt. The Venture seems like a good bike that fits my needs and is a little "different", which I like. My stable of vehicles seems a little different from most since almost all that I own have some nostalgic properties. Here's the list that I currently have at the house:

 

1971 Datsun 240Z

1972 Datsun 240Z converted to turbo

1990 Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo

1992 Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo

1992 Airstream Land Yacht 36' motorhome

1982 Suzuki GS850GL

 

I would like to use the Venture as a towed vehicle behind the motorhome.

 

Here's the project bike I'm thinking of picking up:

http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/197/m5c1.jpg

 

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/2952/s59j.jpg

 

http://img541.imageshack.us/img541/192/dsks.jpg

 

http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/4743/s1rg.jpg

 

http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/6104/zjx1.jpg

Here's what the listing says:

1983 Yamaha Venture 1200 for sale. Have owned the motorcycle for 25 years. Has been garaged entire time. Started restoration 25 years ago and never finished. The last time the bike ran was prior to restoration. To clarify, the bike is partially disassembled as evident by the pictures. The drivetrain was never disassembled. Have all pieces to complete assembly. Have all original parts to complete restoration but will need to be repainted. Bike is for sale as is. I have original title. Could also be used as a parts bike. Great winter project!

 

He's asking $650 for everything and I'm very tempted to jump on it. The only concern is that 25 years of not running, the engine is locked up. I'll know more when I see it. Worst case it has a lot of good parts and can be parted out.

 

Any suggestions?

Edited January 14, 2014 by JTVenture

[Jayceesfolly]

2nd gear issue was fixed starting with '85 model (mid year, I think). Units with a serial number above 1413 (last four digits) should have the new tranny fix.

 

A bike that has been sitting for 25 years may need restoration, from all the rubber hoses to all seals (forks and brakes) and fluids, plus the frame has a history of cracking and breaking near the center stand. And while your in there, you might as well upgrade the brakes and brake lines and add progressive front springs as the front fork springs may be shot. IMHO not worth $650. I would put my money in something newer.

 

Just my

 

Jim

[Venturous Randy]

JT, I like your list of cars. I had a 72 240Z I bought in 77 and in 79 I put a 350 Chevy engine with 350 Turbo transmission in it. I put 156,000 miles on it with a 350 and a 327 engine in it. That car was a lot of fun.

RandyA

[DragonRider]

The 83 is the best engine out there, bar none, buy an 83, if the tranny is bad, do what I did, got a tranny from a 86 motor and dropped it right into my 83. Runs like new and no more skipping 2nd gear, but I had a donor engine and just swapped out the transmisson, my donor was an 86, perfect swap. I still have the engine for spare parts. The tranny's from any 1st gen will fit any year, in fact Ventureous put a tranny from a 2nd gen in his 83.

[dingy]

The rear tire looks sort of skinny. May not be right size.

 

Anything can be fixed if you have time, patience & a PayPal account.

 

I'd like to have windshield, haven't seen one like that.

 

Gary

[MiCarl]

 

I would like to use the Venture as a towed vehicle behind the motorhome.

 

 

Just to clarify - it needs to be on a trailer. The transmission turns any time the rear wheel is turning. It doesn't get lubrication if the engine isn't running.

 

The rear tire looks sort of skinny. May not be right size.

 

It's apparently at least 25 years old. Skinny should be well down the list of concerns about it.

[JTVenture]

Here's another option in my area:

http://imageshack.com/a/img62/2449/tz33.jpg

 

http://imageshack.com/a/img138/2947/km2y.jpg

 

http://imageshack.com/a/img836/6531/qmhl.jpg

 

Here's what the ad says:

1984 venture yamaha - $1600 6k miles. new paint, brakes, runs well . needs tires. $1800.

 

Was $1800 and now down to $1600. $1600 seems like a good price if the mileage is correct. Hopefully not 106K miles. I could always check the VIN and see what the last reported mileage was. A bit of a drive for me but doable.

[bongobobny]

The '84 looks like less work but I would flush every fluid in it regardless and be prepared for petty little things to fix. The '83 would better be served as a parts machine, and torn down you are looking at around $1000 or so in parts but it takes forever to recoup your money. If it is 106K on it, for these engines that is finally broken in, these engines will do over 200000 miles and then some.

 

Honestly you would be better served if you can find a MK2 as they have better brakes, and other improvements over the MK1. The MK2 is '86 - '93. They should not go for much more money than what you have seen. You will be hard pressed to find a touring bike that outperforms the Venture, especially in the price range you are looking at...

[Venturous Randy]

My concern on the mileage picture is how out of line the numbers are. This may indicate the odometer has been worked on. The first thing I do on a low mileage bike is feel the rotors and see if there is much of a lip on the outer edge. At 6K miles, there should be very little rotor wear.

RandyA

[GeorgeS]

If thats the stock seat, if over 100k it should show a lot of wear.

How about the wear on foot pegs ??

Its amazing, how little some bikes get used !! Sombody bought the thing and only rode it 5000 miles ???

[rcbailey56]

JTVenture,

 

If the seller is willing to dicker, $650 doesn't sound like a bad starting point to me.

 

Sitting up for 25 years can and will cause some issues that you will have to deal with. No problem.

 

Rebuild the carbs. You may have to invest in some used ones to get all the parts you need.

 

Before you try to turn over an old engine the first time, use a heat gun or blow dryer to warm it up. This may take some time but helps loosen up parts that may be sticking.

 

Good luck to you, let us know what you decide to do. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/images/smilies/080402gudl_prv.gif

 

Richard

[Prairiehammer]

Check the date code on the '84 front Bridgestone Mag Mopus L303 tire. That tire (while still being manufactured, I think) was OEM on some Ventures of the period. If the tire dates from 1983-1984 then the 6000 miles on the odometer is probably true.

[greg_in_london]

For $650 I'd have it like a shot, but the shipping would be as much again and then there'd be import duties :-(

[jnc19610]

so.. the last update was two years ago. I am a new member, with a 84. My front tire dated 03. the rear tire, an avon actually dated 84... a scary thought. I replaced the tires, now I have springs in a box waiting to be installed. The clutch slips if I really crank it up. speedo was howling.. greased now quiet. I paid $1000, now with tires, springs, fluids, I have 2K 'invested'...... old bike, new bike? All I can say is this old bike is 'cool' and I'm glad I found it. money well spend? questionable. a fun, ride, full or torque, you bet. for sale.. yes.... will I keep it if I get lowballed... yes. I see nothing wrong with a early 'YOG'...... new rider, happy, waiting for warmer weather. Will a CK2300 fit my motorbike? Do I need a gasket when replacing a clutch.... new rider, so many questions.

 

Is the early 1200 the best? I think yes. bang per buck? I'm on the right side of wrong.

[Flyinfool]

Welcome, careful these old bikes can be addictive.........

 

Yes you will need a gasket to get to the clutch. Odds are that your clutch is fine, It is well documented that the clutch spring gets weak from old age, not from miles driven. When the spring gets weak the clutch starts to slip. The other common thing that will make a clutch slip is using the wrong oil. Any oil that contains friction reducers will make the clutch slip.

 

I do not know about a CK2300 clutch as my original factory clutch is still just fine at 75K miles. My diaphragm spring was replaced with a better one at 40K.