Planning to revamp '83 XVZ 1200

[rcbailey56]

Hi folks,

 

I am a previous Suzuki Intruder rider. Sold that bike to try and get a little more touring capability and more hp.

 

I am new to this site and have been reading and enjoying the posts.

 

I just bought two project bikes this past weekend. 1992 Venture Royale and a 1983 Venture Standard.

 

I plan to restore the '92, but I am thinking about modifying the '83. It has 77k miles on it, no battery, no keys and hasn't run in quite a while according to the PO.

 

With 77k miles, am I past the point where you loose 2nd gear if it is going to go out? From the sounds of some of the talk I've heard, most go out before 50k miles.

 

What about VMax heads, is there any performance gain by replacing the Venture heads? I can't find the specs (chamber volume, port diameter, valve size, etc...) on the two different heads or specs on the two different cams (lift, duration). What year VMax heads will work with this bike and if I replace them will the carbs that are currently on the bike work with the VMax heads or should I look at replacing them also?

 

What other mods would good to consider?

 

Thanks and I look forward to reading some more of your posts.

 

Richard Bailey

Oakwood, Ga.

(678) 227-4874

rcbailey56@gmail.com

[bongobobny]

The best person to talk to about engine mods is member Dingy. He has Vmax'ified his already. Other upgrades would be to the braking system which will require you to get a set of MK2 forks or at least the bottom part of them. Also with the '83 only there was a slight frame problem at the rear shock which waqs corrected in '84...

[GaryZ]

The Vmax uses a different cam with more duration, same lift. It has 1mm larger valves with smaller stems and stronger valve springs for a 9k red line. The rest of the engine and heads are the same (I think). I put Vmax cams and springs in my 1300 engine and when I get the carbs figured out it should run pretty good. It runs good now, just not as good as I think it should. This forum has suggested my mods should be cranking out around 120HP versus 140HP for the Vmax.

 

The "V-Boost" is the missing piece of my puzzle. V-Boost has two carbs filling each cylinder when you are above 5k rpm. This has the effect of kicking in the secondaries of a 4-barrel on a V8. Of course the exhaust will need to be opened up, and this makes more noise.

 

I recently bought a stock '92 VR and it sure runs good. It makes me think the best mod for a Gen 1 could be a Vmax differential

[Michel]

The Vmax uses a different cam with more duration, same lift. It has 1mm larger valves with smaller stems and stronger valve springs for a 9k red line. The rest of the engine and heads are the same (I think). I put Vmax cams and springs in my 1300 engine and when I get the carbs figured out it should run pretty good. It runs good now, just not as good as I think it should. This forum has suggested my mods should be cranking out around 120HP versus 140HP for the Vmax.

 

The "V-Boost" is the missing piece of my puzzle. V-Boost has two carbs filling each cylinder when you are above 5k rpm. This has the effect of kicking in the secondaries of a 4-barrel on a V8. Of course the exhaust will need to be opened up, and this makes more noise.

 

I recently bought a stock '92 VR and it sure runs good. It makes me think the best mod for a Gen 1 could be a Vmax differential

 

 

 

 

With a V boost you have a " 1300 V MAX " but you need little modification ( see picture), and it' s hard to put carburator cause frame is différent on V max.

 

 

http://img15.hostingpics.net/thumbs/mini_377465vboost.jpg

 

Frame 1200 venture , 1200 V max

 

http://1200venturev4.unblog.fr/2013/08/08/xxxxxxxxxx-cadre-venture-vmax-xxxxxxxxxxxxx/

[frankd]

Richard,

 

Sorry to give you the bad news, but my 83 had 2nd gear start going out at about 78K, and by 82K I decided to rebuild the trans. It all depends on how loose the shaft was when it was built, how hard it was ridden, and how good the oil changes were. Yamaha fixed some under warranty, and I've heard of them going out at about 20K, and then there are some that go over a 100K. Your 83 could already have 2nd gear problems---it doesn't leave the rider stranded, it just hops in and out of 2nd when you roll the throttle open.

 

If it was already fixed by Yamaha, they usually put a punch mark near the engine s/n.

 

As BongoBob said, there is also a frame problem on 83's that could leave you stranded though. The frame will break where the center stand and the rear shock attach. This causes the rear of the bike to collapse. I lucked out, mine broke as I was pulling into my driveway. Some found theirs rusted, but mine wasn't when it broke at about 90K. Mine broke from metal fatigue, and it wouldn't have been safe to fix it. I replaced the frame with an 84 frame, and that is a LOT of work. There are about a million pieces on a Venture that have to be switched over. Before you worry about getting it running and how it shifts, maybe you should pull the Tupperware (body plastic) and turn the bike upside down (remove the battery, empty the gas, and drain the engine oil and shaft drive oil). and weld braces on this area before it breaks and distorts. Yamaha beefed this area up on the later bikes.

 

Frank D.

Edited January 31, 2014 by frankd

[Venturous Randy]

Been there, done that. Bought my 83 with 23,000 miles and at about 40,000 miles started having problems with 2nd gear. Tore it down and did the undercut gear fix. I think around 70,000 miles I broke the frame. I later on replaced the trans with an 86 unit I had and now have 164,000 miles on the bike and it is still running great.

I am attaching what I did to fix my frame.

Even though I have gone through these problems, I have had a wonderful time on this bike and the fixin has been well worth it.

RandyA

 

http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1521

[fixit3546]

What Randy said.......and my 83 is in an 86 frame now and i have an 88..........the 83 is more fun than the 88, it sounds better and "I" think it has more torque.

 

still running the undercut second gear....basically, I love these bikes!

[dna9656]

I have a 83, and an 85. I THINK the engine in the 85 is toast, it sure turns easy with a 1/2" breaker bar; easier than my Briggs and Stratton mini-bike (lawn mower) engine.

So with that said... after reading this post I wonder should I mover the 83's engine (after transplanting the 85's transmission internals to the 83 case (that SHOULD WORK SHOULDN"T IT?) to the 85 frame...

I know some marine welders, they are some of the best around. I could probably get one to come over and use my MIG to re-enforce the (so far as I know at this writing) still intact frame I have....Does anyone have a drawing of what needs to be done? Showing materials, dimensions, and locations of a engineered fix?

[Venturous Randy]

I was thinking that you stated the serial number on your 85 was less than 1413. If so, it is the same as the 83. You say your 85 is real easy to turn and that is with the spark plugs installed?

RandyA

[dna9656]

I was thinking that you stated the serial number on your 85 was less than 1413. If so, it is the same as the 83. You say your 85 is real easy to turn and that is with the spark plugs installed?

RandyA

 

This is the 85's VIN: JYA59J001FA001416.

This is the 83's VIN: JAY47T004D000237. The 83 was originally sold in the land of fruits and nuts. IT is a XVZ12DKC2; Yamaha says the "C" means California model.

 

So it's over the magic number

NEENNER, NEENNER, NEENNER!

Randy; you must have a photographic memory or take good notes!

Yeah the 85 turns pretty easy. Besides the engine being worn out any ideas?

What do you think about moving the transmission's internals to the '83?

[Peder_y2k]

......the 83 is more fun than the 88, it sounds better and "I" think it has more torque.....basically, I love these bikes!

 

I love these bikes also, but I think my 88 handles better, rides better, and has more torque and power, bigger bags and trunk, and gets better two-up fuel economy than my 83 did. For me, the 88 is a superior bike and I'm glad I switched. I just notice the bigger butt when I step behind it.

-Pete, in Tacoma WA USA

[rcbailey56]

I appreciate all the advice. As this is a project bike, I think I will take your advice and reinforce the frame. Unless of course, I come across a later model frame for cheap and go ahead and fix the 2nd gear problem.

 

I'm still curious about the carbs. '83 1200cc venture engine and heads from an '83 1200cc VMAX. Should I stick with the current carbs or look into replacing them. I've read that parts for the '83 venture carbs are hard to find and some of the later models had slightly larger venturis. I guess that would make it breathe a little easier on the top end and give up a little torque on the low end.

 

I've almost got the carbs rebuilt for the '92 royale, having to wait on a fuel shut-off diaphragm because one of them was stiff and when I held it up to the light, looked like I was looking through a screen door. Can't wait to try and hook up the throttle cable. Any ideas on how to make that job a little more doable?

 

Anyway, thanks again folks,

 

Richard

[bongobobny]

The '83 carbs are different from all other years as far as ignition timing goes, so if you switch to different year carbs you will also have to change out the TCI so the timing is right I believe. I forgot where they monitor the vacuum from but it is 180 degrees out of phase with the other years...

[rcbailey56]

Actually, I mis-spoke/misunderstood about the heads. The heads I have an opportunity to use are from a '92 VMAX. Will they work with an '83 Venture? I'm guessing carbs would be a logical upgrade in this case.

 

BongoBobNY: I'm not quite sure I understood what you were trying to tell me about timing issues with an '83 engine and some other year model carbs.

 

Thanks for all the input folks.

 

Richard http://www.venturerider.org/forum/images/smilies/322.gif

Edited February 20, 2014 by rcbailey56