going to look at an 87 Venture Royale

[suds]

Hello VR members!

 

I have spent some time reading on your forums and it appears to be a wealth of knowledge (as well as some characters!!). I used to be heavy into the diesel car scene and frequented a board of similar quality and found it immensely helpful.

 

I'm new to the world of riding touring motorcycles, having only ridden smaller bikes when I was young and never having a m class licence back then. :shock:

 

I’m going to look at an ’87 Venture Royale (listed as a XVC13D by the seller) with some higher mileage (135,000km/84,000miles). It appears to have been well maintained. I’m looking to see if anyone can suggest items to check that might help with the decision (anything that is chronic for this model/year). Oh yeah, the seller advised me that the reason for selling was that he has purchased a new Goldwing.

 

Thanks in advance for any advice/suggestions.

 

suds

[ReinyRooster]

My last Venture was an '87 Royale.....great bike, loved it. The only issue that I had with it was replacing a head gasket. Road that bike to Colorado and back.

Good luck.

[Bert2006]

See these threads for what to look for:

 

http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1066

 

http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=65738

 

[Venturous Randy]

Hey Suds, welcome to the forum and we hope you become a member.

You will find that these old bikes are really great. Lots of power, very comfortable, with a little preventive maintenance they are very dependable for an almost 30 year old bike and did I say lots of power?

Keep us posted if you buy the bike and maybe we can help you with any problems.

RandyA

[tyota9]

My advice to u would be this, remember that this is a heavy bike, if u are not used to riding bigger bikes be very careful. Once u get used to I think u will love it, great bikes, comfy, plenty of power but not light. A buddy of mine bought an 87 and tipped it over twice in the first week of owning it, he wasn't used to a big bike, just be careful. Me on the other hand have owned goldwings, bmw and ventures and never dropped any of them. Knock on wood!!! Good luck

[tyota9]

By the way, 84k miles is nothing if it has been maintained. These bikes were made to put some miles on them. They are not harleys no offense to u harley owners, u don't have to buy cat litter by the case either

[suds]

thanks for all the replies... done some reading already (off work sick) and the more I read, the more I'm convinced this is the bike for me.

 

I've been warned before about the weight of moving to this class of motorcycle but I'm a pretty stout lad and I'm comfortable going into this "informed".

 

Speaking of Harleys... almost all my buddies are on them with the exception of a couple of v-stars, a road star and a goldwing... I don't mind being in the minority. As the driver of the "crash truck" on previous bike trips I can attest to the fact that the only bikes that got loaded on the trailer were Harleys... so I'll be quite happy on a Venture if I can secure one.

 

Thanks again,

suds

[Yammer Dan]

87 had most of the bugs gone!!

[Guest Swifty]

My last Venture was an '87 Royale.....great bike, loved it. The only issue that I had with it was replacing a head gasket. Road that bike to Colorado and back.

Good luck.

The only issue I had with that bike was how many times you had to get off it to rest that butt of yours!

[ReinyRooster]

That's cause a butt that cute needs constant rest!

[Marcarl]

The only issue I had with that bike was how many times you had to get off it to rest that butt of yours!

 

That's cause a butt that cute needs constant rest!

I must have missed something here,, or else you keep it well hidden,,,, ja that's it,,, just sayin'.

[chabicheka]

That the one in Nobleton, Suds?

Beautiful looking bike and if its working, you are getting a real good deal... at that price!

[suds]

you got it... ya I was trying not to make it known because my wife has me on such a tight budget, this might be the only one I can get.

 

She's not a fan of me riding but I told her, I've put it off for over 18 years to have the family and now they're all getting old enough I want to get riding. She understands but the agreement put me on such a tight budget I didn't think I'd be able to find something... then that one came along and it was like it was meant to be. I'm really hoping it works out and someone doesn't snatch it out from under me.

[ReinyRooster]

Suds, there is a large group from this club in Ontario so there will usually be someone close that can lend a hand. where in Ontario are you?

[suds]

Reinyrooster I'm about an hour east of Toronto.

 

I've gotta tell ya, this board seems to be used by a lot of knowledgable people who appear very willing to help point you in the right direction and it's making the decision an easy one with regards to my pending purchase.

 

I hope to finalize the deal this weekend, I'm just finishing off my shifts at work and then I hope to be the proud owner of an '87 Venture Royale!

[ReinyRooster]

You will enjoy that bike....but remember.....we need pictures.

[bongobobny]

Yah!! Without pictures it didn't happen...

 

[paysaw]

Hi. I have seen this bike.Lots of custom stuff.It is a good deal for the price.Make sure you buy it.I am in Miss.It would be nice to see this on the road.Good luck with it.If you get it, make sure you go through it.Join Suds and we will be all over you to help .

[suds]

paysaw... did you see any major issues when you saw that venture?

 

He's saying a battery and a front tire to certify.

[Prairiehammer]

For what it is worth: the bike appears to be a 1986, not a 1987. At least the paint indicates a 1986, as does the XV'C'13D (a 1986 would be a XVZ13DS, while a 1987 would be a XVZ13DT). Confirm via VIN the year, not that it is a deal breaker, just sayin.

 

BTW, I collect Venture VIN and am curious about the VIN of this bike. If you don't mind, would you relay the VIN when you find out what it is?

 

http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-ViewAdLargeImage?AdId=579104470

Edited April 4, 2014 by Prairiehammer

[suds]

So I took a look at the bike... it had some clear looking oil that it was leaking... seemed it may be coming from somewhere on the right side. The clutch lever was loose with no resistance whatsoever. The battery was dead but with a boost it would start and run. I never got it out for a ride because I was concerned about the clutch. When up on the centre stand in gear, the rear wheel spun when in gear - is that normal?

 

Cosmetically it was exactly where I figured it would be based on the pictures... rough but useable.

 

Anyone have any ideas on what the oil might be... appeared clear but definitely had an oily feel.

 

How about the clutch lever?

 

Any ideas?

[Marcarl]

Wheel turns, that' normal ,and show that's it hooked to the engine.

No clutch and clear fluid, could be related. Possibly brake fluid leaked out of the clutch, can be fixed easily enough, but a little time consuming.

[jasonm.]

clear, oil feel but not oil...that's brake fluid...or leak from slave cylinder for clutch which also uses standard brake fluid. As it might just have dribbled over to the right side under the engine..that would explain weak clutch

[suds]

I thought it looked like brake fluid...

[bongobobny]

Yup, my guess as well! A new clutch slave isn't real expensive, but there is quite a trick to getting it out and back in. The only problem is the slave is on the LEFT side same as the clutch lever, but if it was setting on the side stand the fluid may have traveled across the bottom of the engine. You're just going to crawl under and do some investigating.

 

Now, as far as the rear wheel turning while in gear, I assume you mean with the engine NOT running? That being the case then you have problems! does it turn the same as neutral or is there any additional resistance? Try it with the engine running and run it through the gears...