1983 Venture engine bad

[Nightwind15]

I have a 1983 standard Venture that the transmission is defective in. Can I swap the transmission from any other year models? I found a guy that has an 05 bottom end. MY 83 going with 90K miles on it. I have replaced all bearings hoses and fluids and now the tranny died. My top end compression is still 190 on each cylinder.

I do not want to junk my old bike. HELP! EMAIL ME!

[Venture n Dixie]

Is the whole transmission bad? 2nd gear failure is a common issue but a lot of folks continue riding without it. Puc seems to be the current champion in that category with over a million miles without 2nd.

[Nightwind15]

I really would like to simply shoe horn the later model bottom end into my frame if it would work. Has anyone replaced a first generation transmission (installing the older top end on it) with the second generation? I hope I can pull my engine and transfer the top end to the second generation bottom end. Thank you all in advance.

[MiCarl]

I'm not sure just what you mean about top/bottom end. You cannot mix upper and lower case halves - they are machined as a unit. I do believe you can swap the 2nd gen gear set into your case, I seem to recall someone doing that.

[gaj1917]

There is an 83 transmission for sale on eBay. It has the newer 2nd gear wheel, so likely had the 2nd gear repair done.

 

[bongobobny]

The 2nd gear issue is just one stinking thrust washer that goes bad, but you have to split the case to replace it with the beefier one. Yes, the 2nd gen Venture gears can be installed, but you may not like the ratio, for the 1st gens the 1st gen ratios perform better IMHO. The thrust washer is a lot cheaper than buying an entire gear set...

[gaj1917]

What bongobob said, but the 2nd gear repair also replaces the 2nd gear wheel with a beefier unit. The tranny on eBay has that wheel, so I assume it also has the new thrust washers. If you do replace your old transmission with a newer one, you will need to retain the middle gear assembly from yours, otherwise you'll run into shimming issues.

[cecdoo]

Think I remember Randy A using 2nd gen gears in his 1st gen, he mite be able to answer a few questions for you! If he says Thank You, be sure to say your Welcome:nanner:

 

Craig

[Flyinfool]

Yes I believe it was Randy that put a 2nd gen grans into his 1st gen. BUT He also changed the rear end ratio to a V max to keep the proper final drive ratios.

[cowpuc]

Indeed,, I have logged my share of short shifted miles on these 1st Gens but only for the reason of being a cheapskate so to speak.. By em dirt cheap with failed second gear and ride em out to terminal.. That said,,,, I currently am riding my very 1st one (good ol #6 - THANK YOU Carbon_One ) with the updated tranny and can verify = having a solid 2nd gear is AWESOME:happy65::banana:.. While not really an absolute must have for hard core 2 up touring or for absolute durability = it sure makes it a LOT easier to stay ahead of the pac`so to speak..

To help with some mechanical understanding,,,, the commonly referred to 'top end" on our V-4's is not totally removeable from the bottom end cases like on a normal scoot. The heads and cams = yes, the "jugs" no. The cylinders are an integral part of the lower cases so swapping as mentioned is not possible.. If one were so inclined to do the update and catches the update BEFORE the tranny actually fails - then indeed it's just a thrust washer replacement BUT - if the tranny has already "slipped" = to late , gear replacement needed..

As mentioned, @Venturous_Randy has actually sat down and figured gear ratio differences between using 2nd Gen sets and the OEM 1st Gens.. He came up with some amazing scenario's by doing so - it would DEFINITELY be worth some investigation into those numbers before purchasing anything if you have already messed up the tranny and are going to tackle the job = IMHO.. I do know that the gearsets you will want are NOT available in all years = seems I recall Randy mentioning specific models or years when he and I talked about it a while back.. Randy is one of MK1 guru's around here,, hopefully he will chime in..

Also,, if it were me, I would also address the weak 1st Gen MK1 clutch issue if its still OEM while at it and check the stator for splash plate update and water pump for non-plastic impellar while I was in there.. May as well do it all on the bench instead of on the roadside or two track

Wish you the best on your upgrade Nightwind = if you decide to go forward with the project you might want to consider the 12 dollar donation to become a supporting member here.. I ABSOLUTELY PROMISE you that you will not make a better investment into the "project" than by doing so.. TONS AND TONS helpful info will be right at your fingertips if you do so,,, have seen it happen over and over and over again around this joint..

Regardless whether you do or not = to VR and hope the info you are getting helps you out!!

Edited October 18, 2016 by cowpuc

[cowpuc]

Here ya go Nightwind - started by another one of our guru's ( @yamagrl ) and jam packed with all kinds of good info!!

http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?86009-Time-for-second-gear-repair&highlight=tranny

 

Hope it helps!

Puc

[yamagrl]

What bongobob said, but the 2nd gear repair also replaces the 2nd gear wheel with a beefier unit. The tranny on eBay has that wheel, so I assume it also has the new thrust washers. If you do replace your old transmission with a newer one, you will need to retain the middle gear assembly from yours, otherwise you'll run into shimming issues.

 

I think I'd still stick new thrust washer in anyway.

 

YG

[Nightwind15]

Thank you all for the replies! Where do these thrust washer hide? I would like to order one. The gears look fine as does the shift fork. We tore it down last night.

[bongobobny]

This should point you in the right direction. Read all of the thread, there is a couple other links, one being a great pictorial on the repair as well as some other things you may want to consider while the engine is out...

 

http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?2922-2nd-gear-tech-bulletin

[BlueSky]

This may help. There is a part 2 also.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjODd4CDXec

[Nightwind15]

A huge thank you all for the help. I will be glad to chip in my 12.00. I have a mechanic friend that rides one of these and he said the washer deal was the way to go if I had a good transmission. That being said I am picking up a 1989 Venture Royal with 22K miles on it tomorrow. I still plan on fixing the 1983 but looking forward to riding the Royale until I get it fixed. I will then sell the 89 and keep the 83 simply because there is less to go wrong with it down the road and it is lighter. Again, thank you all and I will be around lurking here on the forum.