The Originals are now 40 years old. Who's still rideing them ?

[Vickersguy]

The original models, '83-85 s  are now 40+ years old.  How many guys are still hitting the asphalt with these antiques ?

We can still get batteries, tires and there are plenty of spare parts on e-bay.  Well, except for rear master cylinders. They are cheap enough you can buy a whole bike for parts anyway, if you look around.  Downside, you have to be able to do your own maintenance.   I enjoy my '83 and get to enter it in antique Auto Shows !  Awesome !

How 'bout you ?  I know there are a few of us here, How about a roll call ?

 

[uncledj]

Mine's still sitting in a temp / humidity controlled shed.   It'll need gone over, but I'll take care of that when I retire.

[RDawson]

Still got my 86 (39 y/o) setting in the shop. Keep thinking I’ll get it out and clean the carbs but can’t seem to find the time. Parked it when I bought my 07. 

[ReinyRooster]

I don't still have it but my very first Venture was that gold '83.....great bike, got lots of compliments when I rode it. It's what started my on my Venture lifestyle....now I'm on my 4th.

[Vickersguy]

I thought Made2care and luvmy40 would show up.........

[luvmy40]

I sold my '83 about 3 years ago. Sold the '86 last year. Now I'm down to the '06. The new house had no room for 3.

Edited March 17 by luvmy40

[Vickersguy]

Comon, I can't be the ONLY guy still riding an original !  Anybody ?  LOL.

[Chaharly]

I still ride my 1988 daily and on big trips. My mom who's 69 years old went with me to the Olympic National Forest last fall. She took her 2005 Goldwing Trike and we put on about 5000 miles in ten days. My old bike rolled over 100k miles on that trip. Since we got back in the second week of September, I've put over three thousand miles on her since then. 

 

We are looking to finally upgrade after eight years of ownership to a 2021+ Goldwing. Certain parts are getting hard to obtain, especially in decent condition. My rear spring is starting to get pretty soft, and its hard for me to trust buying one off of Ebay that I have no idea the condition of. I don't have room to have multiple parts bikes laying in the garage right now. 

 

I do all my own maintenance, including tire changes and balances. I'm pretty meticulous with my old Venture. I didn't have to touch a single tool on that last road trip. 

 

After we get the Wing, I'll keep the Venture and still ride the crap out of it, but I'll take my lady with me on the Goldwing on big trips.

 

The Venture has been and continues to be one of the most consistent, reliable and solid aspects of my life. I've been through alot in the last 8 years (haven't we all??) and the Venture has been reliably by my side then entire time. 

 

We have our first baby on the way, due in June, so it'll be a slow riding year this year, so I'll focus on plastic repairs and keeping it running in tip top shape.

 

I'll share a few pictures of our Washington Trip for proof. 

Edited 18 minutes ago by Chaharly