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 March 25 by Chaharly

[KoboldWrangler]

got an '84 and '86. '84 is a bastard bike -- all 1200 parts on an '88 frame, and the '86 has over 120k miles on it, and was featured at the old Venture Days shows in the 90's.

[sleepy2]

Still have my 87 that was my first touring bike(sold last bike {84 Honda 400SS} to get married in 83) rode it till having accident in 2008. Bought it back with intentions of restoring when I had time after retiring!

Well that hasn't happened and not sure if it will happen at all!!!!  Don't have the money  or  the time as I hoped to have!!!  Really miss ridding it!!

I do ENJOY ridding my 2012 Royal Star Venture but both bikes have their qualities that make me LOVE both!!!

Will have to see what happens I guess!!

[DonnyRudeDude]

I have an 84 VR that I bought brand new still on the road,,,,thanks again Carl @Marcarlfor the refurbishing of this bike to keep her going. My wife and I went around Lake Ontario last year through New York State and home with it. Also have an 86' pictured here. My sister and I went to Vermont on it in 2023. Still love riding these old bikes. Hard to believe that they're 40 years old. 

 

Mark

[Marcarl]

That's a pretty nice lookin 86 I'd say.

 

[DonnyRudeDude]

Hi Carl,

 

the bike is in great shape, especially for it's age. Plastic is all excellent although previous owner reinforced some pieces of the fairing but looks good. All the extras still work, radio, cruise, air controller. Next time there's a get together I'll bring this one down so you can have a close up look,

 

Mark

[saddlebum]

Still have both my 89's but with the craziness that has become all too common on the roads in our area recently and the number of times I have been cut off in the last 2 years I am questioning whether or not it is time to find a new hobby.