Ok.. so about my new 4-speed...

[CdnDave77]

I recently purchased an 83 Venture, and yesterday was my first real opportunity to put some miles on it.

 

When I test rode the bike, it was not plated so I had very little room to drive... just around a small parking lot. Having been forewarned of the 2nd gear issue, I checked as best I could. During my short bursts of 15 seconds each, second was always there. So, I rolled my eyes a bit yesterday when I pulled away from the very first stoplight on my morning commute and then jerk/jerk/quick-reaction-to-shift-into-3rd/back to velvet smooth.

 

My question is this : I found the rebuild thread and I am confident I could pull it off... but conceivably how long could I run this bike just skipping second all together ? In just one day of riding, it became second nature. Is there any further damage that can happen ?

 

BTW, I LOVE this bike. I had my doubts, but WOW. It's sat for a while and still isn't fully tuned but I was astonished at how smooth and powerful it was.

[sarges46]

Some guys have drove along ways without second. But, I think there is a possiblity of doing more damage eventually.

 

Second gear is the best gear...so it would be worth fixing over the winter.

 

There should also be someone around your area to give you hand if you asked.

[rhncue]

I recently purchased an 83 Venture, and yesterday was my first real opportunity to put some miles on it.

 

When I test rode the bike, it was not plated so I had very little room to drive... just around a small parking lot. Having been forewarned of the 2nd gear issue, I checked as best I could. During my short bursts of 15 seconds each, second was always there. So, I rolled my eyes a bit yesterday when I pulled away from the very first stoplight on my morning commute and then jerk/jerk/quick-reaction-to-shift-into-3rd/back to velvet smooth.

 

My question is this : I found the rebuild thread and I am confident I could pull it off... but conceivably how long could I run this bike just skipping second all together ? In just one day of riding, it became second nature. Is there any further damage that can happen ?

 

BTW, I LOVE this bike. I had my doubts, but WOW. It's sat for a while and still isn't fully tuned but I was astonished at how smooth and powerful it was.

 

Probably for ever if you liked. Second is nice to have when you want to feel like sliding off the seat but when just riding or cruising it really isn't needed as there still is plenty of torque to go from first to third and that bad washer doesn't affect any other gear that I am aware of.

 

Dick

[6m459]

Sorry to hear about this development Dave.

 

I will be interested to hear how you get on with the repair. Glad you like the bike overall.

 

Do you still have your XJ on the road ?

 

Brian H.

Uxbridge Ont

[CdnDave77]

Thanks for the input, fellas. I'll see about tackling it over the winter but I don't have a spacious and/or heated garage to work on the motor split. My local bike mechanic said it may be just as easy to get another motor/tranny from a wreck (if I get that lucky), and just swap the engines.

 

Yes, Brian, the 750 Maxim is still stabled right beside the Venture (Thanks for recommending the move to the Venture !!! I owe ya the drink of your choice) A couple of prospective buyers have looked at the Maxim, but since both were looking to buy their first bikes, I think they were a little intimidated. I'd feel much more comfortable selling to someone that had ridden a bike before.

 

But the Venture is intoxicating : my ride home last night was on a freshly paved rural two lane, with a bright moon just getting covered by some clouds, with frequent lightning just about 20 miles dead ahead of me. It was almost surreal.

 

2nd gear problem ??? What problem ?

[Venturous Randy]

Sounds like a good winter project Dave. There have been several of on here that have done the 2nd gear repair. I did mine about nine years ago by doing an undercut on the leading edge of the 2nd gear dogs and the 5th gear slots. I put 60,000 more miles on it and swapped in a 86 gear set. It still was not jumping in 2nd, but I was getting a bit of rattle while the bike was in neutral on the side stand. New washers should fix it. I just gave that gearset to Muffinman at Asheville. If you think you are interested in doing the repair, there are several on here that can help you. It is not hard to do if you have good mechanical skills. Just do some research and let us know what you want to do.

RandyA

[fixit3546]

You should try to find out if it has already been repaired. It is a possibility.

 

What was the mileage in the bike?

 

Also, if it were me, I'd keep the 83 engine if possible, as i understand it, it is the only one that had the v-max cams.

 

And mine just made a trip from San Diego Ca. to Mississippi with only slight problems with the carbs. And since the honda that was right beside me the whole way had the same problems, we think it was bad gas.

[6m459]

I don't have a spacious and/or heated garage to work on the motor split.

 

I don't either, at least its not heated and we like to bring the cars in in winter.

 

My plan, if I ever find myself in the position of having to do this job, is to remove the engine from the bike in the garage (or better still my dad's garage ) and have someone help me carry it down to my basement work shop for the full treatment. Might taking the engine to a better workshop be an option in your case?

 

Brian H.

Uxbridge Ont

Edited August 15, 2008 by 6m459
clarity

[Captain Murph]

You could ride indefinitely without making the fix and would not really have it cause more damage.

 

When you get it apart and look at how the parts interact, you'll see why simply shifting 1-3-4-5 won't ever cause problems.

 

The fix isn't really very hard, but is not for the faint of heart just because of all you need to remove and reinstall to get the engine out.

 

I did it on an '84 I had about 8 years ago and remember that getting the engine back into the frame was the hardest part.

 

Make sure you check out the step-by-step that a couple of folks have prepared. It is probably in the tech library here but definitely at www.venturers.org.

 

You are right, these are amazing bikes. If you undertake the second gear project (same offer goes for anyone else here) PM me and I will arrange to ship (at your cost) the "press" I made when I did mine. While Scott McMartins write-up shows how you can make one (like I did) it might be easier to just spend the $10. to have it shipped.

 

Murph'

[Schlepporello]

You could ride indefinitely without making the fix and would not really have it cause more damage.

 

When you get it apart and look at how the parts interact, you'll see why simply shifting 1-3-4-5 won't ever cause problems.

That's comforting to know. Three weeks after I got my '84, I was getting on the throttle quite healthily when it jumped out of gear in 2nd. I did the eye roll thing too. I'm currently babying it in 2nd now and only hitting it heavy in 1st and 3rd. Even with this type of operating, the bike still has all the speed and power I'll ever need.

 

As for repairs, I thought I might be able to tackle it, until I read the repair posts. I might be good with a wrench, but I don't think I'm that good. And there's not enough room in my garage to tackle a job like this either.

[igya]

That's comforting to know. Three weeks after I got my '84, I was getting on the throttle quite healthily when it jumped out of gear in 2nd. I did the eye roll thing too. I'm currently babying it in 2nd now and only hitting it heavy in 1st and 3rd. Even with this type of operating, the bike still has all the speed and power I'll ever need.

 

As for repairs, I thought I might be able to tackle it, until I read the repair posts. I might be good with a wrench, but I don't think I'm that good. And there's not enough room in my garage to tackle a job like this either.

 

My '85 has a serial number that puts it in the 2nd gear warning class so I just bought a good running 1300cc engine to store away for that "rainny day." You can get a whole engine (even shipped) off eBay for less than the repair cost. If you went to a salvage yard, you could pick one up for around $300 ready to pop into the frame.

 

The service bulletin is serial number 59J-000100~0001413 had the softer thrust washers as well as all 83 and 84 models.

The important part are the numbers. The 1413 was the last one with the soft washers. They built the 83, 84 and early 85 Ventures with soft thrust washers, then after that, installed a harder washer to remedy the issue.

So, if you buy an engine, be sure that the number is AFTER 1413.

 

That's my story and.....I'M STICKIN' TO IT!!!

[6m459]

Thanks igiya for the s/n info.

 

I understand that when the aflicted bikes were fixed at dealerships, they punched a recognizable set of marks somewhere on the engine case.

 

What and where might I look for these marks?

 

Thanks,

 

Brian H.

Uxbridge Ont

[Squeeze]

IIRC, that was three Marks with a centre Punch where the Motor Number is. The Number is located on the left rear of the Casing, just behind the #1 Cylinder when looking from left and above.

[Schlepporello]

Thanks igya!

I'll keep an eye out for a 1300.

[Captain Murph]

Keep in mind that, while the engine is an exact change out, the carbs are different on a 1300 as well.

[GigaWhiskey]

After reading what Squeeze said, I had to go check. I just looked at the frame before. Whew, I am 1544 and both the frame and engine are the same. Guess my motor came with the frame, lol.

[Schlepporello]

Keep in mind that, while the engine is an exact change out, the carbs are different on a 1300 as well.

Will this effect the swap as far as trying to fit a 1300 into a hole made for a 1200? There will still be plenty of room for everything to fit, won't there?

[Squeeze]

Both Engines interchange and will fit bolt on.

 

You need to watch the Year, they changed the Pickup for the Ignition (and the Flywheel) in 1990 from two Coils to a single Coil. Different Carbs have been mentioned.

[CdnDave77]

All the above info is great, guys.

 

Brian : I had thought about getting someone to help me hand-bomb the engine into my basement - it's unfinished and not a bad spot to work on stuff if all the fluids were out. I like the idea of at least scouting for another engine, doing the repair on it (if necessary), then doing the swap. I read through the write-ups that I could find and I am positive I could pull it off. Having the tooling guys at work put the undercut on the gear would be easy as well.

 

For now, I am more interested in getting the carbs set just right (seems to be slightly rich), debugging the wonky fuel gauge and enjoying the enjoying the bike until the snow flies.