BigClayton

What she don't know won't hurt me lol. I hope. This mod will also keep my wife happy too. It will give her more room too.

I really overlooked the obvious on this one. Thanks for the advice. I will start to work on getting the bars added this week. Thanks again, If momma ain't happy. Lol

So just about ready for my vacation trip to colorado on the 83 First Gen. Gott my backrest installed, sheep skin on the seat, and full size windshield. My issue is now with the backrest on my momma can't fit. Lol. She is riding with me out there and outside of removing the trunk I'm not sure if there is any other options. I'd like to keep the trunk if possible. I've read about trunk mods on newer bikes but not finding anything on the first gen Any help for the Big Momma syndrome? Tips please Thanks again!!!!!! Blessings Big C

Making my preps for a vacation trip to colorado next month and have thought I should look at adding a hitch to my first gen 1983 venture. Not seeing any on eBay and just wondering if anyone has one available they would like to get rid of. Thanks so much in advanced.

Hi sir thanks for the response. I have been searching eBay and have not seen any of the older style. I seen where there was one but it is not active anymore. Still looking for the backrest that fit the 84-88 years. Thanks ahead of time:fingers-crossed-emo

I have two tickets for show in Branson, Mo plus BBQ at my favorite place here in Branson. Plus I will do a ride along a around the area to show you some great scenery.

I have bought all the rails and mounts that are needed for the venture style backrest. I'm not to worried about the upholstery as I'm having the seat redone soon and will have the backrest done to match. Please let me know if you have one available. Thanks so much!!!

Well just to update I've got the bracket I ordered from eBay and I discovered I need the brackets, top saddlebag bracket, for the backrest to mount with so I ordered a set on eBay. As soon as they arrive I'll be down to just finding the backrest. If anyone has one they want to sell please let me know. Thanks cruzn for the pics. It gave me a second question. I love the style of bags you have. Wondering what year your venture is and wondering if those bags will fit my year. I would hunt down some if they did Thanks everyone for your help. The bike is coming right along.

I could certainly use a full windshield for my 83 gen one. When I bought it the guy chopped it down. This last weekend I did a 270 mile ride and wore me out from the wind. My only issue is I don't have any bike parts to pass on as this is my first bike. What I can offer is some show tickets to the show I play for here in Branson. One of the first shows in town. I would also be willing to throw in a lunch at one of my fav BBQ places in town. Will this count as a pay it forward? Thanks guys.

Thanks pmelah that was what I needed to know. It looks like they come with directions. Now I'll start looking for the backrest. Relief in site.

I just bought this NOS bracket on eBay http://www.ebay.com/itm/250992476928 I used the pictures you guys posted. I made him an offer and got it fairly. Cheap. I almost ordered the above eBay seat (only one on there now) but decided to wait to make sure this bracket fits and works. Looks like it just clamps onto the bar. If it works I'll be looking for the yamaha style backrest. I don't care about the upholstery as I'm having the seat redone.

Here is what I have

I see. Yep the mount is not on my bike. That is why it didn't look right. Might be like finding a needle in haystack. I'll look at the other mention too. Thanks again for the replies.

Hi all. Just got back from my first "big trip". 268 miles with the first half in a down poor. After getting home I thought I would start searching for a backrest as that is the main thing that got tired the most. Bad posture. So I went on eBay and found this : http://www.ebay.com/itm/380917902807 It says 84-88 so I took a close look. Not really seeing this mounting option on my 83 first gen. I am assuming this won't work for me but just wanted to make sure. I have seen the utopia and the Corbin option but am wanting something a little more solid and cheaper lol. My fear of the utopia is that the bar is mounting to the plastic of the seat. Im a bigger guy and I want a firm foundation lol. Corbin, to much money for this bike. Anyways I appreciate your inputs. Is there a different option I may have not found? Thanks

Still have the bags?

Hello. 86er, I too was born and raised in Springfield. My wife and I just moved to branson last year for work. I had been driving down for over 7 years. More handy with a piano than a wrench but trying to get braver to work on it myself. I did put sea foam in the tank and when I get time I'll do the carb soak. I'm a big fan of the bike so far. Drove it all last winter. Thanks for saying hi.

Thank you sir, Just to make sure that is the carbetator soak? Let the tank run low then poor half a bottle in tank and let it set over night? Thanks again

I finally got to check the exhaust. Today when I started the bike I notice the two on the rear of the motor got hot real quick. The two on the front didn't get hot until after a couple minutes of running. Nothing like the rear two exhaust. Appreciate your help in what it need to look at next. Also, after setting a day it seems to smell strong of gas. It seems to burn off eventually. I don't know what to compare it to so I assumed it to be normal. Thanks again for your help.

I will check the 4 exhaust temps when I get home. The bike seems to run smooth. So I'm wondering now if it is running on 3. I'll let you know what I find out. What causes it to run on 3 instead of 4? Thanks so much I'll watch the YouTube links. Thanks so much.

Thanks so much. Looking forward to joining. I have read a bunch of the post and am actually looking at pictures everyone has posted. Enjoying

Hi everyone. No bought this 1983 Venture last year and have been riding it since including through the winter. I love this bike. The guy I bought it from was going to make a bagged out of it??? Not sure his thoughts on that one. So as you can tell by the pictures it is modified or at least a lot of the orginal plastic is gone. What I'm wanting to do is slowly add to the bike and my plans are to continue using it for several years. One thing I'm needing to do is get the seat redone and thinking of adding the backrest kit by utopia. Another task is the bags/suitcase and trunks. One of the bags came off due to not being latched properly by the previous owner and this has some road rash. The other side has a hole in the bottom which they attempted to bindi I think. Then I noticed the trunk has a crack on the side but it is in really good shape. So I'm not sure if I should pursue new paint on the bags and maybe have a body shop repair the holes. The paint job now looks like a cheap spray paint. Of the other thought was to try find an aftermarket set that will mount and look good on it. Recommendations??? He also chopped the windshield not sure if I like that to much. I like function over looks. The bike has a cheesy radio on left side of fairing glovebox so looking to remove that and maybe just leave blank. I just wanted to upload some pictures of it and see what you guys think and get some suggestions of things I could add to the bike. By the way it runs great!!! I might need to find a shop that will check adjustments on the carb. Not sure if it needs it. I get 32 mpg with it. My other issue is finding a shop that will want to work on it. Any thoughts of one close to. Branson, Mo that you know of? My goal is to keep this one running for a while. No leaks on it and no smoke. It has 48,500 miles on it. I was told that is low for these. Pretty pleased with it. Thanks guys for suggestions !!! Big Clayton