JDubb

Excellent info cowpuc, I think I will address the suspension on the MK 2 first.

Can anybody tell me what the small box with the small toggle switch and another switch is on the left handle bar does?

I purchased a running 1983 Venture last year and a running 1989 last week. I only ride the 1983 one time before the back brakes locked up on me and after the Winter I noticed there was a thick crust running down the left side of the motor. To make matters worse a couple of cylinders wouldn't fire and the clutch does not engage. The 1989 runs and drives. It makes a loud clunking noise when I hit any substantial bump. The speedometer doesn't work but the rest of the gauges are fine. It takes a long time to warm up and has an oil leak. I believe that the 1989 will be easier to get road trip ready but the Ventures are pretty complicated to me so I'm pretty intimidated.