windrider1983

Does the above recommendations apply to the 1st Gens? I have an 83 and preparing to do the rear wheel maintenance as noted in the forums. It was changed about 6 or 7 years ago by a bike shop when I had the tire replaced, but don't know what they put in it. I did not see any reference to GL4 on the Mobil1 spec sheet at this time.

I have an 83 stock Venture (no cb or intercom) and the previous owner had installed a standard car radio in place of the original. I replaced it with a Kenwood KRC-38MR with remote control pad several years ago, and it has performed quite well. Then last summer I replaced the cycles' fuse block and rather than run everything off of one accessory feed I inserted a relay (energized by the accessory circuit) and added a secondary fuse block thru which I fed all of the accessories (so I could split out various light circuits separate from the radio circuit). The new radio circuit was fused at 5 amps and was connected to a noise suppressor that was there previously. Everything worked fine when I was testing it in the garage on the accessory position (without the cycle running). The first time I ventured out (no pun intended) and attempted to turn the radio on, I could not hear anything until I stopped - then it was making stuttering sounds, as if it was getting intermittent power in rapid succession. Within a few minutes I got no sound at all - lights are on and it changes stations, etc, but no audio output. Fuses are all intact. The leads to the speakers are reading a constant 6 volts. I verified the voltage going to the radio appears to be constant as far my cheapo voltmeter shows (slightly higher than 12 volts when the engine is running, as I would expect). So the first question is whether anyone has any ideas as to what I have done to the radio itself, and more importantly, is there a flaw in my design of running the radio off of a relay circuit? Am I possibly getting voltage spikes that are somehow filtered thru the accessory circuit, but being reintroduced via the relay? Assuming I have blown the radio, any suggestions as to a reasonable relacement with an eye for future additions of a GPS, MP3, cell phone and headset interfaces, etc... on a bike that has no built-in provision for those things currently? Thanks for any suggestions or ideas, Mark (Windrider1983).

I got some PMs from a couple of folks that mentioned that they had a similar issue and simply used a drum sander to take a little off each side of the brace - that worked great. Thanks to all... Windrider.

2 questions (this pertains to my 83 Venture) - 1. I bought one of the fork braces that Condor was so kind to arrange a group buy for us this spring, and am just now getting around to installing it. It appears to be just a bit larger than my original, and I can't get it to slip into position. I loosened the pinch bolts as suggested in Condor's instructions, but no change. I am also working on installing a pair of chrome rotor covers (see below), so i went ahead and pulled the axle and allowed the wheel to drop down an inch or so (rotors are still just slightly in the calipers). None of this has made any difference in the clearance for the fork brace. When I set the original brace over the new brace, it does look a bit larger - about the size of the bevel that runs around the outer edge of the new brace - just eye-balling it, I would guess it is about a millimeter oversize on each end . Has anyone else who purchased these had a similar problem? 2. I bought a pair of chrome rotor covers last winter on eBay and after doing some searches on this site, found that originally they came with a replacement spacer that accounted for the extra width of the covers. When I pulled the axle, I expected a spacer/washer of some kind on the right side (since the speedometer assembly is on the left). The only kind of "spacer" on the entire assembly was a single collar-type piece that butts against the oil seal. This does not look at all like the diagram in the service manual (it shows 3 separate pieces). I have attached a picture. I was planning to turn down my spacer since I did not have a replacement. So the question now is whether I turn down the outer edge of this collar? (Don't see where i have much choice). Was just wondering if anyone had any insight into this. Windrider1983 (Mark Miller).

I have not removed the oil pan as of yet. Is there a procedure on the web site for that (I haven't found it)? I guess the other question is whether it is absolutely necessary to find this pin or just replace it? Like your earlier comments, I don't like the idea of it floating around in there, but you wouldn't think it would get past the screen either. Have other folks just replaced these and never actually found the originals? Thanks, Mark.

Dan - I am definitely missing one of the shift pins (can't get to 4th) and after pulling the clutch cover can see the spot for the missing pin and bent tab. I have drained the oil and did not find the pin (also checked the filter). Where is the pump filter screen? - is it accessible without pulling the main clutch assembly. And if I had the pin, is it as simple as reinserting it into its original position and rebending the tab? Thanks, Mark (Windrider1983).

I seem to have a stuck transmission on my 83 - I have 1st, 2nd, and 3rd (and neutral), but will not shift up beyond third. I had this problem about 5 or 6 years ago, and at the time had never done anything about the 2nd gear issue, so I had my local shop rebuild the transmission at that time. Never really learned what was causing the upshift problem at that time. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks, Mark.

Thanks for the info. I hadn't thought much about the backrest but it makes sense it would be different than the 83. So if I find one of these, I need the mounting rack and the back rest included. Any where other than eBay that I might find one of these?

I am preparing to repaint my 83, and understand that the 86 and later had a larger trunk than the 83-85. A larger trunk would be nice, but not having seen one to compare, is there a significant difference? Does it mount on the same rack? Not that I have seen one for sale recently that was worth buying, but since I am getting ready to paint, now would be the time to make the switch. Any advice would be appreciated.

I'm in - I have the original on my 83. I use PayPal. Windrider1983 (Mark M.)