YoungWayne

Luckily I haven't even tried to turn her over yet, I don't have a battery. Thank you for the suggestion, I will try to find a vacuum. It sounds like the carbs are located underneath those 4 cylinder looking things, and under those the pistons? I will definitely be trying to clear as much dust from here

Thanks, I think I was able to see how to take the box off. My gas tank wasn't opening, I was able to turn the key about 1/4 turn, but I wasn't able to twist the cap off, and I'm not sure how the gas cap is supposed to twist off, any suggestions?

Any recommendations on how I should clean the air filter housing? There's a bunch of debris, I'm just using a moist rag

Noooooooooooooo I forgot that lol

Thank you, I will keep the plastics in mind when removing, and I just bought a compression test kit as you and many others here have suggested. I want to get the before pic the previous owner showed me, it was covered in dirt. It took him 2 months slowly but surely cleaning the whole thing, he even got around to removing most of the rust from the chrome with water and aluminum foil! I'll be looking for a new battery soon, I found one recommended in the tech library. I opened up the top and saw that there was no battery or air filter, at least I don't have to dispose of the old battery 😃

Just to be explicit since I'm no expert, I should try this with oil in the engine correct? I will definitely be trying this when it comes around to that time. I'll check out the tech section as well thanks! Thank you, I downloaded that and I'll be reading it! I'll definitely check out the air filter thank you for reminding me. It's been sitting outside in the sun hopefully no critters got in there. When I get a fresh battery and turn the key, is there anything I should be looking for or any lights I should be worried about? Haven't gotten to read about that yet, but potential air suspension problems have been worrying me. And I just ordered the Shinko thank you! Unfortunately I think getting the front tire is a must so I can get it out of the street and into the shade. Thank you, I will look for any rust and probably change the fuel filter as well, it doesn't seem like it has any old gas in there which I think is good so I can just put some fresh gas in there. I think I read about putting premium in an old engine that hasn't started Also: picture of myself helping the tow truck driver put some weight on the flat tires so he can pull it up the ramp

I found the glass it's very dirty! The bike was in the sun so the tires are cracked and the front one won't hold air. Right now it's covered but in the sun and in the street so I need to get it in my shaded working area which is hard enough to get to due to a small curb. I'm thinking out loud, but I'm not too sure what I should do first as far as getting the engine running. I'll definitely be cleaning out the carbs and putting in oil, definitely a new battery, coolant, maybe spark plugs. I've read about valves and valve clearance but not too sure how to work on that. I'll be updating if anyone is interested, and I'll definitely be asking questions. Thank you for replying I need all the help I can get!

It looks like the engine doesn't have any oil, at least from what I can tell without checking the dipstick which I need to find. I'll be looking around the help section

Just to update, I looked at the motorcycle and it was amazing. I paid the man his money, him and his wife were great he had lots of stories. He was about 80, could barely walk or see, he was in remission, yet he was all smiles. I got the bike towed home which was hard with flat tires and after finally getting it on the main stand at my house I'm ready to work on it once this heatwave passes. First order of business is to get new tires so I can at least roll it around and park it in the shade

Forgot to ask, but should I even try starting it without changing the engine oil? I read something saying to change the oil on a sitting bike and then another change not too long afterwards

Thank you for the replies everyone. Lots of great info it makes me optimistic. I'll be checking it out today and maybe try to get it home

Update: I gave them a call, he says he thinks it has 98,000 miles (he can't see too well and used a magnifying glass). The picture slightly shows the odometer and it's hard to read if that's the actual mileage. I think I'll go take a look at it. He said this is the third Venture he's had. Either way he sounds like a nice guy and hopefully he'll at least enjoy the company.

Hello everybody. New to this forum. I just found a 1986 Venture Royale on craigslist. Hasn't ran in 10 years, it looks like it has ~25,000 miles. How reliable are these bikes (assuming it was in running condition)? They are asking $1,000 and cosmetically it's beautiful (picture attached). I haven't had a motorcycle in a couple years, last thing I rode was a '99 bmw f650gs, how powerful are these bikes it looks like it has a big engine. I have some mechanical experience working on my own car, but I haven't had to dig into the engine except to change the valve cover gasket. Looking forward to any feedback and wisdom, the bike looks beautiful and I've been wanting a motorcycle project. Not sure if this is the right forum, if not please let me know I just joined!