bongobobny

Yup, the clutch slave requires the right combination of twists, turns, and swear words...

Break a lag!! I hope your carb guy is experienced specifically with the Venture/VMax carbs as they are very complex and even the assembly is critical to making sure all 4 lay flat to avoid any manifold leaks. The richness needs to be set either using a CO sniffer or a color tune plug. Just turning them out a specific amount of turns really does not cut it...

OK, did you do a carb sync? This is a common cause for popping on deceleration, but exhaust leaks will also do it. One common source for exhaust leaks at the collector is not replacing those copper sleeves when the mufflers are removed. They are just like crush washers on brake lines, they should be replaced as once they are distorted they should be discarded. As far as the richness, the ideal way to adjust is at each of the 4 exhaust plugs with a CO sniffer and you are looking for an ideal 5.1 reading. The other alternative is to use a color tune plug and adjust each cylinder for that nice Bunson burner blue color as I once heard it described...

Seems to me about a half year ago somebody did buy one but had a couple of issues getting it to fit. Please let me know as I too am looking for a Mark's collector. Several people were happy with them! The other alternative is finding a good colector on eBay. There is a shield internally that is common to break off requiring surgery to fix. If you are experiencing exhaust leaks did you replace the gaskets on the pipes?? Those copper flanges should ideally be replaced just like you would replace a copper crush washer...

Sooo, are you still coming to MD and then up to my neck of the woods???

You'll have a hard time breaking the century mark any more, I can barely hit 90... No problems 2 up towing a trailer and doing 70 - 80 but MPG sucks!

Probably wouldn't hurt to look on eBay to see if you can find some better ones at a reasonable price. There looks like there might be just enough big dents in them to start to restrict flow but probably not that much. I had a pair in fairly good shape, more cosmetic issues than anything else, but I'm not sure if I still have them, and can't get into my shed until the snow melts. I'll look in a couple of days and see if they are still there...

Very well spoken, Pucster!!! I first joined this site in 2005 (I think) and immediately became addicted to it!! I was first a member of that "other" site but found this place to be a lot more casual and downright friendly!! Through the years I too have made many, many friends here and sincerely treasure each and every one of them. We have shared good times and laughed bad times and shed tears together. I have never seen such a generous and giving group of rag-tag misfits and varmints in one place! I have witnessed more than one motorcycle secretly restored and presented to individuals in time of need. I have seen and heard of people going out of their way just to help out someone that was stranded or broken down. There have been so many acts of kindness done here that are too numerous to list!! What many of us have discovered is that this is not just a website, it is one big happy family!! I have enjoyed meeting many members in person either at gatherings or while on the road. I cherish the time we have spent together!! Yes, sadly this place is not as active as it was in the past, but I do believe the spirit is still present and very strong! Hopefully, our newer members will discover for themselves the magic that makes this site what it is!!!

Ehh, with a Venture 80,000 miles is considered just about broken in! These engines are pretty much bulletproof and it is nothing to get well in excess of 200,000 miles! I sort of remember someone having one that lasted to almost 350,000 miles!! There is some maintenance that needs to be done. With that mileage, you will want to do a valve adjustment, normally done around 40,000 miles. The real issue is as the shims wear they make the clearance tighter, not looser, so valve adjustment is very important! There are a couple of other minor issues you may want to look at, especially with an '83. Chances are your engine has already been fitted with one, but there is a mod to increase the oil sling onto the stator so they don't burn out as fast. Most Ventures had that mod done by the end of '84. There was also an issue with a bulging "O" ring but you have to split the case to fix that and like the oiler kit most Ventures were fixed for that. You want to replace the plastic impeller on your water pump with a metal one, something the factory changed at a later date, most likely with the MK2 updated version. There are a few other minor things to look at, such as the YCIS plastic chamber cracks at the seam and causes a vacuum leak, etc...

Ooh!!! That one looks like an assault version!

Yes, any 1st gen motor will bolt right in! The issue is you need to know what year the engine is as there will be anywhere from a little to a lot of wiring changes necessary! For example, the '90 to '93 went from a dual pickup configuration for ignition timing to a single pickup. The '83 ignitor box is different from all the rest due to where vacuum for advance is sampled from. The '83 uses carb vacuum whereas the rest uses manifold vacuum, so the ignitor box has to be swapped out. Also due to the different pickup configuration on the late versions the ignitor box also is different. It's a shame you don't live closer, I have a 1200 with only 18,000 miles on it I need to get rid of. It's being replaced with a bored out 1300 and VMax heads and cams...

OK, Spes mia in Deo est is Latin for "My Hope Is In God" and is also the symbol for a 32nd level Mason, the twin eagles relate to the Masons as well. As far as what car it is off of, I'm not sure...

NOPE!!! You should be getting around 40 MPG even if you might be a little heavy wristed! Are you sure you are running on all 4 cylinders?? These bikes will actually run fairly well on just 3 but your mileage goes south down to around 30... Even pulling a full trailer 2 up at expressway speeds I still was getting around 36 - 38 mpg! Yup, all our speedometers are off by around 10%...

...and don't forget to peek at the coil ends while you are doing that for the dreaded green tip disease! You can also invest about $15 into a spark tester at Auto Zone, etc. You should be able to pull at least 0.100" spark from each coil, the factory spec is 0.109" if I remember correctly...

OK, if all 4 cylinders were exactly the same then there would be no reason to sync, but unfortunately, they are not exactly the same. There are minor differences in compression and other factors. I will grant you that they are relatively insignificant, but when you are trying to squeeze every ounce of power and efficiency then these factors do become somewhat significant. Yes, there is indeed a reason why 4 bangers run 4 carbs...

Yup, too old of a tire at any price! Tire manufacturers recommend NOT using a tire older than 6 years. This really came to light many years ago when FoMoCo installed new but aged tires on their Explorers and a few people died from tire failure accidents. 2 wheels are bad enough but 2 wheels are pretty much unforgiving with a blowout...

I see it has some aftermarket goodies on it like the driving lights and those chrome inserts on the engine covers...

On the MK1 ('83 - '85) the CB was a factory option for the Royale. There were actually two different ones that were available depending on which manufacturer they bought from. The CB became standard with the Royales in 1986. The main way you can tell if it is a Royale beside the badging is the CLASS (Air leveling system) module. The Standard Venture had Schrader valves to adjust the air suspension whereas the Royale had an onboard computer-controlled compressor. It only works with the ignition on the accessory position, you can not adjust it on the fly. The Royals and the Standard were the same basic bike, the difference was the bells and whistles like the audio system, the CLASS, and the CB. Also, to my knowledge, all of the blondes were Royales only because I have never seen a blonde standard... Good luck with your Venture, the first issue you will most likely encounter is the carbs being all gunked up which is going to be your most expensive repair as they are a very complex carb. There are several different theories on how to fix them, the proper way is a complete disassembly with new parts. There is an excellent video DVD out there made by a man by the name of Damon Ferilino (sp) that covers the whole process to include the proper way to sync and adjust the richness using a CO sniffer. There is a method known as the "Shotgun Method" which many people have used to clear some of the gunk which is somewhat effective. Many people advocate the use of an additive called Seafoam on a regular basis. The second issue you will encounter is the ignition system with a multitude of things to check. Getting a good spark on all of the cylinders is key, we have several members very knowledgeable on the system as well as downloadable factory service manuals, and technical writeups by members. The third issue is the charging system, but if your stator goes out, unlike Goldwings which have to literally have the engine removed and disassembled to get to, the Venture's stator is somewhat easily removed on the bike. Keep us posted!!!

Yup, that puppy is your "Boost sensor" which gives the TCI the proper information for spark advance when accelerating. It is a VERY important part! With neither vacuum or pressure, it should be putting out 2.5 volts, and with vacuum, the voltage changes one way and with pressure, it changes the other way. I forgot which way is which but it's range os zero to 5 volts...

Yayyyyy!!! Now get ready to spend lots of time and money on it!! The more you put into it the bigger the rewards! You will find a wealth of information here and lots of advice (some of it actually being good) here! It will be well worth your while to pony up the $12.00 yearly dues here as you won't meet a finer bunch of misfits than here!! We are more than a website, we are FAMILY here!!! Just take one thing at a time and we will be glad to help you out!!

Yup, you (and I) REALLY don't want to know!! Let's just say I already have 5 figures into my restoration but that is mainly because I really love the bike!! It's like the guy that spends $50,000 or more on his brand new $20,000 car to make it go faster and handle even better...

More like no sync possible!!! The main reason/advantage to syncing our carbs is so that all 4 cylinders operate as close to matching as possible which maximizes performance. When the 4 cylinders are not perfectly matched they "fight" each other (albeit to a small degree) and rob power...

Yup, the headlight, and the hydraulic (not electric) anti-dives prove it is an '83 or '84. I need to see the dash to determine what year as the '83 had a different dash from the rest of them... IMHO as it stands it's not worth $1500... Look at the rotors (also '83 - '85) and look at the oil on them. Betcha the forks leaked out all the oil. At best the rotors themselves need to be resurfaced. And speaking of brakes, the MK1 brakes left a lot to be desired! There is a reason they were upgraded in '86! I'm also betting that the right mirror is busted for adjustment but maybe not. With the amount of dust on that bike, I'm thinking it has sat there for several years...

If you can get the VIN that will tell what year it is. There is also a "Born on" date sticker on the frame below the engine but without going out to the garage I've forgotten what side it is on... If it is an '83 and not running I put that in the parts bike category and worth $500 give or take. If you take the time to totally strip it down and sell the parts on eBay, which can take a very long time, you could get around $1500 total. I'm starting to think "walk away" or take cash for your wing and find a better one...

If it were a 1300 2nd gear would not be an issue. The Blondes were made in '83 and '84 for the MK1 model, and in '87 for the MK2. Not to say someone at one time swapped a 1300 into it but if that were the case once again 2nd gear would not be an issue! Yes, somebody may have put a 1300 cover on it as they do fit. You would have to remove the cover to see what kind of a clutch is in there as the 1200's had a 5 spring arrangement whereas the 1300's have a large single disc type of spring. I take it you have not actually seen the bike yet, much less heard it run. Is this a friend or a total stranger you are dealing with???