alvald83

Thanks for the pic. It looks like my '83 has had the 2nd gear repaired. Being at about 50k miles, I had been dreading the 2nd gear problem.

My bike before buffing and re-installing emblems.

Ive been trying to reinstall this trim...its killing me! I tapped the molding as far as I could and it seemed to be seated nicely, so I installed the scews. While riveting the hinges in place the molding eventually worked its way loose. The screws just slid up away from the plastic. Inside the channel there is a small rubber gasket just like the one on the outside to seal water. I may be trying some type of sealer/adhesive to try to keep it in place.

Its the aluminum trim pieces that I am worried about. Firstly, the new paint makes it hard to reinstall. it looks like ill have to sand the edges to be able to re-install them. Since I didn't remove them, I didn't see how they were attached. My painter friend gave me the parts back so that I could reinstall them per our agreement. There is some riveting that has to be done as well. I havnt begun so ill have to figure that one out as well.

A friend of mine just repainted my bike and now have the task of putting it back together. My issue is with reinstalling the aluminum trim pieces on the trunk and bags, and the plastic trim on the false tank cover. What adhesive would you use? Thanks Al

I have an 83 and just upgraded my fusebox to the new type fuses and everything seemed to check out fine the other. Today I attempted to fix the battery warning light with the suggested resister mod. Before any changes, I want to see the blinking light for the last time, but had nothing lit up on the CMS. Is there an inline fuse somewhere that I can check. Any ideas what could have happen? Im pretty sure that it was working after my fusebox upgrade. I did replace my battery after the upgrade as well. Update: I checked to see if I had power to the CMS and yes there was power. I plugged back in and rechecked it ... It worked! I had put Dielectric grease at that connection after doing my Speedo lube job. I guess I didn't seat it properly.

I am getting ready to paint my 83 bike and have an extra set of side panels. The donor set is held on by a rubber strap and ring. I did pick up the bars that the panels attach to. My question Is: Will these panels and bars mount to my 83? Since my bars are in my shed somewhere, I am not able to check them. I am ready to turn my body parts over to the painter and want to be sure. Im not sure of the year of the donor bike.

update: It seems as though my 2 signals are lit like my neutral light should be and my neutral light flashes when I put my flashers on. Strange!

I just picked up an 83 dash off ebay (mine is an 83), just because I don't like how sun worn my dash is (I couldn't pass up a good deal). After installing it, I see that both signal arrows are staying on. Because my battery is dead, I cant see if they go out after it starts. Is this normal? Since I am charging my battery I cant check my original cluster.

I mounted a Utopia backrest on my 83. Looks and feels great. www.utpr.com

I want to replace my spark plug wires on my 83. Should I use 7mm or 8mm? Any recommendations? What brand are people using?

well , they just found an exhaust leak that has to be fixed before the carb synch..another $200!

I thought id bring this up. When I start my bike in the morning (if I havent ridden in a few days), seems to have to take a few seconds for fuel to reach all carbs. Im wondering if adjusting the carb floats will be needed? Al

I haven't spent much time riding or working on my bike this year. I've had a few short rides and now I am planning a 700 mile weekend ride. I just took my bike to a shop for a tuneup. I am doing oil, sparkplugs and changing final drive fluid as well as synching the carbs. Am I missing anything? I adjusted the valves last year. Thanks Al

Im going to fool around with it tomorrow using some of your suggestions.

I have an engine squeal that squeals only when I am on the throttle. as soon as I let off the throttle it goes away. I am familiar with the speedo squeal and this is not that. This is a constant, as long as I am on the throttle. Any ideas?

I have an opportunity to buy a '90 venture with nice paint. Since the bike doesn't run, I can pick it up at a good price. Would the body fit my '83 if I used the 90 mounting hardware? it would be cheaper than a paint job. I like the larger bags for my long trips. Thanks Al

I got my '83 a few years back after graduating from sport bikes (bad back, and too old). I too, had little knowledge about these bikes. With advice of many members here, I gradually got my bike in great shape mechanically. What I did notice in the beginning is that you will find that many bike shops don't like working on these old bikes, so you will end up doing a lot of the work yourself. I started by installing progressive fork springs and an aftermarket fork brace to tighten up the front end. Later on, I replaced the steering head bearings (huge improvement). I had the valves adjusted, spark plugs and wires replaced and synched the carbs. I changed all the fluids (including brake and clutch). I eventually rebuilt the brake calipers just because. The stator went out after I had it for a 2 years so I had to replace that, but all in all, most of the work done on my bike was just done to avoid future problems. I have done long rides from 2000, 3000, and 6000 miles with not one problem. With routine maintenance, you should many years of comfortable riding on your venture.

I will take a set for my '83 when they're ready.

Last year I did a 6000 mile trip and really bad tailbone pain. I sent my seat to Rick Butler for his custom work. He takes your height and weight as well as your passengers into consideration whens he does his work. It was worth every penny for me. He used 3 different types of foam and removed the tailbone section of the seat (which was my complaint). I just returned from a 3000 mile trip and had no problems with my backside. As far as your arms, I had the same issue a few years ago. I adjusted my handle bars down and in. Now, I can ride comfortably for up to 600 miles a day. To keep my legs fresh, ill move them from my stock pegs to my hiway pegs, then lay my heels on the hiway pegs to straighten out my legs. To stretch my lower back, I put my feet up on my crash bars. The handle bar adjustment and seat work has made my long rides much easier.

I broke my fuel tank cover door on my trip and need to repair. Has anyone come up with a good repair for these? The hinge separated from the door itself. I was thinking of just drilling through the door and putting some type of flat bolt.

I have to review how to rapair the fine cracks that are on the trunk and bags. Im hoping that the shop that i decide to take it to will know how to repair old plastic.

After another successful long road trip, i thinks its time to reward my bike with some new color. I was thinking about painting it a dark Brandywineor similar. I'd like to see any other new (non stock) paintjobs that are out there to help in my decision.

While on my 2 week ride, out of know-where my speedo started to squeal. I've had to lube it in the past and this has usually cured it, but this time both odometers quite working. I did lube it but it is still not functioning. Is this repairable?

Just rode from Mammoth lakes to Nevada via ca-168. Lots of twistys just to be met by the 100 + Nevaa eat. A cooling vest would have come in handy. Couldn't make it to Utah because of the heat. Instead stopped in Mesquite, Nv. On to Zion and Bryce tomorrow.