Brenner

Well just came out of the garage for a little lunch. The motor is back in the frame and it is not that hard as some say to do it by yourself. I did learn that when converting to the vmax drive you require the vmax drive shaft also as the original venture shaft is roughly an inch too short to mesh correctly. My caliper mount for the rear brake upgrade is in at my US address but I am awaiting for my progressive springs to arrive as I found a set on ebay that I was able to get NOS new in package for $50 shipped. With my waiting for parts for final reassembly, I started to look at the bike today and am still debating to delink or run the original system and dry fitted a few parts and took note to try and decide my options. The blacking out is definitely what I will follow through as it make the bike look more suitable for a younger man as I am than most riders who own this bike. This is not meant as an insult or trying to be ignorant it is just that since I have acquired this bike I have had many tease me that I own an old mans bike and I want to make it a little more sporty and fresh looking to suit my age. The absence of chrome (sorry Carl) is not something most would do that I have seen but I feel it might show others that subtle changes can make this ride very appealing. Again with the body dry fitted and in primer the bike has a sportier look along with the chopped front fender (4") to show more wheel. The caliper covers and rotor covers that came on this bike will have to find a new home as I have no interest in covering up what I am trying so hard to tastefully expose. I am happy with this project and have been lucky to meet a few people face to face and hope that I can make friends in time with those I have met. I have been offered help even though I am very independent and I respect that as I feel anyone can talk and say they will do something but if there is no follow through they are not worth the time listening to. I have attempted to contact a member or two that have acquired upgrade assistance from the forum in the past and posted success and not had any response from them so I assume with them it is a one way street. But overall I still state this forum is a great asset and valuable resource. The information can be overwhelming if trying to tackle all at one time as I am learning. With the advice of a fellow forum member who came to see me and my project I am going to install the original mufflers and listen to them then the jardines and make my decision on which I prefer. I have my parts bike back in the shop for reference and stealing little pieces of it as the project bike goes back together. I do not think it is worth keeping after this project is done as most of my 85 will have been upgraded to other parts that the parts bike will not have. My budget is gone and there are only a few small pieces I require to complete this bike aside from patience and time. I will have spent and put more effort more than most would on an old bike like this but in the end I will have MY bike the way I want it and not someone else's old bike that might or might not require repair or upgrades. I will post pics at a later date when the bike is more complete for those who have interest.

Thank you for the info as I really have no idea what these pieces are and the rarity if any of them. Maybe time to pass it forward once my project is complete? I have no interest in the chrome and the grille is the only piece I like as it is real metal and heavy so no concern of cracking it. When I first saw this bike it looked to me like it was loved at one time, but once home and under the plastic a history started to reveal itself, or so it is in my opinion. Looks like the bike was loved, then sat for some time and in my impression was pulled out, quickly freshened and the sold. It looks like someone tried to make a quick buck on it at one time by looking at their work. I took it in trade for some mechanical labour and you can see the rest. I had a chrome dress trim that I removed and gave to another rider as his bike was heavily laden with chrome but I had a few pieces he did not and that he did not know existed. Some of the chrome accessories show their age and are not worth looking at but those that I have left over will end up in another riders possession as a pay it forward. I believe in helping others as good karma and hope it comes back somewhere down the road. Getting back to the Jardines, let me ask, to your knowledge is there a major sound difference between these pipes and the stock units? My virago ( first project) has rotten pipes and I put ebay found Jardines and the sound difference was day and night.

R6 calipers will work also, lots of blue dots real cheap on ebay. roughly 98 to 2004 is what I read and used to find mine for my upgrade. Average I have seen is $20 - $40 US for a pair shipped. I bought my gold dots on the high end of that scale and they are like new and really clean but do not seem to be as common just search YZF. Again this is what I have read and the info I used for my upgrade from this forum, lots of educated members here.

Well after some time I have taken the advice of many and slowly this resurrection is finding it's way. I am hoping that even with this update maybe someone might recommend another upgrade that my build may benefit from. Yesterday I rebuilt the forks and confirmed my R1 gold dots fit quite nicely. Today I pulled the engine cases apart and upgraded to the second gen transmission, cleaned up and reassembled once backlash was set to spec. I will hopefully keep plugging away and try to get the engine back in the frame by next week. So basically the rear suspension has been restored as well as servicing the head stock and cleaning the frame. Some light body work (repairing broken ABS), wiring harness repair, second gen transmission, vmax final drive, and fork rebuild with brake upgrade. Delinking the brakes are strongly considered and a new stator is in hand. My paint scheme is ever changing with my options but it is still going to be synergy green for visibility possibly with a few body modifications. Not in order are a few pics to show before pics of when I first got it, cleaning of the frame and a pic of the engine case with the transmission removed. This bike was a lot worse than it looked either that or I expected too much of a 30 year old bike. Maybe some will note the venture line accessories this bike had as it was full of chrome that I have not eon others like the chrome bar grille. Oh well all of it has been removed but the grille will remain I think but blacked out for a newer look. I promised pics, and will provide more as progress is made, thanks to those who have assisted and or given support. Comments?

I was also there today and I have to admit it was not as crowded as I anticipated. A lot to be seen and great reference material for those of us with projects to get ideas from whether it be paint schemes, modifications, or just add on accessories. I am hoping that after talking to a few of the insurance representatives I can get my rates down as much as they claim they can. Time will tell on the follow through...

Not sure if you are riding around the lake clockwise or counter clockwise but I might be in for a tag along. I am considering a trip myself and it is pretty close to your timeline and might make for the beginning of mine.

Thanks to all that have replied. Pretty much what I thought and it is nice to have confirmation. At the time of asking I figured I had about $ 1500 in this project including a parts bike. I now figure I will be at roughly $2000 -$2500 all said and done the way I want. I am satisfied with that and have to remember that I am not just resurrecting this bike as it came originally but also am changing items I do not need to to get the effect I want. After researching classifieds, watching a few auctions, and with this forums help I can see a really clean nice bike might fetch $3000. With my last project it was bought for $280 and I invested $2000 into it and have not had any regrets because it has been so reliable and attracts attention with lots of compliments. I am hoping and feel this project will get the same results. I feel more positive as my project has moved forward and now it is starting to look like a bike again, triple trees in place, wiring being reinstalled, have sorted through the parts I have and making a list of needs and wants..... Progress feels so good. I went to my mail box this morning and picked up a few parts and when I install the brake system I will be utilizing the R1 gold dot calipers, and not linking the system. I will be looking into lines and rear brake options this week. I really had a hard time sleeping last night as it finally clicked to me the paint scheme I have been trying to figure out. Time will tell if my paint skills will represent my vision as well as I hope they will. Sorry just got a head full of ideas and thoughts on this project. I shall take my leave and thank you all, I wish you an early happy new year.

I would like to ask for an honest opinion on the first generation motorcycle value. I understand value depends on location, time of year, condition, sellers hardship or lack of interest, and honestly what a buyer is willing to pay. Some may even claim that their rides are priceless. Would anyone be willing to share what they feel is a fair price for the average first gen xvz or what they feel their bike is roughly worth and maybe a reason as to why they feel that way? I have tried to use the search engine to research this info but have been unsuccessful. I know there is no right or wrong answers but I am sure even though I might be asking a possibly bias forum that with enough replies there should be an average value. If anyone has an appraised value please state it as so as I have noticed sometimes appraised, insured value, and real market values differ. I am not trying to cause any problems but am trying to decide how much an average bike like this is roughly worth, insured value, and where my cutoff will be with my project. I will most likely calculate what the average value is and what I feel my upgrades and customizing are worth to me so I will have a rough total at which I will be comfortable with. So if you feel like sharing please do but no buying or selling posts as I want to adhere to forum rules. As always any comments or recommendations are appreciated and considered. Thank you

Today was educational and a bit of a let down. I met another forum member to purchase a MKII fork setup and learned that the springs I have may not be progressive springs. Much to my disappointment once tearing down the MKII forks at home I found out the springs were the same as what I currently have and thought previously to be progressive. Oh well live and learn and add another item to my list of wants. On a positive note after tearing down the MKII forks I noted the wear on the inner components and that my original components show little to no wear so I am taking this as a sign that maybe my project bike has low mileage. Wishful thinking? Maybe. Since I am on the topic of MKII forks, does anyone know the difference in the front axle between the MKI and MKII front ends? They have different part numbers and I assume that there is a different length if anything due to MKI having two pinch bolts with a nut and MKII having one pinch bolt with no nut on the axle end. My project cost is really starting to add up and I have more invested than what a used bike would of cost me online but who knows what a bike like that may have needed? At least this way with this project the result will be that I know what I will have in the end. I am finding that meeting and or talking with the fellow forum members outside the forum is very positive and the community is unlike any I have seen before. I find it promising and am sure it will take me a little bit to get used to, not that this is a negative thing. Hopefully Monday the remaining items I am waiting for will arrive at my mail box so I may start to move forward with this project again. I have to learn to grab a few pics so I have something to show those who might have interest as it is starting to look like a bike again. I will try to update as it comes along. I will call it a night as my thoughts are scattered on this project so I will try to collect them for a proper posting. Any and all comments or recommendations are always welcome as sometimes it is hard to see the forest through the trees.

Randy please let me know if you do come across the fairing and price etc.. and by the way I did receive a response form the starter seller and it is on it's way to me. bongobob thank you for the assistance but I do not know which is easier, as I do have a US mailing address in Niagara Falls NY that I use for my ebay purchases at 14305. I am an ebay junkie and have been for many years. I am not turning down assistance but I have always tried to attempt things myself and not burden others when I don't have to. This community is outstanding as I have been apart of few communities, Aztek, Harley, Virago, now this one but I have never had any so friendly and willing to help. I take it as a sign of making the right choice on choosing the right bike for this project ( it was almost a fxrt project). Wizard thank you for educating me in the difference in the bars for the MKI and MKII as I did not know the difference and look forward to noting the difference and either replacing the bars or fabricating brackets that won't be noticed once installed. As far as the installation of the R1/R6 caliper upgrade well I do believe I will be running the MKII front end with a heavy brace as I want it to look like it fits properly. The anti dive concern is an area that I will look in to. I do not know how this will come down as I do not know what the MKII mounting looks like. I would like to keep the electrical draw of the system while in use but may not have that option. I understand I may not need it due to running progressive springs but I do not want no ugly block off plates. Please remember I have never rode this model bike before and my only experience on a touring size bike was test riding a 2014 Harley switchback 103 on demo days. I only know the common inadequacies due to this forum and internet searches. I want to like this bike and I know I will like it even more because I resurrected it from ground up and upgraded it to current standards. I felt the same way about my virago, as I resurrected it after it sat for 24 years I made a few visual and non visual, performance mods and I was really happy with the bike but at 6'2" my back is complaining after 3 hours of being in the saddle. Getting back to my point, I do not know how everything fits together and only have online pics to go by but I place my trust in this friendly and educated forum and use it's experience to guide me on my decisions. I will not know how one upgrade fits to another until it is physically in front of me and at that point I will be able to comment and advise others of my experience. Every forum I have joined I have always been one to jump in further into a project "all at one time" than most of the members communicating with me. Maybe it is due to my mechanical skills or "Let's do it!" attitude but I can honestly say without the support the challenges are daunting. Please feel free to continue educating me as it does not fall on deaf ears. As mentioned before ANY and ALL suggestions, recommendations, and comments are considered and welcomed. I appreciate the assistance and I hope we can all agree this build is "venturerider" style, without this forum it would just be a stock bike being cleaned up.

Randy I had that one on my watch list as soon as it came on. I did not act on it yet as it states free shipping in the listing but it shows a $20 charge for shipping. I have tried to contact the seller asking if he will honor the free shipping and correct the listing. Thanks for helping it is appreciated. To all the collective whole who have educated me you have twisted my rubber arm. I am currently trying to locate the R1 calipers and necessary parts for the brake conversion. I am looking for stainless lines and will run the current master and keep the system linked until I am able to go further in the project. I believe I will try to keep the antidive if I can to reduce the load on the electrical system and upgrade my master when I find one that will work at a low cost. I intend to upgrade the rear as well and wanted to ask if the R1 or R6 has a caliper that will fit a rear venture application or not. If I need use the MKII setup and fabricate a bushing so be it. I have been using the search function so as to not to ask questions already answered over and over. I am also trying to find a MKII chin fairing at reasonable cost to give the look I want to achieve. I am no stranger to ebay and lately I have spent way too much time searching the listings.

I am checking in as I have been away a few days. Thanks for the replies. I am trying to note the difference between the MKI and MKII forks. I understand the anti dive valve is hydraulic on MKI and electric on MKII but the fork tubes are the same diameter. The only other thing I note is the mounts are different for the calipers. Anyone school me on this? I have acquired a heavy fork brace and am trying to acquire a few more parts before jumping on the wagon with the MKII setup only because I might not have enough pocket change for the R1 brakes etc.. in addition for the swap. My only other decision regarding the front setup is to unlink the brakes or not. I am strongly considering it but want to be sure I know the reason I am upgrading. I have progressive springs on the bike currently and the air was still operational. The forks are my main question as I am unsure if the valving is different in the two setups or if it is mainly a swap for the better brake setup. I do believe it is not that much work for me to change at a later date if need be. I am also trying to locate a reasonable priced 4 brush starter and have contacted a few resources. I understand almost all of what has been recommended and have digested it and am taking an educated approach. I will study some more and poke in and out here before making a decision on that concern. I have a spare tci and have experience rebuilding a yamaha unit as my first rebuild last year ( a virago) required the same attention and I have not had a problem with it since. I am in need of many odds and ends but have decided to go all out or as much as I can funds permitting. This will no longer just be a nice upgraded rider but I am starting to get a little fussy and going to try to make it a shining example of what can be done with determination and patience. I did it before and I will try to do it again. Thanks for the support and again any comments or recommendations are welcomed.

Nickel and diming, lol... How right you are! It's the little things that grow to be the most expense. Today's job was to rebuild the front forks but I have been put on hold. A member of this forum has messaged me and mentioned the fork upgrade and mentioned they had one available. Since I am at this stage and it was mentioned in other threads as a possible upgrade I am waiting to see what this will cost me. If I can afford it for this project I will consider it, if not then it is what it is. So since I decided to wait and explore that avenue I decided to tear my engine down in the mean time. Well it is noted that my stator even though has the cooling upgrade show signs of heat and I have decided I am going to replace it because in my opinion it could fail on my upcoming trip. As mentioned above I am not replacing every seal, part, etc, but rather replacing what is needed or upgraded for a specific reason such as improved handling, reliability, or to make more comfortable for myself. I am not out to impress anyone but rather use the knowledge of the collected community to have a respectable ride. Please anyone who thinks they may have a recommendation or could note an upgrade or advice on an option that I might benefit from, speak up as I will honestly listen and consider it. I am not too worried about resale value and know my modifications will reflect in the final value. My main concern is it will perform well for me and that I will be able to depend on it. I do not believe that investing time and money in a bike of this age is for financial gain, even with my Harley, it is for the love of the sport and pride of ownership. Anyone can walk into a dealership and buy a bike...... I look forward to your thoughts.

A little depressed today but I will get over it. I followed a lead from a friend and met another venture owner today. I was invited in to this owners garage and noted he owned two 84 ventures both two tone red. One bike like showroom new, it showed the pride of ownership. The second, well it was his first venture and it was disassembled and sadly it still looked nicer than what I am starting out with. The depressing part is the dismantled bike was dismantled by his neighbour who did this to try to figure out problems on his personal bike I am told. I am not sure of the neighbours capabilities but I question them once I noted the state of this bike. So we are in negotiations on price of this dismantled bike as I am trying to get a parts bike to furnish parts that I am in need of. He is unsure of what few parts he wants to keep in case he has a problem with his good bike down the road. Time will tell I suppose... Another note of interest is that I received notification today that my second gen transmission and vmax final drive are on there way and I should have them by the end of the week. I am moving forward but the more I look into this project the more I want to try to perfect it. I have a feeling it will snowball and the bike will end up being much nicer than I originally planned. The nicer parts I can find the nicer the project will turn out... I am aware I most likely will not be able to recoup my investment in this project but I do not build for financial gain, I build for confidence in my ride and reliability and pride of doing it myself. Thanks guys please anyone else feel free to comment or give advice.

[h=1]bongobobny, thank you for making me aware of this event. I know of Tuckers and always considered trying it one day as I drove by. Maybe this is a great opportunity to meet the faces of those who are helping me make informed decisions. I might have to mark my calender for this one.[/h]

Randy, I bid and won the late model drive as we discussed. It cost me more than it's original buy it now but I feel more comfortable due to it's low mileage and clean condition. I am hoping it works out for me. Thanks for inquiring.

[h=1]Marcarl, I am in Welland which Dain City is considered part of. Feel free to drop me a line sometime as this project will most likely last the winter.[/h]

Hello all, I have made a few posts and as a few who have read them might know I am new to the venture following. I am strongly mechanically inclined and am attempting a budget rebuild of a 1985 Venture royal from bare frame up. I am asking in this thread all of you for any suggestions, opinions, and or thoughts of what you might change or upgrade on your first generation ventures if you have the opportunity to do it your way. Having never rode one before I am not able to judge this myself so I ask those that know these bike better than I. My bike is torn down and I have cleaned it up and fresh paint and now starting the rebuild. I am painting the bike synergy green from the 2010 camaro ss and blacking out what I can but trying to allow it to be still tasteful. I have taken the advice of a well respected member and am upgrading my transmission to the second generation gear and fork set as well as using a vmax final drive to give me the gear range I desire. I am on a budget and will be using what is good and rebuilding or replacing what needs work but am not afraid to spend where needed. I am open to all suggestions whether a large job or not, and I will be really paying attention to items that are repeatedly mentioned. Everything from cosmetic to fit and function will be considered. Please have at it and do not hold back, basically a resurrected gen 1 built venturerider.org style. Thanks to all who contribute and I will collect pics during the process and post them in a thread at a later date.

Thank you Randy for sharing your knowledge and experience. It was a pleasure talking with you. I have won and purchased the items that we discussed from the online auction and hope to install in the next few weeks as I build. I will follow in your footsteps as I too have done the calculations and agree with you notes that this gear change will better suit my needs and no second gear concern. While I am in there I will be checking for all available upgrades as stator cooling, water pump impeller, etc.. I am fortunate that this bike seems to already have a set or progressive springs installed in the forks. I will look for a rear spring and possibly upgrade to the dual piston calipers. The nice thing about rebuilding from the bare frame is that your options are wide open and any suggestions by any and all will be considered as I am hoping that this bike will take me across country and last me a few years to come. This is my long distance serious bike my Harley is for my local run around and play. Still trying to decide which bike to take to the Friday 13 Port Dover meet here in Ontario Canada. A few hours from me but a nice ride. Pics of the build will be collected and posted in it's own thread in the future. I think I will start a new thread asking people their opinion on what they would do if building from bare frame up.

My apologies I have mistakenly asked the wrong question. Yes I am aware I would require the final drive of a vmax but what I meant to ask was would I require a middle drive gear ( attached to the u-joint) from a 2nd gen or are they the same as the 1st gen? The reason I inquire is that in the listings the transmission gears are offered but the middle drive gear is sold separately. I cannot access your info I get a message stating my account does not have that privilege.

Funny you should mention that particular seller, as I was researching them also. I found them to be the most reasonable in price. Yes I noted the final drive listed and they listed two gear sets I believe are 2nd gen but maybe I am wrong due to my lack of knowledge. Also would I need the final drive if I were to change my gears and forks? Just not sure what the difference in the transmissions are. Feel free to PM me if you are okay with me talking to you on the phone in case I do not fully understand. Thank you again.

Food for thought and something I am going to research now. I did not know this and this does interest me. My project is going back together and once the rear swing arm dries I will be installing it then considering what to do with this powertrain. If this is roughly the price you mentioned I will not hesitate to go in that direction. I will start by trying to locate the second gen components. Thanks again.

Thanks for the invite, it's always nice to meet another who shares a common interest.

Thanks Randy mine was built prior to that serial number so I guess time for a tear down as I already have the engine out on the bench.

Thanks guys I replied twice on this forum through the quick reply but it does not work for me so here I go a third time..... Thank you all for the advice and opinions, and thank you for the info on Pioneer Motorsports. I do most if not all of my parts shopping in the US and have a US address for this. I am sorry for my late response as I have been in the shop starting to put the bike together as I have it down to a bare frame, lots of cleaning painting and time to rebuild. I think I am going to keep an eye on these tires as I rebuild and may even run them the first few miles locally but I do know they will be changed in less than a month of riding as I will be placing new for my summer trip. The sole purpose of this tight budget rebuild is that I took a voluntary lay off from work due to work shortage to ride across the country. This bike came on a trade for work I provided on the previous owners lexus who I found on an internet classified site. This bike needs to be reliable and trustworthy and I am confident with proper materials, my skill set, and advice from experienced individuals, that everything will work out fine. I am good at what I do, have job offers almost weekly, but am humble enough to ask for and smart enough to take advice from those that know this product more than I do. This forum is a valuable resource. By the way the tires are 10 years old stored indoors their whole life.