jrich

Thanks all for the feedback. I'll continue to watch it over time, and this winter when I'm not driving it I will take a look at the impeller.

I'm starting to put some miles on my 1983, but I'm a little concerned about the how hot she seems to run. It worried me enough I took the time to replace the thermostat, but that does not appear to be helping. When running when it's in the mid 90's, she hovers right under the red on the gauge. Does this seem high to anyone else, is this normal. Been wondering if the sensor is reading incorrectly? Looking forward to hear what any of you might have to say, thanks in advance

Yes, took off front tire, then the shocks disassembled easily from the steering head. It was difficult getting the bearings out. The bottom was the easiest, since there are some cut outs in the steering head body that let you get a punch in from the top to drive out the bottom race. The top on the other hand has no such cut outs. I ended up welding a bit nut inside the upper race, then I was able to easily drive it out from the bottom. Good luck, it's not too bad, just go slow, don't get in a hurry, you'll be just fine.

Thanks for everyone's advice, finally got around to working on the steering head. The bearings were solid with old grease and the races were detented. Replace top and bottom bearings and she's steering great. No more wandering. Thanks again!

When I start on this repair, does anyone have advice regarding other repairs I should include in the forks while I have them off? Just want to replace anything that makes sense while I have things apart. Anyone have a link to a video of this repair?

I just finished a year long project to get a 1983 Venture up and going (been fun, have learned a lot, mostly from this website, like others have said, it's well worth the $ to become a memeber), anyway, to make a short story long, took her out tonight on it's maiden voyage, and she wants to wander a bunch. Tires look good, no cupping etc, lot's of tread left on them, pressure seems to be good (mid to upper 30's right?). I'm looking for ideas on what I should start looking for. PS, I do notice that when not moving, I can move the handlebars from right to left and there seems to be a "detent" feeling at the center of the steering, is that normal?

OK, so I put the ignition unit from the 84 into the 83, and then did something recommended by a local motorcycle scrap yard, I put all the air box back in place (had not done that yet). Now it starts fine, and revs fine. Ye Ha! Next steps, clean out the rust gas tank, get the air ride system charged up, make sure the clutch and brakes work, then I'm off on my first ride around the block. All things I should be able to do next week in the evening hours.

I'm just getting started on an 83 Venture project. I have diagnosed a bad Ignition Unit (only on spark plug working, tested all other coils, wires, and plugs by swapping out coil connection with the known good, they all spark when connected to the one known good, hope that makes sense). Cleaned the carburators, stole the ignition unit from an 84 parts bike, it idles great, just won't rev up, dies when I try to give it some gas. The ignition unit from the 84 has different numbers than the one from the 83, guessing that may be my problem. I saw on the forum a while back someone mentioning how to modify the wiring on an 84 to make it work on the 83, just can't find that thread. Anyone have any ideas for me?