Big Daddy

The ultimate solution is to do what I did and replace the entire front end from the sliders down. I did this on my 83 with parts from an 86. I also upgraded the lines to stainless braid and while I was at it I powder coated the front fork lowers and upgraded the suspension to progressive springs and gold valve cartridge emulators. The stopping and handling on the bike is (for a lack of a better term) "reborn"! If you really love the bike to start with I recommend it! Many folks right here on this site "held my hand" so to speak as I did the work and I know they will step up again to help you! GO FOR IT! A new Venture experience awaits.

Is that you Christian? Ha! I caught you! So it sounds like the peanut gallery agrees with me eh?

Thanks for the input guys! That is exactly what it feels like is happening! And as for that little copper washer I am glad you mentioned it. I have always put it back in on reassembly but I remember asking myself if it was really needed or was just added by some well intentioned mechanic before I got the bike.

Has anyone ever experienced the shifter on their first gen feel sorta flexy or mushy on the down stroke? I just dosnt seem to have a solid stop feeling when stepping down on the lever. It seems to shift ok but I have become nevous that I might over rotate the shifter and go beyond the limits of the linkage as it happened one time a while back. When this happens the lever winds up just sort of hanging there pointing at the ground. Any experience or fix information is appreciated before I start to tear things down.