Venture forth.

gggGary

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A bit more on the CL find.

Allison took a horse and went camping so it's all HER fault. I have a possible buyer on the Beemer coming, nice bike and I am not giving it way but if it does sell will need a mount for a camping trip this summer. The old Road couch, Ventures are always a good possibility, big n heavy but comfortable as an old pair of shoes.
I have a couple prospects in tick list, then THIS popped up on CL yesterday, no pics no description, no phone number, a kinda high price but not to far away. Left message widow calls me back, long story but bikes been mostly just sitting for "years" but she says battery has been on tender, lights come on, but it doesn't crank PLEASE come and look. Took Prius, no trailer trying to reduce the odds of my buying it (HAH!)
Not quite as good as the pics, but remarkably well preserved 40,000 miles very well kept, a minor oil leak. Stupid thing cranks an starts! Run it up and down the road, everything works. Even the on board air compressor, automatic adjustable suspension. Radio CB etc. Only thing that didn't come to life was the cruise control and that prolly will with a little coaxing. Runs, handles, stops all OK. tires are as new but old, some dry rot cracks.
Try REALLY hard to walk away. She wants this thing gone. Make the I don't really want this, sorry if I offend you offer, she holds out hand to take the cash. Damn. In truth it's paid for, title, keys in my hand but it's still in her shed. need to go get it kinda big for my trailer. AND there's a 78? GS750 Suzuki 11,000 original miles hasn't moved for decades sitting in the shed also. Aftermarket mufflers, repainted gas tank, otherwise, all there, all stock, motor kicks free. Doesn't look like it's ever been tipped. Pete you listening?
Some pics of the Venture.
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Westering sun angled into shed, made pic quality poor.
Always an adventure.
 
This the 1300cc version of the venerable V4 maybe one of the most reliable sweet motorcycle motors ever built. Stay away from the 83-85 1200's cuz they tended to lose 2nd gear, tho many have run for decades without it, otherwise they run for freak'n ever. 24 year production run, 83-2007 nearly twice the XS650! In several ways, length of production, cc's and WEIGHT!
 
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AND there's a 78? GS750 Suzuki 11,000 original miles hasn't moved for decades sitting in the shed also. Aftermarket mufflers, repainted gas tank, otherwise, all there, all stock, motor kicks free. Doesn't look like it's ever been tipped. Pete you listening?

YUP - but I am set on a GS850G- which is the slightly larger and heavier shaft drive version of the GS750/GS1000 family. Actually, the GS850 was more GS1000 than 750 from what I recall. Now, that GS850G is one reliable and sweet running bike and it has the best seat ever installed on a motorcycle - hands-down.

Having said that - the Venture sure looks nice Gary - does it have the optional bow-thruster parking assist package? ;)

Pete
 
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So Gary, that is quite the land yacht you’ve got there. Last night I was reading up on them a little ( because apparently I have time :laugh2: ) and I was surprised to read that , Yamaha used that motor as the basis for the V -Max.
That’s a sure indicator of just how over built and under stressed that motor design was.
 
Love the Venture Royales' The later years are preferred as the 2nd gear issue is a nasty one to fix on that bike..The engine has to be removed from the frame..The XS1100s have the same 2nd gear issues but it isnt necessary to remove the engine to do the fix BTDT...V4 engines pull like freight trains..lots of weight there too..more than i care for personally..but I have always liked these bikes..They have more power than the Goldwings of the same era....
Oh and..That poor Prius...:p
 
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This the 1300cc version of the venerable V4 maybe one of the most reliable sweet motorcycle motors ever built. Stay away from the 83-85 1200's cuz they tended to lose 2nd gear, tho many have run for decades without it, otherwise they run for freak'n ever. 24 year production run, 83-2007 nearly twice the XS650! In several ways, length of production, cc's and WEIGHT!
Actually no.. The Gen1 Venture Royales were from 1983-1993..What followed were no longer V4s but V twins and they dropped the Royale and just called ita Venture Star or sumthin like that...Eddit..Correction..they were all V4 engines but the 2nd gen looked like Harley wannabes..and the 2nd gen bikes bore no other resemblances to the 1st gen...
 
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She's asking 500 for the Zookie on my suggestion. I have pics if anyone has an interest.

If it could be made to run and is complete - that is a really good deal on one of the best 1970s superbikes.

Those GS750s and GS1000s were as strong and reliable as a Honda and just about as quick as the Kawasakis and had much steadier handling IMO than either.
 
Actually no.. The 1Gen Venture Royales were from 1983-1993..What followed were no longer V4s but V twins and they dropped the Royale and just called ita Venture Star or sumthin like that.
The Royal star venture used the V4 till 2007 those big fins on the royal star V4's are just for show, castings stuck on the same ole 1300 liquid cooled motor!
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same motor finned covers removed!
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If it could be made to run and is complete - that is a really good deal on one of the best 1970s superbikes.

Those GS750s and GS1000s were as strong and reliable as a Honda and just about as quick as the Kawasakis and had much steadier handling IMO than either.
kicks over with some compression. Original owner!
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