28th Nov 2014, 19:47

The bike as you say is 25 years old.

In reference to the high and low beam headlights being a bit weak, change out the light bulb (H4?). That cured the 1991 BMW K100RS I bought last year.

This weekend I'm picking up a 1990 Venture Royal and will change out all the light bulbs. Good luck with your bike (and to my purchase, LOL).

25th Dec 2014, 17:41

December 2014

Just the update:

1. Speedometer started to oscillate - minor annoyance. Apparently the gear in the front end needs to be replaced ($$); for the time being (last year) it was disconnected; did not pay too much attention to it anyway (the speed, that is) - no reason to spend extra $ on it now.

2. Light indicator (High Beam) always on; light (High/Low) switch works properly; minor annoyance, not worth extra the $ to be spent.

3. All the icons on the dashboard coming on or off (including the previously mentioned fuel indicator) - danger of running out of gas (still original reserve petcock is sized) - a bigger annoyance. Apparently the dashboard display needs to be replaced ($700!). Being, as you can guess, slightly on the heavy cheapskate side, I found a more economical solution. A 2 gallon jerrycan including the content ($35 total) provides complete relaxation.

4. Developed the starting problems on cold and damp days after a period (week or two) of not using the bike. May need to replace the battery (3 year old, kind of early but what can I do...).

No other mechanical problems in the 2014 season (another 8,000 miles).

FYI Still happy with the bike.

In reply to 25th Dec 2014, 17:41

5th Nov 2015, 02:16

Re.: 1. Speedometer gear; found used on the Internet for $25, shipping included, installation another $25; total $50 - problem solved.

However, the time has come... (see me on 1997 Gold Wing)

General comments: The bike was/is very reliable. Actually, I still prefer the riding position and motorcycle dynamic of the Venture over the GoldWing. Also the sound of Venture's engine was more appealing over the GWing's kind of grinding sound (no disrespect to GW here). The only drawback was cracking plastics of the Venture. In all 3 years that I used the bike, the only repair was a blown tire (wear), replaced windshield (original got snowy; again it is wear), speedo gear and fuse cables. Total mileage (estimated as the speedo was off for 2 seasons) was approx. 25,000 miles.

Total repair except wear items: $150.

Average fuel consumption: 6.2 to 7.2 L/100km, or 38 to 32 MPG.