Reverend Biker

Hello All, A friend directed me to this site, hopefully to find someone who knows more about my "new" vintage purchase... a 1983 Venture Royale. The bike runs and rides well. The guy I bought it from never disclosed the lost gears, he told me it had its cosmetic problems, though. The plastics on the bike all needed repair, the seat needed to be reupholstered, a new head pipe, etc etc etc. I was fleeced and it is my fault for buying a bike in late Jan in new england and not being able to take it for a proper test ride. All the cosmetics are done, the bike was tuned, new plugs and such. I took it out for a shake-down ride two weeks ago and I have smooth shifts, neutral to first, second and third. The shift lever moves, but it will not shift into 4th or 5th gear. It is as if they are not there. Does anyone know about this or have any ideas about what could be causing this? I have done web searches on this specific problems and have 0 results. I have heard about a deficiency with a washer/spacer in 2nd gear, but apparently this will not affect the upper gears, just does not let 2nd mesh right. Any information would be greatly appreciated, even if it is to confirm my worse fear that I will need to tear the engine down and have the trans rebuilt. Thanks and I look forward to sharing in this forum. The Rev

Hello to the forum! I have been a rider for over 20 years. My first bike was a honda vlx 600. That started the sickness that fills most of us right the marrow of our bones... the need to ride. I have since owned a number of bikes, KZ400, KZ440 bobber (this is still in project state), Honda Shadow Sabre, and my latest aquisition, the one that brought me to the world of Yamaha ownership, my '83 Yamaha Venture Royale. I have come seeking knowledge and wisdom and to share my experiences with others infected with the two-wheel bug. Having a bike that is over 28 years old leads us to the far reaches of the internet to find the only source of information on repair and maintenance, the community that owns and rides them. Thanks for having and maintaining a place where like-minded people can gather and share their wisdom and I look forward to contributing to the community as I can.