Former Dealer

[pegasus1300]

Hi everybody.
I have been riding for 50+ years and worked for a Bridgestone dealer from 1968 to 1970.I bought the dealership in 1971 just as Bridgestone was going out of the motorcycle business.We were in the Provo/Orem Ut area and without a cheap line to sell in those days there was not enough business.I kept a 1968 GTR and rode it until 1978. It ran well with little maintenance and of course I should never have gotten rid of it. I still ride mostly Yamaha Ventures and Royal Stars until 2 accidents sidelined me in 2011. I am now on a Goldwing Trike.I also own a 1968 BSA 500 Royal Star, a 1971 Montesa Texas Scrambler,and a 1987 Anniversary ed Yamaha Venture Royal.

Happy TRAils/NSD
Paul

[rwgibbon]

Enjoy and welcome to the group.

Randy

[Bikenstein]

Welcome Paul. I might have to ride a trike in the future. Maybe convert my GTR

[old smokey]

Hi Paul,
Welcome to the site for Bridgestones.
Sorry to hear you're not enjoying the 2 wheeled variety anymore, but trikes are a good option.
A deer has sidelined my GTR for a bit, but I was wearing plenty of gear so I made it back after a short recovery.
A co-worker has an old Yamaha Venture, I think it might be an '86 (or did  they make them back in '83?).
He says he rarely gets it into second gear and has to skip to third. Is that a common problem?
Looking forward to more stories or old photos.
 

[pegasus1300]

Hi Smoky
Your friends problem with his Venture is called Venturitis and is caused by one of the thrust washers being too soft and wearing out and allowing 2nd gear to pop out under acceleration.All the parts are available to fix this but the engine has to be removed from the frame and turned upside down and the lower half of the case opened up.
If your friend goes to www.venturers.org he should be able to find a write up on doing this in their tech section.Great bunch of guys over there and very knowledgable about Venturers.It would be a good move for him to join up.Your friend's bike must be an 83-85 series as they are the ones with the trans problems.You should tell him to pull his final drive and grease the splines on the driveshaft the zerk fitting on the final drive housing puts grease everywhere but on the splines and they will wear out. There are no replacements.Also grease the rear wheel drive splines.He can email if he needs to @ pegasus1300@msn.com

[old smokey]

I think he has a good idea about the repairs to get it fixed.
His winter repair option is an unheated barn, and in the summer he needs it for good mileage.
I will pass the info along though.