Wow! I have an 85 and an 83, both run, one was in a house fire, melted right side of the bike, insurance totaled and put in a warehouse for 17 years, only had 17,000 miles on it, the other i bought from a fella last fall, runs but never rode it. Looks like crap, full title with it. And then i have the 89 which to me will definitely out run either of my Goldwings. The 89 is my favorite bike.
Then i have two 85 Vmax bikes, first one was dropped off a trailer, broke the oil filter boss, then they somehow broke the crank, bike is mostly all there, #199 vin, it was given to me, stored outside in Alaska for 15 years, lots of corrosion. No title.
Then there is the running 85 that i will probably take for a ride tomorrow, roads are finally clear, bought it last fall, only rode it 20 miles, but what a ride! I can really think along the lines of merging the fairing from a donor 1200 Venture. Or just shoehorn either just the Vboost on one, or the complete motor.
Would be interesting in the least to work out all the best parts, the rear mono shock tends to break at the frame on the early Ventures. But its also really nice having a gear indicator, CLASS suspension, the bigger fuel tank. If i can ever get my shop built its going to be my top project, a fully modern Venture Max, touchscreen radio, digital gauges, all the latest stuff. Like one if those early 60 Corvettes with modern running gear.
It would be the best thing in some years if Yamaha were to bring back the Venture Royale, not the current cruiser one. Its a shame Honda Goldwings saturated the market, technically the Ventures had more to offer until the Gl1500 flat six with reverse came out. Reverse is nice to have for a touring bike.