Which Viragos DIDN"T have the starter problem?

[wapam]

Which years (if any) didn't have "the starter problem"? I thought only the earlier ones had the problem but I saw a thread where someone with a '96 was having trouble too.

Thank you.

[birch]

Starter problems

I do not know anything about the new virago's, but the two 85's that I had both were horrible starters. I think that the tremendous amount of heat due to starter location is the culprit. I would be that yamaha recognized and tried to correct this with the newer models, but I would not buy another. Honda v-twins are much better bikes as far as I am concerned--anything in the vtx line will do ya fine

Casey b

[prometheus578]

Was a problem with alignment and such.
Cure was a shim for the starter.
(I've got the tech bulletin somewhere...?)

[prometheus578]

"Why do I hold on to this stuff?"

XV700:
Ok, the bulletin is dated Nov, '84, (M84-030)so it won't show anything that came later, but I can imagine, as there's a bulletin, the problem was corrected.
Affected Units.
XV700L (42W), XV700N (56E), XV700LC(42X) and XV700 NC(56F)

[birch]

Prometheus--I have to say that I have never met such a knowledgeable man when it comes to bikes. Now, I might be able to hang with you when it comes to beer brands!

Casey B

[prometheus578]

"I am not knowlegeable..."

I just retain info and pass it along. No deep thought there.
I'll stick to my Steinlager, Victoria Bitter, or anything reminescient of Rhinelander Dark, from the long defunkt Huber Brewery of Monroe, Wisconsin.
This site has many members well versed in all things mechanical...
You might try sharing your love of Budwieser, Pabst and MGD with them.
The thought of it makes me want to laugh and vomit at the same time.

What good is waking in a foul mood.. if I can't spread the "love" around a bit? I see a great day ahead for me.

(Was at Yamaha yesterday... shim kits still available, $20-ish. if someone still needs them.)

[birch]

Well, I am not sure what to make of that prometheus. If it is in good humor, then great, but if you said all that assuming I am nothing more than a redneck moron, then I am not impressed. Hopefully, the former.

[Jerry]

From memory, so could be wrong...

The Virago 750 and 920 series had trouble with their starters.
A common fix was to install a shim kit. Link to some info on that is at http://www.dansmc.com/virago_starter.htm Appears to have a downloadable version of the tech bulletin that Prom mentioned. Another site that goes into Virago starters is http://www.drpiston.com/

[prometheus578]

"My apologies for the confusion."

Birch...
I had worried about that when writing.
You had only 25 posts... but, had been registered on this site for over two years.
I had sincerely hoped that over those years, you had noticed/figger'd out my caustic and "mock" mocking writing style.
I intended no offense to you, Sir.
While not particularly "good" humor, it was a stab at humor, none the less.
If you would show me the kindness of offering the name/brand of your favorite beer... I would like to pick some up when I go shopping this weekend. (provided I can get it locally)
Again, Birch, no insult was intended and I shall be more cautious when tossing barbs in the future.
KURT

[stevec5000]

Does anyone know of a good forum for the Virago? I've been looking at an XV920 that I want to ask a question about. I tried to get on this one called viragotechforum.com but can't sign up because of the control pictures that have 8 icons you have to enter but they won't come up and all I get are boxes with the symbol for a broken graphic in them so I need a forum that works. Tks.

[prometheus578]

"I hate to send you there..."

But... do a search for Virago... wikipedia has two entries, obviously go to the motorcycle one. At the bottom of the article, several links to owner's groups and such.

[stevec5000]

Ok, I found some on Wikipedia but maybe you guys can help me. I was looking at a VX920 the P.O. had taken apart due to a burned exhaust valve and after a year now wants it out of his garage. When I looked around it seems that nobody sells parts for those and don't even have the parts list online anymore so where do you get parts? On ebay they want a fortune for each valve!
Also, I wonder if it's worth getting one that some moron took apart over a year ago and now can't remember how it goes back and try to replace the valves and reassemble it?

[wa407mpp]

The early Viragos used a chain drive between the starter and the engine and had a problem with the drive sprocket coming loose from the starter motor or maybe it was the driven sprocket, I don't remember which, and just spinning when you hit the button. When you hit the button does it sound like it is just spinning? If so that's probably the problem. There used to be a company that would Tig weld it back on if you sent it to them, but I don't know if they still do it, or even who they were. You might try to find a Virago site.

[stevec5000]

Someone with cash in hand beat me to the XV920. Whew, what a relief! They sure saved me a lot of work!