Virago

[Rstyduck]

Cool, although i dont like Virago's i cant pass up a deal.
Guy has an 1100 and a 750, both parked 6 years, gives them to a mechanic my dad knows to get them running.
Meanwhile his dad passes away and he inherits millions. Mech still has the Virago's. They sit. After some time goes by the millionaire son's wife dies.
He phones the Mech with the Virago's and tells him to scrap the bikes or just keep them.
He's talking with my dad and dad askes him what he wants for the bikes.

The mechanic says "You can have them both for a case of beer"

IM ON THIS SH*# LIKE WHITE ON RICE!!!!!!!!!!

[natemoen]

I would have been on that one too! Cant pass up free!!

[Rstyduck]

Get him some crappy Budwieser.

[skippy344]

Virago Fixes

Hey RSTY,

I recently revived an '82 750 Virago. Had the starter problem, so I bought a Starter shim kit from ebay. And I also bought the idler gear that strips out. Now the bike starts easily and runs nicely. Oh, I also replaced the original starter with a 4-brush starter. Works like a charm!

It is my son's bike and he's really diggin' it!

Good luck and post some pics, will ya?

greg

[Rstyduck]

Well, after my comp went down im finally back. Like ya'll care. Lol.

Anyway. The 1100 turned into a 920.

But i bought both bikes for $50.
The 750 needed a battery.
The 920 came with a box of parts.

Heres a couple pics. The 750 has flames and the 920 has the claws.


Apparently i may not post attachments.

[Yamanatic]

920's are a heap: Set On Ground, Lite Fuse, and Get Away!

Early 750 Viragos are one of the finest, least understood bikes yamaha ever produced. Give me a fairly well maintained 750 with a good set of street tires, and I can put most any sport bike to shame on a really twisty road. The vintage aftermarket exhausts make them sound nice, and if you do the cam mod, they last forever.

Do put a plate on the 750, and get to know it; you will appreciate the engine, handling, and amazingly, the riding position. Don't be afraid to ride it like you stole' it; they are unbelieveably forgiving. I can't say enough about the XV750, and after a few thou you will undoubtably share the same sentiments.

Loose that 920 though, they are the WORST. I am ashamed for Yamaha, and can't believe those things ever made it to market. Heavy, clunky, fowl starting, squirrelly handling, hard to fix, and basically a toad. My apologies to those who own one, but I speak from years of experience kneeling next to way too many while a dealer mechanic. I was once technical advisor for the Yamaha Owner's Club, and the 920 was one thing we all agreed on. Sorry...

Cheers,
Yamanatic

[Rstyduck]

The 750 is my wifes.
It seems to not really want to fire the rear cylinder. Im going to change the plugs.
Put Sea Foam in it cuz its been parked so long.
If i pull the rear plug wire off a bit it seems to run better. Weird.

Im thinking of getting the 920 to the point of being able to start it and see if the engine is any good. If it is i'll fix it to sell. If its not then itll be just a parts bike for the 750.

[crazy steve]

Any running bike at that price is a good deal...

[Yamanatic]

Your wife is a very lucky lady - just watch out or you may be following her through the twisties!

Before you rebuild the carbs, check to see if the balance is correct; many owners thought the balance screw was the idle screw, and would really make a mess of the idle and they would not run worth a durn. You can make a set of "Carb Sticks" using a long piece of thin clear tubing looped at the bottom and rubber banded to a yardstick, then partially filled with ATF. Works well for me!

The first Viragos were also shipped from the factory with destructive preservative in the carbs; it was green and nasty. There was a major recall on ALL the bikes Yamaha shipped in the early 1980s, and the preservative would turn to an epoxy like substance, which was virtually impossible to get out of the internal passages unless allowed to soak for several days. Warranty only paid about 1 hour per carb, so many bikes were not cleaned well.

Not many parts interchange between the 750 & 920. The 920 starters were basically unrepairable, but if you put extra washers behind the planetary drive and overtighten the screws a little, they will start if in tune. The starters were made to slip to prevent broken cases and starter housings in the event of a backfire (which happened anyway), and were just not up to the likes of a twin that size. The 750 motors took much less torque to turn over, so could be fixed with the upgrade kit.

Good luck with the bikes, and be sure to sneak an occasional ride on the .75L when the wife is not looking!

Cheers,
Warren

[Rstyduck]

My wife putts around the back yard, im hitting 3rd and kickin it sideways. Did a real nice burnout on the sidewalk, held it smoking for about 20 ft.

Raining today. Figures. Im going in to the city in 3 hours to test ride a custom 2000 Sporty with a 1200+ Wiseco big bore kit. Bank appt at 4pm.
Hope the rain lets up or there wont be a test ride.

[Rstyduck]

By the way, this is completly in the wrong forum and if it could be moved to "Other bike discussion" it would be appretiated.

[Rstyduck]

Got it running sweet. Just had to change plugs and give it a new battery.
Got $99 into it so far and that includes the purchase price.

I'm looking for a right hand side cover and battery clamp if any of you may have one.