81 xv920

[DGXSER]

Going to look at one of these tonight been sitting for 7-8 years stored inside, some gas in the tank. otherwise all there, front pipe looks a little rusty in the pic.

What are the known issues with these that I should be sure to look for?

[jwhughes3]

Not as reliable as XS11 I think. I think the alterator is different.

I seem to recall starter issues.

They look pretty cool though.

Good luck.

John

[LuckyEddie]

Xv920

I brought one home about a month ago. It is a highly sought after model, first year, enclosed chain drive. Starter issue is curable. I have found little trouble getting parts, those that are not available can be had from ebay. Mine had what appears to be pumice in the motor, so I'm in the middle of a complete rebuild. I gave $400 for it, if you would like a pic, PM your email address and I'll send one.
Good Luck!

[motoman]

I brought one home about a month ago. It is a highly sought after model, first year, enclosed chain drive. Starter issue is curable. I have found little trouble getting parts, those that are not available can be had from ebay. Mine had what appears to be pumice in the motor, so I'm in the middle of a complete rebuild. I gave $400 for it, if you would like a pic, PM your email address and I'll send one.
Good Luck!

Uhhhh........thought the XV was the Virago guys.........also was a shaftie.........and yea, it had the starter drive issue, although easily fixable......enlighten me with a pic of what you got L.Eddie.

[DGXSER]

The starter issue seems like it can get quite involved. So far I have read about needing to weld something in the starter together, or add shims, and some type of clip on the starter clutch needing upgraded. Also read there is a newer starter motor that resolves some of that parts issue, but it is the only one you want to be welding the gear together in.

Just trying to know what I am biting off before I offer a price on the bike.

[tarzan]

I had an 82 XV750. It had starter issues. I didn't weld the starter clutch on mine. I bought a new 4 brush starter, I also sent my flywheel and starter clutch gear to a guy who specializes in regrinding them with a better grind. Its been a few years now.But i had over $300 into just fixing that problem. You can repair them and they will last a good long time, as long as you keep it great running order so it starts right up. It is a bad design that can't take a lot of abuse like having crank and crank trying to start. One other thing about the Virago starter,
it will always have a kind of "box-of-rocks" sound to it.
I still really like the old Virago's and would buy another one. But I wouldn't buy one planning to make much money on it.

[tarzan]

Uhhhh........thought the XV was the Virago guys.........also was a shaftie.........and yea, it had the starter drive issue, although easily fixable......enlighten me with a pic of what you got L.Eddie.

In 1981 they did offer a chain drive Virago.It is fairly rare these days. If I remember correctly, it was called the Xv920RH .

[jetmechmarty]

[LuckyEddie]

Xv920

Another web site, already boiled down, good information: www.drpiston.com

[LuckyEddie]

Xv920....

Don,
Did what you went to see look like the pic I sent?
Did you bring it home?

[DGXSER]

Eddie,

Life has been in the way so far, hope to get a chance to go look this weekend.

[Schming]

Here are some links that may...

...help, as I've accumulated the later model parts to do the starter conversion on my XV 700L .

http://viragotechforum.com/viewtopic...739&highlight=

http://viragotechforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=20028

http://viragotechforum.com/viewtopic...=14170&start=0

http://www.drpiston.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIE3P...eature=related

HTH

[jjz28]

I just gave a 1982 xv920 full dresser away.