Picked up a 83 Virago 500k tonight. lol

[Diskman01]

Just purchased a slightly abused 1983 Virago 500K tonight for my wifes first bike. Started up fine with the dead battery at the guys house. Clutch cable is shot so I'm taking a gamble on it driving. Meh.

Looks like everything is here.

Need cables, clutch, fork seals, oil changes all around and brake pads. Seat is in good shape and has new paint on the tank and sides.

VERY small bike for me. Duck walking it on the flatbed was like driving from a bucket compared to my XS11. lol.

Should be an adventure. Already hitting snags with finding a new clutch cable.

[jetmechmarty]

22U-26335-01-00 CABLE,CLUTCH



Could be:

[Diskman01]

22U-26335-01-00 CABLE,CLUTCH



Could be:

WOW. That looks awesome!

Thanks for the link, but I absolutely DON'T deal with Partzilla. I *just* finished a dispute with those dicks via my CC over an order they never shipped. They have the absolute WORST customer support. Even AFTER I forced the 50+ day refund and they sent me an email confirming the chargeback, they STILL sent me another shipping update on the items the following day. "Your items are shipping on May 2nd". Case closed on 05/10/2013. LOL.

[tarzan]

Congrats on the new acquisition. I like the old Viragos. Hopefully your starter is in good shape.That was their main problem.
Have you found the Viragotech.com site? I had a Virago a few years ago and found that site to be pretty helpful.

[Diskman01]

Congrats on the new acquisition. I like the old Viragos. Hopefully your starter is in good shape.That was their main problem.
Have you found the Viragotech.com site? I had a Virago a few years ago and found that site to be pretty helpful.

Yep.. Made an account last night. Took it to the carwash today and a can of engine-brite later it's all shiny again.

Gas tank is very rusty and can be cleaned.. Needs a complete going-through at this point. Just finishing up my 78 XS1100 today too. Been my winter project in my living room. lol.

So far, the Virago looks like it's NOT gonna be a cheap bike to fix up. Air cleaner alone is 45 bux before shipping.

Still haven't driven it. After seeing the rusty tank, I pulled it and it's awaiting a cleaning and etching this week.

[CRXSi90]

Yep.. Made an account last night. Took it to the carwash today and a can of engine-brite later it's all shiny again.

Gas tank is very rusty and can be cleaned.. Needs a complete going-through at this point. Just finishing up my 78 XS1100 today too. Been my winter project in my living room. lol.

So far, the Virago looks like it's NOT gonna be a cheap bike to fix up. Air cleaner alone is 45 bux before shipping.

Still haven't driven it. After seeing the rusty tank, I pulled it and it's awaiting a cleaning and etching this week.

Living room project?!? Your wife is awesome. My plan was always hookers and blow, but you're making me rethink that.

Do you have the mono shock and shaft drive? They changed to dual shocks like the xs later on, I believe.

As far as parts, they may not be cheap, but at least you are finding them to be available. The virago (in various sizes) had quite a long run, so that improves your chance of finding parts new and used. Wish I could say the same for my KE. Can't even get a new key from Kawasaki, and the generic blanks don't work. Good luck!

[fredintoon]

- - - Thanks for the link, but I absolutely DON'T deal with Partzilla. - - -

Hi Diskman,
never ascribe to malice anything that could be explained by incompetence
Perhaps you could have a neighbor or co-worker get the cable so that Partzilla don't know it's you?

[Diskman01]

Hi Diskman,
never ascribe to malice anything that could be explained by incompetence
Perhaps you could have a neighbor or co-worker get the cable so that Partzilla don't know it's you?

It's just that they will NEVER get another cent from me. Period. It's just too much of a hassle. I think "cables to go" makes custom cables.

Air cleaner is breaking the bank. I will have to design a new solution for that.

[Diskman01]

Living room project?!? Your wife is awesome. My plan was always hookers and blow, but you're making me rethink that.

Do you have the mono shock and shaft drive? They changed to dual shocks like the xs later on, I believe.

As far as parts, they may not be cheap, but at least you are finding them to be available. The virago (in various sizes) had quite a long run, so that improves your chance of finding parts new and used. Wish I could say the same for my KE. Can't even get a new key from Kawasaki, and the generic blanks don't work. Good luck!

Mono shock and shaft drive.

Ya, the XS11 *should* be on the road tomorrow. New battery has been trickled all night, got the exhaust polished and put on last night and the fuses installed.

Just need to make a hanger for the rear of the carbs. I got new intake boots and I am pretty sure they will sag unlike the rock hard originals.

Watching Pawn Stars and wrenchin' on the bike is amusing. Otherwise the 70s/80s music channels work well too.

[Diskman01]

I think the XV500 is done for. Has a major oil leak at the middle-drive output seal.. Looks like the engine will need to be removed and seperated to fix it. NOT a project I wish to do on this bike as all of the parts are made of unobtainium I found out.


Re-listed on Craigslist. Gonna take it in the shorts on this one I think. Wife was real psyched about a bike too. It's small enough for her to ride.

dammit

[tarzan]

Could you get an Xv750 motor and put in it?

[LoHo]

The 500K is tough because it was made one year and has unique parts. A mid-1980s Virago or an XJ/XS would have the low seat and still have some support. We are spoiled because of the vast XS empire we've built keeps these old bikes alive and parts available.

Hey, is the 500's petcock intact? Those are very dear, as they are unique and picky about working properly.

[Diskman01]

The 500K is tough because it was made one year and has unique parts. A mid-1980s Virago or an XJ/XS would have the low seat and still have some support. We are spoiled because of the vast XS empire we've built keeps these old bikes alive and parts available.

Hey, is the 500's petcock intact? Those are very dear, as they are unique and picky about working properly.

Ya.. Pretty much this...

Was NOT aware of the rarity of the fuel system.. D'oh.

Off to step up the advertising...

[CRXSi90]

Sorry to hear about the tough break! Good luck with the sale.

[Tat2demon]

If the parts are that hard to get you may be able to make some money if you part it out on Ebay.