Topic: The Hot-Tub Bike! "750 Virago"

[seaweb11]

The guy on Island who works on hot tubs, pools etc., has not billed me in 2 years. He keeps telling me he's going to bring his "bike"?  down to my garage and we will barter the labour/parts to get his bike running. Apparently he has confidence in me    I owe him around $600.00+ 

I pushed getting the bike because he's been working on the old Jacuzzi again just last week   $$

Buddy and I went up today and picked it up, pressure washed the moss off and here she is
1984 Virago /shaft drive.
  It does not run, rust in tank, bad gas in carbs, seized front brakes, seized rear brake, but hey...............the oil looked good and the air filter was new as well ......basically a bag of nuts







I'm sure there are mice in that pipe.



Front brake calipers are both hanging off and seized



Nice cob webs!!!!!





It's not pretty.





This will be my 1st, "Can you fix my bike?"  It all looks the same, sort of?
I'm stoked both for the challenge, and that I have a bike to work on! ............Took about 30 mins after he left and I was stripping it down

I have a manual, so it should be a cake walk...

[manjisann]

Nice! I was looking at the first couple pics thinking "that doesn't look too bad at all".... and then you started showing detail and I had to rethink my initial impression 

One of my buddies has a virago, they sound super sexy, but I've been warned they are notorious for electrical issues. Also check the top of the forks, that bolt is steel and on my buddies was frighteninly rusted.

Good luck, I'll be popping in now and again to check on the progress 

Brandon

[Little_Horse]

I think its funny there are others out there who just can't help themselves, they have to be working on something.

Resurrecting otherwise "to the junk yard" bikes is rewarding and fun. Thanks for posting.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Dude,

That green shirt isn't flattering on you. Been eating good?  Have fun with your new project.

As much as you work on your bikes and boats you don't need to take on side work to cover your hot tub!     They are easier than the bikes to repair. I didn't stick my head under your spa when I was there to see what you have. I'd be glad to walk you through repairs should you need further assistance. Now, if it's a full foam spa that's maybe another issue. 

Jerry the ex-owner of Leisure Time Hot Tubs

ps buy a Thorsby, AB Canadian made Arctic Spa when it's time to replace it. By far the easiest spa to work on!

[754]

 Man you are braver than I am.. I would not get near that thing.

...except that I think it has very cool rims, and the monoshock would come in handy if you convert a sohc to monoshock...

[seaweb11]

Uh monoshock.... Where?

[axehole54]

The guy on Island who works on hot tubs, pools etc., has not billed me in 2 years. He keeps telling me he's going to bring his "bike"?  down to my garage and we will barter the labour/parts to get his bike running. Apparently he has confidence in me   I owe him around $600.00+  

I pushed getting the bike because he's been working on the old Jacuzzi again just last week  $$

Buddy and I went up today and picked it up, pressure washed the moss off and here she is
1984 Virago /shaft drive.
  It does not run, rust in tank, bad gas in carbs, seized front brakes, seized rear brake, but hey...............the oil looked good and the air filter was new as well ......basically a bag of nuts







I'm sure there are mice in that pipe.



Front brake calipers are both hanging off and seized



Nice cob webs!!!!!





It's not pretty.





This will be my 1st, "Can you fix my bike?"  It all looks the same, sort of?
I'm stoked both for the challenge, and that I have a bike to work on! ............Took about 30 mins after he left and I was stripping it down

I have a manual, so it should be a cake walk...

Check the ignition computer out first they're like 500bucks and fail constantly also don't try to fix the electronics they are coated in a carcinogenic vibration dampeining coating... also not sure where you get it but there is a fix for the starter problems on those bikes its the gear inside the case that should be replaced its what kills the starters. I used to love my 920 but FML was there alot of things that could go wrong on them... just be thankful you don't have the digital dash.. But there is a really sweet single carb setup I saw for them you may wanna check that out

[seaweb11]

Thanks very much for the tips.
By "ignition computer", are you referring to what the manual calls the "Ignitor Unit"?
I was planning on rebuilding the carbs and cleaning the tank 1st and then trying to get it going.

[axehole54]

Thanks very much for the tips.
By "ignition computer", are you referring to what the manual calls the "Ignitor Unit"?
I was planning on rebuilding the carbs and cleaning the tank 1st and then trying to get it going.

yup! black box from hell I've had two virago's and three failed boxes don't bother getting a used one I'd say... and clean all your grounds and connectors learned that one the hard way... one spark and poof! no more box... But you know even with the problems they're still a really nice bike to ride

[CBJoe]

Nothing like the clack! clack! of the virago starter    Issues are fixed with a shim kit for the starter gear.

It is an ebay seller called chopper bob... good reviews on the different Virago Forums.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/VIRAGO-STARTER-REPAIR-SHIM-KIT-2-IDLER-CLIP-FIX_W0QQitemZ260640738884QQihZ016QQcategoryZ35594QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Cheers, Joe

[seaweb11]

Thanks very much for the tips.
By "ignition computer", are you referring to what the manual calls the "Ignitor Unit"?
I was planning on rebuilding the carbs and cleaning the tank 1st and then trying to get it going.

yup! black box from hell I've had two virago's and three failed boxes don't bother getting a used one I'd say... and clean all your grounds and connectors learned that one the hard way... one spark and poof! no more box... But you know even with the problems they're still a really nice bike to ride

Maybe I should have it checked before I even dig into the bike to much?
Manual says take it to a shop to have it checked out.

[putnaja1]

Looks like a cool project for sure- I bet that makes a nice road bike once it is up and running.  Good looking bike also, and I don't usually go for the cruiser look.

Jason

[axehole54]

I'd say get it checked out for sure... but i feel like there may be something in the automive industry that may work in place of it if it is failed... hmm.... virago forums?

[Frankenkit]

Yeah, the virago starter can often sound like a homeless guy with tuberculosis.   There's that kit and this set o' instructions http://www.dansmc.com/virago_starter.htm.

Good luck.  I've always been a big fan of the look of viragos.

[seaweb11]

Thanks all for the tips. Feel free to keep them coming

[lordmoonpie]

Doesn't look like an '84 bike to me - they should be monoshock I think, certainly 81-83 are and they have the single exhaust pipe each side rather than a stacked pair on the right. This looks like the later model XV750 to me, is it definitely 84? Maybe you guys got the later XV750 earlier on your side of the pond?

Starter clutch is the main issue as CBJoe and Kit have said - second planetary gear is often the one that goes in the starter setup. Wiring is a nightmare too as it seems over-egged a bit to me but otherwise it's a nice big V-twin to work on. I'm half way through restoring my own 1981 XV750SE - bought it back from ebay 18 years after selling her, my first bike post-test! Once up and sweet they are tremendous fun...great project 

[MRieck]

Try buying carb parts for Virago's.  Unavailable (I'm talking jets etc) or 25.00 paper float gaskets. Hitachi stuff.

[wannabridin]

sounds like you just need to pay him your bill, seems like it'd be a LOT cheaper than fixing this bikes problems!   

[754]

Some Viagros had monoshock.. obviously I should have noticed the shocks on this one..    

 I am embarressed to say I had a parts one, hard to sell, had the fugly swirl mags, missing starter.. I hated even touching that thing..
 Finally a fabricator nearby the shop bought it for 90 bux to get the monoshock to try to put on his Harley. My buddy in Cowtown is making rumblings about a monoshock CB750..told him to rob the mono of the Viagro, they have sitting there..

 Never was so glad to see a piece of iron leave my shop...

 Pay the guy, save the 30 hrs of work...

[putnaja1]

Surely if the carbs and ignition are unobtanium and unreliable/serviceable, readily available equivalents could be retro fitted?

[sammyboom]

Here's a pic of my 85 xv700 virago bobber.  Minimal wiring and p901 single carb manifold w/ mikuni hs40.   The starter is still loud and sometimes embarrassing but its a great bike otherwise. 

[Frankenkit]

oh, GOD that's hot. *drooooolllll*

You put that huge sissybar on a single seat on purpose, didn't you?  You KNOW there're a million chicks in the world who would love a ride on that machine, and that close-set sissy bar just ensures they ride just a little bit closer.


You, Sir, are my hero.

[sammyboom]

Thanks its fun tryin to get the ladies on there lol.   I wish... its ugly and I ride alone.   No naggin ladies just me and the wind in my face.   Now I gotta get my cb650 in order.
  Sorry for the threadjacking.

[Grnrngr]

I've been pretty happy with my xv500, but they're different from the rest of the Viragos. I think 84 was the year they transitioned from mono to dual shock, most folks think the duals are better. Got lots of good info from  http://viragotechforum.com/phpBB/portal.php
A second ground wire to frame is almost universally recommended for Viragos as well as cleaning all the contacts real good, definitely carbs and tank are first tho..good luck!

[seaweb11]

Thought I would drop in with a question.
- Fully charged battery
- Have bench tested all fuses, they are all OK.
- When ignition turned on, the only thing that works are the running lights.

No starter, no signals, no headlight, no brake light,.  I'm walking away for a bit
 I'm having problems just locating what I would usually look for on my Honda's.

Still waiting to get a response from the Virago forum to become a member   any help appreciated.