24 Hours ago...

Also...tried out my color tune mode but it didn't prevent sparking in the plug well. Back to the drawing board.

 

Upon further inspection the problem with the clutch lever is not the bore. It has worn at the lower fork of the perch. I've cleaned it and built it up with epoxy (I can't for the life of me find my AlumaWeld rods, not that putting heat near the controls is a good idea anyway). I've made a shim from a brass washer (always save the hardware when you replace a toilet, it comes in handy for so many other things) to take up what slop remains, and to reduce future wear. the new short-cable will arrive tomorrow, just in time for the chances of thunderstorms to subside.
If this repair fails too soon I'll be forced to fit a hydraulic clutch conversion. The money though...it's 20 tanks of gas, ugh.

 

Have you tried the alumaweld rods? I bought some but haven’t tried them yet.

any chance they could be used to build up a missing cooling fin on a cylinder casting?

 

I have used thin wall bushings to repair levers with hole slop. Search for "plain bushings 8mm 10mm oilless". Drill a 25/64" hole in the lever for a press fit for the 10mm O.D. Get bushings that are longer than you need and grind them back flush after install. Doesn't fix the perch problem, but between that and the toilet washers it might help.

A hydraulic clutch does sound nice though.....

 

I’ve tried them. They work well with practice. The problem is that the lever perch is mounded into the plastic switchgear housing. Heat is no bueno.

 

I found that the slop wasn’t in the bolt hole. The lower perch had worn. I made a shim from a brass washer. No more slop.

 

Sometime in the next three weeks there will be a first-gen XV920 in the garage. I’m finally able to bring the girl home from my friends. She’ll be a father-son project.

 

@k-moe , is it one of those with the enclosed chain drive? I have thought those to be very interesting for a long time. Much more so than the later more radically "styled" shafty models.

 

It's the more common shaftie. The U.S. only got the XJ920R for one (maybe two) year(s). The XV 1000 TR1 is basicaly the same bike, ran from '81- '86, and is eligible for import from Europe via. the 25-year Rule.

The shaft driven bike's styling comes from bolt-on parts. Changing what it looks like is relatively easy (no frame modifications required).

 

Got the X back together and a short test drive. It still runs!

 

Today’s profanity brought to you by: Not counting when removing the old clutch plates.

Yep. I had an extra of each in there.

 

Well…after fiddling with adjusting the clutch cable I have made an unfortunate discovery. The little leverage increasing device can no longer be used (for now). The cable that goes between it and the clutch lever is now too short, and does not provide enough travel. My guess as to why it worked before is that the clutch plates were worn enough to allow a shorter throw to be sufficient.
It f you need such a device, hang on until after I order parts to make a longer cable and see if that makes it possible to use with a new clutch.

 

They can, but if therte is any oil in the casting you either have to bake it out, or give up.

 

I wish I still had the Beetle I owned in the late 70's, and that it looked that good.

 

Same, but it was '75 Celica. Almost no rust. I didn't treat it well enough, and some butthead sideswiped her at an intersection. The most hurtful part is that I bought her for $900 in '88, and one in the same pre-accident condition now goes for nearly $25K. I only mention that because I will probably never be able to afford to buy another.

 

24 Hours ago I was happy, bu not quite this happy. I just returned from my second ride of the day. A nice cool-ish evening ride where everything clicked. Each corner was an exercise in hitting the perfect speed and line. Each straight was unobstructed by idiot cagers. And every stop sign was met with a beautiful 2-second long feet-up stop.
A rare day for a city-dweller.

 

It was not 24 hours ago, but more some changes that have occurred over the last 24 months. I appreciate everyone's grace, as well as the accountability that I've been held to when I've been in the wrong. Part of why I haven't been as active was so I could finish rebuilding myself after having been faced with personal challenges that overwhelmed, and ultimately broke me. I'm right as rain now, and very grateful to every one who has supported my journey to getting back to my authentic self. I'm still going to be scarce as far as posting goes, as I think my role as a moderator is to set back and help keep the community thrive, instead of being an annoying bother.

Again, thank you all. Especially @SnoSheriff for getting this wonderful place rolling.

 

I hope you continue on your positive trail. When life throws some things at us, it seems we are not ready for them. Each person handles those "things" in their own way. I am glad you are doing better and seem to have a positive and realistic goal. Very glad to hear the k-moe .

 

My son stopped over again to work on our (really my) Virago project bike. He finally decided that the original bars and the rectangular headlight are cool (win for me, at least in the money department). He hasn't ever been interested in mechanical work until I brought the bike home, but he's catching on quickly and has started noticing things that I have "missed." We will be rebuilding the brake calipers next week (thankfully the master is fine), and popping the carbs back on. If all goes well he'll have a rider in less than two weeks, and then we can think about cosmetic and ergonomic changes.

As a bonus he's started playing music again. He took two years off after graduating from college. It's good to hear him enjoy his passion again. Hopefully he can end up playing gigs and having a good time.

 

Looks at a 1996 1100 Virago on FB in my area right now. Trying to talk myself out of it...

Glad the work on the project bike is coming along. Also good to hear your son is getting back to some pleasure and self interest in the music. I my self don't have a single musical bone in my body, but love to listen to most types.