1981 XV750 Virago, someone wants to trade me.

I was offered today to trade my 1983 XJ650 Maxim for a guy's 1981 XV750 Virago. I've always liked the monoshock and vtwin Cafe Racer look. He said his was running about four months ago, but had died and he said it was an electrical problem and he's narrowed it down to the kill switch or starter button. I know these had issues with their starter, but would this be a good trade? I've still got a good ways to go before I can have my XJ on the road and with the Law Enforcement Academy I'm in now, I've gotten strapped for cash.

Just want people's opinions. I know this is an XJ Forum, but I was hoping to get on the road soon, and it seems like the Virago will have me there much quicker.

 

You will be replacing the starter gears, modifying the planetary gear case for the starter, and a few other things in order to get rid of the weaknesses of the first generation starting system.

Virago Tech Forum

Go, read, learn, then decide. The VIrago can be every bit as reliable as an XJ, once you accept that, no matter what you do you, will be working on the starter gears occasionally, even after making upgrades.

Personally I wouldn't trade one project for another.

 

It's possible it could be a quick fix, but you have to ask yourself "why hasn't the owner just fixed either the killswitch or starter button & sold the bike full price if it's that simple?"

There's a reason he came to you & tried to trade bikes, and pound to a penny it ain't gonna be "good will"!

 

I'll check out that forum I remember reading about starter gear issues in earlier models as far as project for project, I don't mind if I'm getting more what I would like.

I imagine there is probably a starter issue, he posted the bike on a local forum saying it was his project bike and I told him what I had and he asked about trading.

 

That's the main thing I suppose, if it's more the bike you want then it may be worth it. As k-moe said, I wouldn't trade a project for a project personally but it's your call really.

I guess if you assume the starter gears are bad, carbs are full of crud plus electrical problem and still feel it's still worth it to you then you could go for it & maybe get a nice surprise IF it is only the button that's bad...

 

Haha, nah, it is stock looking. I'm not sure if he owned it then or what, I didn't ask any details. I just asked when it last ran and he said four months ago.

 

Depends what you want- I can however say, that your 650 once running will spank that virago right outta the park speed wise.

The vtwins were never all that fast compared to the inline 4's on the xj's.

But I will say, this cafe is in my top 5 cafe's I've ever laid eyes on, just simply BEAUTIFUL. But if it were my cafe, it would just be a chill town cruiser, not like my xj which I love pushing it from time to time.

http://www.blessthisstuff.com/stuff/veh ... ocs-chops/

 

I don't really need a fast bike. I just want something that will get me up to interstate speeds and not be at wide open throttle. I just prefer the slender look of the VTwin Cafe Racers as opposed to the wide looking I4 Cafe Racers. I like the sound of the VTwin also.

 

Scream,

DON'T do it........ those who have mentioned the starter issue are correct.. I have an 81 with only 15k on the clock. The starter gears are already shot. Other than the starter issue, the bike is reliable, but they're right......you'll always have occasional starter repair work.

Dave Fox

 

having owned and worked on a Virago


run and fast

 

I've read on the forums that there is a permanent fix for the starter issue. Is it something that would leave me stranded or will it have symptoms before crapping out? I just really love the look of the bike and am willing to do routine maintenance on it to keep it reliable.

 

They upgraded the gears not sure if its still available they were about 600 to repair. It will get to the point that they will not catch. They make little clips but only help for a short time i am sure the edges are wore off your gears by now. That was the #1 reason you see low mile ones that look nice but are junked

 

The permanent fix only applies to the 900's of that time period, unless someone has found a 750 that has the same hole in the case for the newer model's starter to fit-last time I checked no-one has found one. The 900's can accommodate the updated starter which works like a starter should. The older 750's require a shim kit and sometimes new gears depending on how bad it is-if you're good with mechanics and do it right it can last for years, or 1000's of miles before it crops up again.

Yes it will be symptomatic LONG before it craps out. Basically by 5000 miles, and I've heard of less, it will begin to sound horrible-it's been described as a box of rocks being shook, but I would say it sounds like a starter gear auditioning for drummer in a punk band-but the bike will still start especially if your other maintenance is good (2 clean carbs, good gas, fresh battery, good plugs, etc.).

What has been said about the differences is pretty accurate. They have a ton of torque at the low end so you can even take off in 3rd no problem, but they aren't as fast or high winding as the XJ line. They do get better gas mileage for the same CC's but it's basically a push since the XJ line is already extremely efficient. Only two carbs and easy to adjust valves, extremely inexpensive parts since they made them in mega-quantities. I picked up my first V for $290 because the guy thought it was broke-it would start but die every time going into gear-clutch safety switch was broken. Easy fix.

I actually really like both my Virago's and one is sucking parts from the other to become really nice by this summer, but truly they are a totally different animal than an XJ. So I'm not giving up the XJ for the V, I'd miss the sportiness of the XJ too much.

BTW if you end up with a V, we have a great member who is VERY knowledgeable and also hangs out on the best Virago site (the one k-moe listed) so he can advise you about it. I'd be surprised if he doesn't see this thread and respond to you soon.

 

If you lik the style of them there are a bunch of them that the owners don't fix cheap. Any 750 1000 1100 motor will fit. The 1000 1100s you have to change the upper motor mount. Get a later model motor make sure you get the double pick up pre 89 ignition. 85 and later 1000 1100s they fixed the starter problem and 86and later 700-750 also you can tell the updated starter models by there is a little cover with 2 allen bolts on the side cover where the starter comes thru the case. I believe the updated ones both side side covers are completely chrome The ECU is different on the later models also. The fast virago was the chain drive 920 runs about the same as the 650 but the starter problems again. I had 2 at 1 time a 700 and 1100 they are a pain to work on try and stay away from 87 earlier ones with hitachi carbs. Except the early ones. pilot jet you can't get to so cleaning is a major hassle and you want to get it right the first time because its a major pain to pull the carbs.

 

A $600 fix would be out of the question until next year probably. He said the starter spun, but it was loud, which I'm guessing is the notorious starter gear issue. The bike has 30k miles btw.

I have a '77 KZ650 he wants pictures of this weekend, may try seeing if he will trade with that, though it is a basket case with no title.

 

Much better IMO to trade the basket case over the Max for the XV if he'll do that.... Sounds like it could be the starter problem though, but if you like the bike what the hey

 

Yeah go that route

 

There is no $600 fix for that '81 750. You're only options are to install the kit which is WAY below $600 more like $30 but is a band-aid repair not a fix, or you can install the new gear set $400-500, or you can upgrade to a newer engine or a 900 and put a new starter in the 900 because you can-cost TBD.

Put a shine on that basket case and make that trade. He's given up on the Virago (probably clueless) but let him struggle with your 'heap' until he gives up again. I'm pretty sure Louisiana is like Arkansas with older bike titles, bill of sale and a small fee and you can get a title easy.

If the V turns but sounds like crap it most definitely is the notorious issue and is not catastrophic. But if you're bent on trading the XJ make absolutely sure he's not scamming you with other problems. The XJ is worth more even if both are non-runners.

 

Really? It's just as old as the XJ; and it IS a Yamaha.

You'll have the same brake issues to worry about (delamination of the rears, all new rubber parts for the front) same electrical (PLUS the starter thing) and the valves still need to be adjusted regularly (more often actually since it has rocker arms with screw adjusters.) And you already know about carbs; granted there are only two but they still need to be clean, have their float levels set accurately and be synchronized.

So how is this Virago any less of a project than the XJ you're already familiar with? The grass is not always greener...

 

I had an '81 Virago for a while, and the starter thing really was a hassle. Even after applying the "fixes" it wasn't especially dependable. My Maxim, on the other hand, has been pretty great!

 

I had a Virago.
'85 XV-700N
It had the infamous Starter disease.
I got rid of it.

It saved Harley.
Angered their owners.

You might have more miles pushing-it; than you will have riding-it.

 

I ended up just messaging him and telling him I no longer want to trade the XJ, but if he was still interested in the KZ that I will take pictures this weekend and send them to him. Reading horror stories about those gears and how much of a pain they can be just doesn't seem worth it if there's anything more wrong, but for a trade for the KZ will be worth it, I don't plan on ever doing anything with it aside from trading or selling it, so it wouldn't be any loss to me.

As far as the title, I was told a few years ago I needed to get a bonded title from Texas (which is where the previous owner had it registered at). Seems like too much of a hassle for me, but I thought I read somewhere that a licensed mechanic could get a title by claiming it was repaired without payment and can assume ownership after a certain number of days.. I'll have to look up that info again when I have a chance.

Thanks everyone for the info and talking some sense.. I get so sidetracked because I absolutely love the monoshock Virago bikes, they are some of my favorite older bikes.. Guess I'll have to stick with a later model XV750 or get an XV920.

 

As mentioned earlier, you can swap in a newer motor if you get it for the right price. You'll have a monoshock without the starter troubles.

 

If you want gobs of torque, still want the V, still want the mono-shock..........look at the Suzuki Intruder 1500LC. I just put the stage III kit on mine last summer--holy crap!

Dave F

 

It certainly works like that here in the UK, that's how I got my Supra! and I'd imagine there has to be some kind of provision to protect mechanics over there too, worth checking for sure if you know someone in the trade

 

I too had the virago, and am glad to be rid of it. They were nice when young but not so much as they aged.

I agree on the intruder recommendation. My son recently picked up a 96 vs800 and it is very nice. Gobs of torque all the way through. We adjusted the air/fuel screws and its like a new bike. Runs strong and fast.