1994 yamaha xv535

I picked up this bike with a buddy today without running her through the gears. yeah, that was the issue, but with a bike that had 4766 mi and needed but a little cleaning, I got her running and said ok. For $200, you cannot beat it. so, the middle drive gear is cracked. How difficult is it to replace it? It isn't expensive, $25, but I don't want to have to go into the engine all the way down if I can just turn around and sell it after a quick clean up for a couple hundred $$ profit. thoughts? buyers??? How hard is this engine to get apart and back together properly??

 

I was ever so glad to see the 535 I bought leave with my ex-wife. I've got nothing nice to say about them.

 

8O :lol: :lol:

 

There's really only one thing you should do ... if your budget is 25-Bucks and you know ... with absolute certainty ... that the bike needs to have installed a new or replacement Middle Gear.

Take the 25-bucks and go and buy a Stanley, Hickory, hammer handle for their 20-ounce Framing Hammer.

Whittle the top part, that goes into the hammer head, into a really, really sharp point.

Then, drive that wooden stake right through the hearts of both instruments.
Bash it into the Fuel Tank right along side the Fuel Petcock.

When gas starts to trickle down the length of the handle ... let it pool-up while you urinate all over the seat.

Even if you don't smoke ... light one up!

You need it to flick into the puddle of gas!

Say Goodnight; Gracie!

 

Wow! This thread elicited some responses I didn't expect!
Are you certain it is just the middle gear? I would suspect that the person who broke the tranny didn't bother to clean out the unit to prevent any broken bits from migrating about so odds are not in your favor that they have stayed put. I'd pull the case and split it and if the parts add up to more than $150, I'd stop right there and Flea-bay the parts. The machine had a real bad habit of fuel starvation on right turns and was not very lively (at least the 83 I had did, they may have gotten around to fixing that issue). I guess it is all up to what you are looking for and if you like it.
Best of luck figuring this one out.

 

Are you guys saying the little virago 535 is not a good bike? Is it a peace of crap?? That is actually the bike my wife has been wanting, but I have no experience with the 535.

 

You'll have to slow down so she can keep-up.

After an hour of undamped vibes you have to stop for a wrist-rest and vibrating butt break.

They're run-around-town cute. Fun to get you out in traffic and reduce big bike anxiety. No fun at all if you have to keep-up with friends on bigger bikes all day.

Before I'd dive-in to do a mid-gear ... I'd find another whole running engine and practice doing starter-gear overhauls.

When they were introduced, the Bike Press had a field-day with the Marketing campaign that made it look like it was a Fat Boy in the commercial.

It was designed to make you want to buy another bike.

 

The last bike I had in the UK was a 535 Virago, slow yes but I had no trouble keeping up with my mates clapped out old Hog. Bone shaker yes, first time I hit 70mph I thought it was only the skin that was keeping my hips and wrists from dropping off. I did find that if the carbs were not drained and the bike stood unused for a week or two the plugs would have to be replaced.

As a little run around it wasn't bad though, very popular here in my village must be 6 or 7 that I know off.

Mick Faighaigh.

 

can anyone actually give me some technical advice that would be pertinent to the original post?

 

What makes you think the middle gear is cracked? What are the symptoms? There might be other things wrong. Bad shift forks etc.

Greg

 

Yes - don't bother.

If the middle gear is cracked, it's going to take removing the engine, splitting the cases, and a full rebuild to replace it. From your original post, I'm guessing that's a lot more than you're wanting to get into.

If you can find some sucker to buy it - do it, and I feel for them already.

 

I pulled the side cover near the drive shaft and saw the crack. splitting the cases, well, it'll get bathed and sold for a few bucks more than it was bought for

 

If the crack is just in the case and the actual drive-line isn't broken ... (is it???) ... I'd say give a Master Welder a shot at TIGGING-up the hair line ... (hoping it's a hair line???) ... and see if it will go.

Some guys are so good laying-in material and puddling-the-bead ... that the repair looks like it belongs there.

The job presents a challenge ... it being cast ... not billet; but a talented TIG-guy will close it up.

 

just talked to the service manager at the dealer and he says the whole drive shaft, including what I need to get replaced, comes out through the back of the bike. it's labor intensive, but it'll work. I will be vigilant about those pesky little metal flakes too. y is it everyone hates this bike??

 

I dont hate the bike,I know nothing about them I was laughing at Roberts post,I am fallowing this thread because I have thought about getting one,I see them fairly cheap once in awhile.

 

Don't hate the bike either if the price is right, just wouldn't recommend them to anyone.

 

The whole Virago Family of engines have enough quirks and hair-pulling-out issues to Pee-off the Pope.

Starter springs and idler gears being right-up-there at the top of the heap.
Bike will run great for weeks. Then, when you hit the START Button ... you just get the whirring-around of the starter ... with NO engagement.

After you do a bunch of start motor idler's ... you start getting a rash every time you have to do another one. Then, you get sick of pulling-off the side cover ... because the gasket is special, rips easy, leaks if you're a smidge off with lining it up.

"Virago" is Italian for: "Needs a push-start"

 

just an update on this bike. I pulled her apart with 'help' from the owner today and it went relatively smoothly. One hiccup that my impact driver fixed for me. the drive shaft component and middle gear all came out as I thought and I spent much of the day shining her up. cannot believe I helped this guy get this thing for 200 bucks.