Pam Posted September 26, 2013 Share #1 Posted September 26, 2013 Any one have any info on these bikes, I am looking at one as a project I haven't seen it yet but the seller says the thing is seized and the throttle controls don't work. Pic's look good but pic's and deceiving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peder_y2k Posted September 26, 2013 Share #2 Posted September 26, 2013 I'd be very wary of any project that had an engine condition labeled as 'seized'. Really need to know what the nature of the 'seizure' is before taking a chance. Maybe it's just the brakes are seized. Best be clear on the seizure. -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam Posted September 26, 2013 Author Share #3 Posted September 26, 2013 Good point, I get the impression that this guy isn't a bike guy. Said he got the bike in an estate and stored it outside. I am thinking it might be in gear, I don't know why he says it is seized but time will tell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilH Posted September 26, 2013 Share #4 Posted September 26, 2013 Best I can find is the owner's manual for 1998 Virago 1100: http://www.starmotorcycles.com/assets/service/manuals/1998/LIT-11626-10-86_312.pdf I don't know how close it is to 1992 Virago, but they are both XV1100 so you may be in luck. Good luck in your project. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XV1100SE Posted September 26, 2013 Share #5 Posted September 26, 2013 I had a '99 Virago 1100 and it was a great bike. The only issues I'm aware of with the Virago's were early 80's and that was a charging issue I believe. If it is truly seized...consider what a motor would cost you. I sold my "mint" '99 two years ago for $3700 and that was for a bike that was in show room condition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BratmanXj Posted September 26, 2013 Share #6 Posted September 26, 2013 I had a '96 xv750. Bike is known for weak stator and rectifiers but engines are mostly stout and fairly simple to work on. Carb tuning is usually the bigest issue as they are air cooled and the rear cylinder runs HOT. I'd stay away from a fully siezed bike as they usuaaly are not worth the time/money to repair. These bikes fall into the usual "inexpensivd jap cruiser" market of the 80's and early 90's and can be had running for under $2k in very good shape. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Owl Posted September 26, 2013 Share #7 Posted September 26, 2013 Frank, I have a 92 Virago 1100 and I think it is the cats a$$ bike. Only real issue I had with mine (besides running out of gas in Yellowstone) was a blown fork seal and excessive rusting in the fuel tank. The blown fork seal was my own fault (sometimes that "S" in the middle of the forehead does stand for stupid). The rusted fuel tank was taken care of when we sealed the tank with an epoxy liner. Depending on what is seized and why, I think it would be a great winter project bike and if you get it running I think you will really enjoy riding it. Oh... I also installed forward controls on mine which changed out the whole riding configuration. For the better I might add. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BratmanXj Posted September 26, 2013 Share #8 Posted September 26, 2013 I also installed forward controls on mine which changed out the whole riding configuration. For the better I might add. Forwards by Mapman are necessary if your anything over 5'8" tall...those mid-mounts made that bike CRAMPED. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam Posted September 26, 2013 Author Share #9 Posted September 26, 2013 Good to know guys, Thanks for the info. I will let you know how this washes out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BradT Posted October 3, 2013 Share #10 Posted October 3, 2013 Rhonda had one for 5 years and she put over 60,000 km on it. Great bike and I should have an electronic copy of the manual. Let me know if you want a copy Brad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam Posted October 11, 2013 Author Share #11 Posted October 11, 2013 Ok guys here is what I wound up with. a 1992 Yamaha Virago, 23000 km The engine is not seized or at least I was able to free it with no effort, Carbs are in dire need of attention because they will not even open despite the cable trying to turn the butterflies. All the lights work. Only thing missing is the right side side cover. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Owl Posted October 11, 2013 Share #12 Posted October 11, 2013 Where you wearing a mask and carrying your piece when you made the deal? Or did you just have to kiss him as you walked out the door? :rotfl: Either way, you made a sweet deal. You going to bring it down to the Pork in the Pines next year? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peder_y2k Posted October 11, 2013 Share #13 Posted October 11, 2013 Well if the butterfly valves in the carb are stuck, then so are the expensive slides. To unstick the butterflys, spray WD40 or PB Blaster at them and soak for several hours, then try to rotate the cable actuator at the carbs by finger pressure to open them. The carbs will have to come out for further work, like soaking the slides for several days to free them up. Breaking a slide or tearing a diaphragm will cost big $$$. The rest of the carb internals should be OK, and simple carb spray will clean them up, unless they've had water standing inside them for years, then they are likely toast. -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yammer Dan Posted October 11, 2013 Share #14 Posted October 11, 2013 NICE!! If it were me I would find some way to fill those carbs full of cleaner reguardless of which way you had to go with them. I would use BerryMan's Chem Tech because its a little stronger than Sea-Foam. Open drains and try to get some to run thru them then fill them and leave sit til you figure out slides. Spraying slides with something to loosen them? I would love to bring that one back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pofarm Posted October 12, 2013 Share #15 Posted October 12, 2013 Anything you want to know about Viragos can be found at these two sites. Both have really knowledgeable and helpful members. You will have to become a member to access all the info this site has to offer. http://viragotechforum.com/index.php http://forums.delphiforums.com/vocroom/start Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam Posted October 12, 2013 Author Share #16 Posted October 12, 2013 I did open the drains and flushed out a bunch of old gas that would not even burn in a fire. I filled them with spray carb cleaner because that was all I had. Going to try to get the carbs off and deal them on a bench. Bought a lift the other day so I won't be sitting on the floor or bend over. Any one know what make of carbs these are? Either way the only way I see to really do anything with these is to get them onto a bench, unless some one knows how to get at the sliders with them on the bike? I am very familuar with ski doo carbs, being as Mr. Owl said from 40 miles north of the tree line No Mask in the deal, also came with a covor and leather bags, I think he ws baseing his his idea that it was seized on someone else's say so with out doing a little looking himself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Owl Posted October 12, 2013 Share #17 Posted October 12, 2013 I did open the drains and flushed out a bunch of old gas that would not even burn in a fire. I filled them with spray carb cleaner because that was all I had. Going to try to get the carbs off and deal them on a bench. Bought a lift the other day so I won't be sitting on the floor or bend over. Any one know what make of carbs these are? Either way the only way I see to really do anything with these is to get them onto a bench, unless some one knows how to get at the sliders with them on the bike? I am very familuar with ski doo carbs, being as Mr. Owl said from 40 miles north of the tree line No Mask in the deal, also came with a covor and leather bags, I think he ws baseing his his idea that it was seized on someone else's say so with out doing a little looking himself. They should be Mikuda (or however you spell it) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peder_y2k Posted October 12, 2013 Share #18 Posted October 12, 2013 Mikuni carbs. Pronounced 'mee koo nee'. BTW.....if the gas was so old it wouldn't burn, maybe it was water. The 22 year old gas in my barn find burned just fine, so I filtered it and fed it to my lawn mower, and it ran fine. Best to drain and examine the tank for rust. Likely to have so much rust that it will compromise a fuel filter and the carbs after you get it running. This is certain if the bike had been stored outside, even in an unheated garage. -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Owl Posted October 12, 2013 Share #19 Posted October 12, 2013 Thanks Pete. I knew someone would know how to spell it correctly... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yammer Dan Posted October 12, 2013 Share #20 Posted October 12, 2013 Nothing like these are they? http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Vintage-MIC-Japan-Mikuni-Kogyo-Carburetor-Motorcycle-Yamaha-Parts-Right-Left-/290991859414?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item43c07766d6&vxp=mtr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Owl Posted October 12, 2013 Share #21 Posted October 12, 2013 Nothing like these are they? http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Vintage-MIC-Japan-Mikuni-Kogyo-Carburetor-Motorcycle-Yamaha-Parts-Right-Left-/290991859414?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item43c07766d6&vxp=mtr Not unless someone has switched out the factory OEM carbs.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yammer Dan Posted October 12, 2013 Share #22 Posted October 12, 2013 Not unless someone has switched out the factory OEM carbs.. Parts??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Owl Posted October 12, 2013 Share #23 Posted October 12, 2013 Frank, I was not able to print off the carb section of the manual directly to the computer. But I was able to print off a hard copy. Now, I can either scan them into the computer and send them as an attachment to your E-mail. Or, I can just drop them into the mail for you. Your call...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam Posted October 13, 2013 Author Share #24 Posted October 13, 2013 Russell Scan and email would be great and I can print here, Dan As Russell says I am from north of the tree line, so I recognize those ebay carbs from a twin cylinder snow mobile. They are so easy to deal with, I just hope those virago carbs are easy. I am betting most of the battle will be getting them onto the bench Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yammer Dan Posted October 13, 2013 Share #25 Posted October 13, 2013 Looks like Flea-Bay has a ton of rebuild kits for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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