Comments: 1-15, 16-26
Front fork oil seals: The front fork seals show signs of excessive leakage. Needs to be replaced.
Starter problems: The starter needs to be replaced. Seems to be drawing too much amperage while starting. There also seems to be a loud, grinding noise while attempting to start the bike.
Oil level switch: Needs to be replaced. Warning light comes on for a brief moment while driving on the highway.
Air filter inlet tube: My bike has saddlebags (installed by the previous owner), and had recently noticed that the wide straps for the saddlebags were partially covering the opening of the air inlet tube. This was remedied by cutting a notch into the straps where it sits over the tube, to allow better breathing for the carbuerators.
My Yamaha Virago XV920J was just purchased in February, 2005, and I am the second owner of this motorcycle. It has been 25 years since I last rode a motorcycle (a borrowed Honda 450), so this is the first bike I've actually owned in my lifetime.
Digital display: Although having the computer instrument cluster on this bike is nice, I'd prefer having a standard tachometer and speedometer.
Since the acquisition of this bike, I've added a windshield and a battery tender. Both are wonderful assets for a motorcycle, especially the windshield. Now I don't have to worry about eating bugs for breakfast or dinner while cruising down the highway. The previous owner had saddlebags installed on the bike, and had since found them to be a great asset. Not the nicest set of saddlebags, but it beats having nothing.
In general, I like the appearance of the Virago 920. It's got good power and great acceleration while pulling out of an intersection. Not to mention that it's got that H-D look while riding down the highway.
Had I purchased this motorcycle new, I'd probably have taken better care of it. Although the previous owner did an okay job in maintaining it, there were a few small details that were neglected over the years. With a little bit of elbow grease, an allen wrench and some auto polish, these minor details were taken care of right away.
Although I try not ride during rain, I have encountered rain on a couple of occasions. As they say here in Hawaii, a one hour's ride in the rain amounts to about 6 hours of cleaning after the ride.
What kind of windshield and how did you mount it?
For those of you who would like to know how I've mounted the windshield onto my Virago, check out my personal webpage at:
http://www.geocities.com/bruddah_marv
Click on the "windshield update" link, and it'll take you to another page that describes how I've improved the windshield installation, without having to use the square handlebar kit, which is normally required to install the Slip Streamer Hellfire windshield. If you still have questions or doubts, just click on the "email me" link to send me your questions. Have a safe ride, and a safe Summer!
Marv.
I have a 1982 Yamaha Virago 1000. I drained my battery trying to start it after the snow melted. My husband and I are having a heck of a time getting the battery out to charge it (as you probably already know, the positive end is inside the motorcycle behind the reserve tank so it cannot just be boosted). There must be a trick to getting the battery out from the motorcycle without having to disassemble the bike. Any tips on how I can do that? Any thoughts would be helpful - my husband won't kick his bad mood until the bike is running!!!
My 82 Virago has 8000 miles on it. It's always stored indoors. It has the same Yamaha 'issues' as your bike. Sounds pretty normal to me. Keep the battery up!
I think I tore up my starter relay this spring. I tried to turn it over too many times with too low voltage.
The oil light is tricky. Use 15w-40 or what the manual says. Keep it between the lines on the crankcase window. It's fussy.
Good to hear of another 920 owner here in Hawaii, I have an 83 Midnight Virago on the Hilo side of the big island. Picked it up last year with 4200 miles on it, has 8200 now. Could not pass this one up it was in storage for 20 years, in excellent shape and only $500. Replaced the starter and mounted a sound system, all in all a really nice bike, I am one happy Yamaha cruiser.
I have a 1983 midnight with Virago 25k miles or so, and it's been quite the project. What can you expect for $300, some missing bits and no running. After all is said, it's now reliable and an economical commuter with good power.
The best feature (next to the Mustang seat) - it's all black so no chrome to distress over if it's dirty!
The Hitachi carburetors proved difficult to get correct, the starter is noisy, and the mono shock needs more capacity, but I can live with all them.
I have a 1982 920 midnight virago purchased 20 years ago from original owner, it has only 25,000 miles. Worked fine till recently when it began losing power and cutting out. I changed the plugs, but it still cut and and ran ragged, so I attempted to change the plug wires, but found out that they are apparently attached to what I can only guess is a distributor? How do you change the wires?
Also, I bought a new battery, do you think that will help? I haven't tried it with the new battery, since it is apart due to my trying to change the wires. Anybody have any suggestions?
Sam in Houston, Tx.
I have a 82 920J that I bought 12 years ago.
Other than the front shocks leaking a little and the starter clanking (I replaced with no change), I've been very happy with it.
Oh yeah, the oil light comes on every now and then, but, I think it's a false alarm.
I just finished rebuilding the front master cylinder and calipers. All is good. Now just time to ride.
I have a 82 Virago 920.
Recently, when starting it in my garage, the battery light came on. I dropped it into first gear and the cycle stalled. With the clutch still pulled in, I tried to start the cycle and it would not turn over. I put it in neutral and it started right up. The battery light stayed on, and I put it in first gear again and again, but it stalled and would not start until it was in neutral. I repeated this a few times. I then shut off the cycle, and waited a few minutes and thought about it.
I then started the cycle in neutral, and this time the battery light went off and I was able to put it in first gear without it stalling. I then killed the motor and tried starting it in first with the clutch pulled in, and it started right up.
Anybody have any information as to what's going on here???
Please??!! This is my first Virago.
I also have an '82 Virago 920.
Clanking starter noise (annoying) and that's about it. I've only had it for 6 months and have only been riding it for 3. For the comment about your bike stalling when put in first... it sounds like your kick stand might have been down.
To the gentlemen who is having problems with putting his bike in first gear. These bikes are built with a saftey cut off, if you have the kickstand down and you put it into first, it will automatically shut off, if you put it into first with the kickstand up, all is good.
I have an 83 Midnight Virago 750. I agree with the kick stand diagnostic. One of the features of the Virago that was written up in the trade magazines when the Virago models were released in 82, was that the kickstand being put down will kill the motor so that the bike is not drivable with the kickstand down.
See if you can reproduce the effect with the kickstand down. If you have that issue when you are positive that the kickstand is all the way up... then it may be something else.
I just bought an 1982 Virago 920 with... get this... 1519 miles on it. It's been in storage since '93, has the original tires with no dry rot evident. This thing looks like a museum piece. I'm not even sure whether or not to start riding it or just save it. I have seen this bike since it was first bought, and the miles and history (or lack thereof) are substantiated because it's been in our family since new. Now what do I do? Fix it up or re-"store" it.
I recently bought an '82 Virago 920 and I love it.
I have had a problem or two.
The starter making an awful sound every now and then, but I am to understand that this is a design flaw and not to worry about it (so I was told).
The other problem I have is that sometimes it does not engage the starter when the button is pressed. I have checked the relays under the seat and they test OK. Most of the the time after I mess with the relays, I go and hit the start button again and then it starts.
I am thinking that it is a bad connector somewhere under the seat. I was curious if anyone else has had the same problem?
Also I was curious if anyone had any ideas for after-market removable saddle bags, and/or supports for bags.
I bought a 1982 Yamaha Virago 920 last year for $500.00. It has 13,000 miles on it. I had to replace the starter and clean both carbs out completely. Since then it has started great, the clicking-grinding noise is consistent with what everyone else has said. This is an excellent bike, and an excellent investment, I have enjoyed it very much.
I had a few questions though, how do I sync the carbs? What are the shocks supposed to be set at (how many P.S.I.)? What is current re-sale value on this bike in excellent shape?