I used to watch your videos in the hopes that one day I could work on bikes. Now, years later I'm working on them. Your videos were an inspiration, and it's good to see your still honest and working hard. Cheers.
Same story here. Bought my first bike. Rebuilt it while watching his videos. And ended up a salesmen for some of the coolest bikes in the world :). Thanks Max
sorry to be offtopic but does any of you know a method to log back into an instagram account..? I somehow forgot the password. I appreciate any tips you can give me!
You're just my favorite person. I watched this channel years ago. Learned how to clean carbs and how carbs work. Today I bought an xv920 and has the same issue. I search here first and wallah!
Glad you showed this, heard so much about this issue but never actually seen it - been scaring me away from early viragos. Good to know it's an easy fix. Heard some people talking about welding something to fix it O.O
It may just be me but it still sounded a bit on the crunchy side....but pretty much all viragos sound like that.....i personally just flip the gear over and save 80 buck's
The old inertia starters on cars had the same problem. Needed to replace the pinion every two or three years. That interesting about that spring. I would have thought it may not fully retract.
Hello, would buying a new compression spring resolve this issue as well instead of just removing it? Is the issue a worn out spring. Because me gear teeth look fine and show now sign of wear from grinding or slipping.
Hey, wondering how the idle gear is doing without the spring so far. Did you ever peak inside the crankcase with the oil filler cap off while starting it to ensure the idle gear resets back off the flywheel?
Nice little bikes but not a Maxim ! I just can't help myself I like the in line 4's heck from 70's right on through today . The duel overheads are a little bit harder to deal with but you really can't kill em ! Always a good video Max love the info pal ... sure got mine running and running well too ... " still " ;) that little sticky gear shift thing never happened again ??? still don't know what that was all about been over 6 months now if it was going to go it would have by now I've been doing some riding. I hit the Blue ridge parkway this summer thinking if something was a miss I would find it there with the stress of the hills and such... nope no worries !!! BIG THANKS for all the videos got mine running and have kept it going !
thank you very much for the video, I have a virago 750 of 82 and the problem is that the starter sticks every time, could you tell me something about this
I have the same problem on my virago and have a new gear already , haven’t installed it yet. The bike will make the same noise as yours but won’t start. Will replacing this gear make it start? I notice yours still didn’t start
This video was just about fixing the starter gear grind. I have other videos up on getting the bike running, which relies on a lot more factors: clean carbs, good spark, good compression etc
First off I'd like to say is I bought a new gear and tried that 2 times 2 ways. With and without the spring. I know you can't answer my question because it's difficult when both gears got ate up by the flywheel within a few hours. I changed the flywheel before the install and 10 years later my bike is still sitting in the garage with absolutely no success. Why is it eating the gears up within a few hours? Why am I only getting a few good cranks and then back to the same old grind? I'LL WAIT FOR YOUR REPLY...
I ran into a similar problem on a different bike, an XJ if I recall. Needed to replace a starter bendix and a flywheel. I did both, things were great for a week and then the bendix wore out again. It turns out the flywheel was mislabeled from the vendor and belonged to a different model, it had fewer teeth so the spacing was different with an imperfect mating between the two gears. Once I had the correct parts installed it worked well
@@mrmaxstorey I got a flywheel from another 920 and I know it's the correct flywheel. I wish I could agree with you on this but I can't say that is what I'm experiencing. I'm guessing there is a wobble in the idler gear and wheel starter which is what the idler gear rides on. It is not riding snug and it's hitting the flywheel sloppy causing the miss-engaugment between the idler gear and flywheel causing the problem...I really don't know. I wish I knew for sure.
@@mrmaxstorey I checked out that scenario as well and found nothing wrong there either. This bike is really stubborn and getting to expensive do keep this up.
Hey I know this may be a stupid question I'm looking at one it has this problem. Is it the motor oil that you have to drain out or is it something else?
Notice u haven't put a video out in a while. Hope all is well! Quick question: If you had to pick one brand of Japanese motorcycle for the best reliability, which one would it be? Thanks
Yeah Im cool I just transitioned to outboard motors and dont really do bikes anymore. I havent found that any one brand is more reliable than the other, Ive personally stuck to Suzuki but not for any good reason
Any issues with the idler gear not retracting, without the spring, after the engine starts? Also, have you noticed any rattling from the idler gear without the spring tension keeping it held back away from the flywheel gear? Thanks.
My ‘93 virago 535 sounds the same. Will this fix work? I attempted to pull off the cover to view the gears, but as usual, two stripped screws are keeping me out. Suggestions on that issue would also be helpful.
By the time your bike was made they had corrected this common flaw. However as with any bike, gears or starter clutches can fail. This video will prepare you for the general process however, get those two bolts out and then see if you can identify the worn gears
Alex barrios don't flip it man there is a slight angle on the side that engages the flywheel.. if you flip it over to the flat side it will mess up yor flywheel.
so ive done this and watched other viideos wer u can flip the flywhel also to use the new side and still i hear a windign noise borught it into a bike shop spent 1000$ they couldnt figure it out either
Love your channel Max! I wish I found your channel earlier when I had a 1982 Suzuki gs750 with some electrical issues that I didnt solved. It ran perfectly fine for like 10-15 min then it just died, just cut off and would not start. So something electrical didnt like to get hot I guess. Any Ideas? This still haunts me 2 years later. Greetings from Sweden!
I used to watch your videos in the hopes that one day I could work on bikes. Now, years later I'm working on them. Your videos were an inspiration, and it's good to see your still honest and working hard. Cheers.
starguy9 ....same here 👍
Same again haha
Same story here. Bought my first bike. Rebuilt it while watching his videos. And ended up a salesmen for some of the coolest bikes in the world :). Thanks Max
sorry to be offtopic but does any of you know a method to log back into an instagram account..?
I somehow forgot the password. I appreciate any tips you can give me!
@Jefferson Luke Instablaster ;)
You're just my favorite person. I watched this channel years ago. Learned how to clean carbs and how carbs work. Today I bought an xv920 and has the same issue. I search here first and wallah!
Glad to help
Did yuo move the spring?
Glad you showed this, heard so much about this issue but never actually seen it - been scaring me away from early viragos. Good to know it's an easy fix. Heard some people talking about welding something to fix it O.O
It may just be me but it still sounded a bit on the crunchy side....but pretty much all viragos sound like that.....i personally just flip the gear over and save 80 buck's
The Pyro Dude I heard it destroys your flywheel that way. How did it go
The old inertia starters on cars had the same problem. Needed to replace the pinion every two or three years. That interesting about that spring. I would have thought it may not fully retract.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.
Dude, great video man. Seriously. Love the explanation.
Thank you! Is like a breath of fresh air!
Hello, would buying a new compression spring resolve this issue as well instead of just removing it? Is the issue a worn out spring. Because me gear teeth look fine and show now sign of wear from grinding or slipping.
probably not but if you want to try then go for it
Hey, wondering how the idle gear is doing without the spring so far. Did you ever peak inside the crankcase with the oil filler cap off while starting it to ensure the idle gear resets back off the flywheel?
worked well enough when i sold the bike
I don’t usually chuck parts until I’ve got the machine back together and there are extra bits laying around...lol.
Nice little bikes but not a Maxim ! I just can't help myself I like the in line 4's heck from 70's right on through today . The duel overheads are a little bit harder to deal with but you really can't kill em ! Always a good video Max love the info pal ... sure got mine running and running well too ... " still " ;) that little sticky gear shift thing never happened again ??? still don't know what that was all about been over 6 months now if it was going to go it would have by now I've been doing some riding. I hit the Blue ridge parkway this summer thinking if something was a miss I would find it there with the stress of the hills and such... nope no worries !!! BIG THANKS for all the videos got mine running and have kept it going !
Hello, thank you for your video! What is the gear called that you replaced? I have a ‘83 xv 920 i am working on
it is the idler gear
thank you very much for the video, I have a virago 750 of 82 and the problem is that the starter sticks every time, could you tell me something about this
Can't wait to see a new video soon!
@mrmaxstorey where did you pick up your idler gear? A link would be very well appreciated.
ebay I think or bikebandit
@@mrmaxstorey thanx brother just picked up my 83 virago 2 days ago, came with this lovely grinding issue.. this should be the fix! Best regards!
Awright mate, just wondered if ditching the spring is a Virago-specific mod? Got a XJ900F starter just starting to grind a little
Yeah I can't speak to other models. Open it up and see what is worn down, replace it
OK, thanks for gettin back to me
I have the same problem on my virago and have a new gear already , haven’t installed it yet. The bike will make the same noise as yours but won’t start. Will replacing this gear make it start? I notice yours still didn’t start
This video was just about fixing the starter gear grind. I have other videos up on getting the bike running, which relies on a lot more factors: clean carbs, good spark, good compression etc
mrmaxstorey thanks for replying, I’ll check out your other videos
First off I'd like to say is I bought a new gear and tried that 2 times 2 ways. With and without the spring. I know you can't answer my question because it's difficult when both gears got ate up by the flywheel within a few hours. I changed the flywheel before the install and 10 years later my bike is still sitting in the garage with absolutely no success. Why is it eating the gears up within a few hours? Why am I only getting a few good cranks and then back to the same old grind? I'LL WAIT FOR YOUR REPLY...
I ran into a similar problem on a different bike, an XJ if I recall. Needed to replace a starter bendix and a flywheel. I did both, things were great for a week and then the bendix wore out again. It turns out the flywheel was mislabeled from the vendor and belonged to a different model, it had fewer teeth so the spacing was different with an imperfect mating between the two gears. Once I had the correct parts installed it worked well
@@mrmaxstorey I got a flywheel from another 920 and I know it's the correct flywheel. I wish I could agree with you on this but I can't say that is what I'm experiencing. I'm guessing there is a wobble in the idler gear and wheel starter which is what the idler gear rides on. It is not riding snug and it's hitting the flywheel sloppy causing the miss-engaugment between the idler gear and flywheel causing the problem...I really don't know. I wish I knew for sure.
@@mrmaxstorey thanks for your reply I really appreciate it.
@@leroybrodian is the shaft that the idler gear rides on removable? Maybe its pressed a little crooked into the case?
@@mrmaxstorey I checked out that scenario as well and found nothing wrong there either. This bike is really stubborn and getting to expensive do keep this up.
Hey I know this may be a stupid question I'm looking at one it has this problem. Is it the motor oil that you have to drain out or is it something else?
It’s the engine oil.
Where Did You Get The Gear Other that Great Video Thanks.
ebay i think
could it be possible to machine down the worn surface instead of buying a new gear?
Sure, but I have never done it
If your really hard up for $$ u can flip the bendrixs gear around as the spacing is the same on both sides
You can flip the gear instead of replacing it, I believe there is a grove on both sides
On the 750 that wasnt an option unfortunately
hey max you should make another "guess the problem win a prize" video
Yeah that would be cool. Maybe after the holidays
Nice job. Thanks for sharing.
Notice u haven't put a video out in a while. Hope all is well! Quick question: If you had to pick one brand of Japanese motorcycle for the best reliability, which one would it be? Thanks
Yeah Im cool I just transitioned to outboard motors and dont really do bikes anymore. I havent found that any one brand is more reliable than the other, Ive personally stuck to Suzuki but not for any good reason
Any issues with the idler gear not retracting, without the spring, after the engine starts? Also, have you noticed any rattling from the idler gear without the spring tension keeping it held back away from the flywheel gear? Thanks.
No it seemed to work pretty well
@@mrmaxstorey Ok, thanks for the quick reply. I'll give it a try.
Is this the idle gear #2??
Higher octane fuel helps it start better from my virago
My ‘93 virago 535 sounds the same. Will this fix work? I attempted to pull off the cover to view the gears, but as usual, two stripped screws are keeping me out. Suggestions on that issue would also be helpful.
By the time your bike was made they had corrected this common flaw. However as with any bike, gears or starter clutches can fail. This video will prepare you for the general process however, get those two bolts out and then see if you can identify the worn gears
Cut a slit in the screw with an angle grinder and use a flat head to back it out I had the same issue good luck
Greetings from Amsterdam.
Would it be a good idea if I just flip the old gear around ?
Go ahead and try, it wasnt an option on this one but other models you can
Alex barrios don't flip it man there is a slight angle on the side that engages the flywheel.. if you flip it over to the flat side it will mess up yor flywheel.
so ive done this and watched other viideos wer u can flip the flywhel also to use the new side and still i hear a windign noise borught it into a bike shop spent 1000$ they couldnt figure it out either
Love your channel Max! I wish I found your channel earlier when I had a 1982 Suzuki gs750 with some electrical issues that I didnt solved. It ran perfectly fine for like 10-15 min then it just died, just cut off and would not start.
So something electrical didnt like to get hot I guess. Any Ideas? This still haunts me 2 years later.
Greetings from Sweden!
Yeah this is a fairly common problem, usually a CDI or a coil getting hot and failing
mrmaxstorey thank you for your answer ☺
where did you buy the idler gear ?
ebay or bike bandit
What is the name of that specific gear you changed.
idler gear
no need to replace the gear .. flip it around .. back in done good as new
Some of them, like this one, the gears are not symmetrical
Will destroy the flywheele not good as new
Make more videos man
Mines a 92 and it does this
flip the gear dont replace it