Great fix just flip it after modifying the gear due to flatness! I'm buying a 920 for $800 and the owner was complaining about the parts cost for a starter & gear. Good news is he upgraded the electrical fix with a better voltage regulator so the spark plugs get full power on startup. For those who don't know the starter draws a lot of power & the upgrade creates a faster better start up.
The rev-counter takes its signal from the rear-plug and robs it of power, disconnect it, the spark-plug-caps corrode between the resistors etc , replace , index the plugs and replace with iridium, plus put high-speed bearings at the end of the cams . Drill-out the breather-holes on the petrol-cap , open the exhausts-up and like-wise the intake-filter . All these simple-mods , made just over 10-hp extra on the dyno and made the new-clutch slip, requiring h/duty springs . That is the Cheapest HP-gain... ever , not necessarily-more than stock-new claims, because many came out of the factory , producing 15hp LESS than claimed , while others were fine . My bikes are 1981's, European-Market 981cc TR1 , Roadsters(XV1000) chain-drive rear-wheel-model, but are virtually the same engine as the 750, 920 (USA) and the later 1100 Virago Cruiser-Style bikes ,so most of this still works . Dave NZ
i agree and there's a way to file the gear to sharpen the edge as well to get it to grab better,also when you flip it around it will move in to the flywheel and give better grip when engaged.
Only a temporary "fix" and it causes much more damage and more expensive repairs a few months down the road. The back side of the idler gear isn't cut right to match the flywheel, and this destroys the flywheel.
I'm going to say the same thing others have said... this SEEMS like a good idea, because when you look at the chewed up side of your starter gear it just looks like rounded off edges... but originally it actually had a 45 degree bevel on the leading edge. If you modify the other side to be the same, then sure, it would work. However, the other side IS NOT cut at an angle and it is flat. This will most likely cause more damage to your flywheel gear.
I was gonna do on my 82 920, but after reading about the damage it would do to flywheel in a few short months I opt. against that idea. I was thinking too about why one side had a beveled side while other side was flat. Makes sense now. Thanks for the info. on that part LoganPicks.
I have the same bike. Would like to sell it. I was lucky enough to find metric threaded rod which I used for the starter. This allowed me to use opposing nuts to make is so I can get great torque, placing pressure on the ring gear solving all my slip issues.
When I put a new starter on my virago 750 I disconnected the clutch cable on the lever inside the housing so it wouldn't be in the way now I'm having trouble getting my clutch lever in the correct position. The clutch lever inside the housing rotates that part with the ball bearings. I don't know if I've described it well enough. Can you recommend a fix where I don't have to take the side off the engine again? Also can you recommend a place to get a new spring for the clutch lever inside, and somewhere I can get a gasket so I don't have to use Silicone again?
Hi, I know this is an older video but I'm sure there should be a spring between the end of the inner worm gear and the gear that engages with the fly wheel, this spring would help with the gear moving up the worm gear by suppling a resistance along with the clip springs resistance, then when the starter motor is disengaged the spring helps the gear to return to the idle position. Hope this is of help to somebody . Dave
There’s a voltage stabilizer sold on eBay for $14 that I installed on my virago xv700 that connects to your TCI and never had a starter problem again. Gets rid of marble noise. If you do this, your gears will mess up
@@spidermonkey199711 Should work just fine! Adding a negative line from the bottom bolt of the starter to the negative on the battery, cutting the spring about 180° off, and adding that stabilizer should help a lot.
This post is older but to all the people out there still looking this up: it does work but the problem still exists that this l bendex type starter is all together flawed. If both gears are chewed up, then why not flip it around. Also take of the drag spring(that's what I call it) and make it tighter to the gear. It needs resistance to make the gear travel up the worm. I have worked in over 50 of these and some make it a while longer and some I have done work even worse!! You can buy a new gear but it will wear out too........ good luck!! Best advise is buy new parts!
The clip loses its tension that puts drag on the gear which centrifigually throws the gear into engagement, I grinded my gears rounded edges rather than reverse the gear, I also removed the spring that keeps the gear from engaging.
Good idea, in theory, but please don't do this to your bikes. While the idler gear does physically fit flipped over, the edges of the teeth are cut flat, not bevelled like the proper side. This is almost a guarantee to destroy the mating teeth on the flywheel, which is much harder and more expensive to replace. It will seem "fixed" for a few months, but wind up causing much more costly damage.
I am thinking of replacing the #2 gear because of comments that say the other side is machined flat and not beveled like the proper side, however my gear seems to be beveled on both sides. Its a 1983 750. Also, if anyone knows a source for the parts and also the case cover gasket I would really appreciate it. Struggling to find one.
Great idea!! But did it work? Can you follow up with a video of you starting the bike please... It appears that there is room to flip the gear around... I'm real close to trying this method out...Thanks!
Sorry Alex, but this isn't a good idea. Selling the bike is about the only thing this method is good for. If the new owner rides regularly, I can almost guarantee the flywheel is now destroyed, causing much more grinding, and a much more expensive fix to now do it right. One of those great idea's, in theory, but not so much in practice. With some machining of that gears back side teeth, it could be viable, but not just simply flipping it over.
There is a magnet just below these gears that collects the shavings, my magnet was so full of metal shavings it resembled a tiny porcupine, my clip was broken and part of it was ready to fall into my engine!
Does this Virago starter flaw affect all years, all models? I'm looking to purchase a 1998 xv1100 and when researching I've gotten conflicting info with some sources saying only the 750s were affected and others saying the problem was engineered out in the late 80's. Anyway, great video!
Mostly affected the earlier version, 81-83, and the first redesign 84-85. After that, they changed the starter system to include a clutch gear and a throw-out arm to "fix" the problem. It still affected the later bikes, but to nowhere near the extent.
Sue this guy who seems to give fake advice. Anyway, I hate people who do such a temporary fix just to sell their bikes. People who ride bikes should help each other, not rip them off. Just don't do this "free fix". It does cause a very big and expensive headache.
Absolutely, under no circumstances, flip the gear around. You will ruin the flywheel and you’ll end up having to buy a new bendix after all. This guy is fake news.
To be fair... I haven't ever worked on bikes. That being said, this "tip," is more of a bandaid. It doesn't solve the original problem. Although it does seem to extend the life of that particular gear, got any ideas as to what causes the excessive wear? Like a bad angle, or spacing by the starter? I'm thinking of buying one of these, & any quirky info is appreciated.
the problem is a bad earth wire, put an extra earth wire from your battery to your starter, another problem is starting the bike on a low battery , , just make sure your battery is fully charged. Thank you Alex for your info Rein de Groot
Yamaha actually stole this design from harley, and did a bad job of it, there are kits that somewhat fix this issue with a heavier spring washer spacers and such, I did a few back in the day, Yamaha rarely comes up short but sadly disappointed me with these particular viragos 750 920 with this crappy starter setup
Hey guys. could any of u help me out here please. I got a 1999 virago 125cc. The starter wont start the bikeIt wont even make a noise nothing. I have to hit second gear and run with the bike to get it to turn on. After its turns on everything works geart and when it gets hot the starter will work just fine... I changed the battery spark plugs cleaned out the carburetor and i even took a part the starter from the handel bars apart and cleaned it. Nothing is working and i reallly dont know what else to do here. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!!!
Don't do this. Its horrible advice and will destroy your flywheel. The backside of that gear is not cut right and not meant for meshing with the flywheel teeth.
Great fix just flip it after modifying the gear due to flatness! I'm buying a 920 for $800 and the owner was complaining about the parts cost for a starter & gear. Good news is he upgraded the electrical fix with a better voltage regulator so the spark plugs get full power on startup. For those who don't know the starter draws a lot of power & the upgrade creates a faster better start up.
true, I wired mine myself and only 8 volt goes to the plug
The rev-counter takes its signal from the rear-plug and robs it of power, disconnect it, the spark-plug-caps corrode between the resistors etc , replace , index the plugs and replace with iridium, plus put high-speed bearings at the end of the cams . Drill-out the breather-holes on the petrol-cap , open the exhausts-up and like-wise the intake-filter . All these simple-mods , made just over 10-hp extra on the dyno and made the new-clutch slip, requiring h/duty springs . That is the Cheapest HP-gain... ever , not necessarily-more than stock-new claims, because many came out of the factory , producing 15hp LESS than claimed , while others were fine . My bikes are 1981's, European-Market 981cc TR1 , Roadsters(XV1000) chain-drive rear-wheel-model, but are virtually the same engine as the 750, 920 (USA) and the later 1100 Virago Cruiser-Style bikes ,so most of this still works . Dave NZ
i agree and there's a way to file the gear to sharpen the edge as well to get it to grab better,also when you flip it around it will move in to the flywheel and give better grip when engaged.
Only a temporary "fix" and it causes much more damage and more expensive repairs a few months down the road. The back side of the idler gear isn't cut right to match the flywheel, and this destroys the flywheel.
Thanks for the input. Haven't even tried it yet,so i just wont go there.
I'm going to say the same thing others have said... this SEEMS like a good idea, because when you look at the chewed up side of your starter gear it just looks like rounded off edges... but originally it actually had a 45 degree bevel on the leading edge. If you modify the other side to be the same, then sure, it would work. However, the other side IS NOT cut at an angle and it is flat. This will most likely cause more damage to your flywheel gear.
Mine is cut at an angle on both sides
This is the best video on how to do this . No shlt . Thanks man !
I was gonna do on my 82 920, but after reading about the damage it would do to flywheel in a few short months I opt. against that idea. I was thinking too about why one side had a beveled side while other side was flat. Makes sense now. Thanks for the info. on that part LoganPicks.
I have the same bike. Would like to sell it. I was lucky enough to find metric threaded rod which I used for the starter. This allowed me to use opposing nuts to make is so I can get great torque, placing pressure on the ring gear solving all my slip issues.
When I put a new starter on my virago 750 I disconnected the clutch cable on the lever inside the housing so it wouldn't be in the way now I'm having trouble getting my clutch lever in the correct position. The clutch lever inside the housing rotates that part with the ball bearings. I don't know if I've described it well enough.
Can you recommend a fix where I don't have to take the side off the engine again?
Also can you recommend a place to get a new spring for the clutch lever inside, and somewhere I can get a gasket so I don't have to use Silicone again?
Hi, I know this is an older video but I'm sure there should be a spring between the end of the inner worm gear and the gear that engages with the fly wheel, this spring would help with the gear moving up the worm gear by suppling a resistance along with the clip springs resistance, then when the starter motor is disengaged the spring helps the gear to return to the idle position. Hope this is of help to somebody . Dave
There’s a voltage stabilizer sold on eBay for $14 that I installed on my virago xv700 that connects to your TCI and never had a starter problem again. Gets rid of marble noise. If you do this, your gears will mess up
Check my channel, I have videos there.
lui ochoa how does this work?
Please hook it up with the link to this regulator
Been a while but I am very intrigued already had to replace my gears twice
@@spidermonkey199711 Should work just fine! Adding a negative line from the bottom bolt of the starter to the negative on the battery, cutting the spring about 180° off, and adding that stabilizer should help a lot.
thanks man, tomorrow I'm doing this.
This post is older but to all the people out there still looking this up: it does work but the problem still exists that this l bendex type starter is all together flawed. If both gears are chewed up, then why not flip it around. Also take of the drag spring(that's what I call it) and make it tighter to the gear. It needs resistance to make the gear travel up the worm. I have worked in over 50 of these and some make it a while longer and some I have done work even worse!! You can buy a new gear but it will wear out too........ good luck!! Best advise is buy new parts!
The clip loses its tension that puts drag on the gear which centrifigually throws the gear into engagement, I grinded my gears rounded edges rather than reverse the gear, I also removed the spring that keeps the gear from engaging.
What year is the bike? Would this work for a '86 700?
What kind of oil do you use for it, what's it called?!
does having the spring on the inside of the gear cause any issues ?
Good idea, in theory, but please don't do this to your bikes. While the idler gear does physically fit flipped over, the edges of the teeth are cut flat, not bevelled like the proper side. This is almost a guarantee to destroy the mating teeth on the flywheel, which is much harder and more expensive to replace.
It will seem "fixed" for a few months, but wind up causing much more costly damage.
I ground my gears edges clean with a Dremel tool, added tension to the clip and removed the spring that inhibits engagement,
What year is your bike
I am thinking of replacing the #2 gear because of comments that say the other side is machined flat and not beveled like the proper side, however my gear seems to be beveled on both sides. Its a 1983 750. Also, if anyone knows a source for the parts and also the case cover gasket I would really appreciate it. Struggling to find one.
yamahapartshouse.com
do the 1981 1100 have this problem?
How did this work after you got it all mounted?
Yes there is a bevel on fly wheel side of idle gear.therefore bad advice .wow make vidio without knowing your shit.
whats the real name of the " stop quide" as u call it. i need to purchase a new one
Great idea!! But did it work? Can you follow up with a video of you starting the bike please... It appears that there is room to flip the gear around... I'm real close to trying this method out...Thanks!
I fliped mine and it works great! My gear was fubar but the other side was mint.
Alex Knappenberger . Hi there, so adding a shim/flat washer and a new spring? That is the described method recommended by yamaha isn't it????
Sorry Alex, but this isn't a good idea. Selling the bike is about the only thing this method is good for. If the new owner rides regularly, I can almost guarantee the flywheel is now destroyed, causing much more grinding, and a much more expensive fix to now do it right.
One of those great idea's, in theory, but not so much in practice. With some machining of that gears back side teeth, it could be viable, but not just simply flipping it over.
Don't buy new gear save yourself the headache.
Just did this.worked for me.
Allora ha funzionato? La moto come parte adesso ?
Who ever serviced it is also missing the spring between the bendix and the gear. That keeps everything together and reduces rattling.
There is a magnet just below these gears that collects the shavings, my magnet was so full of metal shavings it resembled a tiny porcupine, my clip was broken and part of it was ready to fall into my engine!
Does this Virago starter flaw affect all years, all models? I'm looking to purchase a 1998 xv1100 and when researching I've gotten conflicting info with some sources saying only the 750s were affected and others saying the problem was engineered out in the late 80's. Anyway, great video!
Mostly affected the earlier version, 81-83, and the first redesign 84-85. After that, they changed the starter system to include a clutch gear and a throw-out arm to "fix" the problem. It still affected the later bikes, but to nowhere near the extent.
no... First generation only
Please don't do this! It is a tapered gear, by avoiding buying a new $100 idle gear you are potentially causing $700+ in damage down the line.
Thats called the lead in on the gear, its supposed to be like that to help mesh the two gears, thats not the problem.
Between 1:05 and 1:10 he tells you that it'll chew up your flywheel
life saver!
This video is the reason I’m parting out my bike
Sue this guy who seems to give fake advice. Anyway, I hate people who do such a temporary fix just to sell their bikes. People who ride bikes should help each other, not rip them off. Just don't do this "free fix". It does cause a very big and expensive headache.
Why.....??????
Absolutely, under no circumstances, flip the gear around. You will ruin the flywheel and you’ll end up having to buy a new bendix after all.
This guy is fake news.
This guy is the reason I’m parting out my bike.
@@brendenhoehn6238 he literally says that it will tear it up...
Take this clowns advice you'll be on ebay look in for a flywheel.lol
To be fair... I haven't ever worked on bikes. That being said, this "tip," is more of a bandaid. It doesn't solve the original problem. Although it does seem to extend the life of that particular gear, got any ideas as to what causes the excessive wear? Like a bad angle, or spacing by the starter? I'm thinking of buying one of these, & any quirky info is appreciated.
the problem is a bad earth wire, put an extra earth wire from your battery to your starter, another problem is starting the bike on a low battery , , just make sure your battery is fully charged. Thank you Alex for your info
Rein de Groot
Yamaha actually stole this design from harley, and did a bad job of it, there are kits that somewhat fix this issue with a heavier spring washer spacers and such, I did a few back in the day, Yamaha rarely comes up short but sadly disappointed me with these particular viragos 750 920 with this crappy starter setup
Great vid bro.
Hey guys. could any of u help me out here please. I got a 1999 virago 125cc. The starter wont start the bikeIt wont even make a noise nothing. I have to hit second gear and run with the bike to get it to turn on. After its turns on everything works geart and when it gets hot the starter will work just fine... I changed the battery spark plugs cleaned out the carburetor and i even took a part the starter from the handel bars apart and cleaned it. Nothing is working and i reallly dont know what else to do here. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!!!
Leandro Vidir have you tried the solenoid
Yea sounds good tried it did not work bought new gear worked so whatever.
what work perfect ty so much your great
don't do this - you will end up making more damages
read the other comments
DO NOT DO THIS. THIS WILL DAMAGE YOUR ENGINE.
Don't do this. Its horrible advice and will destroy your flywheel. The backside of that gear is not cut right and not meant for meshing with the flywheel teeth.
bad advice