I found you through this video while doing the carbs on a neighbour's Virago. It helped a lot and I've since become an avid fan of your laid back, curious and step by step approach to everything you do. The only air cooled VW experience I've had was the rental of a local factory built dune buggy in Recife, Brazil years ago. My wife and I had been a few days earlier in northern Brazil and had a ride with a tour company on massive dunes on one of these buggies and had loved the experience. I am a long time motorcycle racer and mechanic, not professionally, and love what you do. Thanks for your awesome videos.
Glad I found the Virago vids, I have 3 bikes with the CV carbs. An '88 Kawa 454, '89 PC 800 and a '90 PC 800. Your vids are very informative and helpful. I told my Beautiful that come spring clean up I will be looking for stuff to fix. You sir are an inspiration. Thank you
I just rewatched the videos on this bike as i just bought one that has been sat for 15 years, safe to say she's back up and running. I'd love to see you do a few more bikes here and there.
Great video! You do an awesome job bringing those old machines back to life. An old trick for synching carbs before installing is to use a wire gauge , get butterflies set identically when closed. Once again, Thanks for the fine work.
I believe that was the most complex trouble shooting problem I've seen you do yet Mustie. I was thinking of buying a Virago back in the 1980s and right about now, I'm happy that I didn't buy one!! Pretty complicated motors compared to the 2 Yamaha SX 650s that I've owned and worked on. Thank you once again for sharing the knowledge you have gained through many years of repairs on motors of all types.
these virago videos are bittersweet. I have a early 80's Virago 920. First bigger v-twin. I remember the carbs were a piece of work. finally got them running, and seemed like a monumental feat! Sooo smooth! But let gas sit too long one year and wound up with one carb gas washing the cylinder. Pulled it all apart, got it honed, but never put it back together. Still sitting in my shed to this day making me sad every time I think about how tough it would be to find all the various parts and if I could ever bring her back to life. Maybe when my boys are bit older it could be a project bike!
If you got the spare time and money man, try to fix it man, it will be sweet, now with ebay for spare parts and mustie's videos for inspiration! Upload a video too if you do it!
Thank you for taking the time to do both of those videos because I just got a Virago and I'm trying to learn any in any things that I can about them and how to work on it thank you for showing in detail what you do it is a great help I hope you have a good day and God bless
Back in 1989 I worked for a Radiator Repair Shop. I remember doing several Gas Tanks with the Sealer after a Caustic Soda bath. I seem to remember using Acetone to thin the Coating when it was getting thick. The Acetone would bring the flow back as new, but would evaporate quickly allowing the coating to set as usual. You might want to check on that as the formula these days may be different.
Few folks ever bother bench syncing their carbs after a thorough cleaning. I've not seen paper strips used, but often heard of guitar strings being employed with regular occurrence. Great set of secrets to getting a proper tip-up when coming off of idle, as one rolls onto the throttle.
Your videos on these carbs make me feel a lot better about paying a shop $113 total to sonic clean all the parts in my two Vulcan 500 carbs including drilling out the factory sealed jets and sonic cleaning them too. They were full of seven year old solid gas, I couldn't get out even with a wire and soak overnight in carb cleaner. Carbs came back from the shop like brand new.
I am hooked on this channel Just discovered it tonight. My only complaint is I wanted to see it completed and running. Really wanted to see a test a drive!
Tryoutz747 I just watched both of the videos and like yourself, I wanted to see it finished and on the road. I really liked these bikes in the day. Ya, I’m old as dirt.
First time I've seen a Japanese bike running carbs other than Mikuni or Kehin. Tank sealer looks the same as some stuff I used called "tank cream". Worked real good too. I had flaking internal paint issue on a 78 BMW R80/7. To get excess paint off I poured in a strong acid and two hands full of 1/4 " ball bearings, shaking like buggery for an hour or so- worked a treat. After blowing out tank and fully dry I poured in a whole litre of tank cream, working around for full coverage. It took about 24 hrs to fully cure. I ran that bike for ten years after treatment and never had a problem.
Amazing that I have a Virago 920 from 1982(I think) with the same problems demonstrated here bought it about 10 years ago with 14000 miles and only rode it a few miles before storing. Only one cylinder running most of the time and the other one very lean when it did kick in. This motivates me to try it again!!
Really enjoying your videos, you are very knowledgeable, I try to learn with every mechanical or electrical challenge, must say I have a way to go. Your giving me courage to go after it and not worry about the risks associated with breaking something while attempting the fix. Thanks for your efforts
Great video as usual. I haven't seen mercury gauges for years, far more accurate than anything else. I wouldn't be able to sell it after all this, it would have to go into my collection of bikes. I love the sound of the engine, purrs like a kitten then roars like a lion
I think that water got in to the fuel tank, rusted the gas tank and damaged the fuel system and the carburetors; very nice video, many thanks for the knowledge:)
Great work...enjoyed the adventure.. Back in the day I found that those closed cell floats do absorb gasoline and change where they sit for level. I still have a gram weigh scale that would weigh each float just after u removed them and see if they came within spec.. I was a cool little mechanical scale and I am sure an electronic digital scale would do the same.Just a thought Cheers and thanks again for sharing
i had one of those also. i put 40k miles on it in 2 and a half yrs. loved it. just thought it was a bit short. im 6ft1. used the highway pegs . never the reg pegs. due to there to short. bad placement for me. size 13 boots. lol but fast fun bike. was told it was an 8 hr job removing and rebuilding the carbs. sounded crazzy.
Mustie1, I realize that this is an older video but I noticed your comment on the battery, it looked like the older ones we used at my old company to power hospital beds. Had I been there a year ago I would have bought it from you, great resurrection on this bike.
What great examples of " the journey being more interesting than the end result". Though varoom varoom does satisfy my inner child. Cool. Excellent videos.
Hey easy tip for you! Next time you seal a tank, if you have a small cement mixer you can wrap your tank in a blanket and stuff it in the mixer and turn it on, it will rotate the tank and coat the insides evenly automatically for you! Love your videos I been beng watching them! Lol 😎
Mike Flynn we've been using a cheap barbecue grill rotissere for years. Works well but you need to relocate the tank a couple of times to make sure the whole thing gets lined.
Smashing job mustie :-D, sounds really happy, carbs happy and balanced :-). You may not get the balance perfect as the diaphragms may be slightly stiffer at different throttle positions, they are old but i think they are working smashing :-D. Its worth a little love to wake it up again, that will be a nice machine for you or another owner :-D.
I know it's one of your older projects but having watched them 4 times they are just great because I love the look of Virago's and those people who didn't buy it for $650 well they have missed out for sure.I have learnt a lot watching these vids so thanks Daren for your expertise wish I cud have bought it but what with shipping it to the UK plus the ear ache from the wife it would have been a no go cos last bike I had finished up with 2 spine opps thru a stupid driver deciding I wud make a great speed hump...Yeh it hurt a lot still does cos need another spine operation but still love that Virago.
carb synchronising has the most benefit for idle and small throttle openings. The farther you open the throttles, the less influence carb-synching has.
Love the carb balance vacuum setup! Much nicer than the junky one I used to balance the dual side-draft Hitachi's on a Datsun 240Z I was working on. That junky one had a crappy little plastic "bead" float. Yeech!
A sulfated battery can be revived. Drain the acid out and rinse with distilled water. Drain and refill with distilled water. Take a specific gravity test and record results. Connect to a charger and allow it to "charge" for about 4 hours or so. Checking and recording the specific gravity periodically and when the specific gravity stops rising, drain and rinse again, then refill with sulfuric acid and charge and bob's your uncle as our aussie friends say.
@Mustie1 - Great videos! I find myself enjoying them tremendously and love your acknowledgement of how mistakes happen and you just roll with it. Keep them coming!
I just sat here watching this series of videos enjoying every minute. Is there a follow up to this one, like all put back together ? I hope so, I'd love to see it back together all clean and shiny and running sweet. I'm not a motor bike guy but I love watching you work, great series on this Yamaha. May I also ask, what is that sealer stuff you used in the tank ?
Regarding the dead battery. I was able to recover one using Epsom salt. Unfortunately, I did not monitor the battery. However, after 2 years of sitting, I added some extra acid and strangely enough, not only did the battery hold a charge again, it is back in my bike and working like a charm!!
Geek Of Truth2 batts can also have the sulfation can also be removed with a baking soda/woter souloution. Old military batteries used to come apart, get cleaned via baking soda method & get reassembled as good as new.
Did you know about the CB350 four cylinder? I had one. A Basket case. Gone with time and no foresight. Many CB400's I'm sure. I also had a basket Honda Dream. 305. Argh!! Hindsight is 20/20.
Looking at those terminals I am not suprised it didn't take any charge. The first thing you should have done was remove theb battery and clean those and the cable clamps. If you replace a battery you should always go higher not lower on the AH, When they designed the bike they worked out the minimum required with all electrics on and correctly charging. I can understand you replacing it at the price but another couple of bucks to get a higher AH one. Sorry but after finding all the crap in the fuel tank I would have stripped the whole fuel line and fully stripped the carbs
You can rejuvenate and old battery and clean the crud off the copper by shaking it around for a good while. Obviously only do this with a sealed battery. I have recovered quite a few batteries over the years using this method.
awesome video good job on the carb sync :) alot of people are scared to do it. love your homemade manometer. I have a carbtune pro, but yours is waaaaaay cheaper lol
I had 1985 Virago for ten years. Rode that bike everywhere. People gave me a hardtime cause they said it was a Harley rip-off but that Yamaha was better built. The drive shaft was super smooth. Only downside was those carbs can't take the vibration and get out of adjustment after a while. Great video. What ever happened to the bike?
I always tell people that the Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki, and Suzuki V-twins are the Harley Davidsons HD would make if HD knew how to make Harley Davidsons right. No, they don't have the cachet of the HD, but it you want a good, dependable bike to start and ride day after day with minimal maintenance, the Japanese bikes are what you want.
My father has a brand new yamaha stryker 1300i and its low and very comfortable gets right down in the corners compared to a Harley its more comfortable and more reliable.
Just a fyi, we always use a semi soft piece of wire in those smaller ports so you can pull them out after you drain and be assured of a clear hole. But the acid we were advised to use escapes me, and wondered what you used to do the tanks before you cleaned it out and then did the sealant? Will be a nice ride after you're done, although it's probably long been sold by now.
Several people I spoke with about that gas tank sealer said it was bad news because it will break apart over time. I think I'll try Metal Rescue on my 82 CB750 because it won't hurt the paint, then just keep the tank full with fresh fuel and see how that works out.
A long time ago I had heard or maybe read that you can bring a dead lead acid battery back to life using baking soda to remove the sulfur build up. Have you ever tried to bring a dead battery back to life? Yeah, I know this video is couple years old now but still worth a comment and question.
Excellent job! Is that POR15 tank sealer you use? I am restoring my 1979 CX500. Love the old Japanese bikes! That would be a great project for you hint hint...
The carbs are made by hitachi and are excellent units. I have used several of them on my Harley drag bikes. Remove the Air Induction System and gulp valves and your good to go.
About 3:38 you showed gas tank sealer. This is new to me. I have my old 1980 Honda 200 college bike project going on. I look inside tank and it isn't sparkling clean (been sitting empty inside for last 8 or 9 years)...but it ain't real dirty-looking neither. Strategy? Clean? Or don't fix it if it ain't broken?
Is there any chance of that liquid, you use as a cover film for the interior of your gas tank, to melt when temperature is high and then just pass into your carburators causing you issues?
Looked at the tires? Hope they're not too old. Same goes for the Honda. If some are no good, I'll be interested to see how you get tires at the lowest price.
A little late, but i usually set the manometer so both carbs are in sync at about 3000 rpms for the yamaha v twin That puts them in perfect sync in the bikes power band. That will put them out a bit at idle due to various imperfections, but you dont ride the bike at idle much.
Tank sealant reminds me of POR-15 / US Standard Fuel Tank Sealer. I've never been able to save the excess and reuse it. Always seems to gum up before I can coat another tank with it.
Do you use a battery desulfator? You can find them on ebay for less than $50 for one that will work with both 6v and 12v batteries. It just seems like as many batteries as you come across that would be no good, buying a desulfator to save even a few of them would be money well spent.
Hi, I'm enjoying your series. I see that you don't ever use any form-a-gasket type material. For some of those hard to find gaskets they seem to be a possible solution. Do you specifically avoid them or is there another reason? Take care.
I'm only just getting around to watching this series, but that'd be a fine little tourer that wouldn't break the bank for some shlub like me that ain't likely to dish out 20 Grand for the newest ride. The fact that it's 30+ years old also means you could throw some antique plates on it, and never again need to get it inspected in states like mine (Virginia). Whatever became of this bike? Did it sell? If so, for how much?
I found you through this video while doing the carbs on a neighbour's Virago. It helped a lot and I've since become an avid fan of your laid back, curious and step by step approach to everything you do. The only air cooled VW experience I've had was the rental of a local factory built dune buggy in Recife, Brazil years ago. My wife and I had been a few days earlier in northern Brazil and had a ride with a tour company on massive dunes on one of these buggies and had loved the experience. I am a long time motorcycle racer and mechanic, not professionally, and love what you do. Thanks for your awesome videos.
Glad I found the Virago vids, I have 3 bikes with the CV carbs. An '88 Kawa 454, '89 PC 800 and a '90 PC 800. Your vids are very informative and helpful. I told my Beautiful that come spring clean up I will be looking for stuff to fix. You sir are an inspiration.
Thank you
Gotta love the vacuum synchronizer! Old bikes coming back to life; nice job!
I just rewatched the videos on this bike as i just bought one that has been sat for 15 years, safe to say she's back up and running. I'd love to see you do a few more bikes here and there.
Great video! You do an awesome job bringing those old machines back to life. An old trick for synching carbs before installing is to use a wire gauge , get butterflies set identically when closed. Once again, Thanks for the fine work.
I believe that was the most complex trouble shooting problem I've seen you do yet Mustie. I was thinking of buying a Virago back in the 1980s and right about now, I'm happy that I didn't buy one!! Pretty complicated motors compared to the 2 Yamaha SX 650s that I've owned and worked on. Thank you once again for sharing the knowledge you have gained through many years of repairs on motors of all types.
Best production bike ever...triumph killers
Really appreciate your step by step derail AND your tenacious follow through so refreshing as many people just want to replace items GREAT JOB
these virago videos are bittersweet. I have a early 80's Virago 920. First bigger v-twin. I remember the carbs were a piece of work. finally got them running, and seemed like a monumental feat! Sooo smooth! But let gas sit too long one year and wound up with one carb gas washing the cylinder. Pulled it all apart, got it honed, but never put it back together. Still sitting in my shed to this day making me sad every time I think about how tough it would be to find all the various parts and if I could ever bring her back to life. Maybe when my boys are bit older it could be a project bike!
If you got the spare time and money man, try to fix it man, it will be sweet, now with ebay for spare parts and mustie's videos for inspiration! Upload a video too if you do it!
The vacuum adjust was interesting and appreciate you showing us that. That bike sounds great and I'm sure will be a nice ride!
By
Thank you for taking the time to do both of those videos because I just got a Virago and I'm trying to learn any in any things that I can about them and how to work on it thank you for showing in detail what you do it is a great help I hope you have a good day and God bless
Back in 1989 I worked for a Radiator Repair Shop. I remember doing several Gas Tanks with the Sealer after a Caustic Soda bath. I seem to remember using Acetone to thin the Coating when it was getting thick. The Acetone would bring the flow back as new, but would evaporate quickly allowing the coating to set as usual. You might want to check on that as the formula
these days may be different.
Few folks ever bother bench syncing their carbs after a thorough cleaning. I've not seen paper strips used, but often heard of guitar strings being employed with regular occurrence. Great set of secrets to getting a proper tip-up when coming off of idle, as one rolls onto the throttle.
Your videos on these carbs make me feel a lot better about paying a shop $113 total to sonic clean all the parts in my two Vulcan 500 carbs including drilling out the factory sealed jets and sonic cleaning them too. They were full of seven year old solid gas, I couldn't get out even with a wire and soak overnight in carb cleaner. Carbs came back from the shop like brand new.
I am hooked on this channel Just discovered it tonight. My only complaint is I wanted to see it completed and running. Really wanted to see a test a drive!
Tryoutz747 I just watched both of the videos and like yourself, I wanted to see it finished and on the road. I really liked these bikes in the day. Ya, I’m old as dirt.
First time I've seen a Japanese bike running carbs other than Mikuni or Kehin. Tank sealer looks the same as some stuff I used called "tank cream". Worked real good too. I had flaking internal paint issue on a 78 BMW R80/7. To get excess paint off I poured in a strong acid and two hands full of 1/4 " ball bearings, shaking like buggery for an hour or so- worked a treat. After blowing out tank and fully dry I poured in a whole litre of tank cream, working around for full coverage. It took about 24 hrs to fully cure. I ran that bike for ten years after treatment and never had a problem.
Man you are a genius.. Love watching your videos.. Kamran from Kashmir..
That carburetor synchronizing was surprisingly satisfying i have to say :)
Amazing that I have a Virago 920 from 1982(I think) with the same problems demonstrated here bought it about 10 years ago with 14000 miles and only rode it a few miles before storing. Only one cylinder running most of the time and the other one very lean when it did kick in. This motivates me to try it again!!
Clogged main,probably
Great video Mustie, i had one of those in the 90s. Carbs blocked after over wintering. You did well.
Really enjoying your videos, you are very knowledgeable, I try to learn with every mechanical or electrical challenge, must say I have a way to go. Your giving me courage to go after it and not worry about the risks associated with breaking something while attempting the fix. Thanks for your efforts
I just gave away a 1994 750 Virago needed a lot of work that dude actually got it running
Great video as usual. I haven't seen mercury gauges for years, far more accurate than anything else. I wouldn't be able to sell it after all this, it would have to go into my collection of bikes. I love the sound of the engine, purrs like a kitten then roars like a lion
I think that water got in to the fuel tank, rusted the gas tank and damaged the fuel system and the carburetors; very nice video, many thanks for the knowledge:)
Great work...enjoyed the adventure.. Back in the day I found that those closed cell floats do absorb gasoline and change where they sit for level. I still have a gram weigh scale that would weigh each float just after u removed them and see if they came within spec.. I was a cool little mechanical scale and I am sure an electronic digital scale would do the same.Just a thought Cheers and thanks again for sharing
i had one of those also. i put 40k miles on it in 2 and a half yrs. loved it. just thought it was a bit short. im 6ft1. used the highway pegs . never the reg pegs. due to there to short. bad placement for me. size 13 boots. lol but fast fun bike. was told it was an 8 hr job removing and rebuilding the carbs. sounded crazzy.
Mustie1, I realize that this is an older video but I noticed your comment on the battery, it looked like the older ones we used at my old company to power hospital beds. Had I been there a year ago I would have bought it from you, great resurrection on this bike.
Well done. Truly nice to see how you mentally work it through and attempt it and correct the changes. Cheers.
Loved my Virago 1100, lots of great memories. Thanks for sharing your journey with your Virago!
What great examples of " the journey being more interesting than the end result". Though varoom varoom does satisfy my inner child. Cool. Excellent videos.
Hey easy tip for you! Next time you seal a tank, if you have a small cement mixer you can wrap your tank in a blanket and stuff it in the mixer and turn it on, it will rotate the tank and coat the insides evenly automatically for you! Love your videos I been beng watching them! Lol 😎
Mike Flynn we've been using a cheap barbecue grill rotissere for years. Works well but you need to relocate the tank a couple of times to make sure the whole thing gets lined.
^^ thats a great idea, thx!
Smashing job mustie :-D, sounds really happy, carbs happy and balanced :-).
You may not get the balance perfect as the diaphragms may be slightly stiffer at different throttle positions, they are old but i think they are working smashing :-D.
Its worth a little love to wake it up again, that will be a nice machine for you or another owner :-D.
I know it's one of your older projects but having watched them 4 times they are just great because I love the look of Virago's and those people who didn't buy it for $650 well they have missed out for sure.I have learnt a lot watching these vids so thanks Daren for your expertise wish I cud have bought it but what with shipping it to the UK plus the ear ache from the wife it would have been a no go cos last bike I had finished up with 2 spine opps thru a stupid driver deciding I wud make a great speed hump...Yeh it hurt a lot still does cos need another spine operation but still love that Virago.
you young man are a very skilled mechanic like you style,thanks for sharing,from Dave in Bulgaria.
carb synchronising has the most benefit for idle and small throttle openings.
The farther you open the throttles, the less influence carb-synching has.
Love the carb balance vacuum setup! Much nicer than the junky one I used to balance the dual side-draft Hitachi's on a Datsun 240Z I was working on. That junky one had a crappy little plastic "bead" float. Yeech!
A sulfated battery can be revived. Drain the acid out and rinse with distilled water. Drain and refill with distilled water. Take a specific gravity test and record results. Connect to a charger and allow it to "charge" for about 4 hours or so. Checking and recording the specific gravity periodically and when the specific gravity stops rising, drain and rinse again, then refill with sulfuric acid and charge and bob's your uncle as our aussie friends say.
Man I really enjoy hanging out with you in the garage. very entertaining and interesting to watch cheers
@Mustie1 - Great videos! I find myself enjoying them tremendously and love your acknowledgement of how mistakes happen and you just roll with it. Keep them coming!
Sounds great! Thanks for taking us along!
Kudos MUSTIE!!, MOST GUYS and some shops woulda QUIT and rolled out front for $200😞. GREAT JOB!!!
I just sat here watching this series of videos enjoying every minute. Is there a follow up to this one, like all put back together ? I hope so, I'd love to see it back together all clean and shiny and running sweet.
I'm not a motor bike guy but I love watching you work, great series on this Yamaha.
May I also ask, what is that sealer stuff you used in the tank ?
These Yamaha types are very popular under the older motorcyclists here in the Netherlands, so we call them Yamaha Viagra.
HAHAHA!
maybe that is why you are so good at polishing the chrome👌
Regarding the dead battery. I was able to recover one using Epsom salt. Unfortunately, I did not monitor the battery. However, after 2 years of sitting, I added some extra acid and strangely enough, not only did the battery hold a charge again, it is back in my bike and working like a charm!!
Geek Of Truth2 batts can also have the sulfation can also be removed with a baking soda/woter souloution. Old military batteries used to come apart, get cleaned via baking soda method & get reassembled as good as new.
Sounds good.starts right up. I remember building the model kit of that bike. Anniversary addition or something.
I too am looking for a follow up on this video showing off the finished bike (2019 now) . Loved watching this and the two on the Honda 350.
The bike sounds good Darren. Looking forward to the cruise video.
Cool gauge, some of the old stuff is better than what replaced it.
Nice! Learned something new again! Gave me a kick in the but to work on my electrical system in my car which is a 98. LOL!
Great as usual Mustie!!!
So much fun watching. Thanks Mustie.
Dang, You make things look so simple.........Ppl always talk about sync carburetors like something only NASA can do.
I remember doing the tank sealing with that. I worked really well.
the cb350 is next.
well its bout time,,
Looking forward to it!
Nice :)
How much you willing to sell the virago for? 😂
Did you know about the CB350 four cylinder? I had one. A Basket case. Gone with time and no foresight.
Many CB400's I'm sure. I also had a basket Honda Dream. 305. Argh!! Hindsight is 20/20.
The scientific word for the mercury vacuum reading tubes for carb sync, is called MANOMETER. Great Show, thankyou.
Cool bike. I hope to pick up an 1100 Virago later today, and expect the same issues with the carb. Good to know what I am in for.
Thanks
THE BIKE ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF YOUR TRUCK,(I ONLY SAW A GLIMPSE OF IT BUT,LOOKED BADASS)
Looking at those terminals I am not suprised it didn't take any charge. The first thing you should have done was remove theb battery and clean those and the cable clamps. If you replace a battery you should always go higher not lower on the AH, When they designed the bike they worked out the minimum required with all electrics on and correctly charging. I can understand you replacing it at the price but another couple of bucks to get a higher AH one. Sorry but after finding all the crap in the fuel tank I would have stripped the whole fuel line and fully stripped the carbs
You can rejuvenate and old battery and clean the crud off the copper by shaking it around for a good while. Obviously only do this with a sealed battery. I have recovered quite a few batteries over the years using this method.
I said "Ya!" not to anyone in particular. To you Mustie. You have the "Bar"? Wow.
awesome video good job on the carb sync :) alot of people are scared to do it. love your homemade manometer. I have a carbtune pro, but yours is waaaaaay cheaper lol
Sounds good. I wonder if you'll be able to stick a for sale sign on it again once you finish bringing it back to life......
I had 1985 Virago for ten years. Rode that bike everywhere. People gave me a hardtime cause they said it was a Harley rip-off but that Yamaha was better built. The drive shaft was super smooth. Only downside was those carbs can't take the vibration and get out of adjustment after a while. Great video. What ever happened to the bike?
I always tell people that the Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki, and Suzuki V-twins are the Harley Davidsons HD would make if HD knew how to make Harley Davidsons right. No, they don't have the cachet of the HD, but it you want a good, dependable bike to start and ride day after day with minimal maintenance, the Japanese bikes are what you want.
My father has a brand new yamaha stryker 1300i and its low and very comfortable gets right down in the corners compared to a Harley its more comfortable and more reliable.
Truly excellent video and good detail....very useful. Many thanks!
Thank you for another wonderful video. You take the time to explain. That's great.
Love the video I'm a bit partial since I have a 98 virago 1100 se
Sounds great keep up the great videos
Just a fyi, we always use a semi soft piece of wire in those smaller ports so you can pull them out after you drain and be assured of a clear hole.
But the acid we were advised to use escapes me, and wondered what you used to do the tanks before you cleaned it out and then did the sealant?
Will be a nice ride after you're done, although it's probably long been sold by now.
Learned a lot watching this. 👍
Curiously nauseating last 2 seconds of coverage there. Really enjoyed the carb sync, being a boxer rider!!
Nice manometer work
Friend had an 86 virago 700, absolute work of art but of course the 1100 was special, no '700' on the sides.
Several people I spoke with about that gas tank sealer said it was bad news because it will break apart over time. I think I'll try Metal Rescue on my 82 CB750 because it won't hurt the paint, then just keep the tank full with fresh fuel and see how that works out.
A long time ago I had heard or maybe read that you can bring a dead lead acid battery back to life using baking soda to remove the sulfur build up. Have you ever tried to bring a dead battery back to life? Yeah, I know this video is couple years old now but still worth a comment and question.
I think the snow blower tank looks kinda of cool you know 1 of a kind ;)
you should see it going down the road,
I rebuilt carbs on a 2000 virago 250 vtwin and had the same challenges getting the carbs in and out. They are shoehorned in there.
I'm going to pull my Virago apart. It sucks before 3000 rpm..then opens up.. Now I think I can fix it.
sounds rich
A good set of Farnicastaffs will save almost any battery you set them up with.....its not safe for the wildlife....but it works.
Excellent job! Is that POR15 tank sealer you use? I am restoring my 1979 CX500. Love the old Japanese bikes! That would be a great project for you hint hint...
CX500 is a very cool bike. I really liked the one I had. It was a '79 too.
The carbs are made by hitachi and are excellent units. I have used several of them on my Harley drag bikes. Remove the Air Induction System and gulp valves and your good to go.
The Virago 920s make good trikes!
Make good yard ornaments too with those gen 1 hitachi carbs.
About 3:38 you showed gas tank sealer. This is new to me. I have my old 1980 Honda 200 college bike project going on. I look inside tank and it isn't sparkling clean (been sitting empty inside for last 8 or 9 years)...but it ain't real dirty-looking neither. Strategy? Clean? Or don't fix it if it ain't broken?
good job!!!
Is there any chance of that liquid, you use as a cover film for the interior of your gas tank, to melt when temperature is high and then just pass into your carburators causing you issues?
Really great video's - lost art - hand on - thanks for sharing
Looked at the tires? Hope they're not too old. Same goes for the Honda. If some are no good, I'll be interested to see how you get tires at the lowest price.
A little late, but i usually set the manometer so both carbs are in sync at about 3000 rpms for the yamaha v twin
That puts them in perfect sync in the bikes power band.
That will put them out a bit at idle due to various imperfections, but you dont ride the bike at idle much.
Tank sealant reminds me of POR-15 / US Standard Fuel Tank Sealer. I've never been able to save the excess and reuse it. Always seems to gum up before I can coat another tank with it.
Большое спасибо за видео, являюсь владельцем Virago XV 1100! Познавательно! Подписался на канал.
Do you use a battery desulfator? You can find them on ebay for less than $50 for one that will work with both 6v and 12v batteries. It just seems like as many batteries as you come across that would be no good, buying a desulfator to save even a few of them would be money well spent.
Sulphation happens if the battery sits for a few months. Charging and discharging is good, and the life can be extended to 2.5 to 4 years.
Hi, I'm enjoying your series. I see that you don't ever use any form-a-gasket type material. For some of those hard to find gaskets they seem to be a possible solution. Do you specifically avoid them or is there another reason? Take care.
sometimes sulfate can be recover by charging at about 15 volts for 4 or 5 hourrs. works on submarine batteries good luck jack neff
Drain acid fill with baking soda and water mix and flush a couple of times rinse out with water. Refill with electrolite and charged
I'm only just getting around to watching this series, but that'd be a fine little tourer that wouldn't break the bank for some shlub like me that ain't likely to dish out 20 Grand for the newest ride. The fact that it's 30+ years old also means you could throw some antique plates on it, and never again need to get it inspected in states like mine (Virginia). Whatever became of this bike? Did it sell? If so, for how much?
Hitachi carbs? Doesn't hitachi make vibrators?? 😂😂😂 love this vids man!!!
I dread to think how you know that!
16:10 Quicksilver Power Tune on the shelf behind the welder....my choice for carb cleaner 👍👍
Power tune solves most issues!
I never did get to see you road test the 1100 virago. Did you make a video on it?
sounds a lot better well done
Loving that old Virago. Did I miss a finish it up video? Great video as always.
Watched both videos, you are good.