Comments on: Yamaha Virago custom

By: Pete

Pete — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 02:05:18 +0000

could you please tell me where you got those wheels? I’m having a very hard time finding custom rims for my 98 virago. Or are those stock for an older model?

By: Bob

Bob — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 06:05:57 +0000

I bought my 82 XV920J for $800 in 2009, with 13K miles. Spent time sorting the exhaust and carbs, and learning the air suspension adjustments. A new starter cost $104 online. Also, plan on replacing the idler gear and return spring, so there is another $100. You can do it yourself, with a few tools and some mechanical skill. I ride mine hard, on narrow roads, and do not have any problem with grinding parts down, but it is not a road racer. It could be an all day ride, but the seat will make you get off on a regular basis.
I love the cafe’s look, and have blacked out my rear suspension also, along with the chrome fenders.

By: powermatic

powermatic — Fri, 28 May 2010 17:06:26 +0000

@Troy-

It probably would be rideable all day, as long as you rode in a straight line. Go to the link, scroll about 3/4 down, and look at the (lack of) ground clearance in the photo of a very mild turn. Scary. Plus, the wide front tire does nothing for real-world riding.

http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=10678.50

Still, the bike does look great, the ground clearance issue could be easily solved with closer-to-stock suspension, and there’s no need to put a rear wheel on the front, so this could easily be a motorcycle one could actually ride. Win/win.

By: Troy

Troy — Thu, 27 May 2010 03:27:15 +0000

I really like this bike, Its clean, stout and looks like you could just ride it all day long.

By: Neil

Neil — Wed, 26 May 2010 21:25:55 +0000

Woody, in Australia. There are mid ’80s models asking $6-8k! I would have expected $1k. Interestingly they are pretty well all very low milage bikes. That has to be a statement in itself.

Perhaps there’s a market in importing US Viragos and selling them for heaps in Oz?

They tend to be popular here with non-confident riders (they get touch the ground) and those that can’t afford Harleys.

By: Woody

Woody — Wed, 26 May 2010 17:34:03 +0000

Dunno what country you’re posting from Neil, but in the U.S. you can get an early 80′s virago for less than $1,000 US. I couldn’t even find an RC45 for sale on craigslist or ebay.

By: Buzz

Buzz — Wed, 26 May 2010 16:48:28 +0000

The rear is a De Dion style shock/arm linkage. It handled well without alot of air or other period corrections. It really sounded awful though, very tinny. I sold mine for $150(US) a little over ten years ago, They guy I got it from originally wanted $500 but took $350. The starters are crap and cost $300 to replace from Yamaha. Not suprisingly because of thier failure rate, you can still buy them new. You can also get NOS tanks from Yamaha. Virago’s were made for a very long time. I kind of think the 535 would benefit from a similiar treatment and that should be a very cheap custom/special/rod/whatever..