XV750 restoration [Archive] - Kiwi Biker forums

Wired1

17th August 2006, 22:11

I am restoring my third XV750, a 1982 model. Bought for bugger all off turdeme a couple of months back. I have owned 4 of these, this is number 3 - the fourth one will be the next rebuild in a couple more months time. I also restored number 2 but it cost me way more to restore than it was worth and in the end I had to sell it for a bargain price to be able to buy the next two. I have done much better on this bike as this time I stripped and painted it myself, and I had pretty much everything it was missing. I had to tear the engine down as it was spitting out water when I first got it, it turned out the previous owner had used a few innovations like silicon sealant for the cylinder base gasket to name just one. Anyway, here are a few photos of this rebuild from the ugly bike at the start to where I am right now. Enjoy and comment as you feel like it, I do this for fun not for any serious reason!

Waylander

17th August 2006, 22:16

Fuck me that looks mean already!!

Can't wait to see the completion. Those arn't standard forks and trees are they?

Paul in NZ

17th August 2006, 22:20

Good skills mate.. Lurve the flames, did you do that too??

Not my fave bike but I'm envious of your skills and your workshop space...

Paul N

classic zed

17th August 2006, 23:18

there is something very satisfying about starting with a pile of bits and ending up with something to be proud of:niceone:

Dadpole

17th August 2006, 23:21

there is something very satisfying about starting with a pile of bits and ending up with something to be proud of:niceone:

A couple of times I did that the other way around.

classic zed

18th August 2006, 00:38

A couple of times I did that the other way around.

thats how come I ended up restoring mine, so it went full circle:D

Wired1

18th August 2006, 19:01

Thanks guys, the trees and forks are standard, I stripped them of paint and laquer and polished the shit out of them, same treatment for the engine covers and rear brake and I am doing the switchblocks at the moment. They look much better polished aluminium than the black original look. I rebuilt the forks with new seals and may have pumped them up a bit too much but I do like that up-front front end. I am learning to airbrush and will paint my next tank myself but this tank was bought with matching side covers from a guy in Wellys who got it from the states, it appears to be a one-off tank and has the requisite semiclad babe on the top that I could live without but looks good anyway. My workshop probably looks bigger than it is, I can't fit two bikes in it at the moment but it is an oasis from the rest of the crazy world. I will post more pics as the bike develops and I am making a video of the whole rebuild, it is currently 12 minutes long and I haven't finished yet so it will be way to big to download by the time I finish.

MyGSXF

18th August 2006, 19:18

:banana: SWEEEEET dude.. looks awesome!!! I had an 83 XV750 for 8 years before I got my current toy.. travelled MANY happy ks on her without a single hickup.. she just went & went & went..!!

Dadpole

18th August 2006, 22:47

Polishing the switchblocks is a good idea. Will suit the bike better than black.

The Pastor

18th August 2006, 23:37

I want it.

Pat

19th August 2006, 20:26

Good to see it all comeing together and starting to look good.I made a quick trip down to Wellington on mine last week to see my my 2 children at Uni, went down thru the Desert Rd and back up thru Wanganui , New Plymouth.Went like a charm and since installing that 4 brush starter have not experienced any starting problems at all.Only problem a puncture front wheel and late at night in the middle of nowhere.Well it is good to see your bike and yourself.Kind regards Pat

Wired1

19th August 2006, 20:33

Howdy Pat, you must be keen to ride that far in winter, the desert road would be a little nippy at this time of year and it always rains at some point going through Taranaki. Glad to hear the starter is proving it's worth.

replicator

27th August 2006, 11:01

hay ive worked on a 4e4 and a 5e4 (?) 1981 virago 750 too. could never get it going because of electrical problems but damn good ride though.

degrom

27th August 2006, 17:46

doc

27th August 2006, 18:19

Just think if you had started out on a Harley you could have done four rebuilds and still had the same bike. Would have saved you a lot of room . My first Vtwin was a XV1100 which I fitted a single HD CV carb really changed it all the torque was down low where you need it. I think the guy that made the mainfold was in Canada (KJS I think) found him on a forum I use to visit then called the "Virago Mailing List" was a good site but most of the problems were around the starter clutch problems with the XV I never had any problems other than the starter brushes and used car ones in the end , done about 80k km when I sold it on T n E. Only grizzle I had about the bike was it felt like a rubber band if you went too fast into a corner, and had to force it around. Still they are I'm told the longest running jappa motor still in production.

Wired1

27th August 2006, 19:55

How did you get the barrels so shiny?

No secret product sorry, just degreaser and a lot of polishing with autosol. The worst areas I hit with the wire brush first, both the bench grinder brush and the little one on the Dremmel. They do come up nice though.

Wired1

6th September 2006, 18:24

Few more photos - finished the wiring, all new from scratch. I wire houses for a living and find bike wiring bloody annoying but I saved half the number of wires and got it all working so it can't be all bad. Mounted up the gauges, bars, indicators etc. I'm still on the lookout for a front guard but haven't found anything that fits yet, might have to import one from ebay if I don't find one soon. I could use the old one for a warrant and then replace it later but it rally looks like shite so I'm not keen...

Pat

6th September 2006, 20:00

on ebay currently there is a chrome guard, looks in good condition. Heres some pictures of my machine

Wired1

6th September 2006, 22:27

That has to be the cleanest XV750 I've ever seen! I know you ride it so it is doubly amazing, the chrome is good isn't it? The paint is pretty amazing too, how many km's on the clock?

Pat

7th September 2006, 06:51

Thank you , very good of you to say that.Its done 53,000+ k,s , had done 9k when I bought it but thats a long time ago .I had 2 bikes for many years , the other being a 74 Honda 750 4 which I regretfully sold .Yes someone in Canada is selling a front chrome guard , not the cost of the guard but freight and will it arrive undamaged.I am going to the Hamilton swap meet on Sunday so will keep and eye out for you .Cheers Pat

Wired1

7th September 2006, 12:11

Yes I had a look at that guard, $60 US to ship it! I may have to look at a new guard. The local motorcycle wrecker has a few which may work out cheaper if I can find something that fits, and I also think the XJ750 may have had the same guard, not sure. I still have the old one so panel beating and new chrome or bog and paint is an option too. I doubt I can get to the Hamilton swap meet, wrong island and all that...

2QK2C

7th September 2006, 19:12

That looks bloody mint man, love to see a project turning out so well.
When I got my bike it was about a month before I even started it, I almost lost interest in getting it all nice, but thank god I didn't cos now i'm in love! :D

It's surprising how many people sell crashed bikes or bikes with problems for next to nothing, and most people don't even care to see if they are even fixable. :S

Wired1

7th September 2006, 20:47

Yes there are some bargains out there, this bike wasn't even crashed, just had a bad paint job and a rebuild with someone without any clues.

Pat

10th September 2006, 16:39

I see the Motorcycle Graveyard are wrecking an xv 750 email andrewdb@ps.gen.nz or phone 021-106 8693 .Nothing at the swap meet.A mixture of old japanese , british and some Harley
Pat

Waylander

10th September 2006, 17:44

I see the Motorcycle Graveyard are wrecking an xv 750 email andrewdb@ps.gen.nz or phone 021-106 8693 .Nothing at the swap meet.A mixture of old japanese , british and some Harley
Pat
You were there mate? See a guy in a green fleece with floresant strips?

Pat

10th September 2006, 18:49

Sorry mate , didnt see you ,not much there for me and you I guess , what are you currently rideing.A lot of yamaha manuals and hand books there.The only bargain I picked up was the current motoring market place for $2 which I have scanned thoroughly.I would like to pick up a mint chrome rack but they are hard to find.I see some new ones on ebay starting at $100 to bid., I am to mean to pay that.
Pat

Waylander

10th September 2006, 18:55

VMX12 (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=35081) after I pick it up next weekend. (was a guy at the swap meet on one aswell)

Was looking for some bars and grips to replace the ones on my Rebel with when I fix it up to sell but Didn't see anything I liked the price of. Did see something to replace the schlong tail light Yamaha seem to enjoy putting on the back of thier earlier cruisers but not for the price they wanted. Can get a better one of LEDs from the states for less.

Wired1

10th September 2006, 20:08

Thanks Pat, I gave in and bought the XJ750 one on trademe, I just hope they have the same front wheel size! If this fails I will try the wreckers again. I keep seeing XV750's with pack racks on, there must plenty out there if you could just get one off another bike.

Lord Derosso

10th September 2006, 20:35

I brought the 500cc model brand new approx 10 years ago. Nice little bike though underpowered for touring duties. Ended up trading it in for a VF750 which was pity as it turned out to be a dog in the end. Not the model, just the bike. Thinking someone may have went into a river on it by the time I found the rust throughout the tank and engine and carbs. Wouldn't expect a bike shop to sell something in that stage and warranty was only 1 month and the problems really didn't start until about six weeks. Funny how the first thing they said to me on going back and approaching the counter was ..." the bike is no longer under warranty !!'. The old advice about trashing a bike during warranty period is sound. Might have picked it up then. Anyway back to the subject. I believe the shaft drive are BMW's? Any problem with WOF for those pipes though?

Pat

10th September 2006, 20:36

I see on trade me some one in Nelson trying to sell an xv , grey in colour , is that you.
Pat

Wired1

10th September 2006, 23:10

No not mine, there are a few of them around town. I saw this one at the testing station and it looks very original. If it goes for under $1500 it will be a bargain too. It also has a pack rack Pat!

Pat

13th September 2006, 19:22

In your quest for parts did you come across a dismantler with parts for an 86 or thereabouts Virago 750.Looking for a set of the engine side mounted air filter housings intact and in good condition.Searched ebay but cannot find any.There a few more front guards on sale though if you are interested.

Pat

Wired1

13th September 2006, 20:20

I bought the XJ750 guard off Trademe so I hope the wheels are the same diameter! Sorry but I didn't run across anything for an '86 XV750 on my travels, although I was asking about earlier bikes so they may not automatically mention them I guess.

Wired1

19th September 2006, 18:05

The guard is a perfect fit and the right diameter so that's a useful tip to file away for future use. It isn't chrome so I will paint it black with flames (of course) to match the tank and side covers, and probably back guard too.

Pat

25th September 2006, 17:13

The Pastor

25th September 2006, 17:58

those xv's are awesome bikes :) :love:

degrom

26th September 2006, 21:36

Hi.

It looks great!!!

I am also on the lookout for a few parts. At the moment I am looking for the right hand side's engine cover. The plastic one.

I bought mine like this and it really looks bad. I attached a picture of it...

Please let me know if anyone has one and keep up the good work!!!

Pat

27th September 2006, 06:47

dwnundabkr

27th September 2006, 07:03

well done dude still have my old girl xv 1000 looking to sell her not sure just testing the water to see what happens may keep it
keep the xv's rolling
here is the trade me number if you want to take a look
Auction Number: 71043948

degrom

28th September 2006, 20:26

Thats on the left side , should be metal I have never seen a plastic one.Try the chap on Trade me , his reply to me sugested he had a complete bike.I know Andersons Bike wreckers in Rotorua also have an xv they are wrecking , best of luck Pat

LOL... Took me a while!!! Yes... The left side... I have asked the Trade-me guy but no luck at the moment.

Thx

degrom

28th September 2006, 20:30

Wired1

1st October 2006, 11:56

latest listings on trade me , an xv 750 , parts on offer include an xv 750 chrome guard which looks in very good order.Thought you might be interested i have emailed seller to see what else he has not that I need any parts but who knows.

Pat

Thanks Pat (and the other members who also pointed this out to me), I will bid on it and see how it goes.

kro

1st October 2006, 19:20

How did you bring back the shine on the engine?, specifically, the cylinders.

Wired1

1st October 2006, 20:10

How did you bring back the shine on the engine?, specifically, the cylinders.
They aren't really that shiny - they're just really really clean. I polished all the engine covers, timing chain covers and every other aluminium bit that would come off by buffing them on the rag wheel and polishing with Autosol. I had both barrels off to replace the base and head gaskets so while they were off I gave them a severe cleaning with both the wire brush and the dremmel (hand tool) and polished them up that way. They did come up very well and I will do the same on my next bike. The other thing I did was use the spray can engine cleaner made by CRC - a couple of cans did the engine, wheels and a few other critical grubby bits. If you are planning on polishing the engine covers you need to strip off the factory laquer and I used automotive pain stripper for this.

Wired1

20th January 2007, 17:28

I turned her over today and much to my surprise she ran. Still don't have the pipes on so the neighbours got to enjoy it too! Here is the u-tube video of the historic event...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YOb6HXMKI0

rogson

20th January 2007, 17:47

Darn... That was the one I was looking for.... TR1!!!

Not sure about the model you are referring to, but the model to covert is the XV1000R. Its the sport model, all black with a little black sport/fly screen. Less than 1000 sold worldwide.

I know there is at least one in NZ - maybe more?

Bonez

23rd January 2007, 16:18

Not sure about the model you are referring to, but the model to covert is the XV1000R. Its the sport model, all black with a little black sport/fly screen. Less than 1000 sold worldwide.

I know there is at least one in NZ - maybe more?The XV1000R(Aust) was sold in Europe as the TR1, and in the US as the XV920 IIRC. Mate of my next door neighbor owns one. I don't think the came out with fly screen.

Found this- http://www.copperleife.com/craig/bikes/xv_virago/images/xv1000rh_boty1981_1.jpg
http://www.copperleife.com/craig/bikes/xv_virago/images/xv1000rh_boty1981_2.jpg

Edit- Was looking at the second link and there's that "C" word .........

crazybigal

23rd January 2007, 16:44

my brother has an xv1000 83 midnight aussie frame.

The XV1000R(Aust) was sold in Europe as the TR1, and in the US as the XV920 IIRC. Mate of my next door neighbor owns one. I don't think the came out with fly screen.

Found this- http://www.copperleife.com/craig/bikes/xv_virago/images/xv1000rh_boty1981_1.jpg

Bonez

23rd January 2007, 17:44

my brother has an xv1000 83 midnight aussie frame.Yeah they have shaft drives whereas the TR1 et el had an enclosed chain final drive.

Waylander

25th January 2007, 08:00

Hey Wired1...

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Cruiser/auction-85653892.htm

Wired1

25th January 2007, 11:58

Thanks for spotting that, I thought it was my bike for a brief panicky moment, compare the one below (from Turdeme) to mine in my profile - yes it's an uncanny likeness to my bike, but not mine! I would think about buying it if it was in the South Island but it looks like it is going to fetch a fair old price - which is good for my bike considering this one isn't even registered.

Waylander

25th January 2007, 12:01

lol That's why I posted it. When I saw it I though, "what the fuck? Why is he selling it?" Closer look obviously not your bike but someone had a similar idea to you aye.

Wired1

25th January 2007, 14:47

Well actually I will be selling it when it is finished and registered and warranted etc. I get my kicks out of rebuilding them. I am going to restore my black one next as total stock except for the bars, I can't stand those XV bars! After that I am looking for a TT500, the alloy tank model, or maybe an XR500, plus I want to do another scooter for my boy, probably a Suzuki FR50 or similar - has to be 50cc or under if you know what I mean. Here is my first scooter done in 2005.

Wired1

13th March 2007, 16:40

All done and dusted. Got a warrant today so time to sell her and move onto the next project. Maybe an old TT500 or XR500 if I can find one rough enough. She's up on Turdeme http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=91588296