Yamaha XV750

[Pat]

Have a 1983 yamaha jap import , imported some 20 years ago that goes well with the exception of starter motor which has given trouble from day 1.If bike doesnt go after two or three shots then you are wasting your time as the battery just goes flat.Electric,s all checked and okay.Have heard this is a common fault .Are there any remedies to this problem.Please help
Pat

[FROSTY:Me]

double post there pat

[Scorpygirl]

Pat, welcome to KB. I hope you are able to get the prob sorted.

I have lots of rellies around Waihi. We had a big do for my Aunty's 80th birthday on 21st Jan at the Waihi Beach RSA. It was a blast!!!!

Hope you enjoy the nuthouse!

[Edbear]

Not a mechanic, well not much of one anyway, but heard this is a common problem with Viragos and only fix is overhaul the starter motor. Not sure about costings, but there was a good Yamaha dealer in Morrinsville when we lived there.

[Waylander]

Could check the Idler gears and starter clutch. Had the same problem you describe just before I came to NZ. If the gears are worn then ya need to get all new ones for the whole set as they re-designed them in 98 to not wear out so fast. Also check the starter clutch and make sure it spins only in one diretction. If all else fails, Waihi isn't that far from me (Tauranga) either I could come up one weekend or you could come down and I could take a closer look at it for ya.

[kevie]

What is playing up on your bike? the actual starter or the 'cogs meshing'??

I have restored my XV750.
Starter was crap, if it didnt start first time the cogs would miss and trouble starting.

I checked for new flywheel.... they arent available.

I replaced all the starter cogs (purchased through our local Yammy dealer) and got the flywheel restored by
'Ring gear recovery'
234 Fitzherbert East Rd
Aokautere
Palmerston North
0-6-356 9310
the flywheel repair cost me about $124
(not sure of the total cost of the repair of the starter as it was part of the $4100 I spent on the recondition of the motor)

[Pat]

The starter is noisey and clunky , works well when fully charged, but if battery is low just forget about the bike starting.One nz owner being me , never been dropped , never been abused , over 50k on the clock, great bike just leaves you uncertain when traveling by oneself if the starter is going to be okay.Wasnt a problem 23 years ago when I bought it because I was fit and young enough to push start if necessary , now I am pushing 60 and need some reassurance.I have thought of some how fitting a second battery but that brings all sorts of problems I guess.Anyhow thanks for your comments much appreciated
Pat

[kevie]

The starter is noisey and clunky , works well when fully charged, but if battery is low just forget about the bike starting.One nz owner being me , never been dropped , never been abused , over 50k on the clock, great bike just leaves you uncertain when traveling by oneself if the starter is going to be okay.Wasnt a problem 23 years ago when I bought it because I was fit and young enough to push start if necessary , now I am pushing 60 and need some reassurance.I have thought of some how fitting a second battery but that brings all sorts of problems I guess.Anyhow thanks for your comments much appreciated
Pat

YEP thats the same thing my bike was doing, call your local Yammy dealer to cost the new starter cog set ( I think theres 4 cogs + springs if needed), I forget what I payed for them, and get hold of Ringgear recovery, there's magnets all round the inside of the flywheel and most restoration guys will tell you they have to come off, but Ringgear recovery can rebuild the teeth with the magnets in place, and I thought the job was dam reasonable at $124. My flywheel was done almost 18 months ago I think and im still happy with it..... but point to note ... you MUST replace ALL cogs at same time, I was told the most worn cog will chop the new cogs out quick and you're back to square one in a fairly short time.

If you can locate one ..... purchase the HAYNES manual on the XV750 (1981-1986), ive found it very worth the money spent on it.

The Virago is a dam nice bike to ride, I love mine so much I was crazy enough to pour $5500 into the restoration of it LOL

(wifes expaination of it is >>>>>>> "Boys and their Toys" )

[Waylander]

If you can locate one ..... purchase the HAYNES manual on the XV750 (1981-1986), ive found it very worth the money spent on it.

May have posted this before but I have The Clymer Manual for XV535-11-- from 1981-1999. This one is great aswell.

[Wired1]

Yep they all seem to do that, I have had two XV750's and both start beautifully with a fully charged battery but if not first or second time then the noises begin. I read once that removing the spring on the end of the starter motor fixes it, well it doesn't so forget that. I rebuilt my current starter motor and it improved it shitloads, at a cost of about $15 for the bearing and seals. They are pretty easy to dismantle and predicatably a bit harder to get back together. There is also a guy in ebay selling his design for the cure, but I haven't been game enough to bring one in, if someone has then let us know if it worked.

[Pat]

To Wired , tried to locate the guy on ebay selling the starter solution but could not find .Can you help me locate advert.I have have a donar bike that I picked up several years ago and had the starter motor on that overhauled but it didnt really make any difference.
Kind regards to all those who have replied. Pat

[Wired1]

Sure thing, here are the urls for two of these on ebay right now:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/VIRAG...QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/VIRAG...QQcmdZViewItem
The clip works by tigntening the spring clip and thereby stopping the starter from over reving before it can engage with the flywheel. I guess this proves that throwing away the spring clip is a viable fix. I might get one of these and try it on my XV, mine starts nicely 99% of the time unless it has been sitting for a week or two and the mattery is getting down a bit, then its the "box of rocks" sound effects.

[Pat]

Sure thing, here are the urls for two of these on ebay right now:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/VIRAG...QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/VIRAG...QQcmdZViewItem
The clip works by tigntening the spring clip and thereby stopping the starter from over reving before it can engage with the flywheel. I guess this proves that throwing away the spring clip is a viable fix. I might get one of these and try it on my XV, mine starts nicely 99% of the time unless it has been sitting for a week or two and the mattery is getting down a bit, then its the "box of rocks" sound effects.

Cheers thanks for have purchased one at a total of $83 nz dollars including postage

[Wired1]

Wow, I didn't do the exchange rate calculation. Hope it works, I guess if it does I'll get one too even at this price.

[Pat]

Thanks Wired , received kit from USA total NZ cost $88 includes postage.Great service received kit seven days after placement of order.Detailed instructions and a full 61 page yamaha xv parts catalogue provided also.It took me 6 hours from time of dismantleing to completion.But you could probably do it a lot quicker , I am a bit of an old lady checking and rechecking.Does it work , it sure does the old xv ratttle clunk clunk has gone , just sounds like any other starter motor.I did a hundred k trip to Thames and return to bed it in , starter works first time everytime.I just hope it lasts.A tip , also have a Haines manual on hand it helps.Kind regards to all who responded Pat