Looking at XV750 (1992) Could the electrics be knackered?

[alex965]

Hi all,

EDIT: (Please see last comment for update on the electrics)

EDIT 2: (Apologies, this is probably more for the Workshop section, I'll start a new post there).

In my quest to find a replacement for my poor old GPZ500 that a cretin reversed into, I've been looking at a few bikes (hence previous posts).

I know a cruiser would make me look really tough, would get me loads of respect from other bikers and I'd love an opportunity to wear my arseless chaps in public more, so imagine my excitement when I saw a Virago 750 for sale near me.

I'm going to see it tonight and was wondering if anyone has any advice with regards to what to look for when I check it over?

It's a 1992, 42k miles and (from the pictures) looks to be in good condition. It's MOTd until September - I know an MOT, especially one that old, means pretty much nothing.

I'd be using the bike pretty much everyday, including commuting anything from 15-50 miles in total - obviously reliability is a big concern as I don't have any other form of transport. I'd also like to do a bit of touring at some point (around 200-300 miles each way) are my needs a little too much to ask of a circa 1992 virago with 42k miles on it?

Also, does anyone know where I could get some tassels (preferably pink) for the handlebars?

Cheers.
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Passed A2 licence 19th Dec '14.

[Alpineandy]

[jjdugen]

Surprised its not already rusted to a brown stain on the driveway. Commute it through a winter and it WILL rust away to a brown stain etc.
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The CBR900RR has been sold. Aprilia Falco worms its way into my heart.
Try Soi 23 on Amazon for a good read.... Self promotion? Moi?

[alex965]

[yen_powell]

I have vague memories of the starter bits being a bit fragile. I'd want to hear it start from having a totally cold engine and then many more times when it properly hot, listen for rippy, screechy, grindy noises etc.
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Blackmail is a nasty word........but not as nasty as phlegm!
XT1200Z and a DR350 in bits

[choogh]

The Virago is no worse, nor better than any other bike in regards to " brown stains" on the drive way...Clean it WD40 as required it's good to go !!
There is/was a fault with the starter clutch, however, there is an after market mod( <£100) that fixes it.
For commuting and "ride outs", providing your not a knee down arse up merchant there a fine reliable bike.
Just my experience.
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Current Squadron:
R1200rt. Virago 535
Loro Sono tra noi.

[alex965]

Thanks for all the replies.

I went to see it earlier - turns out it's cosmetically a bit ratty, but nothing crazy, the frame etc. has no rust that I can see on it. I had a quick test ride and everything seemed to work as it should EXCEPT - both left hand indicators were flashing a bit fast. Is that a big thing?

I'm really tempted to go for it - but this indicator thing is making me hesitate - it also makes me worry about the state of the other electronics as well...

The cosmetics (tears on seat and dings in the tank) don't really bother me, he's not asking very much for the bike.

Any thoughts, especially regarding the electronics?

Cheers all.

EDIT: Also, saw what looked like two black wires that had been snipped and taped hanging down by the engine - I have no idea what those where and forgot to ask - that worried me a little.
____________________
Passed A2 licence 19th Dec '14.

[choogh]

If it runs, stops as it should, all lights go off and on as required, why are you worried?
Your paying little money for a riding bike, if you want total confidence, go buy new..Or get a guarantee from the seller.
Electrics can be fixed if they go wrong as indeed can most things.
Stop worrying over snow flakes...
____________________
Current Squadron:
R1200rt. Virago 535
Loro Sono tra noi.

[Alpineandy]

[talkToTheHat]

Expect finding spares to be a nightmare. I had a 535 and trivial jobs kept getting held up waiting for parts from japan if they were even available. Bought a '92 model in 2012 with 34k on the clocks. Starter cluthc, starter motor, some fueling issues, coils. Rewired most of the loom. Replaced exhaust. Replaced all of the control cables. Big end failed catastrophically after 3 years. Usual old bike drama I guess.

Aside from the exhaust, it was fairly rust-proof, and bolts weren't particularly cheesy. Build quality was quite high as Yamaha were going after harley by making the best bike they could.
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Bandit. does. everything.

[talkToTheHat]

I just remembered that the TCI box across the virago range is very fragile, a damaged coil can fry them and there aren't any OEM spares available. There's a few guys in the US that rebuild them and if you don't mind chipping epoxy of a circuit board it can be done. Consult Virago Tech Forums for the insight of opinionated americans.
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Bandit. does. everything.

[Johnnythefox]

I have owned a 1996 xv750 for almost two years, it lives outside, AC50 is your friend, the starter problem was on gen 1 bikes 81 to 84 ish. It makes me look cool as fuck although I have no chaps or tassles but you can even get floorboards with a fringe wtf!

I got a new oem front header pipe from fowlers for mine £109

[alex965]

Thanks for your advice - I took it all on board and had a good think.

For the record, he was asking for £900, but I could tell he wasn't getting much interest - I reckon I could have knocked a couple of hundred off the price.

In the end I decided to go for what I am familiar with, and got the best GPZ500s I could find for a grand. I've ended up with a mint condition 17-year-old example with full mot, encyclopedic service history and 20,000 miles. It rides like a dream and I can relax, knowing it is likely to never let me down when I need to get to work (as long as I look after it).

One day I want to own a cruiser, but with the budget I had I knew I could only get a ratty one.
____________________
Passed A2 licence 19th Dec '14.

[Alpineandy]

[Johnnythefox]

[Alpineandy]

[alex965]