Fuel Gauge and Top end issue

splunge · L Plate Warrior Joined: 05 Jul 2007 Karma :

Hi Guys,
not sure if this is the best place for this post, apologies if not.

2 quickies really, got myself a Virago 535 and so far am loving it bar 2 things.

First one is the same issue I had on my old Intruder 125....no Fuel gauge!
On the intruder it wasn't too bad as it had a big wide tank and I could actually see when it was low, on the Virago I can't Sad

I was told by a bloke I know they are good for around 100miles per tank, which if anywhere near true is a good marker for me to fill up to, but can you add a fuel gauge to a bike if they don't have them as standard?

Second, not really been far on it yet as I've only been using it to have a few lessons on, but we went down a local D-Road and it was fine except it seems "strange" through the gears and at top end.
Going through the first 4 gears they seem to stop taking power, if that makes sense, I guess its like hitting a rev limiter....do they have them? How can I tell?
And at "top end" which I'm pretty sure it isn't, we're talking 60mph here! it seems to have a moment where it stops taking power, slows, then pulls but never breaking 65mph!

I'm not complaining about the speed as obviously I could've gone for a sportier 500/600 if I wanted that, but can anyone guess what is wrong?

It probably needs a good service as it was garaged for nearly 18months by the previous owner, but is there anything I could do.....basic thing s please Smile

Thanks in advance guys,love reading through these forums, hopefully I'll be helping out on them one day too.

Jamie S · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Dec 2006 Karma :

Worn clutch, gummed up carb , shagged spark plugs.
Could be a few things mate.

When was any of the above (bar the clutch) last changed?

When you open it up does it make a lot of noise but not much go ?

How many miles has the bike done ?

splunge · L Plate Warrior Joined: 05 Jul 2007 Karma :

Hi,
Thanks for the reply.

Worn clutch, gummed up carb , shagged spark plugs.
Could be a few things mate.

I'll hold my hands up, I'm not sure. It went through it's MOT about 3 months ago, but I guess that doesn't mean much huh.
Will these be checked on a full service as I'm pretty sure it's going to go for one.

When I pull back on throttle it really pulls, I was impressed by it and the noise certainly didn't seem excessive, it just seems to stop pulling quickly. Like a rev limiter is as best as I can describe as I'm not too clued on engines etc.

It's a '92 J plate, 3 owners, with 11500 on the clock...less than my old 2000 Intruder lol

Andyco11 · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 18 Mar 2007 Karma :

I remembers the VX535 i had years ago went to peterborough on it from stoke and ran out of petrol just outside of uttoxeter on the way back had to push the buger nearly a mile to a lay by.

any way you should get about 100 to 125 miles out of a tank full

it also sounds like it has being restricted as the girl's love the 535 and most second hand ones are restricted
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ncrn · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 May 2006 Karma :

Has your bike got a trip counter and/or reserve tap?

I'm guessing you'll have a reserve tap I'm yet to see a bike that doesn't. If you don't have a trip counter you can do this just note the millage when you fill up.

Basically set your trip counter to 0 at the petrol station and fill the tank to the top. Then go out and ride until you hit the reserve, when that happens look at your trip counter/odometer and it'll tell you how many miles you can go until you really need fuel.

Thats what I did anyways, I wouldn't suggest doing that if you are gonna be riding in an area with fuel petrol stations, if you are try not to stray too far.
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splunge · L Plate Warrior Joined: 05 Jul 2007 Karma :

@Andyco11, It could well be restricted as before the guy I bought it off had it, it was a ladies bike for about 6 years of it's life...I never though of that! Very Happy

I'll get that checked.

@ncrn, its has got a trip counter and reserve tap, trip counter is one of the good old push and wind jobbies, but it works Smile

and the reserve switch is actually on the handlebar so not too hard to reach.

You've both given me a bit of food for thought and I really appreciate the input guys.

Safe riding.

Robby · Dirty Old Man Joined: 16 May 2002 Karma :

Does it have a fuel light as well?

I remember reading in UBG a while back that the reserve switches can be a bit dodgy on V-maxes and I think viragos - similar system. They said it was a much better bet to just leave it on reserve, and fill up when the fuel light comes on.

Also a friend of mine had a 535 for a few years and put about 40k onto it. Towards the end he was having a lot of trouble with it running like a bag of arse when he put it onto reserve, so presumably when water pools down there it doesn't shift.

So. If it has a reserve light, put it on reserve and leave it there. If it runs terribly, chuck a splash of meths in the fuel tank (meths absorbs water).
Also get it serviced. The chances are that if its been stood for 18 months, there's probably a fair colony of insects living in your air filter, and that blocked filter is whats causing the shit performance.