Failed MOT - Bent frame

[RobMorris]

Hi guys

I have an old Yamaha Virago 535.
Bought it a year ago with a fresh MOT and ridden hardly 200 miles over the last year due to bad back and somehow its just failed miserably the MOT this week? I thought it would have passed no problem.

Looks like a dodgy ticket last time round.

So most of the list is easy enough to do but the serious issue was with the tracking. The front wheel sits over to 1 side an inch or so and it was either suspected bent forks/yokes/frame.

Ive taken her apart and its clear its the frame.

I can buy a 'straight' frame off eBay for about £100 with V5/number plate and potentially swap everything over.

I have all the tools / self taught home mechanical experience only and a Haynes manual.

Is it a terrible job to swap the frame? Timescale?

Or should I just sell it on for parts / cut my losses and buy something else?

Cheers
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1992 Yamaha XV535 Virago

[ThatDippyTwat]

If you have the skills, why not?

It's easy enough to do, most frame swaps take a couple of days, depending on your skillset.
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'98 VFR800 (touring) - '12 VFR800 Crosrunner (Commuting) - '01 KDX220 (Big Green Antisocial Machine)

[Pjay]

[RobMorris]

[Ste]

But ze is a twisted bitch.

[fatjames]

The battery box is difficult to remove, if I remember correctly. There is info about it on virago chat forums, search for setting the tappets.

Before you commit yourself to it, have a look for any running bikes. I sold my virago for about £300 and it had a new MOT. But that was mates rates to someone on here.

[arry]

[Pete.]

Tubular frame isn't it? If so it would bend back straight but you ain't getting it done for £100. I'd buy the frame and swap it all over though you'll do a good few quid on bearings I fancy.

Take loads of photos and especially of the wiring and cable routing and you'll be reet. At least you'll know the bike inside out by the time you're finished and you can clean and grease everything along the way.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[Ste]

[supZ]

chain slack and subframe looks bent.... wait.. what?
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CBR954RR - Daily toy
CBR600RR - Trackbike

[almostthere]

scrap it and buy something decent
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Beer, It's the reason I get up every afternoon
www.mfairco.uk

[Polarbear]

Totally depends on how much you want a Yamaha 535.

I would buy another bike to use. Strip down the Yam then decide if you want to rebuild and keep it or just flog off the spares depending on the condition of everything else.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[stinkwheel]

Umm.

Before you go much further.

Are the wheels SUPPOSED to be in line with one another?

I ask because other shaft drive yamahas of that era (the V-max being a specific example I know of) have the rear wheel deliberately offset to the right by about an inch and a half to increase clearance between the tyre and the drive shaft.

This is by design and is normal. There is a specific exemption for it in the MOT manual.

I don't know about your 535 but it is from a similar time and of the same make as a bike I know for a fact has an offset rear wheel.

Is the problem with your MOT tester?

EDIT: This thread would seem to confirm my suspicion.

https://www.bikechatforums.com/download.php?id=101224
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Shaft]

Stink beat me to it, if it's parallel it's not a fail.

TBH, on shaft drive bikes I check the alignment by eye and only use a straight edge if it looks really pissed - there's actually quite a few bikes that were offset by design (too many for me to remember them all) and I've never seen one yet where I felt compelled to ride it and establish if it adversely effects the handling.

Before you go buying a new frame, ask the tester to do another alignment check, with you watching carefully and armed with the exemption from the test manual.

Be diplomatic about it and don't try and make the tester look like a twat, you might get a good result.
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Things get better with age; I'm close to being magnificent........
20 RE Interceptor, 83 Z1100A3, 83 GS650 Katana
WooHoo, I'm a Man Point Millionaire! https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=234035

[Rogerborg]

[RobMorris]

Thanks guys

I have taken some measurements which confirm but also visualy you can tell that the headstock is twisted.

Its clear now that this bike has been in a frontal collision and there are too many clues that I missed on collection.

I have bought myself a replacement frame (£90 delivered) and it gives me great oppourtunity to build it back up custom style. I say custom because I might take cues from various styles/Bobber/Cafe/etc

Thanks again
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1992 Yamaha XV535 Virago

[Tankie]

Find someone with a Motorliner jig/frame straightener.

There is one in the Maidstone ,Kent area
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Always learning, everyday is a school day

[Tankie]

Find someone with a Motorliner jig/frame straightener.

There is one in the Maidstone ,Kent area
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Always learning, everyday is a school day

[chris-red]

[Rogerborg]

[Evil Hans]

[RobMorris]

Sorry to disappoint

Here is my inspiration
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1992 Yamaha XV535 Virago

[Rogerborg]

Part yours out, use the money to buy that one?
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[fatjames]

[RobMorris]