My 1986 Virago XV1100 won't start

bauhaus1100 · Derestricted Danger Joined: 28 Jun 2006 Karma :

I love my machine, and up until about a week ago it ran great. I was out the evening before and all was fine. The next day I wanted to go run some errands and the starter cranked once then nothing. Only a click, the starter became very hot, with a small billow of smoke. This is not right!! About one week previous I changed my oil and filter with penzoil 10w30. The oil I removed from the engine was extremely black, I said I love this machine, I change the oil every season regardless of the kms put on. Anyway, as I was puttering around using my Clymer manual I noticed in the oil level window that the oil was very black after only a little over a week?I attempted to remove the starter to inspect brushes and what not. According to my manual, to remove the starter all I have to do is un do a couple of bolts and a wire harness and off it comes, I managed to pull it out about 4cm but couln't budge it after that!
Hopefully some one can give me some insight.

tonyyzf · Brolly Dolly Joined: 13 May 2005 Karma :

When you say you change your oil once a year regardless of miles, how many miles do you do in a year? I would recommend that the oil should be changed every 4,000 miles maximum.
If the oil was black coming out then any new oil going in will turn black almost instantly, it will pick up all the old oil that you can't get out by removing the drain plug. If you want you could flush the engine with cheap oil a couple of times to clean it up, put oil in and run it for 5-10 minutes and drain and discard again, this should keep the engine a bit cleaner.
As for the starter, it should come out with a bit of a wiggle around, check to see if its functioning once its out before stripping it, don't know if you will be able to get replacement brushes or just get another starter, I know someone who made brushes from ones out of a washing machine motor. If its burnt out then its a replacement.
If the starter appears ok then you should check the starter gear, just in case something has jammed.
Did the smoke come from the starter? or the wire attached to it?
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bauhaus1100 · Derestricted Danger Joined: 28 Jun 2006 Karma :

The smoke seemed to come from the wire. I ride perhaps 2-3oookm a summer. I was giving the starter a pretty good tug to get it out, it wouldn't budge any further. Why would it just sieze?

finpos · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Sep 2005 Karma :

Well, here's the bad news:

For the starter motor to get hot like that, it means it's pulling a hoo-haa lot of current from the battery.

Why would it pull so much current? well, because something is stopping it from spinning, of course! Don't suppose your motor is seized is it? Can you bump-start the bike, or just chug it along while it's in gear?

I guess you are just going to have to persevere in getting it out, and hope it's just part of the pinion gear mechanism that's jammed (maybe that's what is stopping it from coming out??)

finpos.

bazza · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Aug 2004 Karma :

XV1100 starters are notorious for being made of cheese and not lasting as long as a boy band... Thumbs Down

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bish777 · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Nov 2004 Karma :

yeah well known for dying, i do know where u can get recon ones i think ill have a look
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bauhaus1100 · Derestricted Danger Joined: 28 Jun 2006 Karma :

Thanks for the input all. As far as bump starting or pushing it along in gear I havn't gotten to that yet, but I intend to do so this weekend. Why would my motor be siezed all of a sudden, I was just riding it!?
How much force can I use to pull the starter out without damaging anything?
If all is said and done and I require a recon, sources would be great.
Thanks

bish777 · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Nov 2004 Karma :

https://www.westmidlandsvsoc.org.uk/webpage_home_page.htm

try these guys
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GSXR1100J

bazza · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Aug 2004 Karma :

Paddy Blake · World Chat Champion Joined: 29 Jun 2006 Karma :

Yremove so you can turn the engine over clockwise.

bauhaus1100 · Derestricted Danger Joined: 28 Jun 2006 Karma :

I'm not too sure what you're talking about, like a kick start? There is a cover on the left side of the engine to the left of the Starter. Is this possibly what you mean? I still have another day before I can get at it anyway. As far as the link for parts is concerned, I'll take a look but I'm sure shipping to Canada would be pricey. If it is the starter I should probably search here Confused

Thanks

feef · Energiser Bunny Joined: 11 Feb 2002 Karma :

bauhaus1100 · Derestricted Danger Joined: 28 Jun 2006 Karma :

I stated earlier that I was having a tough time removing the starter, in my Clymer manual it seemed simple enough, remove two bolts and a wire harness and bingo. I used a fair amount of force to try and get it out. I will attempt again tomorrow. Brick Wall

bauhaus1100 · Derestricted Danger Joined: 28 Jun 2006 Karma :

Okay this is what I found, in order to remove the starter from a XV1100 1986 Virago the starter gear assembly must be removed. Which involves taking off the left crank case cover. When I came to the gears I found the #2 idler gear to be partially sheared, then I also discovered that the starter clutch bearingd were alo worn. So I have ordered the parts and will let you know what's what when all is said and done, wish me luck!!