Hi Ken, what a great feeling having such a great bike to ride. I've been following along as I have a 1981 XV1000 which I am working on. Thanks for documenting your journey with the bike restoration

@KensWorldRestorations

Жыл бұрын

Hey Paul! It is definitely the "new bike feeling" all over again. Thanks for following along.

My 1995 xv1100 benefited from stainless break lines, $115 us, and 12 inch shocks in the rear, as the stock 11 inch bottomed out too often, especially when riding two up. No longer. The bike lists more on the side stand, and sits a little taller. I changed the primary jet from .40 to .425 , one step richer, and found it starts easer here in the front range in Colorado, elevation 5,000 feet, and up to 14,000. And shimmed the needle jet using a nylon washer, making it easier to accelerate away from stop. The engine runs much cooler than stock. Presently it has 34k + and operates like new. Throttle and clutch cables have a limited life span. Valve adjusts, air filter clean, spark gap, carb sync, rear drive oil change annually, fork and engine oil change as needed. Tire pressure weekly. Best wishes, Harry.

@agentbashirov6543

3 ай бұрын

Stock shocks are 12’ on Virago already, not sure how and why your bike had 11”.

@harrybeck2791

3 ай бұрын

Hello. My Virago 1100 came with 280mm rear shock, that's 11.02 inch.

I've found your Channel! And pleeeaaase never shut it down or delete videos... I am driving a 1996 XV750. And i love the golden parts. I will do it in my Viggy, too. Love your channel just because of this Video alone. Big fan here from germany. ❤

Holy cow...you put in some serious work!!! Do a vid of the bike up close and showcase your work in detail. Mothership Yamaha would be proud.

@KensWorldRestorations

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the really kind words...I did - here it is...kzread.info/dash/bejne/ZXmZ2tOAm9m7Xaw.html

Really nice with all the brass details!

That bike is so fresh Ken what a work of love you put in to it enjoy the ride!

@KensWorldRestorations

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much...really means a lot to read comments like this.

Sounds great, I’ve always ran about 11 or 12 psi on my front forks and 28 psi in the front tire. I’m pretty sure I’ve watched all of your rebuild videos on it, great job.

@KensWorldRestorations

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the info!! I think I’ll keep it like this too. It’s nice and firm but still rides smooth. That is for the comments Randy…alway much appreciated.

@yarekk

Жыл бұрын

Mine (1995 vintage) doesn’t have the air valve and the front was really soft. Now I run beefier fork springs and it helps, but I still bottom out sometimes. Granted: I ride mine like a sports bike and the roads here are bumpy…

I just picked up an 84 xv1000 limited edition. This video puts a fire under me to get it restored quick!

@KensWorldRestorations

3 ай бұрын

That’s awesome!! Thanks for the comment. I’ve got about 50 videos of all the maintenance and restoration I did to the Virago along with a list of all the parts and vendors. Put another Virago back on the road, bro!!

Good show mate, great bike, great resto, and thanks for riding like a pro. 😊👍

@KensWorldRestorations

2 ай бұрын

Wow!! thanks! I love these kind comments. It is a great bike and it deserved to get another 4 decades of life. I've got some life & work stuff I need to sort out but I'll be takin the Virago out for some more riding this season. Cheers!

Best bike I have ever owned, was my first bike, 1990 Virago 1100 that I bought in 1990, wish I still had it. Had forward controls made for it, lowered the seat and put a 12" windshield attached to the bars, oh also lifted the bars about an inch. Wow! what a bike. Congratulations on that beauty it sounds and looks fantastic. Take care and be safe.😎

@KensWorldRestorations

7 ай бұрын

I love these comments! Bikes are about life and experiences and it's great when we find one and it give us a chance to breathe a little. Thanks for the kind words - I've got a windshield and highway pegs I'll install this coming spring. It's her 40th birthday in May and I can't wait to take her out on the open road again. Take care.

I owned a YAMAHA Virago 750 more than 10 years ago. The engine sound is very familiar to me.

@KensWorldRestorations

7 ай бұрын

I love the sound of the Virago. Everything from the air being pulled through the frame to the engine note with the gears in the shaft drive. It's like music.

I have it too from 95, it is amazing thing to own. :)

@KensWorldRestorations

2 ай бұрын

It is…I’m finding more often people stop and talk to me about it…really gathers a lot of attention these days. And just so much fun to ride.

Ken. What a sweet ride! Don’t sweat the little imperfections. I know, I’m a little ocd myself while I work on things, but once they are done, I think of the imperfections as something that gives the thing its character. The dents and scratches are there to show it’s been around. I was waiting for a top speed run! I know what you mean about engine braking. Sometimes when I downshift and get too lazy about rev matching, I get a slide out of it :) I get the same on the sv650 btw. Another torqy v-twin :) You probably don’t need to rejet the carbs. Maybe just a little mixture adjustment will do? I’m so, so happy for you. Can’t wait to go for a ride together:)

@KensWorldRestorations

Жыл бұрын

Thanks buddy...really appreciate the wonderful comment. It is full of character - one I remember very well from 1984. The only mixture adjustment I can do is with the idle - this version has the Hitachi carbs. It's pretty easy to rejet and I've had good results in the past. I can't wait wait either my friend.

@Fireballspc

11 ай бұрын

@@KensWorldRestorations Oh yes...very good Got it, I actually cleaned the carburetors with decarbonizing agent (CAR 80). I had another difficulty removing the main gigleur (which has this plastic tube surrounding it) as it is very locked and I noticed that it threatened to turn the emulsion tube, so I was afraid of breaking it. The slow gigleur didn't want to let go either. And coincidentally, the problem is in the carburetor of this cylinder. Despite the fact that I sprayed a lot of decarbonizing agent on the circuit, especially the slow one, in the opposite direction of the flow. As you said, everything is very small and complicated, the ideal is an ultrasonic cleaning. I've even been thinking about putting an injection system on it, manufactured or assembled here in Brazil...it's costing around US 410 for sale,,,, but I didn't quite understand the logic of it injecting simultaneously into both carburators, despite the lag angles between the cylinders (70 degrees)..... I preferred and imagined that the injection nozzle would pulsate at the correct moment after opening the intake valve of each cylinder; But until it works cool for the videos. He uses the shavers only as a TBI (Butterfly body) with the rest of it all closed and without fuel. They even export these kits to other countries. There is software through the application on your cell phone, which uses Artificial Intelligence in which you make injection time adjustments, delay, fuel pressure, etc. If you want to see or are interested, watch their videos here on KZread; yhe name is .... Easy Rider | Tecnologia Embarcada Thanks a lot for the help.

I see you are in NW Calgary. I also ride an old classic in NW Calgary; a 1996 Virago 1100 Special. I know what you mean about running rich; I replace my spark plugs every year because of it, and the fact that I haven't changed the carb jets yet.

@KensWorldRestorations

Жыл бұрын

That would be cool to run into you on the road…seeing two Viragos together. Now that would be cool.

Man you put in serious work to get her cherry as she is! Sounds sweet and looks like it ridea sweet. My 98' 1100 is still a work in progress. Gotta do the forks and change out the rear shocks for something taller (lowered by the PO) re-skinning the seat and adding some gel pad. Gotta put baffles in the exhaust, these are loud with open pipes

@KensWorldRestorations

Жыл бұрын

That all sounds pretty cool. I love the later model Viragos - Yamaha finally worked out all the kinks...and then stopped making it. Geez. If you notice my seat, it's OEM but not period correct. The 84 seat looked good but it only had a single row of buttons and lacked padding. I bought an 1100 seat cover and had some extra padding added in places. It helped but I never thought of adding gel...maybe next time!

Hi Ken , I was surprised to here my name ! Wasn't sure you had the time to read the mail :) Yupper do The awsome Virago sounds like my 1000 back in the day, Haven't really taken my 1100 anywere yet been restoring my 94 cutlass convert & TJ jeep ! Still hard to get into it . With still missing my brother times sure flying by. That sound , The sound of my Cobra Fairlane 429 super Cobra Jet fourspeed it' was the Same color as your Virago of course Shaker Ram air ..Still the freedom open air both have good times .Be safe Ken and have fun ,Looks like your other restore is bringing back alot of memories ,Hope it's mostly good one's and a fun build . Let's hope the fire's die down ! Ralph West Coast BC

@KensWorldRestorations

Жыл бұрын

Hi again Ralph. I was thinking about you and your brother. I'm also riding with the memory of lost friends, so I share your grief. These rides open up the mind and free the soul which is why I love to ride and fly. Today I'll be riding in the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride in Calgary.

Hi Ken, thanks for your great Yamaha XV1000 videos. In a previous video you said you replaced the coils on another Virago, where did you get replacement coils from (that are compatible with the original mounting bracket and low voltage electrical plugs?✌

@KensWorldRestorations

8 ай бұрын

I got the coils from Ali Express direct from China. There are a lot of vendors that show images of what looks like the correct coils. The problem is that Yamaha coils are mirror images of each other and the coils I finally found were identical. The plugs for the low voltage/trigger wires were in the wrong place as well (see my ignition coil videos). I had to offset the mounts with washers in order for the plug wires to clear the frame mount and hope that the wires don’t rub against the frame post. So far so good and the coils have been performing well.

dayumn thats nice

good job man - not a fan of the gold accoutrements but if that's to the original spec then all good - have an '92 1100 and have enjoyed watching you bring this baby back to it's glory - is that the original light binnacle for the bike? looks like the 535 binnacle

@KensWorldRestorations

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Gary...yep, surprisingly I'm not a big fan of the gold either but it's a memory from days gone by where my friend Tom and I would ride together. He rode this very bike while I had the 84 FJ1100. We traded bikes all the time and rode all through the coast of Nova Scotia. I just wanted to bring this bike back to life and rekindle the memory. Everything is stock and OEM on the bike so yeah, the binnacles are original. A lot of parts were used on a lot of different bikes of that era. Cheers.

Nádherná kombinace barvy,chromu celkově ukázkový stroj 👍

@KensWorldRestorations

9 ай бұрын

Děkuji mnohokrát! Opravdu se mi líbí vzhled této motorky a rád na ní jezdím.

Nice job! I have a 1997 XV1100. I had an 1982 XV920 previously.

@KensWorldRestorations

9 ай бұрын

I absolutely love the 97 through 99 years. Yamaha finally gets all the bugs ironed out and then they discontinue it. If I ever see a later model year like yours I'd definitely pick it up.

Отличный мотоцикл! Сам владею Вирагой 1100.

@KensWorldRestorations

7 ай бұрын

Я люблю эти мотоциклы. Модель 1100 более плавная и имеет немного больший крутящий момент. Легендарный.

Dear KensWorld Congratulations ! ! ! Your motorcycle is very beautiful and reliable after careful restoration. You who have a lot of knowledge on these bikes I ask you... My Virago 750 is strange and when cold, only the front cylinder works and after it warms up, the rear one goes in and both work normally... the carburettors are OK (I changed needles and seats... float at normal level ) and equalized ... spark plugs / suppressors changed .... coils OK and with good spark (very strong and blue) and with normal primary and secondary resistances. I watched a video that the repairman changed 2 Oring rings that are in that plastic tube that guides the keel, complements the venturi entering the fuel tank and externally surrounds the NOZZLE (tube with spray holes) where the main gigleur is fixed. Of course, there in the venturi is an area of high speed and vacuum, could it be that if these rings have bad seals, they could leak excess fuel and flood the cylinder? ... especially at idle where the throttle is closed and there is a greater vacuum between it and the throttle? Thanks. ,,, Sorry for my bad english, I'm using Google, I live in Brazil

@KensWorldRestorations

11 ай бұрын

I use Google Translate also but I'll post this in English so other can read it too. It sounds to me like your starter circuit is dirty. Either the choke is stuck or the idle jet is not getting the proper fuel through. Sometimes cleaning with carb cleaner isn't enough because of how small the starting/idle jets are in the carb. You may need to get it cleaned with an ultrasonic cleaner.

Would you consider doing a walk around video of this bike say in a open area if ever possible thanks in advance great bike man really loving this rebuild

@KensWorldRestorations

Жыл бұрын

Here ya go! kzread.info/dash/bejne/ZXmZ2tOAm9m7Xaw.html

Always thought the Virago was a nice looking bike when they first came out, It's not a Honda but....😁 Greetings from southern AB. Forgot to say bike looks great, nice job

@KensWorldRestorations

Жыл бұрын

Ha! I totally get it...I was always torn. I've had a number of Hondas and still plan on finding a nice mid-80's V65 Magna to restore. Since my first bike was a 1974 Yamaha DT100, I leaned that way after - like most people do. Nice to see another fellow Albertan chirping in...cheers.

Fantastic job! The steering on my '95 is quite heavy. Did you do anything to yours or is it heavy as well?

@KensWorldRestorations

Жыл бұрын

My steering head bearings were shot - whenever I used the front breaks, it would make a clunk sound. Moving the steering from left to right (lock to lock with the bike on the centre stand) it would crunch and get stuck in places. Now it's smooth as silk, not heavy at all and very precise.

@KensWorldRestorations

Жыл бұрын

I’d have a look at the steering head bearing and the locknut. It’s not an easy job but makes a huge difference in safety and handling.

@daver1024

Жыл бұрын

@@KensWorldRestorations I've touched just about every other part of my bike, so steering is next. It's not bad, and I think some of the heaviness comes from the narrow handle bar, which inhibits torque on the (stem when not leaning).

Working my way through all your videos. I have an '87 xv1100, i am trying to bring back to life. I get a "slow" to no crank even when trying to jump from a car. No whizzing sound, like i hear other years have on the starter gearing. Is that a sign of a rusty/corrided ground on the starter (solenoid)? Can i pull it fairly easily?

@KensWorldRestorations

10 ай бұрын

Hey Bill - thanks for the comment. I'd say slow to no cranking even with a great battery could be bad wiring or a bad starter, or both. If you take the cover off the solenoid, you should be able to see it energize, trying to pull the starter gears into place. If that is happening, then I'd look at the starter itself. It could be seized (bearings) or the brushes could be shot. The solenoid comes out fairly easily but removing the starter requires you remove the left side engine cover to get at the starter clutch. Have a look at my video on the starter gear repair...good luck with it all.

@billm5758

10 ай бұрын

@@KensWorldRestorations thanks Ken for the videos and reply. I am working my way through your video series each night. They are GREAT!!

Have the same Virago but cant find a front rim in South Africa

Hi Ken,Ken here i have an 85 xv1000 virago,thanks for the vidieos what a nice bike you've made

@KensWorldRestorations

10 ай бұрын

Thanks so much…really appreciate comments like this!

@leroylightfoot7358

10 ай бұрын

@@KensWorldRestorations i think my problem is the outer gear of the planatarys inside the starter turns i think it should what do you think

@KensWorldRestorations

10 ай бұрын

@@leroylightfoot7358 have a look at my starter gear replacement video and let me know if that helps.

@leroylightfoot7358

10 ай бұрын

@@KensWorldRestorations yes i have and i took it all apart and didnt see any bad gears and the clutch gear turns on way and not the other;i quit riding it 5 years ago because of this problem.

@KensWorldRestorations

10 ай бұрын

@@leroylightfoot7358 The starter clutch is supposed to catch in one direction and slip in the other. The only way you can test this function is by hand and it’s still not enough torque since it will seem ok in your hands but slip under heavy load. If you think all the idler gears are ok and the starter solenoid seems to be doing its job, then the starter clutch might be faulty.

I have a 96 1100 with cobra slip on luv it

@KensWorldRestorations

Жыл бұрын

A little more punch to the tone I bet...

The bike looks great Ken! And the sound of that engine is lijk music. I had one myself bud was so stupid to trade it for a BMW R850R ...rides great bud boring....seeing your video and Virago makes me wanne trade the bmw for a Virago again 😀

@KensWorldRestorations

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Peter! Very kind words and yeah, the sound is amazing. Shifting down and hearing the shaft drive whine just makes it so unique.

What’s the top speed now? Mine gets to 114mph GPS speed (a bit higher indicated, which is wrong). It sounds so good!!! I’m glad it’s back on the road, and shining!

@KensWorldRestorations

10 ай бұрын

Maybe 110mph max. It’s still not as much torque as the 1100 and it’s running rich still. But yeah, she sounds amazing!! It runs like new. Suspension, steering, brakes, everything. Sooooo happy!

that is an amazing restoration.. i really wish i had the funds to try and convince you to restore my 87 virago 1100. wink wink.

In the old days some people bobbed these .

how tall are you? I'm thinking of buying one but im fairly tall

@KensWorldRestorations

3 ай бұрын

I’m 6’ even. (183cm) long arms and legs with a short torso. Great for bombing around on shorter rides but I find it much more comfortable on the highway with my windshield on.

Hi. Well that was both Great AND Depressing, but ultimately Inspiring. First, you gotta admire a Man who takes Altitude into account when setting carbs. An unusually high sense of awareness. Great Bike, I know I have that exact same Model and Year here in Yorkshire, England, where it is a rare Bike. That's the Great bit. The Depressing bit is I'm now 72 and circumstances and illness have kept me off it for 8 LOOOONG Years now, so I don't know if I'll ever be Fit Enough to ride it again. You can Take the Man off the Bike, but you CAN'T take the Bike out the Man, so I still spend long Hours just looking at them. THANK YOU INTERNET ! But the Inspiration bit is that I CAN do a Restoration on it ! Or something creative !! It was hurriedly put in Storage so NEEDS one, but there ARE some things on the Bike I don't like so might do a 'Resto' on it, that is to CHANGE some bits. Have you recovered from your fainting yet ???? That Seat and Back Rest annoys me. Its a Bike really suited for only ONE, and a Back Rest would be fine if it supported the Rider. Other than that it just gets in the way of slinging one's leg over it when getting on. I hate the One-legged-backward-hop dismount ! (I think there is a Honda with a Flip-Up back seat Pad that does this job, so I might Make one. The Bars height is next. Even at a moderate 50-60MPH speed of Traffic here, One is blown back like a Parachute. My Helmets are pulled up back over my head, so a cool open face helmet with sun shade peak is out the window (no good ) ! So lower Bars. Maybe even a nose fairing for Air Flow Control and to tidy and protect the Clocks ??? Foot pegs could become Foot Plates with dual forward controls.. Let's face it, if EVER there was a Bike more suitable for Bobber Makeover, it's the Virago. I'm jolly good at my Job, so the Mods don't have to stop there. I am an Engineer and have picked up so many tips and tricks from ALL THINGS BIKES that I could write a Book about them. Probably a Workshop Manual at least. Anyway I'm salivating on the very Idea right now, so I'll just mop my shirt front and sign off. I've subscribed. This is the first of Your Vids that I have seen, but you can be sure that if the Project starts, I WILL be seeing your others. Regards. Keep out the Ditches, .

@KensWorldRestorations

9 ай бұрын

Thanks for taking the time to write such a great comment. I get that the Virago isn’t for everyone but I know why some love it and why it has obtained near cult status. For all the quirks and headaches, it’s character is undeniable. We who love the spirit of freedom and whom enjoy life to the max will always find our departure from the every day. My Virago isn’t and probably never will be my favourite motorcycle but it is my reminder of a different time. It’s never really been about the bike, has it? It’s the experiences, the friendships and the moments that all become memories. I’m glad we’ve connected and share a common bond.. That’s what this is all about for me. I hope to continue to do this as long as I can, reaching out and rekindling memories for others as well as myself. Cheers. Ken

@a.bloke2.0alwayslearning.23

9 ай бұрын

​@@KensWorldRestorations The Virago, or "Viagra" as us Old Timers used to call it, is what we term a 'Milestone Machine'. That is a Machine that shows OTHER Manufacturers how to do the Job PROPERLY and sets New Standards to be followed, as in my Lexus LS400, another Japanese Machine that took the Market for very good reasons. The XV was Reliable, NOT Messy, Stylish and COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE, 4 factors offered nowhere else, so of course it is a Cult Vehicle. A Landmark Vehicle. My ONE Gripe with the Bike was an ANNOYING Misfire at tick over that my Mechanic at some Cost$ had Three Goes at but couldn't solve. (Bare in mind mine is one of the first made and even Japs have teathing troubles.) But I learned to live with it, and the Virago is not the kind of Bike one would expect to blend in with anyway. Then in my Researches I read a Canadian Review of the BRAND NEW Yamamahahaha, (the laugh was on me !) Virago XV1000 and how it had managed to Out-Harley Harley, right down to their ANNOYING TICK OVER MISFIRE ! Bugger ! It was built in from NEW !!! But it all adds to it's charm. My fave Bike ever is the Suzuki SV650. JUST ENOUGH Power with Great Handling to have Fun on, Leave Traffic and a lot of BIGGER Bikes Standing and NOT kill you or lose your Licence. Win-Win-Win-Win-Win Oh, and it's Price. ANOTHER Win !!!!!! But let's face it ALL Bikes, indeed everything with wheels, has their Place and we have reasons to place them as OUR Favourites in that function. Regards from Yorkshire. Hobbit Country. .

Man, where are you from?! I feel like we’re not tooooo far from eachother

@KensWorldRestorations

Жыл бұрын

In Calgary up in the NW side of town.

@hyperbiker613

Жыл бұрын

@@KensWorldRestorations ahhhhh im out in ottawa!!!

Oh man she's sweet!

@KensWorldRestorations

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Don!

wow what the hell i didnt even know my 86 has air in the front forks... just got going with fixing up my new 86 and it feels like a full on wheelie when i give it gas

@KensWorldRestorations

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, cool, huh? Just don't use a compressor - it's way too much volume/pressure. A small bike hand pump is all you need - the smaller the better. I'm running at 10psi and it gives me a great ride with just me. Probably up to 15psi with 2 up and some gear. Love the power and sound of these torque monsters!

@EASTNSIM9454

Жыл бұрын

@@KensWorldRestorations I literally looked after pausing your video and couldn't believed that I missed the valve and missing cap. good to know, thanks! I was pretty close to giving a burst from the compressor but idk the PSI it's at nor the spec.

@KensWorldRestorations

Жыл бұрын

@@EASTNSIM9454 Weird that the spec is not in the service manual, but in the owners manual. The pressure is anywhere from 5 to 17psi and because the volume is so small, a hand pump is recommended. I got the smallest bicycle hand pump and each stroke is about 1psi. Using a compressor will probably blow the o-rings out. I did make a video on the front fork restoration and there's some other videos that show how I tore it all apart and reassembled it. I bought an ATV tire pressure gauge (low pressure) that maxes out at 20psi. Works perfect. What surprised me is how well my repair worked out - it holds the air perfectly and hasn't leaked since I rebuilt the forks.

@EASTNSIM9454

Жыл бұрын

​@@KensWorldRestorations im sure its in my book i just never looked at the front suspension info. i just tinkered with the ride height and rebound on the back. no one on other videos or on FB groups mentioned it. my bike only has 8K (miles) and it rides super well, so i wont be rebuilding suspension. but we'll see...

@KensWorldRestorations

Жыл бұрын

@@EASTNSIM9454 The air adjustable front forks went away sometime in the late 80's early 90's models. It's so obscure that most people don't even know about it but since I was doing a full on resto, I wanted to make sure the system worked. That's amazing that you have a bike that old with only 8K miles...pretty cool.

Oil comes from fork seals leaking

@KensWorldRestorations

28 күн бұрын

You're absolutely right. Turns out I had a lot on my mind while I was making the video and just rambled past the obvious. The fork seals are band new but not OEM (just Chinese imports). Kinda sucks that I have to take the front end apart to get better seals in there.

Just get a real Harley, no need for a wannabe.

@countryjoe3551

Жыл бұрын

😂😂😂😂😂😂

Buy America man come on

it's a bad video, you go from traffic light to traffic light, hit the road on a long trip, it seems like a lazy video to me

@KensWorldRestorations

28 күн бұрын

It was my first test ride after a frame off, year-long restoration. I had to take it easy and stay close to home. I'll get a longer trip in this summer and post that video.