Resurrecting a 1983 Yamaha Midnight Virago

[Anonymous]

“So… it was an offer I could not pass up, dear. I just couldn’t say no, honest…”

I picked up another project.

1983 Yamaha Midnight Virago 750.

It’s a basket case. The previous owner is the brother-in-law of one of the guys at work. He had complained about an engine noise, and it was diagnosed as piston slap by a “bike tech”. The guy I work with removed the engine, and tore it all down for his bro-in-law, and then the owner decided he didn’t want to put cash into fixing it. The guy I work with ended owning this “bike-in-a-box” moving it from place to place for 4 years.

Last week he asked if I was interested in an 83 Virago…freebie…come get it out of my garage. So before I knew it, my own voice said “How ’bout I pick it up tonight?” (Sneaky thing, ain’t it? )

Here’s a pic on arrival at my place…Really dirty, and in a hundred pieces…

A pic of the partial engine….with the front jug and slug removed.

Oh! Here’s the rest of the engine….oh no, what have I gotten myself into?????

Twin carbs that were gummed up with 4 year old gas. I tore them down, the needles were fine, so I simply cleaned out the debris and lubed everything up.

More to come in the next post….

Topic

[Anonymous]

Thanks, and gas prices are sure to help me sell!

The right time to sell a bike is in the spring. So, I might advertise once now, and if I don’t get the price I want, I’ll advertise again in the spring when “bike fever” is in full effect. icon_cheesygrin.gif

[Garibaldi]

Good idea, best of both worlds

[Author]

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