Motorbike mechanics

I have a Yamaha Virago and the other day it just cut out on me as if it had run out of juice. I had to push her home. Anyway, it will only tick over if I have the choke out and the very second I touch the throttle it dies.. any Idea where I should start? What could the cause be?

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Answer #1

Oh if you don’t quite understand anything, be sure to Funmail me about it. I am on here fairly often. Once per day at least. I race bikes so I do have a fair idea especially on performance.

I don’t know that much about cruisers performance in the same way as Japanese sportbikes, but a few little things can be donr to increase perormance and reliablility. Iriduim spark plus (I dont know how to spell iridium) also a bigger and better air filter (I like to use K&N, never any problems and do their job very well indeed) if you do this be sure to bring your carburatores or fuel injectotrs up to standard (correct air + fuel mixture, you will know what I mean if you try it).) That is generally the easiest anc cheapest way.

Also, exhaurt makes a difference. In sport bikes, Long pikes make good low down poerformace good for VTR and vtwin ninja etchort pipes make for a horter powerband but it is higher.. Carbon fibre is FAR lighter and FAR stonger than whatever else you use but it is FAR FAR FAR more expensive.

You could also go as far as race CDI unit and very high profile cams etc. But DO NOT do that unless you are racing.

Answer #2

Virago is an awesome lil cruiser, they’re usually pretty reliable as far as I know.

Could be a number of things. Actually a lot of things to be honest. Heaps.

Check your petrol. Make sure you have some in there! More than just the reserve. Also if you look at the fuel tap make sure it is in the ON position, not reserve or off. Remember Reserve is just that, a reserve! Possibly that Something split/broke between the fuel tank and the carbs. Take tank off and have a look at fuel line. If there are ANY leaks maybe the engine is not getting as much fuel as it should. Also maybe fuel line or fuel filter (if you have one) is clogged. If you don’t already I recommend getting an inline fuel filter from any car or motorcycle shop they will filter out lots of crap that you really dont want in the engine and only a couple of dollars.

Choke may be faulty in some way. Don’t know too much about how they work except they bring in extra fuel for when its cold. I never really had any problems with a choke so I don’t know much about it sorry. Only have choke on when warming up bike, then switch choke off again. Bike can stall with choke on when its warm.

Um what else? Maybe check your throttle cable (might need some help with this) at the carburator end. Make sure it still goes smoothly and that on the carburators (you will to take the big black air box off too but thats easy. if you slide the sliders up where air box connects, and twist throttle the butterfly valves should open like expected. You’ll see what I mean when you try it.

Could also be carby has a blockage somewhere. If you feel comfortable, take it to bits and do this: use a digital camera to take a pic of every step done so you can put it back together again. Take it to bits. Literally. Clean the lot, any pipes/tubes use a specified carburator cleaner or just do it the old fashioned way with compressed air and blow out gunk. Be careful with the air compressor though, you dont want to damage anything. Definately do NOT use a pipe cleaner it WILL damage carbys.

Also, have you tried pushstarting it? Better than staying on the electric starter for ages. (well better for the bike at least) Put it in 2nd, run along with the bike then when up to top running speed, jump on bike and let clutch out and go on throttle. Try landing on the seat exact time you let go of the clutch to avoid the rear wheel locking up. And don’t have the choke on when you do this.

Big list aye!

While the bike is sitting still maybe you want to taake this time to do some preventive maintainence. Oil + oil filter change (not with car oil use bike oil) clean or change air filter, lube up the cables (I had my throttle cable snap at the hand end and it had to be towed home :( Chain: clean it with a rag, tighten it and lube it. Also if the bike sits there for ages, move it once every now and again to stop tyres from cracking (they will crack at the bottom) and drain oil out (fuel can mix with oil with not pretty results) and top up the oil and filter when you get back to it again. And top up bike to the VERY top with fuel (prevents a rusty tank). When you come back, put some meths in tank (picks up water).

To be honest with ya, it’s probably nothing big, just a lotta little things. There are many small components on a bike that ALL have to work together so it’s basically a process of elimination.

Good luck and let me know how it goes!!!