Joined: 10/1/2009
Posts: 3
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Howdy, just wanted to say I like your magazine; I found the current issue at the local grocery store, and with the Beezer on the cover I snapped it up without even looking inside. Although my current bike is an '81 Virago 750(the first v twin out of japan) I've owned a Triumph 650, a Moto Guzzi El Dorado, and others in the past. I'm looking for restoration parts for my Virago, but I have always had a thing for Euro bikes. When I looked through the magazine while in the 'Library' I knew it was money well spent for your rag. Hopefully I'll get enough money together to snap up another piece of history. By the way, keep us informed on if/when that beautiful Moto Guzzi Cafe Classic hits the states. Ride On!
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Joined: 9/27/2007
Posts: 39
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Hey Virago Rider
Glad you found us, happier still to hear you like what you've found. That's the idea, of course, but as we know in this little corner of the universe, one man's treasure is another man's trash, and sometimes it's hard to agree on what really constitutes a classic. Your Virago is a perfect case. I think they're great, and we plan on covering the model in the future. But there are plenty of people who would tell you they're just a pale interpretation of the "real" thing. So, have you had to fix the starter yet? On the Guzzi Cafe Classic, from what I'm hearing Moto Guzzi is on the cusp of making an official announcement that they'll be bringing them to the States. We'll let folks know as soon as we do.
Richard Backus/Motorcycle Classics
Richard Backus/Motorcycle Classics
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Joined: 10/1/2009
Posts: 3
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Hey, Mr. Backus, or may I call you Richard? In answer to your question, yes I've had the starter fixed...I bought the Virago brand new, and it's had all the factory recall repairs done to it in a timely manner, and therefore free of charge. Other than the starter problem happening at around 2800 miles, I have had nothing else done to it, except the following: I definitely did not like the pullback bars on the bike mainly due to the monoshocks' habit of making the bike squirrely in a crosswind or gusting, either by a truck or the West-East crosswinds we get in Texas. I replaced them with a set of BMW Touring bars which really helped, and look alot better too. The other improvement was dumping those idiotic mufflers with a set of Jardine staggered duallies. The sound is much better, and it makes the bike look classier. An improvement in both horsepower and gas mileage is and extra benefit. This is the very first Virago, not the 'chopper' version, but the Cruiser, with styling like the XT500 Single had. Same color, too After about 38,000 miles one of the cylinders stopped firing at anything but hard acceleration, and I parked it. Starting a parts hunt for items to restore it, I've run across several places on the Internet including the Virago Owners Club and gotten lots of help. This winter I will start on the bike. I currently have the following parts ready for installation: Coils, floating brake disc, neutral safety switch, carb rebuild kits, bulbs, master cylinder rebuild kit, and other small stuff. The only items left to locate being a new front brake line, suspension spring replacements, a caliper rebuild kit, new relays, spark plug wire and caps,with the battery replacement finishing it off. I consider it a repair/resoration job. As far as being a collectible Classic, and Treasure/Trash bike, I really could care less. I've had many compliments on the bike when it was on the street, and until the firing problem no issues at all. It has been my daily driver and will remain as such. Sure, it's not considered to be worth hardly any money at all in most peoples' eyes, but I bought the bike for me, not them. If you're interested, you can check out this site, especially if you want to do an article on the series....www.viragotech.com There are many links from this one, you may be surprised in what you find.
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Joined: 9/27/2007
Posts: 39
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Hey Virago Rider
Yeeesh, where does the time go? I was going to respond to you about, oh, a month ago, and then, well... Definately call me Richard. Mr. Backus is my older brother, the lawyer! Good attitude on your Virago, and it sounds like you'll have a good project on your hands over the winter. I'll bet you discover your running problems are pretty basic, either bad ignition coils or minor carburetor issues. Those really are great bikes. Dead reliable and easy to work on. The Jardine exhaust is a definate improvement. I put a set on my 78 XS500E; made lovely noise and ran great.
Richard Backus/Motorcycle Classics
Richard Backus/Motorcycle Classics
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