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As much as we enjoy ventral, thoractic endowment, this is not a site about nice bosoms. Sorry.
Between 1981 and 1998, Yamaha made tens of millions of V Twin motors for their Virago line of bikes, with displacements of from 699cc to 1063cc.
They were, in the main, shaft-driven. The designation was also applied to some unrelated entry-level minis of from 50cc to 535cc.
The basic design of the larger bikes continued from 1999 through 2009 in the XVS1100 V Star model.
That's quite a run. Engine parts and some peripherals interchange -- sometimes requiring some modification --
throughout the line. For the record, Yamaha did everyone dirty by their naming schemes. The chain-drive model was emphatically NOT a Virago,
although Yamaha began calling it one -- long after its production ceased. Also, the designations XV and Virago should not have been assigned to the
bikes which were so-called that displaced less than 699cc. Other than having some stylistic similarities, they are clearly not of the same family,
and should have been named and designated otherwise. Similarly with the V Star series, while most are designated XVS, some carry the XV designation,
although they are not related to the earlier models. The XVS1100 was, however, a Virago descendent, yet did not get the XV prefix.
The early bikes had starter problems; the entire series had carburation problems of one sort or another.
There are many of these units parked; not running. The interested reader should be able to pick up three or four for under two thousand dollars total,
and find that most of the shortcomings of one are absent in another.
In the first two model years (longer in Europe), there was a 920cc (981cc in non-NA markets, sold there as the TR1) chain-drive "sports" version.
It was nameless and grossly over-priced .
Left-over models were available for special order until at least mid-1987 .
With a substantial cash outlay, it was possible to wring enough performance out of these bikes to embarrass built HDs and Ducatis.
They had a very small fan base when in production. Thirty-plus years later, there is a small, but distinct demand for at least the engine.
After the demise of the chain-drive model, the shaft-driven flagship grew to 981cc, then to 1063cc. Now sporting a bore and stroke of 95mmx75mm,
they made no more power (perhaps less, even), but were quicker "out of the hole." Sales were modest, but enough to keep production going to 1998.
The next year, the Virago 1100 became the V-Star 1100. It sported plated bores and deeper finning, and a cam so mild that Yamaha did away with the
inner valve spring. It also side-stepped the pervasive starter problems by going to a roller clutch arrangement. Even that was not enough,
as Yamaha superseded the entire starter mechanism with an after-the-fact update kit. This was well after production of this model had ceased.
For the record, the adult-sized XV series bikes (and the XVS1100 V Star) were two valve, single overhead cam, seventy five degree v twins with side-by-side
rods on plain bearings. They breathed through a pair of 40mm constant velocity carbs: Hitachi until about '92, then Mikuni; The V Star through 37mm.
The alternator, starter gears, and oil pump were behind the left engine cover; the clutch behind the right. The drive gears and clutch basket were
the same parts throughout the series. The early bikes (Gen I) used the engine as a stressed member; later bikes a cradle frame.
The 700 and seven fifty sported 43mm intake valves, 37mm exhausts. All the rest were 47mm and 39mm, respectively. the valve springs were all the same:
except the XVS only ran the outer. The guides, seals, retainers, and keepers were all the same. Interestingly, the intake valve, springs, and seals
were the same as the SR/TT/XT500 series singles. The exhaust valve was a close enough miss that it would fit.
The retainers, guides, and keepers were different.
Although there is a member login feature, it doesn't yet provide the user with much additional content.
Use it if you want. I don't use your information; it is simply an exercise in scripting.
The topics are subject to constant revision and expansion. The point has been reached where the current menu will be more than a bit
daunting and unwieldly; additional topics will be added to the members' area. Again: no requirements; no checking. Just sign up with a
working email address. Although these are stored in a database, they will not be exploited.
Indeed, when the logging system changes enough, all data is discarded and sign up must be repeated.
More information is available on the signup page.
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