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Thu Sep 11, 2008 9:34 pm

Kelley wrote: azmousejockey wrote: Kelley wrote:

Still just a 1981 Yamaha Virago.

Yeah... just a one of a kind motorcycle with hand fabricated front faring that's original owner is the legendary creator of the Batmobile along with 100's of other unique movie cars..oh and verified to have been pinstriped by Kenneth Howard aka Von Dutch... but your right, just a boring '81 Yamaha. I should kill myself.

The paint job is pretty good considering the motorcycles age, a slap on the back for keeping it looking good. The fairing is either a Vetter or Yamaha OEM, NOT handmade. All of the early fairings were fiberglass, not necessarily hand-laid. Vetter's were like this in the early days before injection molded ABS hit the aftermarket. It actually reminds me of the OEM Yamaha 900/750 Seca fairings from the same years as your Virago, 1981-83. But, in the end, it's still just a Virago. Ever have any starter motor, or starter clutch problems? It's an inherent, consistent problem with the early Virago's, 900cc, 750cc, and the 1983 500cc models. If you haven't had those problems with it, then I salute you.

I don't think I implied anything about you and suicide, :roll:

Hand laid fiberglass by Barris himself and documented as such. I'm not saying it wasn't cast from an OEM mold, but it's not OEM by any means. It's got areas where it was cut to fit the forks after being fabricated, and has no factory mounting points. He created a similar faring for his wife's bike, which had a related paint scheme, but hers was more southwestern style (feathers, dream catchers etc...) I've spoken to his daughter Joji Barris many times about the authenticity and prominence of this bike.

I'm not saying it's the coolest bike out there, and it is a turd to ride. The shocks are shot and yes that starter motor is going and Yamaha still wants $300+ for a new one. But for myself and anyone who's into the Godfathers of customs (Barris, Roth, Williams, Howard etc.. ) it's a very cool piece of Nostalgia. If you still think it's "just a "81 Virago" your missing the point. :?

Thu Sep 11, 2008 9:35 pm

HerrrKafer wrote: I don't really do bikes, and this is just a picture I nabbed from the internet, but somewhere in the attic I've got all the bits of a 68 Honda S90 that I took apart with the intention to restore. When I first picked it up, one of my friends asked me, "where's the rest of the engine?" :lol:

I have a 68 S90, too.
I picked it up from my neighbor after her husband died.
I'm not into bikes, but it was cheap and only had 255 miles.
I'll probably get it running, replace a few missing parts, and sell it.

Fri Sep 12, 2008 4:09 am

The red bike looks like a black 64-65 S90 my buddy had in High School. Your black bike looks like a different model Honda 90 Dream?

Fri Sep 12, 2008 6:16 am

Lee. wrote: I'd like to get one of these....

I was on a delivery in Luisville and a customer had a garage full of Triumps and BSA's. I'm sure if you had the cash he'd sell you a simmilar bike.

Fri Sep 12, 2008 10:08 pm

azmousejockey wrote:

Hand laid fiberglass by Barris himself and documented as such. I'm not saying it wasn't cast from an OEM mold, but it's not OEM by any means. It's got areas where it was cut to fit the forks after being fabricated, and has no factory mounting points. He created a similar faring for his wife's bike, which had a related paint scheme, but hers was more southwestern style (feathers, dream catchers etc...) I've spoken to his daughter Joji Barris many times about the authenticity and prominence of this bike.

I'm not saying it's the coolest bike out there, and it is a turd to ride. The shocks are shot and yes that starter motor is going and Yamaha still wants $300+ for a new one. But for myself and anyone who's into the Godfathers of customs (Barris, Roth, Williams, Howard etc.. ) it's a very cool piece of Nostalgia. If you still think it's "just a "81 Virago" your missing the point. :?

No, I got it, I just wish he would've picked a better ride for his art. Didn't mean to step on your toes about it, but after 40 years of being around, riding, and being exposed to ALL aspects of motorcycle culture, plus 20 years in the industry, I think I've seen it all. Glad to know that I haven't, as I continually have my eyes opened every day. The Fairing looked like OEM Yamaha, or one of Craig Vetter's series of Windjammers, so I said so. If you say it's his own work, then I'm good with it.

BTY, if your front forks are leaking, it isn't hard to do the job of rebuilding them, or if your fork tubes are pitted, a new set aftermarket $110, salvage yards have many, many parts for these Virago's. You can even get a rebuilt starter motor for around $150 from a place called Willie's cycle salvage in Alabama. The starter clutch is a different story. Starter clutch springs, dogs and rollers would be required, to begin with, along with the cover gasket. You can still get those new from Yamaha.

Sat Sep 13, 2008 11:19 am

Just picked up a 01 Suzuki TL1000R after not having a bike for 10 years. I was going to go with a new R6 but after doing some research I fell in love with the TLR. :D

Sat Sep 13, 2008 8:17 pm

BSQUARE wrote: HerrrKafer wrote: I don't really do bikes, and this is just a picture I nabbed from the internet, but somewhere in the attic I've got all the bits of a 68 Honda S90 that I took apart with the intention to restore. When I first picked it up, one of my friends asked me, "where's the rest of the engine?" :lol:

I have a 68 S90, too.
I picked it up from my neighbor after her husband died.
I'm not into bikes, but it was cheap and only had 255 miles.
I'll probably get it running, replace a few missing parts, and sell it.

=P~
I'd love to find one of those. there's a s90 on craigslist right now I saw for cheap, but it's pretty rough and engine is incomplete
I've been looking for something a step up from my mopeds

Fri Apr 13, 2012 10:56 am

I made a thread like this but It got locked. I guess I missed it in my search to find a theread like mine so I dont duplicate....Im not surprised though, this thread seems to have died back in 2008.

So BUMP, It would be cool to bring this great thread back to life.

:D

Fri Apr 13, 2012 5:30 pm

I will try and help you keep it alive Luke. Took me like 8 trys to post the pick of my bike though. I'll have to seek professional help this time, wife should be home soon :lol:

Sun Apr 15, 2012 6:40 pm

Triumph Thruxton 900

Sun Apr 15, 2012 7:19 pm

^^^
Very nice!
My bike and bikes of the past.

1982 kawasaki kz 550 a2...mods....

Suzuki gs550 bobber I built.

88 Yamaha Radian YX600.

79 Kz 650

72 kz900

Sun Apr 15, 2012 7:33 pm

My daily driven 600 Bandit.

Sun Apr 15, 2012 8:44 pm

lukel wrote:
88 Yamaha Radian YX600.

I know of one of these in my area that is unloved but looks pretty good. Are they a good everyday ride? Any particular things to watch for with a potential purchase? Parts availability?

Sun Apr 15, 2012 9:06 pm

cdennisg wrote: lukel wrote:
88 Yamaha Radian YX600.

I know of one of these in my area that is unloved but looks pretty good. Are they a good everyday ride? Any particular things to watch for with a potential purchase? Parts availability?

The parts can be hard to find with them. Yamaha was doing a lot of one year crap back then. Also takes a special tool to sync the carbs. Other than that they are a very good bike.

Sun Apr 15, 2012 9:12 pm

They are a great bike and very reliable, Lots of power! Especially when you get up above 6 grand rpm. They do have some hard to find parts but it is a rare bike to be honest, They only made them for 4 years from 86 to 90, Its the FZ-600's stylish little bro. Just like all 4 cylinder bikes with 4 carbs all it takes is a manometer to sync the carbs, About 80 bucks for a manometer.

Sun Apr 15, 2012 9:18 pm

lukel wrote: They are a great bike, with lots of power and very reliable. They do have some hard to find parts but it is a rare bike to be honest. But like all 4 cylinder bikes with 4 carbs all it takes is a manometer to sync the carbs, About 80 bucks for the manometer.

Those are very unreliable. As a pro I use a digital set that cost me 380. Worth the money if you want to accually sync them, not just adjust them. Also all 4cyl yamaha's of that era need a special tool when syncing the carbs on top of the gauge. You can buy it through K&L supply, when buying a real set of sticks at the same time :lol:

Sun Apr 15, 2012 9:25 pm

Thanks guys. I am sure that the one I looked at will need a complete carb tear down and rebuild, so with the idea of needing an expensive special tool or paying out the nose for the local dealer to sync the carbs, I will likely pass on the bike. Unless it is really cheap. I have not yet been able to contact the owner, so who knows?

I would really rather find an 85-86 Honda CB700s anyway. I really like that bike.

Sun Apr 15, 2012 9:31 pm

Quote: Those are very unreliable

What the bike or the manometer? Never had a problem with the mercury or the bike. Ive actually had pleasant results from my manometer on numerous bikes including the yx.

Sun Apr 15, 2012 9:32 pm

Remove the carbs, vacation in Vegas, we drink beer and rebuild your carbs. You're half way there :D

The mercury. You just haven't seen the top of the mountain my brother. Best tool I have EVER purchased.

Sun Apr 15, 2012 9:36 pm

doc1369 wrote: Remove the carbs, vacation in Vegas, we drink beer and rebuild your carbs. You're half way there :D

The mercury. You just haven't seen the top of the mountain my brother. Best tool I have EVER purchased.

Sounds like a good time. :) I was just through Vegas about ten days ago.

I can rebuild the carbs myself, it would be the setup and synchronize stage that would be the stumbling block, especially if it required a specialized tool that would only serve it's purpose once.