26th Dec 2006, 00:21

Good to hear of another 920 owner here in Hawaii, I have an 83 Midnight Virago on the Hilo side of the big island. Picked it up last year with 4200 miles on it, has 8200 now. Could not pass this one up it was in storage for 20 years, in excellent shape and only $500. Replaced the starter and mounted a sound system, all in all a really nice bike, I am one happy Yamaha cruiser.

20th Jan 2007, 15:44

I have a 1983 midnight with Virago 25k miles or so, and it's been quite the project. What can you expect for $300, some missing bits and no running. After all is said, it's now reliable and an economical commuter with good power.

The best feature (next to the Mustang seat) - it's all black so no chrome to distress over if it's dirty!

The Hitachi carburetors proved difficult to get correct, the starter is noisy, and the mono shock needs more capacity, but I can live with all them.

27th Jan 2007, 08:06

I have a 1982 920 midnight virago purchased 20 years ago from original owner, it has only 25,000 miles. Worked fine till recently when it began losing power and cutting out. I changed the plugs, but it still cut and and ran ragged, so I attempted to change the plug wires, but found out that they are apparently attached to what I can only guess is a distributor? How do you change the wires?

Also, I bought a new battery, do you think that will help? I haven't tried it with the new battery, since it is apart due to my trying to change the wires. Anybody have any suggestions?

Sam in Houston, Tx.

5th Apr 2007, 08:34

I have a 82 920J that I bought 12 years ago.

Other than the front shocks leaking a little and the starter clanking (I replaced with no change), I've been very happy with it.

Oh yeah, the oil light comes on every now and then, but, I think it's a false alarm.

I just finished rebuilding the front master cylinder and calipers. All is good. Now just time to ride.

26th Apr 2007, 15:24

I have a 82 Virago 920.

Recently, when starting it in my garage, the battery light came on. I dropped it into first gear and the cycle stalled. With the clutch still pulled in, I tried to start the cycle and it would not turn over. I put it in neutral and it started right up. The battery light stayed on, and I put it in first gear again and again, but it stalled and would not start until it was in neutral. I repeated this a few times. I then shut off the cycle, and waited a few minutes and thought about it.

I then started the cycle in neutral, and this time the battery light went off and I was able to put it in first gear without it stalling. I then killed the motor and tried starting it in first with the clutch pulled in, and it started right up.

Anybody have any information as to what's going on here???

Please??!! This is my first Virago.

16th May 2007, 17:18

I also have an '82 Virago 920.

Clanking starter noise (annoying) and that's about it. I've only had it for 6 months and have only been riding it for 3. For the comment about your bike stalling when put in first... it sounds like your kick stand might have been down.

17th May 2007, 06:17

To the gentlemen who is having problems with putting his bike in first gear. These bikes are built with a saftey cut off, if you have the kickstand down and you put it into first, it will automatically shut off, if you put it into first with the kickstand up, all is good.

17th May 2007, 14:31

I have an 83 Midnight Virago 750. I agree with the kick stand diagnostic. One of the features of the Virago that was written up in the trade magazines when the Virago models were released in 82, was that the kickstand being put down will kill the motor so that the bike is not drivable with the kickstand down.

See if you can reproduce the effect with the kickstand down. If you have that issue when you are positive that the kickstand is all the way up... then it may be something else.

2nd Jun 2007, 21:52

I just bought an 1982 Virago 920 with... get this... 1519 miles on it. It's been in storage since '93, has the original tires with no dry rot evident. This thing looks like a museum piece. I'm not even sure whether or not to start riding it or just save it. I have seen this bike since it was first bought, and the miles and history (or lack thereof) are substantiated because it's been in our family since new. Now what do I do? Fix it up or re-"store" it.

6th Jun 2007, 01:13

I recently bought an '82 Virago 920 and I love it.

I have had a problem or two.

The starter making an awful sound every now and then, but I am to understand that this is a design flaw and not to worry about it (so I was told).

The other problem I have is that sometimes it does not engage the starter when the button is pressed. I have checked the relays under the seat and they test OK. Most of the the time after I mess with the relays, I go and hit the start button again and then it starts.

I am thinking that it is a bad connector somewhere under the seat. I was curious if anyone else has had the same problem?

Also I was curious if anyone had any ideas for after-market removable saddle bags, and/or supports for bags.

19th Jun 2007, 15:06

I bought a 1982 Yamaha Virago 920 last year for $500.00. It has 13,000 miles on it. I had to replace the starter and clean both carbs out completely. Since then it has started great, the clicking-grinding noise is consistent with what everyone else has said. This is an excellent bike, and an excellent investment, I have enjoyed it very much.

I had a few questions though, how do I sync the carbs? What are the shocks supposed to be set at (how many P.S.I.)? What is current re-sale value on this bike in excellent shape?

21st Jun 2007, 11:16

Howzit everyone! I'm glad to see a lot of fellow Virago owners out there enjoying their rides, and to that fellow in Hawaii... eh cuz, we gotta cruise!!!

My bike is still going, so far I've accumulated over 23,000 miles of happy cruising, rain or shine. My bike is now my main means of transportation to and from work, which is the reason for all those wonderful mileage, but what a ride it is.

My only complaint so far, is being shunned by other riders who don't fancy guys or girls like me riding 'imports'. The mentality here is if you're not riding this particular brand of bike, you're not a biker. Sad to have such influences on their minds, but I look at the fact that so far, my bike has not broken down as often as those 'other' cruisers that I see stuck on the side of the road sometimes. All that chrome, and nowhere to go. But they forget one thing... check to see where most of their electrical components come from...

Anyways, hope all of my fellow Virago owners out there have a great and safe ride on the highway. Keep on riding dudes (and dudettes). Til next time... Aloha!

Braddah Marv.