Motorcycle Repair: Decompression Valve, suzuki intruder, exhaust valve

Question
Does My 1983 920 Midnight Virago have a decompression valve?

Answer
Hi Larry,

No. the Virago does not have any factory
installed decompressor like the Suzuki Intruder.

Some people have played around installing
one of their own on Viragotech.com
This involves removing the
head and having it machined to
fit some kind of chainsaw or such decompressor
that holds the exhaust valve open slightly.
I have not had any experience with this
but you can look on Viragotech.com for info.

The Virago relies more on the valve timing
and cam overlap design to ease the starting cycle.

Sometimes people will refer to various
emission or carb control valves incorrectly
as a decompression valve.
These are air cutoff valves which are
used to richen fuel mixtures on decelleration
to prevent backfiring.

Good luck!
Wayne S.
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