Motorcycle Repair: Yamaha Virago 1100 1986 starter problem, virago 920, virago 1100

Question
Hi Wayne, The bike starts inconsistently...whether starting cold or re-starting hot....when it won't start it gives one crank and then disengages...aware of the Virago starter problem...sometimes putting it in gear helps to start it also...is there a best solution?...maybe putting in a whole new starter??....or are there any other possible causes for this??  Many thanks for any help you can give!

Answer
Hi Terri,

The Virago starter was a problem
for different reasons on different models.
The early 750 had problems with the
gears clashing and weak tension
springs on the gears.

The later models were changed to an automotive
type bendix drive which eventually
starts slipping backwards. It is like
a one-way clutch gear. It is supposed
to hold when cranking the engine
and then slip when the engine starts.

There is a you-tube video of a Virago 920 repair
that might help here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfCLfO7avP0

Parts diagrams here:
http://www.bikebandit.com/houseofmotorcycles/1986-yamaha-virago-xv1100s/o/m7890#...

Starter drive unit is #1
Fork #11 should be checked.
Gears #6, #7 and spring #9 should
also be checked or replaced.

Sometimes the solenoid can be a problem
if it does not pull the starter drive
to fully engaged.

The gear stuff is all inside the left
engine cover and the alternator
stator has to be carefully pulled
outward without damaging it.

It is not too hard if you have some
mechanical savvy and at least
some parts diagrams, tools
and can get the parts.

Taking some pictures as you take it apart helps to get it
reassembled correctly later.

Be aware of any shims that might fall out
and try not to force anything too much.

A repair manual is a good idea and are probably
online somewhere or cheap at tradebit.com

Unfortunately the starter drive units are
not cheap and used ones can be iffy.

Bare in mind that there are repair
guides on the internet but
various Virago's have a different starter
assembly so they may not apply.
The later ones do not use the spring
clips on the gears like early models.
Guides can be helpful but only
use whatever applies to your bike.

The starter itself is usually not the problem.
It is the starter drive or bendix unit slipping.

Good luck!
Wayne S.
-----------------------------