83 950 Virago

[Trader]

A local guy offered me this bike in exchange for my 85 with 88 engine.

He offered a hand made guitar also in the deal.

 

I'm wondering what that might be worth. I'm asking 1500 for my bike.

 

The guitar neck looks like it was splattered with paint...but I'm pretty sure that's just reflection.

The bike tank is painted flat black....badly....would need a repaint. Rattle can is good enough.

 

Thinking it might be a bike for my wife...who has never ridden yet.

Edited March 1, 2014 by Trader

[MiCarl]

I think that's probably a 920, not 950. The early Virago's were not the best bikes Yamaha built.

 

I'd think that the guitar better be worth quite a bit to do this trade.

[stickhandle2]

Steve,

 

Yes the Virago would be a 920 not a 950, for what its worth I just picked up an 85 750 Virago for $1200 this one is pretty well spotless service records kept up and doesnt look abused at all.

 

The main issue with the early Viragos was the starter clutch. When looking at it and listening to it use the same judgement we use when looking at an old Venture (bikes older then 30 years old are just that, they are old and if it doesn't seem right you walk away.

 

They are like the 1st gens there were issues but like anything else there are good ones and there are bad ones, if your gut says it is a bad one, leave it.

 

Just my 2 cents.

 

Mike

[Beau-Kat]

I agree with the well-known starter clutch issues on the Viragos. Aggravating!

 

The 920 is unique in that it had an enclosed chain drive. So, there you pick up some maintenance over the shaft driven Viragos. It was only made for a year or two. Europe had an "R" version kinda like a Seca.

 

The 750s and 1100 are much more plentiful if you ever need parts.

 

The '82 750 Virago I had also had two petcocks (one on each side of the tank). That was a pain. Don't know if the 920 is like that.

 

The 750 had great handling and was fun while I had it.

 

I also had a 1996 Virago 535. That was a small but fun bike.

 

Bottom line, I wouldn't trade unless that guitar was signed by someone like Dylan, Stevie Ray Vaughn, etc.

[Beau-Kat]

Did some more research.

Looks like some 920s were shaft driven.

[dogman]

I had an 82, 920 Virago, shaft drive, and computerized speedo, Fairing and hard saddle bags and back rest. I sold it last fall for $700, it wasn't starting the carburaters where gumed up. Always problems with the starter. I had changed a few times. Other then that it ran really well.

 

Good luck with your decision.