First post. 1982 XJ920 Virago

[onezereight]

I just got an 82 Virago 920 for free. It has 45000 miles and no keys. I don't even know if it can crank over. I'm a total motorcycle noob, I've wanted one for years, but always had something else to spend my money on. I can wrench the crap out of cars all day. Right now my daily is an 84 Rabbit GTI.
Where should I start on this beast? I know I want to drain the fuel, pull the tank and seat, hook a good battery to it and at least see if it'll crank. I'll need to try and jump out the key switch for that. It needs tires for sure. Anything else I need to look at?

I'll be picking up a repair manual for this thing, what's the best one to get?

I'm hoping this: will be me next summer

Chad

[JimR]

Originally Posted by onezereight

I just got an 82 Virago 920 for free. It has 45000 miles and no keys. I don't even know if it can crank over. I'm a total motorcycle noob, I've wanted one for years, but always had something else to spend my money on. I can wrench the crap out of cars all day. Right now my daily is an 84 Rabbit GTI.
Where should I start on this beast? I know I want to drain the fuel, pull the tank and seat, hook a good battery to it and at least see if it'll crank. I'll need to try and jump out the key switch for that. It needs tires for sure. Anything else I need to look at?

I'll be picking up a repair manual for this thing, what's the best one to get?

I'm hoping this: will be me next summer

Chad

Hi Chad
To Do List :-
Remove strip & sonic clean the carbs
Remove strip & clean the petcocks
remove & clean the inside of the fuel tank
Check the engine turns (use the big nut under the l/h crankcase cover)
check all vacuum take off pipes are good.
as in the UK we never had the 920 to work out which engine design you have is it shaft or chain driven
get a battery
get a key or new lock

[purpplecrazy]

The first thing I do with ALL of my bikes is check the spark plugs, change the oil, and make sure the wireing is ok turn signals ect. (but u gotta get it goen first.) u can get a replacement ignition from bike bandet good place to get parts from The first thing is get a repair manual and get er runnen