Virago Midnite Special
-The Virago, my favorite bike of all time.
A Trip Down Memory Lane
Taking a stroll down memory lane with my first motorcycle, a 1968 Suzuki X250 Hustler, bought brand new for a mere $650. This was followed by a BSA 650 Thunderbolt and eventually a 1979 R100S BMW, which accompanied me all the way to Alaska.
Fast forward to 1980, and I tied the knot, settling into married life. My pardner wasn’t too keen on motorcycles, and family demands took precedence. Love has its way of rearranging priorities, doesn’t it?
But, as they say, what goes around comes around. With family responsibilities easing, my motorcycle memories came rushing back. A visit to a cycle shop, however, revealed a whole new world, drastically different from the one I left 25 years ago.
Today’s Reality
Firstly, the costs of owning a motorcycle have soared. Back in the day, a good bike cost about half the price of a decent car. Nowadays, they can match, or even exceed, the cost of a car. In fact, they’re nearly half the price of my home, a hurdle I’m not ready to jump. So, a brand-new bike is off the table.
Secondly, the focus on motorcycles has evolved. Twenty-five years ago, it was all about more cylinders, more gears, more horsepower, and more top-end speed. The technology in my R100S BMW seemed outdated, although its performance was more than satisfactory. Now, twins, especially V-twins, are in vogue. High-tech is acceptable as long as it complements a classic look. And that’s fine by me; I’m not aiming to break 100 mph anytime soon. Some things do change with age.
-midnite special virago. Nothing hanging. Nothing dragging. This bike is a leaning machine.
So, I set a ballpark figure of $3000 and started perusing used cycles. In Wyoming, the motorcycle season lasts about three months. After that, most bikes hibernate in garages until the snow melts, presenting a perfect opportunity to snag a good deal during the winter.
Enter the Virago Midnite Special
And after five years of searching, I stumbled upon the perfect ride — a 1983 Yamaha Virago Midnite Special. With a mere 6400 original miles, no damage, except for a couple of small paint scratches and worn-out leather saddlebags, it felt like a brand-new machine. I’m the proud third owner.
Deciding to surprise my pardner, I bought it on the spot for half my ballpark figure. Her reaction? Pure astonishment. 🙂
With a shop manual in hand, I went through the bike, replacing fluids, tuning, and tweaking, ensuring a safe ride for this 23-year-old beauty. After years of mundane car maintenance, turning the wrench on this classic felt surprisingly enjoyable.
And this bike is a perfect match for my taste — light, narrow, featuring a high-tech frame, excellent suspension, reliable brakes, shaft drive, and a torquey 920cc V-twin engine.
Riding this bike feels like a blast from the past. I savor the freedom, the wind in my hair. On a whim, I’ll fill up the tank for a song, around $10 at $3/gallon, then cruise for hours across plains and through mountains, surrounded by the sights and smells of the land. With minimal traffic in Wyoming, a motorcyclist is pretty much in their own world. And tackling that 3500-foot mountain behind my home, the one with all those switchback corners, is pure joy on my light, nimble, and torquey bike!
Some may say I’ve entered my second childhood, and perhaps they’re right. Yet, some things withstand the test of time, and motorcycling is one of those enduring passions for me.
-Beautiful woman on my Yamaha Virago.
Unexpectedly, this motorcycle brought about another surprise. The woman I love reluctantly agreed to go for a ride. As she saw herself in the mirrors, a big smile spread across her face. She enjoyed the motorcycle, even wanted her picture taken on it. And now, that beautiful woman wants to go riding again! What could be better than that?
Rekindled Passion
One chilly day, I decided to start up the Virago. Taking it for a short spin, I marveled at the emotional response it triggered. The sound and pulse of the engine, the smooth feel of a well maintained machine —it was a deeply satisfying experience.
Next Bike Dreams
My fascination with motorcycles began in elementary school, particularly with a large displacement, 4-stroke, single-cylinder bike — the Greeves Ranger. Though I never got my hands on one, the dream stayed alive. Now, with the Virago in my stable, perfectly suited for the road, I’m eyeing a large displacement, 4-stroke, single-cylinder bike for off-road adventures. Who knows, my pardner might have something to say about owning two bikes, but I’m ready to find out if I stumble upon a great deal. 🙂
Sharing Some Maintenance Tricks
Valve Clearance
After acquiring the Virago, I meticulously went through it, adjusting, checking, and servicing nearly every bike part. Struggling with valve lash adjustments led me to a different approach. Instead of following the manual’s procedure and adjusting at TDC marks, I found the location with the greatest valve clearance for each valve and adjusted them there. Surprisingly, these locations were far from the TDC marks. The results? The valves are quiet, staying in adjustment, and carb synchronization is a breeze.
Sea Foam
Sea Foam, a gas additive, has proven useful for stabilizing fuel during winter storage, preventing carb deposits. Adding it to the oil before an oil change greatly improved clutch operation, making it smoother and requiring less effort.
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Cheers, D 🌴🌊
