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    Need motorcycle help

    While I'm waiting on my membership to the Yamaha forum I figured it might be worth a shot here. 1994 Virago 1100 that I just bought dead. I cleaned out the fuel system, added a new battery and replaced a blown main fuse. It fired on the first try, ran for 2 seconds and stopped. Next try the starter button produces nothing. I can hear the relay under the seat click when I hit the start button. That should be what sends a power to make the solenoid close but I'm betting no action at the solenoid, which is a pain to remove so I have not tested that or the starter yet. Checked the frame ground and sidestand switch. Any other ideas?

    #2
    Did you use a volt meter to test the start button, and then on down to the solenoid? Fuse go out again?

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      #3
      I check out all the "safety" switches and they were fine. Then tried to get to the start button but it is not very accessible. After messing with it some I turned the key on and pressed it, got a short spin on the starter. So, then I took the cover off of the starter clutch when I could manually engage the solenoid. Doing that I was able to start the bike and it ran about 10 seconds. Given how long the bike sat, I can't say that it died because of fuel or spark.
      I can get the starter to bump from the start button maybe once in 20 tries but it turns well when I manually engage the solenoid. Guessing the solenoid is bad?

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        #4
        My dad had one of these bikes and his had some safety switch where it couldn't be started with the kickstand either up or down, cant remember which one. I just remember him trying to sell it and it wouldn't start and after the guy left he figured that out. lol But it also does sound like a bad solenoid

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          #5
          A guy on a forum specific to this bike thinks it is the start switch. Seems like a common occurrence. I'm going to pull it tonight and see if I can get the bike to fire by bypassing the switch. Then I will definitely know if the solenoid is good.

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            #6
            Just an update for those interested. WD-40 sprayed in the start button housing seemed to do the trick. The bike starts every time now and I'm riding it some. Let it idle for a half hour tonight with some Seafoam in the tank while I worked on other projects. I could actually hear the improvement in the idle as the Seafoam worked. I'd like to avoid a complete carb teardown on this one since this bike is not easy to take apart. Can't really say how long I'll keep it til I ride it more. Nice looking bike. I have to get it registered and put some miles on this weekend.

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              #7
              No joke about the pain in the butt to take these apart. I had a '87 Honda Super Magna that I rebuilt in college. Quad carb that would come off easy as pie, getting them back on took ratchet straps, a small pry bar, and a good amount of lube.

              I definitely miss tinkering on an old bike... Following this one and waiting for pics!

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                #8
                Originally posted by ZackM View Post
                No joke about the pain in the butt to take these apart. I had a '87 Honda Super Magna that I rebuilt in college. Quad carb that would come off easy as pie, getting them back on took ratchet straps, a small pry bar, and a good amount of lube.

                I definitely miss tinkering on an old bike... Following this one and waiting for pics!
                man I thought I was the only ratchet strap guy out there!.....right after I got the carbs on, the water jacket "O" ring under the carbs started leaking!

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                  #9
                  I was lucky enough to not get the leak, but I swear that I searched through the entire internet and never found a better way to get those back on. You know the original design engineer was laughing himself to sleep every night with that genius design.

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                    #10
                    you know he is......but I'd like to kick him in the......well you know

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                      #11
                      Funny, the last bike I did was a 99 magna. Same deal with trying to get 4 carb boots to all slip on at one time. I used a rubber mallet. Still easier than messing with this virago. I have to pretty much completely drain the gas at the fuel pump every time I want to remove the tank. No petcock on these.

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                        #12
                        Here's the current project btw. Needs some buffing. Click image for larger version

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                          #13
                          Fun times! I always enjoyed polishing aluminum. Instant gratification.

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