Bike Stutter question

nautec · 09-07-2008, 01:19 AM

Here is a bike I am looking to buy. Yamaha Virago XV700 1984. Here is the description:

Quote:

The bike runs but needs a tune up. When the bike gets over 3500 rpm's it starts to stutter. Carbs recently rebuilt. New coils and front wheel bearings. New speedo cable. New battery. Oil recently changed. Burgandy paint. Good condition. 26,000 original miles. Clear title. $1000

What does it mean if the bike stutters over 3500 rpm? Is that a serious problem and would it be expensive to fix? The owner is about 50 miles away so I just wanted to have a clue if it is worth driving out that far to take a look at and maybe buy it. I'm worried that I could not ride it back on the highway for 55 miles at 65-75 mph. Thanks!

Dodsfall · 09-07-2008, 06:21 AM

From the sound of the ad, the current owner has tried to fix the problem and has been unsuccessful. Most likely he's stumped on the problem or found out it's too expensive to fix.

If he went through the trouble of rebuilding the carbs and changing out the coil, it's kinda suspicious that he would just skip a "tune up" if that's all the bike needed.

iamgumby · 09-07-2008, 10:19 AM

Just because somebody claims to have rebuilt the carbs doesn't mean they did it recently...or correctly. Carb work is an art. It takes attention to detail. There are lots of small passages that have to be cleaned out thoroughly and small parts to carefully clean and examine - jets have to go back exactly where they came from and setting be precise.

nautec · 09-07-2008, 01:38 PM

So do you think I would be investing a lot more money to get it working right? The $1000 price tag looks nice but not sure how much more money I would need to spend to get it working.

iamgumby · 09-07-2008, 11:20 PM

Shop work can eat you alive. If you are mechenically inclined and invest in a a shop manual and invest your time and work into the bike - $1k don't sound bad.

mydlyfkryzis · 09-09-2008, 10:44 PM

Might be ignition module. Looks like he already replaced coils.

Speedzter2000 · 09-09-2008, 10:50 PM

For $1000, keep looking. You'll find a bike that doesn't have any problems for that kind of money. (At least I seem to!) The riding season is coming to a close, so bikes will become a bit cheaper. The mileage is a wee bit high. I don't know about Arizona prices, but around here a bike like that would go for about $500-700.

WAR600 · 09-09-2008, 11:23 PM

Sounds like all it needs is a valve adjustment. But that could be the tip of the iceberg. I would offer him $500 since you have to drive and it's not running properly. If he doesn't budge on the price or negotiate at all, move on to something else.

09-07-2008, 06:21 AM	#2
Dodsfall Administrator Join Date: May 2008 Location: Illinois, USA Posts: 15,923	From the sound of the ad, the current owner has tried to fix the problem and has been unsuccessful. Most likely he's stumped on the problem or found out it's too expensive to fix. If he went through the trouble of rebuilding the carbs and changing out the coil, it's kinda suspicious that he would just skip a "tune up" if that's all the bike needed. __________________ 2008 XL1200R To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

09-07-2008, 10:19 AM	#3
iamgumby Fallen Riders Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: West Texas Posts: 3,950	Just because somebody claims to have rebuilt the carbs doesn't mean they did it recently...or correctly. Carb work is an art. It takes attention to detail. There are lots of small passages that have to be cleaned out thoroughly and small parts to carefully clean and examine - jets have to go back exactly where they came from and setting be precise. __________________ 03 Suzuki GSF1200S Bandit, HIR headlights, GIVI shield, SWMoto guards, Hayabusa shock, lowered 2", H/S backrest & tailrack, Avon Storms, VStrom Hand Guards, IBA SS 1k

09-07-2008, 11:20 PM	#5
iamgumby Fallen Riders Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: West Texas Posts: 3,950	Shop work can eat you alive. If you are mechenically inclined and invest in a a shop manual and invest your time and work into the bike - $1k don't sound bad. __________________ 03 Suzuki GSF1200S Bandit, HIR headlights, GIVI shield, SWMoto guards, Hayabusa shock, lowered 2", H/S backrest & tailrack, Avon Storms, VStrom Hand Guards, IBA SS 1k

09-09-2008, 10:44 PM	#6
mydlyfkryzis Gadget Freak Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Northern NJ Posts: 339	Might be ignition module. Looks like he already replaced coils. __________________ 1991 CB750 Nighthawk 1976 CB360t

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09-07-2008, 01:38 PM	#4
nautec Verified Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 49	So do you think I would be investing a lot more money to get it working right? The $1000 price tag looks nice but not sure how much more money I would need to spend to get it working.

09-09-2008, 10:50 PM	#7
Speedzter2000 Wrench. Ride. Repeat. Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: New York Posts: 240	For $1000, keep looking. You'll find a bike that doesn't have any problems for that kind of money. (At least I seem to!) The riding season is coming to a close, so bikes will become a bit cheaper. The mileage is a wee bit high. I don't know about Arizona prices, but around here a bike like that would go for about $500-700.

09-09-2008, 11:23 PM	#8
WAR600 Motorcyclist Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Washington State Posts: 1,598	Sounds like all it needs is a valve adjustment. But that could be the tip of the iceberg. I would offer him $500 since you have to drive and it's not running properly. If he doesn't budge on the price or negotiate at all, move on to something else.