83 Virago 500?

 > I never owned one, but know a few people with 'big' Viragos that love them.

So do I - these guys have very few problems. But it really depends how
much the person is asking for it. When I was shopping around, you
could get a 700-800cc 85-87 Virago/Shadow/Vulcan/Intruder(?) for
$800-1500. For a 500cc/20yo/44K cruiser, you shouldn't pay more then a
$800-900 in good shape. In case of an older bike, it's the price that
ulitimatley makes or breaks a good deal. That's just my opinion.

Good Luck,

Igor.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: 83 Virago 500? 

The price is pretty good, and it's owned by a friend who used it as his
wife's first bike. It's in topshape, has new rubber, has been maintained and
kept indoors, etc. As long as she doesn't total it, i can sell it to the
next neophyte for the same price, when she wants a bigger bike.
I was mainly concerned if it has some hidden flaw that they all get, as I
know it's in great shape now.
I was looking at a cheap 72? Honda 250 down the street, but figure by the
time it's safe and dependable to ride, i will have a nearly a G in it, and
it's not as well suited as the Virago to go on 2-300 mile trips.
She doesnt understand why a guy who rides in a snow-board helmet says she
can't ride it without a new full-face and full leathers, boots, gloves, etc.
I hope she wont find out why, but it will be my bike, she agrees that she
has to follow my rules to ride it.
It may sound hypocritical, but I like her face the way it is.
--
Paul Calman, Hathaway Pines, California
 >> Stay informed about: 83 Virago 500? 

"Paul Calman" <spam DeleteThis @trap.com> wrote in message
news:br2iv6$27dktp$1@ID-87669.news.uni-berlin.de...
 > The price is pretty good, and it's owned by a friend who used it as his
 > wife's first bike. It's in topshape, has new rubber, has been maintained
and
 > kept indoors, etc. As long as she doesn't total it, i can sell it to the
 > next neophyte for the same price, when she wants a bigger bike.
 > I was mainly concerned if it has some hidden flaw that they all get, as I
 > know it's in great shape now.
 > I was looking at a cheap 72? Honda 250 down the street, but figure by the
 > time it's safe and dependable to ride, i will have a nearly a G in it, and
 > it's not as well suited as the Virago to go on 2-300 mile trips.
 > She doesnt understand why a guy who rides in a snow-board helmet says she
 > can't ride it without a new full-face and full leathers, boots, gloves,
etc.
 > I hope she wont find out why, but it will be my bike, she agrees that she
 > has to follow my rules to ride it.
 > It may sound hypocritical, but I like her face the way it is.
 > --
 > Paul Calman, Hathaway Pines, California
 >
 >

Paul,

I'm not sure if it affected the 500s or not, but "our" bigger Viragos had a
real problem with grinding starters. The starter will work, but will grind
itself two or three times before it "catches".

There are a few fixes for it, some better ... some worse, but it is a
legitimate problem. My 700 is "afflicted"!

Larry
--
______________________________
'86 GL1200 A
'84 XV700
Brain Damaged Dog ~ Retarded Cat
______________________________<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: 83 Virago 500? 

Thanks guys. A little research at the Virago Club, and some emails to their
tech guy, showed that the VX 500 is a true orphan, one year production with
very few shared parts to other bikes. It could be a nightmare if something
breaks. It doesnt share the starter parts either.
The price is right, but i need to think about buying a bike for an
intentional short period of about a year and re-selling.
--
Paul Calman, Hathaway Pines, California
 >> Stay informed about: 83 Virago 500?