A few hints and tips about the maintenance of the Virago

storage for winter

If the bike can't be run at least once a month, it's strongly advised to change the oil. You should put a piece of wood underneath the motorcycle so as to prevent the wheels from touching the ground and then reduce the tire air pressure to15 pounds
Remove the battery and deposit it upon a piece of wood. Do not put it on cement. Then place it in a temperate area, afterwards check the acid level and recharge it once a month, or as needed.

First method: It is also advised to empty the gas tank of all remaining gas, also there is a drain screw on each side of the carburettor (very easy of access), this will prevent any gas varnish from sticking to the gas jets. Second method:  Fill the tank up to avoid any condensation and add a product to keep the octane  (gas stabiliser). This will facilitate the starting up of the bike in springtime, Third method: though if the tank is empty, remove it and put half a litter of  motor oil, shake well and then remove all surplus. This will avoid condensation and rust from gaining a foothold in you gas tank.

Remove the sparkplugs and put a teaspoon of motor oil in each cylinder. Put the sparkplugs back in and turn the safety switch to "OFF". Run the motor for 3 seconds (two or three times) while pressing on the starter, this will have the effect of inducing the cylinders with oil and avoiding the rings to stick and/or damage the cylinders.

Thoroughly clean the chrome and give the bike a good wax.

If the bike can't be run at least once a month, it's strongly advised to change the oil. You should put a piece of wood underneath the motorcycle so as to prevent the wheels from touching the ground and then reduce the tire air pressure to 15 pounds.

Remove the battery and deposit it upon a piece of wood. Do not put it on cement. Then place it in a temperate area, afterwards check the acid level and recharge it once a month, or as needed.

It is also advised to empty the gas tank of all remaining gas, there is a drain screw on each side of the carburettor (very easy of access). This will prevent any gas varnish from sticking to the gas jets. Then fill the tank up to avoid any condensation and add a product to keep the octane  (gas stabiliser). This will facilitate the starting up of the bike in springtime, though if the tank is empty, remove it and put half a litter of  motor oil, shake well and then remove all surplus. This will avoid condensation and rust from gaining a foothold in you gas tank.

Remove the sparkplugs and put a teaspoon of motor oil in each cylinder. Put the sparkplugs back in and turn the safety switch to "OFF". Run the motor for 3 seconds (two or three times) while pressing on the starter, this will have the effect of inducing the cylinders with oil and avoiding the rings to stick and/or damage the cylinders.

Annual Check-up

Change the sparkplugs every year, it avoids start-up problems and you get more mile to the gallon.
 Check the directional ball bearings every year and grease them when it is needed, do this also with the rear suspension
       pivot ball bearings.
 Clean the air filter every year, always use air pressure to do this, never water, grease or petroleum products, this would
       damage the filter.
 After 12000km or 8000km, or every 12 months it is recommended to change the oil of the  final drive housing.

Tricks

With a full tank and at an average speed of 100kmh you can run for about 200km before running on the reserve. On the
        reserve, the bike will keep going, at the same speed for another 35km or so.
 If the back wheel light is burnt-out or if it becomes warm, or still yet if it stays lit it is quite probable that one of the two
       switches has stayed on, one is linked to the foot brake and the other is on the right handlebar, which is used to apply the
       front brake. To verify which switch is not working properly, unhook one of the two switches and check like this: Press on
       the foot pedal and/or press on the handle and vice-versa. This will help you discern which of the two switches is not
       working properly.
 Even in the summer you have to check the battery. The heat of the motor and warm weather have a tendency to evaporate
       the acid. Check the acid level of the battery and add some distilled water when needed, and recharge the battery with a
       charger with a 2 amp per hour minimum for 24 hours.
 Clean well and keep the fork clean as to avoid damaging the seals, if there is a leak replace the seals.
       Pre-check the oil level in the master cylinder beforehand, (the little black box situated on the forward right handlebar), if
       the  level is not above the (LOW) bar, there is probably a leak. You should have the bike checked by motorcycle experts.
       It is recommended to change the brake oil every two years.
 Verify the motor oil level before taking it out for a ride.
 To remove the bolts use a six-sided ratchet instead of a four-sided one, if the bolt is tight and you use a four-sided ratchet
       you might damage the bolt head, this will not happen with a six-sided ratchet because the grip is a lot surer, use lubricant if
       needed.

  You should know about your windshield it's not made of glass. Windshield is made of hard coated polycarbonate.
        If you use cleaner containing alcohol or ammonia (including Windex or Pledge), you start softening the hard
        coating, exposing the windshield to greater tendency to scratches or pitting. Windex, Pledge and other alcohol-based
        household cleaners work great on glass, but aren't meant for synthetics.
        It's worth it to carry your own cleaning materials.
   Use a wet, not damp, wash cloth or hand towel you keep for that purpose in a plastic zip-lock bag inside your
        travel bag. Allow the water to soften the dried-on bugs. Work crosswise and up and down; if you use a circular
        motion, you tend unconsciously, to increase the rag pressure and scrub harder than you need to. Also, if there's any grit
        on the cloth to gouge the surface, circular scratches are more annoying to the eye than straight ones.
        With the windshield still wet, sparingly spray on some soft dishwashing liquid soap ( 1/2 ounce for 10 ounce of water)
        Using clean cotton material, gently wipe the windshield dry, again, using straight back-and-forth motions.

  Yamaha makes frequent changes during a model year, some minor, some relatively major. When you order parts from
        the dealer or other parts distributor, always order by engine and frame number. Write numbers down and carry them
        with you. Compare new parts to old before purchasing them. If they are not alike, have the parts manager explain the
        difference to you.
        the frame serial number and the vehicle identification number (VIN) are stamped on the right-hand side of the steering
        head. The engine number is located on the lower right-hand side of the crankcase.
 
 

Safety

Before going off and enjoying a drive it is recommended to check the tire pressure, the front and rear lights as well as the
       signalling lights.
 Never use gas to wash pieces of the motorcycle. Use products that are made for such work.
 Always unhook the battery cable if you have to work on the gas tank.
 Make sure the speed box is in neutral before starting the motorcycle.
 Make sure that the motorbike is cooled down before you change the motor oil. Also be certain that the escapement pieces
       are cooled down before cleaning them.
 Never put more air in the tires than the recommended tire pressure advised by the manufacturer of the tires

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