1st Gen V-Max Greetings from Costa Rica! My 1997 VMax, brought back to life

[DGRStunner]

VMax Year

1997

Hello!

This is my 1997 Yamaha VMax.
I have aquired this beautiful bike at the beginning of this year. Was abandoned and just sitting for two years. Wasn't running at all.
It is an inheritance, so I've been giving it good care.

Stuff done for the first start:
- Installed new starter clutch (main reason it wasn't running).
- Replacement of fuel tank, old was very rusted.
- Installed OEM air box, it came with the K&N individual filter kit (got rid of it).
- Installed V-Boost (had a bypass pipe instead of the butterfly valves).
- Cleaned carbs, installed OEM jet needles, main jets and slider springs.
- New battery and fluids (all fluids).

First start after two years:



Stuff pending (for now):
- Front wheel bearings and seals.
- Valve cover gaskets.
- Complete carb rebuild (it is running good after the stuff mentioned above, but it is leaking fuel and I am pretty sure it can run better).
- Body work-wise, it is a bit rough up close, but are just signs of time, I would like to take components and do some polishing, new paint for fenders, intake cover (dummy tank) and engine covers.
- Need a new sissy bar.
- Seats upholstery could use a refresh.
- This list will be progresively growing for sure...

Love this bike!

 

[Equanish]

Hello!

This is my 1997 Yamaha VMax.
I have aquired this beautiful bike at the beginning of this year. Was abandoned and just sitting for two years. Wasn't running at all.
It is an inheritance, so I've been giving it good care.

Stuff done for the first start:
- Installed new starter clutch (main reason it wasn't running).
- Replacement of fuel tank, old was very rusted.
- Installed OEM air box, it came with the K&N individual filter kit (got rid of it).
- Installed V-Boost (had a bypass pipe instead of the butterfly valves).
- Cleaned carbs, installed OEM jet needles, main jets and slider springs.
- New battery and fluids (all fluids).

First start after two years:



Stuff pending (for now):
- Front wheel bearings and seals.
- Valve cover gaskets.
- Complete carb rebuild (it is running good after the stuff mentioned above, but it is leaking fuel and I am pretty sure it can run better).
- Body work-wise, it is a bit rough up close, but are just signs of time, I would like to take components and do some polishing, new paint for fenders, intake cover (dummy tank) and engine covers.
- Need a new sissy bar.
- Seats upholstery could use a refresh.
- This list will be progresively growing for sure...

Love this bike!

Git 4 clear plastic or tinted float bowls from eBay and lite'm up with an led for a night light like no other.

 

[Equanish]

Git 4 clear plastic or tinted float bowls from eBay and lite'm up with an led for a night light like no other.

I have a sissy bar but would need a pro polishing.

 

[Fire-medic]

Your bike has a Dynojet Stage 7 kit, er, "had" a Stage 7 kit. The 4 individual K&N air filters, the replacement of the VBoost w/tubes, and you have the oil filler cap drain tube. I suggest that you do-not toss-out your bits and pieces from the carbs.

 

[patate657]

Hello!

This is my 1997 Yamaha VMax.
I have aquired this beautiful bike at the beginning of this year. Was abandoned and just sitting for two years. Wasn't running at all.
It is an inheritance, so I've been giving it good care.

Stuff done for the first start:
- Installed new starter clutch (main reason it wasn't running).
- Replacement of fuel tank, old was very rusted.
- Installed OEM air box, it came with the K&N individual filter kit (got rid of it).
- Installed V-Boost (had a bypass pipe instead of the butterfly valves).
- Cleaned carbs, installed OEM jet needles, main jets and slider springs.
- New battery and fluids (all fluids).

First start after two years:



Stuff pending (for now):
- Front wheel bearings and seals.
- Valve cover gaskets.
- Complete carb rebuild (it is running good after the stuff mentioned above, but it is leaking fuel and I am pretty sure it can run better).
- Body work-wise, it is a bit rough up close, but are just signs of time, I would like to take components and do some polishing, new paint for fenders, intake cover (dummy tank) and engine covers.
- Need a new sissy bar.
- Seats upholstery could use a refresh.
- This list will be progresively growing for sure...

Love this bike!

Looks nice.

 

[DGRStunner]

I have a sissy bar but would need a pro polishing.

That would be really handy!

Mine is completely broken in the middle... I believe the previous owner had it adapted with some kind of back rest...

 

[DGRStunner]

Your bike has a Dynojet Stage 7 kit, er, "had" a Stage 7 kit. The 4 individual K&N air filters, the replacement of the VBoost w/tubes, and you have the oil filler cap drain tube. I suggest that you do-not toss-out your bits and pieces from the carbs.

View attachment 78029View attachment 78030

Yeah!

Figured it is a known kit.
I have returned back to stock all I've been able to find and compare against the tech manual. The pictures you show is exactly what was installed.
I haven't tossed away all I've removed, in case something goes wrong.

The bike runs very well today, fortunately previpus owner kept the OEM parts, so I would like to believe is back as intended by the manufacturer.
Just pending to replace all the rubber bits when the parts arrive.

 

[Woody]

That would be really handy!

Mine is completely broken in the middle... I believe the previous owner had it adapted with some kind of back rest...

What you have is .both side pieces.from an oem backrest. You can look for the center section with pad.Or contact Sean about a VIRAGO grab bar option.

 

[cory.schmidt]

Great looking V-Max!