Yet another Gen1 - critical mass achieved

[Fire-medic]

Yeah I don't see any reason to ditch it, the canister. It was put there for a purpose, as long as it doesn't malfunction,I would leave it.

 

[desert_max]

Man, go out for a ride for the day, come back to watch the Super Bowl and this thread has gone to Hell.

 

[desert_max]

...but it is a sexy motorcycle that begs to be abused.

 

[desert_max]

Well, I had the CBX on the table preparing to pull the carburetors off of that beast again… and paused for a second.

I took a sideways glance over at the 05 Vmax and thought, “Carburetors on the CBX or carburetors on a Vmax?

Guess which bike is on the table now? Pretty much a no brainer, although I already had the motor tilted and the rack off of the CBX, it can wait. I could still do the carbs on the bench and put it on the table later.

Bottom line is that I need to know what I have with this anniversary edition machine. Hopefully I can get to it this weekend, but that’s far from certain.

 

[desert_max]

By the way, I had the sissy bar on the 86 but pulled it and sold it almost immediately, and I don’t remember, am I missing something here? I know the piece on the regular grab bar won’t fit, but this looks like something is missing…

 

[CaptainKyle]

By the way, I had the sissy bar on the 86 but pulled it and sold it almost immediately, and I don’t remember, am I missing something here? I know the piece on the regular grab bar won’t fit, but this looks like something is missing…View attachment 75311

The reflector off the stock grab rail will should fit right on !

 

[Fire-medic]

You can adapt almost any small rectangular light for that area. Or, make a bracket, and mount a cool multi-LED array. My personal belief is that the rear of a motorcycle needs all the lighting to the rear you can fit.

 

[one2dmax]

The reflector assembly as mentioned and we have an LED conversion for it too. Also, tighten up the rack bolts but likely they are stripped out. Either helicoil OR drill all the way through and use longer bolts. This would hold loads much better and we've done that a number of times for our customers. The Virago riser can fit in place of the standard Vmax riser (which we have done custom pads for or use as is). Or, swap to a Vmax grabrail which replaces the side plates (and you lose the rack too).

 

[Tom Determan]

Well, I had the CBX on the table preparing to pull the carburetors off of that beast again… and paused for a second.

I took a sideways glance over at the 05 Vmax and thought, “Carburetors on the CBX or carburetors on a Vmax?

Guess which bike is on the table now? Pretty much a no brainer, although I already had the motor tilted and the rack off of the CBX, it can wait. I could still do the carbs on the bench and put it on the table later.

Bottom line is that I need to know what I have with this anniversary edition machine. Hopefully I can get to it this weekend, but that’s far from certain.

You could sell that CBX to me as-is and keep that other V Max you mentioned selling, eliminate a project and have a little more room in the shop !

 

[norcalAF]

Yeah I don't see any reason to ditch it, the canister. It was put there for a purpose, as long as it doesn't malfunction,I would leave it.

I say disconnect it and gut it and have stash spot for insurance and registration!

 

[Fire-medic]

I say disconnect it and gut it and have stash spot for insurance and registration!

I duct-tape a sandwich baggie on the underside of the faux tank for that.

 

[norcalAF]

I duct-tape a sandwich baggie on the underside of the faux tank for that.

That is a far too simple solution!

 

[Radioguylogs]

I duct-tape a sandwich baggie on the underside of the faux tank for that.

I put mine in a Ziplock sandwich bag with the tool kit under the passenger seat.

 

[desert_max]

You guys are going to think I'm nuts, but hear me out:

After work yesterday (yes I'm still doing time in the lab at Intel), I spent some time in the shop prepping this 05 for carb removal. Scoops, cables, airbox, etc. removed and clamps are loose. All that's left is the heat gun and some persuasion.

But, in the course of getting intimate with this bike, I'm slowly forming an opinion...and here's the part where you may think I'm nuts. Both the '86 and this '05 were one owner bikes. The '05 has a few more miles on it, but appears well cared for. It is cosmetically a 9.5. The '86 is not far behind...

...but I actually think I might prefer the "feel" of the old girl! Yeah, I know, the later machine has better brakes, fatter forks, upgraded ignition and an helmet lock. But, there's something more subtle going on here. Something intangible. Sheesh.

I have, by no means, made any determination yet as to which one stays in the stable - heck, I haven't even heard the 05 run yet, but I can tell you this: It will not be an easy choice. (assuming it does run).

 

[norcalAF]

You guys are going to think I'm nuts, but hear me out:

After work yesterday (yes I'm still doing time in the lab at Intel), I spent some time in the shop prepping this 05 for carb removal. Scoops, cables, airbox, etc. removed and clamps are loose. All that's left is the heat gun and some persuasion.

But, in the course of getting intimate with this bike, I'm slowly forming an opinion...and here's the part where you may think I'm nuts. Both the '86 and this '05 were one owner bikes. The '05 has a few more miles on it, but appears well cared for. It is cosmetically a 9.5. The '86 is not far behind...

...but I actually think I might prefer the "feel" of the old girl! Yeah, I know, the later machine has better brakes, fatter forks, upgraded ignition and an helmet lock. But, there's something more subtle going on here. Something intangible. Sheesh.

I have, by no means, made any determination yet as to which one stays in the stable - heck, I haven't even heard the 05 run yet, but I can tell you this: It will not be an easy choice. (assuming it does run).

That's the bittersweet nostalgia and the sentimental attachment you have for the classic. I feel that way about a few of my guns that have poignant memories attached to them. You're not nuts, just human!

 

[Fire-medic]

I put mine in a Ziplock sandwich bag with the tool kit under the passenger seat.

That's such a tight fit I doubt even a blonde hair would fit in there besides the tool kit

 

[desert_max]

... yeah, that’s pretty cramped.

Meanwhile, I’m dying to see what this thing will do. So grabbing every spare hour I can. Today’s hour I used to pop the carbs off and detail some of the nooks and crannies that were exposed. Cleaning up nicely.

Here are the carbs on the bench and ready for surgery:


Oops! Sorry. Wrong carbs.


And this thing fell off. Don’t know how that happened...but it exposed a beautiful valve cover and will not be going back on. Will probably remove the front one too - Although it’s a bit of a PIA without some significant additional disassembly unless I destroy it I think. The look is so much cleaner without them. Those on the 86 did not make it back on and I don’t think these will either.

 

[Fire-medic]

I leave my heat/head covers in-place, unless someone previously removed 'em, and I don't have 'em.

 

[CaptainKyle]

I don't run them covers on any of mine never had an issue.

 

[Vinmax]

The reflector assembly as mentioned and we have an LED conversion for it too. Also, tighten up the rack bolts but likely they are stripped out. Either helicoil OR drill all the way through and use longer bolts. This would hold loads much better and we've done that a number of times for our customers. The Virago riser can fit in place of the standard Vmax riser (which we have done custom pads for or use as is). Or, swap to a Vmax grabrail which replaces the side plates (and you lose the rack too).

Hi Sean,
In that Screenshot_5.jpg picture, do you sell that assembly in chrome 'ready to go?' In other words, the Virago upper piece along with the Vmax backrest replacement part already chromed and ready to bolt on just like in that picture (not the shorty plastic fender tail or anything like that. Just the metal backrest pieces).
*like this;


Thanks,
Vinnie