Yamaha XV400

Yamaha XV400 Virago
Manufacturer	Yamaha
Production	1984 - 86
Class	Cruiser
Engine	Four stroke, 70°V-Twin cylinder, SOHC, 2 valves per cylinder.
Compression ratio	9.7:1
Ignition	CDI
Transmission	5 speed constant mesh
Suspension	Front: Telescopic forks Rear: Dual shocks with preload adjustment
Brakes	Front: Single disc with single-piston caliper Rear: 200 mm Drum
Front Tire	3.00S19 4PR
Rear Tire	140/90 15 M/C 70S
Wheelbase	1511 mm / 59.4 in
Seat Height	700 mm / 27.5 in
Weight	178 kg / 392 lbs (dry), 185 kg / 407.8 lbs (wet)
Oil Filter	K&N KN-145
Recommended Oil	Yamalube 10w-40
Fuel Capacity	8.6 Liters / 2.2 US gal
Manuals	Service Manual

The Virago was Yamaha's first V-twin cruiser motorcycle, and one of the earliest mass-produced motorcycles with a mono-shock rear suspension. Originally sold with a 750 cc (46 cu in) engine in 1981, Yamaha soon added 500 cc (31 cu in) and 900 cc (55 cu in) versions. The bike was redesigned in 1984, switching from a rear mono-shock to a dual-shock design, and adding a tear-drop shaped gas tank. That year, Harley-Davidson, fearful of the inroads in the US market made by the Virago and other new Japanese cruiser-style motorcycles, pushed for a tariff on imported bikes over 700 cc. Yamaha replaced the 750 cc engine with a 699 cc version to avoid the tariff, while the 920 cc engine grew to 1000 cc, and later 1100 cc. In the late 1980s a 250 cc Virago was added. A short production of 125 cc was also manufactured. Yamaha made a XV125, XV250, XV400, XV500, XV535, XV700, XV750, XV920R, XV1000/TR1, XV1100, the XV400SCLX being the rarest of the breed. The larger-displacement Viragos were eventually phased out of production, replaced by the V-Star and Road Star series of motorbikes. The last motorcycle to bear the Virago name was the 2007 Virago 250. For 2008 it was renamed to the V-Star 250.

According to Motorcyclist magazine, the early Virago has a design flaw in the starter system. This magazine states that the starter's defect exists in early Viragos models, and will catch the rider on fire in rare cases, models made in year 1982 and 1983.

Engine

The engine was a Air cooled cooled Four stroke, 70°V-Twin cylinder, SOHC, 2 valves per cylinder.. The engine featured a 9.7:1 compression ratio.

Drive

Power was moderated via the Wet multi-plate, cable operated.

Chassis

It came with a 3.00S19 4PR front tire and a 140/90 15 M/C 70S rear tire. Stopping was achieved via Single disc with single-piston caliper in the front and a 200 mm Drum in the rear. The front suspension was a Telescopic forks while the rear was equipped with a Dual shocks with preload adjustment. The XV400 Virago was fitted with a 8.6 Liters / 2.2 US gal fuel tank. The bike weighed just 178 kg / 392 lbs. The wheelbase was 1511 mm / 59.4 in long.

Photos

Specifications

Make Model	Yamaha XV 400 Virago
Year	1984 - 86
Engine Type	Four stroke, 70°V-Twin cylinder, SOHC, 2 valves per cylinder.
Displacement	399 cc / 24.3 cu-in
Bore X Stroke	68 х 55 mm
Cooling System	Air cooled
Compression	9.7:1
Induction	2 x 34 mm Mikuni carburettors
Ignition	CDI
Starting	Electric
Max Power	40 hp / 29.8 kW @ 8500 rpm
Max Torque	3.5 kgf-m / 25.3 lb-ft @ 7000 rpm
Clutch	Wet multi-plate, cable operated
Transmission	5 speed constant mesh
Final Drive	shaft
Front Suspension	Telescopic forks
Rear Suspension	Dual shocks with preload adjustment
Front Brakes	Single disc with single-piston caliper
Rear Brakes	200 mm Drum
Front Tire	3.00S19 4PR
Rear Tire	140/90 15 M/C 70S
Rake	31.5°
Trail	125 mm / 4.9 in
Wheelbase	1511 mm / 59.4 in
Seat Height	700 mm / 27.5 in
Ground Clearance	145 mm / 5.7 in
Dry Weight	178 kg / 392 lbs
Wet Weight	185 kg / 407.8 lbs
Fuel Capacity	8.6 Liters / 2.2 US gal