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yamaha virago history |
The XV535 was introduced in 1987 in the US and the following year in the UK.
The engine was an air cooled, 75° V-twin based on the XV750 unit with detail changes in keeping with the reduction in capacity. Carburettor air intake was through an air filter mounted underneath a small dummy fuel tank - the real fuel tank was sited underneath the seat.
Drive was transmitted to the five-speed gearbox via a wet, multi-plate clutch, and to* the rear wheel by shaft.
The chassis was a pressed steel backbone frame with tubular swingarm incorporating the drive shaft on the left-hand side. Front suspension was by conventional telescopic forks and rear suspension was by twin, pre-load adjustable shocks.
Braking was by single disc at the front and a drum brake at the rear.
The XV535 was styled from the outset as a chopper-style custom, with twin slash-cut exhaust pipes on the right-hand side, high handlebars and solo rider's seat and pillion pad. The wheels were wire spoked.
Fuel capacity was increased in 1989 when the dummy fuel tank was replaced by a supplementary tank. Minor detail changes included the option of flat handlebars and a slotted front brake disc to reduce brake noise. The starter motor was uprated in 1993, a model with additional chrome, two-tone paint and buttoned seat, the XV535S, was introduced in 1994, and a two-piston front brake caliper was fitted in 1995
XV750/XV700
The XV750 was introduced in 1981 as the XV750 Virago in the US and the XV750SE
Special in the UK.
The engine was an air cooled, 75° V-twin with one single overhead camshaft per
cylinder, each driven by a separate chain from the crankshaft. Twin carburettors
were mounted between the cylinders and there were two valves per head. The
crankcases were split vertically.
Drive was transmitted to the five-speed gearbox via a wet, multi-plate clutch,
and to the rear wheel by shaft.
The chassis was a pressed steel backbone frame. Front suspension was by
air-assisted telescopic forks and rear suspension was by triangulated swingarm,
incorporating the drive shaft, and five-way adjustable, air-assisted,
mono-shock.
Braking was by single disc at the front and a drum brake at the rear.
In 1984 the rear suspension was changed to a swingarm with twin shock absorbers
and the bike's overall appearance was revised to reflect the new chopper-style
custom image of the Virago marque (see XV1000). Twin front disc brakes were
fitted, with both brake calipers of opposed piston design. The 'swirl' pattern
cast wheels were replaced by five spoke cast wheels.
Between 1984 and 1987 the engine capacity was reduced to 700 cc to beat US
import tariffs and the machine was sold as the XV700.
Further minor detail changes included the fitting of two-piston calipers to the
front brakes of UK models from 1994-on
XV920/TR1
The XV920R was introduced in the US in 1981. The engine was a larger version of
the XV750 motor but with chain drive, denoted by the suffix R, instead of a
shaft. The head, cylinder and crankcase castings of the 750 were used, with
detail changes, such as larger valves, in keeping with the increase in capacity.
The machine was styled along European lines, as opposed to the custom bike look
of the XV750, and was sold in the UK with a slightly larger 1000 cc engine as
the model TR1.
The shaft drive XV920 Virago was introduced the following year, with the same
custom styling as the original XV750. The model was equipped with Yamaha's new
CYCOM cycle computer instrumentation and systems monitoring cluster with liquid
crystal displays in place of the traditional speedometer and tachometer. A
rectangular headlight and adjustable handlebars were fitted.
All XV920 and TR1 models featured triangulated swingarm rear suspension with an
air-assisted mono-shock.
XV1000
The XV1000 was introduced in 1984. The engine was an enlarged version of the
original XV920 motor, but the bike's appearance was revised in line with the new
chopper-style custom image of the Virago marque. A separate air filter for each
carburettor was mounted inside a large chromed cover on each side of the front
cylinder head and the fuel tank, footpegs, handlebars, seat and exhaust system
were redesigned and repositioned to complement the chopper styling. The
mudguards, horns, instruments and numerous engine and rear hub casings were
chrome plated and a padded backrest was added for the passenger.
XV1100
The XV1100 superseded the XV1000 and was introduced to the US market in 1986,
then to the UK market in 1989. The increase in engine capacity was achieved by
lengthening the piston stroke and the flywheel weight was increased for smoother
power delivery. In all other respects the bike was the same as the XV1000.
1994-on UK models were fitted with two-piston calipers in place of the opposed
piston calipers on the front disc brakes. A model with custom paint, buttoned
seat, headlight visor and chromed covers on the rear shocks, the XV1100S, was
available in the US for 1997 and 1998.