Yamaha Virago: xv750 en

Yamaha xv750

Yamaha xv750 Virago is the very first model from Virago series. It was launched in 1981, and was manufactured until 1999. On UK market it was introduced under the name xv750SE (Special Edition) without the name Virago. It had 748 cc cylinders and at that time (especially in the US) was the standard volume for such a motorcycle by most manufacturers.

Yamaha xv750SE - 1981, for UK market

Old version of control panel for Yamaha xv750 Virago

Yamaha xv750 Virago is air-cooled V-twin engine, with angle of 75° between cylinders, it has one camshaft per cylinder and they are synchronized with crankshaft over two separate chains (SOHC), it has two basic valves per cylinder (V2). Carburetors are placed between cylinders. The drive is implemented with 5-gear transmission, wet multiplate clutch and shaft drive. The motorcycle frame is created from pressed steel. Front suspension is manufactured as air-adjustable telescopic forks, and rear suspension as air-supported mono-shack (later it was changed into swingarm with classic spring suspenders). Front brake has one brake disc (later it was changed for two discs), and rear brake is drum.

Rear suspension on xv750 Virago - mono-shock

Although nowadays the rear mono-shack suspension is usual thing and one can find it on many motorcycles, at that time that was something quite new and therefore encountered a lot of critics and distrust from customers. Later the suspension on xv750 was changes into swingarm.

Yamaha xv750 Virago - 1981-1983

Yamaha xv750 (redesign)

Yamaha xv750 Virago - 1984

In 1984. the motorcycle was redesigned according to new chopper style. Then the rear mono-shock suspension is replaced with swingarm and two spring suspender. The front wheel got two brake discs with holes, and spoke cast wheels were replaced with wired wheels. The tank was changed to have eyedrop look, the seat was changed and old control panel was replaced with new one.