Help with 1985 Yamaha Virago

 

I have an 85 Yamaha Virago that has the following problem.  When first
starting out, it does not have much power and backfires a lot.  Once it
backfires very loudly, it runs great and no troubles.  Over the last
couple of days, it starts fine, but has no power and will no go over 20
miles per hour no matter how much throttle it gets, no backfiring.
We've changed the plugs, we've overhauled the carbs six months ago.
The main problem now is no power and the engine is clearly running on
one cylinder.  When we looked at the new plugs again, one is fouled and
one is clean.  What do you think is wrong?  And back to the back firing
problem if we can get the power problem solved, someone told us that it
may be dirt in the gas, and to remove the gas tank and have it
coated/painted and put back on.  Does that sound right? Thanks!

 

couple17331@yahoo.com wrote:



Plug wire, coil, or connections to the coil. I had a coil go bad on my '80
Yamaha XS850SG. It started as an intermittent short. The one cylinder would
take a while to get firing (had to warm up the coil). Then one day the coil
just gave out. No spark on that plug. I pulled a used one at a salvage yard
and fixed the problem. Ran fine till something else wore out. <g>
--

Crunch
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those are such great bikes. based on the triumph triple but
without the problems, oil leaks and poor electrics.
i had a 78 750 and put 200k miles on it over 16 years.
wish i still had it, parts from 400, 500, 650, and the 1100
would work. lights, pegs, many things fit.