starter remedy

[Jake]

I upgraded 83 750 with a second generation starter and after several setbacks (losing cam timing orientation on rear cylinder when changing flywheel with a better specimen, no spark due to not shimming pick-up sensor for ignition with new left side engine cover installed to name a couple) the starter would not stay engaged with the flywheel.

I had a new 4 brush motor, new starter gear, I even de-burred the flywheel teeth and coated the teeth with a dry moly coating when it was apart, new fully charged battery that was 12.71 volts on a digital fluke meter.

Come on now, give me a break.

While I was contemplating exactly which spot in the Sake River canyon I was going to shove the Kobashi Maru (my wife's name for the bike) I noticed some metal shims in the tool chest that came from a chevy starter. Chevy uses shims sometimes to space the starter gear from the flywheel and the wheels started turning. Would shimming my solenoid back a little help the starter engagement?

With little to loose I ground off one side (so they would fit and not rub on the solenoid plunger shaft) of two slightly thick washers (guessing about 1/8th inch thick) and put them between the solenoid and the motor. Long story short, I wish the starter on my 92 Virago worked and sounded as good. That's all it took to get a little bit more engagement and success. To date I haven't heard of anyone else doing this so I want to spread the news. For whats it's worth that's my story, hope it helps someone.

[bstig60]

Thank's for the info. If you mean the Snake River Canyon, I am guessing you are in Idaho. Knowing your location makes it easier for use to help you with your problems. Please edit your profile to show your location.,...

[Jake]

Would you happen to have pictures of the shims, and or the part numbers for the shims, and the exact placement of the shims ?

[ahil408]

*BUMP*

Cause I want to see this too, please. My starter is killing me

[chrismalm]

That post is a couple years old and it involves changing the Gen I starter system to Gen II, which is only feasible if your crankcase has a certain feature to accommodate the Gen II hardware (not found in most Gen I 750s).
Gen II Starter Swap

You can make the Gen I starting system fairly efficient but that horse has no more surface area to be beaten.
Just Googling "Virago Starter Troubleshooting" should get you some info to get you going in the right direction.
I think too many owners prematurely replace the $90 idler gear when it can be re-faced with a Dremel for free.
Here's an article that might be helpful :
http://viragotech.com/newtech/81-83%20Virag%20Starter.htm