98 Virago 535

That may be an option, depending how well the chrome cleans up.

Those carbs are finicky and don't mess(mod) with the exhaust. Keep it stock and you'll be good. Also, when you're in the carbs, pay careful attention to the main jet/ pilot jet/ "plug that looks like a jet" locations. Maybe one size bigger on the pilot jet to deal with the lean from the factory for emission jetting.
Getting the carbs off is a pain in the arse. Heat up the rubber boots that go to the frame/airbox real good. Those get pushed up into the frame, then that allows you to pull the carbs outta the manifolds then remove them to one side. Heat is your friend. Don't forget to re-seal the manifold to head surfaces. 'Cause you ain't gonna wanna remove the carbs again after you do it once.
Good luck, I hated working on those bikes.

NE

Then you should try a V4 Honda for fun. Nothing like trying to get four carburetors on at the same time, with them pointing in different directions.

Seriously, Just roll the intake boot up to the frame filter box, and lift each one out. Then lift the carburetor right up and out of the manifold boot. Reverse for reinstallation.

Run, don't look back.....

I was just going to remove the exhaust to clean it up.

Hey man, check out Chop Cult: http://www.chopcult.com/default.php

I saw one of those bikes in their Japanese section and it looked so cool. I mean really properly done. I can't find the photo, but maybe you can. If not, please check out their Japanese section anyhow, there are tons of great ideas in there.

Personally, I think those handlebars look o.k., but I'm more partial to Biltwell's "Window Bars" myself. There are a couple guys on CC who also build custom handlebars as well. That's the cool thing about customizing, it's all personal taste and individual. No two bikes are exactly alike.

I hope you share plenty of photos of your progress. Don't be afraid to cut that thing up!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZzVyk5LpmM

Here's what I'm looking at right now:









In the wire bundle on the right hand side of the bike, right above the carbs, there are two wire harnesses sticking out of the bundle. Anybody know what they are? I am thinking maybe 12v accessory hook ups?

Looks pretty tight.

You're off to a good start. I liked that commercial.

...I don't know. Something not right about that commercial. The ending didn't make the guy seem very cool. The chick just ripped him off and stole his ride.

Man, the way she touched that bike though. :eek1

Why didn't she burn her hands?

HA! I'm well acquainted with the V4 madness of trying to lever those friggin' things back on the spigots. I've resorted to long tire levers and jack handles before. Nice engines though, when they're working right.

NE
ps Speaking of V4 madness: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmCYy3gXBIw
Thread jack done.

That exhaust'd get a couple coats of high-heat black paint, then some wrap on the pipes ahead of the mufflers ... that "lunchbox" tail light would be replaced by either a black or gun-metal Sparto ("limp dick") right quick!

That 535 is gonna be one SWEET ride when yer done!!

That looks cleaner than I first thought. It should be possible to build something pretty sweet out of it without chopping it up. I hope those carbs are easier to get to than the look like. Removing the carbs on a Vulcan 750 is a 2 hour job minimum. I never understood why a v-twin needed two carbs. In fact they don't. Many v-twins run just fine with one carb. One of the changes Honda made to the VLX600 in '99 was going from the previous dual carbs to a single carb. The bike still ran the same, but was a whole lot easier to work on.

I just ordered these raw ones:

Carbs out.







I've been doing a little detailing on the thing. It's just in too nice of shape to chop up. I'm going to keep it pretty stock for now.





However, I'm not a huge fan of the exhaust system on this thing. I would prefer something a little simpler. I like the look of the slash cuts, but I hate that black box under the swingarm.

Yeah. The stock pipes on the 535 are meh AND quieter than the stock pipes on my old Virago 250! I ended up getting a set of MAC pipes. They're pretty much the same as Jardine Rumblers but a couple hundred cheaper. Sounded so much better.

I don't WANT louder pipes, I just want simpler/lighter pipes.

I wonder if that chamber is there to give the exhaust volume and help with torque production at low rpm.
The rear pipe would be awfully unbalanced without it.

The MAC and Jardine pipes are still baffled so they aren't uber loud. Sit at a stop light next to a Harley sporting aftermarket pipes and you might forget your bike is running