Yamaha · Yamaha shaft-drive air-cooled (XS750/850/1100, XJ, Virago 1976-2007)

Virago XV535-XV1100

Library entry covers 1981-2007

15 factory 41 guideline

Published source

Yamaha Virago XV535 Owner's Manual, pp.6-3 to 6-5

Factory owner's handbook. Covers XV535 (owner's manual edition not dated in scan).

Open the source

56 items for a 1981 model, grouped by interval the way a factory chart is laid out.

How this bike is built (what the schedule is based on)

Engine cycle: Four-stroke
Engine lubrication: Wet sump (oil in crankcase)
Oil filtration: Replaceable cartridge or spin-on filter
Valve gear: Overhead cam, screw/locknut adjusters
Ignition: Electronic (CDI / transistor / ECU)
Charging: Alternator / stator with rectifier
Battery: Wet cell (flooded lead-acid, needs topping up)
Fuel system: Two or more carburetors
Cooling: Air / oil cooled
Primary drive: Gear or chain inside engine, shares engine oil
Gearbox oil: Shares engine oil
Clutch control: Hand lever, cable
Final drive: Shaft
Front suspension: Telescopic fork
Rear suspension: Swingarm, twin shocks
Front brake: Disc, hydraulic
Rear brake: Disc, hydraulic
Wheels: Cast / alloy, tubeless
Sidecar: No sidecar

Maintenance schedule

1981 Yamaha Virago XV535-XV1100

On the road: every 200 mi

1 item

Check engine oil level

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

Each fuel stop on old machines. Dry sump: check the tank hot, engine idling or just stopped, per your manual.

On the road: every 300 mi

2 items

Check lights, horn, brake light switches

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline
Check tire pressures

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

On the road: every 500 mi

1 item

Walk-around: check nuts and bolts for vibration loosening

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

Old machines shake things loose: exhaust nuts, mudguard stays, footrests, tank mounts, battery strap.

On the road: every 1,000 mi

1 item

Check road kit: plugs, points file, master link, tube patches, wire, tape

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

Every 1,000 mi or 6 months

1 item

Inspect tire tread, sidewalls and date codes

Wheels and tires

Guideline

Every 2,000 mi or 12 months

1 item

Grease swingarm pivot

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline

Every 3,000 mi or 12 months

9 items

Check engine mounting bolts and plates

Engine

Guideline
Check throttle cable(s) free play and return

Fuel and air

Guideline
Clean fuel tap filter / sediment bowl

Fuel and air

Guideline
Adjust clutch pushrod / clutch adjuster

Primary and gearbox

Guideline
Check steering damper (friction or hydraulic)

Front end

Guideline
Check steering head bearing adjustment

Front end

Guideline
Check footrests, pegs, rear brake and gear lever pivots

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Grease and check center / side stand and springs

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Check brake pads and discs

Brakes

Guideline

Every 4,000 mi or 6 months

10 items

Change engine oil

Engine

Factory

Manual: Engine oil. Factory: Cols 600mi(1000km)/1mo initial, then 4000mi(7000km)/6mo spacing to 20000mi; also initial
Check and adjust valve clearances

Engine

Factory

Manual: Valve clearance. Factory: Cols 600mi(1000km)/1mo initial, then 4000mi(7000km)/6mo spacing to 20000mi; marked every column incl. initial
Inspect, clean and gap spark plugs

Engine

Factory

Manual: Spark plugs (check, gap, clean). Factory: Cols 600mi(1000km)/1mo initial, then 4000mi(7000km)/6mo spacing to 20000mi
Clean / inspect air filter

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Air filter (clean with compressed air). Factory: Cols 600mi(1000km)/1mo initial, then 4000mi(7000km)/6mo spacing to 20000mi
Synchronize carburetors

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Carburetor synchronization. Factory: Cols 600mi(1000km)/1mo initial, then 4000mi(7000km)/6mo spacing to 20000mi; also initial
Check battery electrolyte, top up with distilled water

Ignition and electrics

Factory

Manual: Battery (check specific gravity, breather). Factory: Cols 600mi(1000km)/1mo initial, then 4000mi(7000km)/6mo spacing to 20000mi
Adjust clutch free play, lubricate cable and lever pivot

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Manual: Clutch (adjust free play). Factory: Cols 600mi(1000km)/1mo initial, then 4000mi(7000km)/6mo spacing to 20000mi; also initial
Inspect fork seals, stanchions and fork boots

Front end

Factory

Manual: Front fork. Factory: Cols 600mi(1000km)/1mo initial, then 4000mi(7000km)/6mo spacing to 20000mi
Check wheel bearings for play

Wheels and tires

Factory

Manual: Wheel bearings. Factory: Cols 600mi(1000km)/1mo initial, then 4000mi(7000km)/6mo spacing to 20000mi
Lubricate control cables and lever pivots

Controls and cables

Factory

Manual: Control and meter cable. Factory: Cols 600mi(1000km)/1mo initial, then 4000mi(7000km)/6mo spacing to 20000mi; also initial

Every 5,000 mi or 2 years

1 item

Check cylinder head bolt torque

Engine

Guideline

Air-cooled iron and alloy engines can lose head bolt tension; follow your manual's sequence and whether it is done hot or cold.

Every 6,000 mi or 12 months

6 items

Clean carburetor float bowl(s), check float level and jets

Fuel and air

Guideline

Ethanol fuel varnishes old carbs quickly in storage.
Check charging voltage and regulator / cut-out

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Check final drive for leaks and bearing play

Final drive

Guideline
Check swingarm bushes for play

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Inspect rear shocks for leaks and damping

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Lubricate speedometer / tachometer cables, check drive

Controls and cables

Guideline

A dry speedo cable whips the needle and eventually kills the instrument.

Every 6,000 mi or 2 years

1 item

Check engine breather and oil return

Engine

Guideline

Every 8,000 mi or 12 months

2 items

Replace oil filter

Engine

Factory

Manual: Oil filter. Factory: Marked initial, 8000mi, 16000mi columns
Replace spark plugs

Engine

Factory

Manual: Spark plugs (replace). Factory: Replace at 8000mi(13000km)/12mo and thereafter every 8000mi

Every 10,000 mi or 2 years

2 items

Compression test (or leak-down)

Engine

Guideline
Change fork oil

Front end

Guideline

Some early telescopic forks are grease filled or use very small oil quantities. Check your manual.

Every 12,000 mi or 2 years

1 item

Replace air filter element

Fuel and air

Guideline

Every 15,000 mi or 5 years

1 item

Inspect clutch plates and springs

Primary and gearbox

Guideline

Every 16,000 mi or 2 years

3 items

Change final drive (rear drive) oil

Final drive

Factory

Manual: Final gear oil. Factory: Replace at initial 600mi, then every 16000mi(25000km)/24mo; check 8000mi
Repack / replace steering head bearings

Front end

Factory

Manual: Steering bearings (repack). Factory: Moderately repack every 16000mi(25000km)
Replace swingarm bushes / bearings

Rear suspension and frame

Factory

Manual: Swingarm pivot bearing (repack). Factory: Moderately repack every 16000mi(25000km)

Every 20,000 mi or 4 years

2 items

Lubricate drive shaft splines / check U-joint

Final drive

Guideline
Repack / replace wheel bearings

Wheels and tires

Guideline

Cup-and-cone and taper roller hubs need periodic repacking and adjustment.

Every 30,000 mi or 6 years

1 item

Rebuild forks: seals, bushes, springs

Front end

Guideline

Every 6 months

1 item

Clean battery terminals, check charge and strap

Ignition and electrics

Guideline

Every 12 months

1 item

Check speedometer / odometer against a known distance

Controls and cables

Guideline

Old speedos drift with tire size and drive wear. Use phone GPS over a measured 10 miles / km.

Every 2 years

4 items

Inspect fuel tank for rust, sealer failure, leaks

Fuel and air

Guideline
Inspect wiring, bullet connectors and ground points

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Inspect frame, welds and lugs for cracks

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Replace brake fluid

Brakes

Guideline

Every 4 years

3 items

Replace fuel lines

Fuel and air

Guideline

Old rubber and modern ethanol fuel do not mix well.
Inspect brake hoses; replace old rubber

Brakes

Guideline
Rebuild calipers and master cylinders (seals)

Brakes

Guideline

Every 6 years

1 item

Replace tires on age (regardless of tread)

Wheels and tires

Guideline

Guideline lines: Intervals here are general guidelines for the machine's era and layout, compiled for this app. They are not factory manual figures. Check your workshop manual, and edit any interval in the bike's Schedule tab.