wind

I think I now have what I need for I received a nice Email. He understood that I don't want a lot more power, just enough to maintain highway speed. His suggestions was to put an aftermarket larger diameter exhaust on. Then put a better air cleaner on that was less restrictive. Then add a needlejet kit to barely increase fuel flow. He also suggested going 2 or 3 teeth larger on the rear sprocket and increasing the chain-link to fit -- or buying a longer chain in order to keep the same wheelbase. He stated that was what he had done on his 175 and it really helped a lot. He also said that another thing that helped was him going on a diet -- it helped him and it also helped the bike. I am selling my other bikes today. I told Frank early this morning that I was going to sell my bikes and he said the Harley was his, Jude took the Indian and Eugene bought the square 4. It took less than an hour and a half. So I will be going to Cycle World at 1 oclock to check out some bikes.

I completely understand your point but I think you have completely missed mine. I have a bigger bike now, in fact 3 bigger bikes. I have a Aerial square 4, I have an Indian Chieftain, I have a 2006 Harley Heritage softail with a Edelbrock Performance upgrade (pistons, cylinders and roller rockers). Problem--tooooooo heavy. I feel I have one more good ride left in me and I want it to be a good one---thusly----light machine. My friend is trying to talk me into a M 50 but that sucker weighs 540lbs. if that virago was a 275 or 300 it would be good to go, soooo close. With enough age you loose strength in both your arms and legs, and I was born in 1925.

Hehe, everyone to thier own cup of tea. I guess, Tuesday I will grab about $15,000 and go to the dealer in Athens for they have Honda, Kawasaki, Triumph, Ducati, Yamaha- and one block futher-- 2 other dealers. I was hoping to find someone here that knew this little cycle and all of its potentual so I could go armed with knowledge.

The only Virago model offered is the 2007 Virago 250. The next up is a V Star 650 and nothing in between. I also found an old used 2 cylinder Honda 450, plenty of meat but the feel is way off. As I said, money is not the reason for choosing this bike, its the feel and joy of riding. I have $21,000.00 saved up to just blow on this project. I know someone that can trick the suspension out but don't know anyone that knows anything about Yamaha or Japanese bike engines whatsoever. I have no concept how much you can overbore the cylinder walls but I would imagine about 15 thousands and there is always the possibility of a turbocharger. I am really serious about this and am really hoping to get some help on overcoming the power problem -- a good reasonable and workable solution. thanks so much

After a few hours of reading posts here, you have to love the attitude of the Brits.

Sometimes you accidentally find something that works, even though it is so far fetched its pathetic. I have always been under the assumption that if it is not a Harley, its a playtoy -- -- yeah I know, -- -- it's arrogant, if not ignorant as heck --but then life can be that way sometimes . I have recently discovered that I just don't have the strength in my legs and arms that I used to have in the 1940s and 1950s. Riding around had lost a lot of it's pleasure because of the sheer weight of the machine I was riding. I accidentally ran across a young gentleman on a small Yamaha and after riding with him for a while, he asked if he could ride my Harley for a few miles and so we swapped for a while. The joy of just being able to throw the bike around in traffic, the control and feel was absolutely perfect until we get out on the road and there was just not enough meat to do the job, close but no cigar. The machine was a Yamaha 250 -- -- yeah, -- -- I know and I never thought I would be talking about buying something this small -- much less a Yamaha. To me, riding is about the freedom and joy of the open road and the machine and rider. In my latter years if something gives me joy, I don't care if its a BMW, triumph, Indian or what ever. I need to figure out if it is a sensible endeavor to try and get a little more meat out of the engine and trick the suspension out a little. I am not worried about the money -- well within reason -- as much as I am the finished product. It seems Yamaha has neglected the 300 through 450 line in their manufacturing processes. Any help, thoughts or suggestions would be most welcome, for I know absolutely nothing about Japanese motorcycle's. I am almost at a complete loss here.