Virago xv1100 Carb Disassembly, Cleaning, and Rebuild Part 2 - Cleaning the carbs

Part 2 of the carb rebuild for the xv1100 restore bike. After disassembly (Part 1 in the video series), the carbs need to be cleaned and all of the jets and flow passages cleaned...don't leave any unchecked or the carbs may not work correctly.

[@russellburns9480]

I have a 1982 xv920 and you have been a tremendous help to me. It is a please to watch an craftsman at work, even if it's a bike I don't own. Love the pee pad and take out box.

[@StevesDIYs]

Thanks man ! Yep, doggy pee pads are super handy for stuff like this for sure since they soak up the carb cleaner as well as keep parts from rolling around. It’s always interesting to see how the different carbs compare on design…these Mikunis are much more complicated than the Hitachis on my 1st Gens (probably like your 920 ones if you still have the stock ones on), but I do like the center linkage design better on these. If only that had put the air/fuel mix on the bottom like the Hitachi carbs so they were easier to get to, lol.

[@GarysnewYT]

Hi There Steve, That carburetor sure does look complicated like a part that NASA would use on one of their spaceship missions, Lol. Thanks for another great video.

[@StevesDIYs]

Hey man ! Thanks ! Yep, these Mikuni carbs are quite complicated even compared to the old Hitachi’s from the first Gen Viragos. They really wanted these bikes to hav a smooth acceleration back in the ‘80’s lol. All the best !

[@emckenzie23]

I Just watched all 3 videos for 1996 virago 1100 carb cleaning, etc. You did such a great job of explaining, issues and all important details that I feel I can try this myself. Thank you. One question - what manufacturer do you recommend for the rebuild kit and do they include all of the o rings necessary, etc. Do any of the screws have to be set at a certain depth when reassembling. ( x number of turns, etc.) Thanks for any further info.

[@StevesDIYs]

Thanks and glad the videos helped some 👍. For the rebuild kits, I usually go with the All Balls brand, but they don’t included the orings for the slides or the seals for the butterfly shafts. I usually don’t change the butterfly shaft seams anyway unless they are totally gone as the two screws that hold the butterfly plates on can twist off very easily.

[@bahaanaji7823]

I'm having a problem with my Virago xv 1100. Fuel comes out of the carburetor nipple every time I start the engine.
Do you have any solution, please?

[@StevesDIYs]

Hey man ! Since the 1100’s have a fuel pump, if the carb float shut off valve in the carbs is not closing off good (it typically has a rubber tip on it that gets worn out over time) the pump will keep pumping fuel and it will get higher than the fuel bowls and flow out of the ports or front of the carb. The other possibility is that the tab that sets the fuel level on the float was not set right and it’s allowing the fuel level to be too high before blocking the flow with the valve. I’d start there and see if new float needles fix it (and while the carbs are off…check the fuel levels in the bowls) to se f that takes care of the issue 👍. Hope this helps a bit and all the best ! Steve

[@rrmorris67]

Hi there. Watched the three videos. I have a 1996 xv750 I bought new. Never git into the carbs. Where did you buy your re build kits???? I really don't trust the Chinese kits on ebay and amazon

[@StevesDIYs]

Hey man ! For fork seals and carb kits, I usually use All Balls brand kits as I’ve not had any issues with their products. I believe they sell through many websites and also have a store setup on Amazon.

[@rrmorris67]

@@StevesDIYs appreciate it. Mine barely idles. It sits a lot. Only has 14,000 miles in 28 years or whatever its been. Over the years a few ounces of Seafoam has always gotten her back in good shape but honestly, that idles has always been too low, and now its way too low. Thinking of lifting the tank up a little and trying to get to the idle screws. Maybe turn each fuel screw a half turn. Idk. Ive seen those all balls kits. Good to know.