That 1996 Yamaha Virago, oh, that’s a name I hear folks talkin’ ’bout a lot. It’s one of them motorcycle things, you know? Big and loud, like that old tractor my neighbor used to have, but this one’s for the road, not the fields.
I hear it’s a good one, this Virago. They say it’s for cruisin’, not for racin’ around like some young whippersnapper. You just wanna take it easy, feel the wind in your hair, maybe, if you got any left, like me. That’s what they say this bike is for.
Now, some folks like to change ’em up, these bikes. Make ’em different. They put on new things, take off old things. Like puttin’ a new dress on an old doll, I reckon. One thing I heard is puttin’ in new spark plugs. Makes it run smoother, like a hot knife through butter. And somethin’ called Seafom in the gas tank. Cleans it out real good, like soap for the insides of that machine.
Then there is this other thing, a Givi screen. Don’t ask me what it is exactly, sounds like somethin’ fancy. I think it’s to keep the wind from smackin’ you in the chest. Wind can be a real bother, specially when you’re goin’ fast, like a chicken runnin’ from a fox.
- Some folks like to change the sprocket, you know, the thing with the teeth. They say it makes it go faster, but Lord knows why you’d need to go any faster than a good trot. They talk about numbers like 17/38, 17/40. It’s all Greek to me, but they seem to know what they’re doin’.
- Sometimes, people are having a problem with the carburetor. They said it needs cleaning or replacing. Someone has a Virago 750, and the old carb is rusted and rotted. So he wants to change it to a single carb.
- Another thing they change is the wheels. Put on new ones, shiny ones. Like puttin’ new shoes on an old horse. Makes it look all spiffy, I suppose. But it takes some work, they say. Not just anyone can do it.
- And the suspension. That’s like the springs in your old mattress, I guess. Makes the ride smoother, so you don’t feel every bump in the road. They got fancy names for these new parts, like Ohlins and YSS. Cost a pretty penny, I bet.
Heard some fellas talkin’ ’bout how you can swap parts from different Viragos. Like takin’ parts from one old truck to fix another. Saves money, I suppose, if you know what you’re doin’. They say these Viragos, they made ’em from 1981 all the way to 1999. That’s a long time. Lots of parts to swap around, I reckon. If it was me, I’d probably just leave it be. I’m too old to go around messing with stuff. I always say that you have to take good care of the tubing and the bugeyes, and change the battery regularly. It’s just like looking after an old cow. You gotta feed it right and keep it clean, or it won’t be good for nothin’.
Some folks, they just go all out. They change everything on these bikes. Like that fella who said he’s been “obsessed” with transforming a Virago. Makes it look like a whole different machine. I saw a picture once, and it was all shiny and new-lookin’. Not my cup of tea, but I guess some folks like that sort of thing.
If you’re thinkin’ of doin’ any of this to your 1996 Yamaha Virago, just be careful. Don’t go gettin’ in over your head. It’s like tryin’ to teach an old dog new tricks. Sometimes it works, sometimes it don’t. Just remember what that old sayin’ is: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
But then again, what do I know? I’m just an old lady. But I’ve seen a thing or two in my time. And I know that sometimes, a little change can be good. Just like a new coat of paint on an old barn. It might not make it any stronger, but it sure does make it look nicer. So if you wanna change up your Virago, go ahead. Just be sure you know what you’re doin’, and don’t come cryin’ to me if it all goes wrong!
These young folks and their motorcycles. Always need to be goin’ somewhere, doin’ somethin’. Me, I’m happy just sittin’ on my porch, watchin’ the world go by. But hey, to each their own, right? That’s what makes the world go ’round, I suppose. Different strokes for different folks, as they say. And if those folks wanna ride around on a 1996 Yamaha Virago, well, who am I to stop ’em?
