XV535 Oil Leak

[@ThinBrownLine]

Hi there Richard, I have just finished watching the entire Virago rebuild series, I have a '96 XV535 and do all my own work too, a LOT of good info from you on these bikes and some stuff i hadnt thought of. Great videos, keep up the good work

[@memybikeni9931]

Thank you, I love sharing the work I do and glad people find it helpful, I draw a lot from others too, don’t know what we would do without KZbin 😊

[@stephenburton3876]

Nice to see you back on here,hope you're going to do some more bike videos !

[@memybikeni9931]

Thank you, I certainly will be, this bike is causing me no end of issues, it is leaking from the head now, no obvious place, so I wonder if the head is cracked. Bit of a mystery it was fine before I took it apart. Might just be missing something. Going to be a bit more investigating 🤦‍♂

[@malcolmbrady1958]

Hi Rich ! Glad to see another video from you on the 535, I didn't expect to see any more, thought after the engine rebuild you would have sold the bike !! Have you heard or seen the mod regarding the camshaft solid bushes being changed to roller bearing type ? some of the owners of the bigger XVs 750, 1100, etc have done this mod with great success, I had a look at mine 535, and this mod can be done on the 535 as well, 6205/c3 is what they are using but that bearing will not fit the 535 so I will have to work out the correct bearing size, by measuring the solid bearing which is a simple out with the old and in with the new, due to personal issues I can't do it yet , but I thought I will give it a try when I can get the time, just thought it might be of interest to you, I will keep you posted on my progress !! Take Care

[@memybikeni9931]

Hi mate, this bike just won’t stop causing me issues, it’s not MOTd yet, and resolving this leak still isn’t over, and now I need to sort this dent in the tank. I now have a leak from the front cylinder head, so I wonder if it’s cracked. It seems to be coming from the spark plug well of all places so maybe up through the head bolt that sits down there. Anyway I’ve not heard of that cam shaft mod you describe, it sounds interesting. What benefits does that produce I wonder. If you do it, you should definitely make a video on it, and I’d love to see it. Al the best. Rich?

[@karlh4313]

Awesome 😎

[@memybikeni9931]

Than you kindly

[@karlh4313]

@@memybikeni9931 thank you for all your awesome videos

[@willmoore8708]

I get the same problem with my '94. It started after I had to replace my rotor assembly about 10 years ago. Little annoying drip spots underneath. I must have replaced my gasket as much as you have. Except my drips wont start until about a week after I replaced it. Every time, I think I stopped it, a week or two later... drip. It drives me crazy. Sorry about your tank. That sucks. I hope you can get it pulled out enough before looking at bondo.

[@memybikeni9931]

I sold the bike on, oil leak et al, but I think it may have been coming from the single head bolt down in the spark plug well and running down. The gasket set I used for the engine rebuild was aftermarket, I think I should have used Honda OEM.

[@nicolassabena7173]

Muy buena información, mi moto también tiene la misma pérdida, ahora viendo su vídeo ya sé que hacer para solucionarlo Saludos desde argentina!!

[@memybikeni9931]

Estoy encantado de que te haya ayudado, buena suerte con tu solución

[@nguyentheuc06-77]

I always wondered if the 535 could share engine parts with the 400.

[@memybikeni9931]

Not sure, but the engine designs of the many many Virago incarnations did seem to be very different and configuration.

[@2metube1385]

Glad you were able to find your oil leak. My virago appears to be leaking from the right cover on the opposite side. Have you ever had to remove that cover before?

[@memybikeni9931]

The clutch cover your mean ? Yes I’ve stripped the engine completely down.

[@novicoputra9239]

Hi Sir .. I'm vico from bukittinggi, Indonesia .. Glad to see you'r video .. I want to learn how to fix any problem on the 535, and i want to ask wher i get the sparepart completely .. I hope you read .. Thank's

[@memybikeni9931]

Hello Vico, not sure what eBay or similar platforms you have, or what supply in Indonesia is like, but internationally and here in the U.K., it’s quite good. Some parts you may need to repair as best you can, and you need to decide whether you but aftermarket, new OEM or used original. Some items can be generic. Good luck with your projects, I hope my videos assist. Rich.

[@novicoputra9239]

@@memybikeni9931 I've checked in Indonesian online stores, until alibaba. all i found was only gaskets for 125 and 250.. while what I need is a fullset 535 gasket, because at this time my motor oil is leaking from the cylinder head, cylinder block .. Now, i'm worry to ride with my 535 😥

[@memybikeni9931]

@@novicoputra9239 possibly a warped head. These gaskets are readily available in the U.K., maybe try David Silver spares in Ipswich U.K. not sure if they do international shipping but worth a try.

[@matthiasromanet3986]

Hello Rich, I'm begginning a restoration on my virago, and I was just wondering how much time did it took you to dismantle and rebuild the engine completely ? I'm planning a road trip in 3 month, and I can only work on my bike on week-ends, so I was just trying to estimate the time I have :) Thanks in advance, your videos gave me a ton of knowledge on my bike.

[@memybikeni9931]

I’m glad they helped mate, the time you’ll have will be much better spent if you just get on with it and don’t make videos, as that’s what takes the vast majority of the time up 😂 I’d say assuming you have enough tools to get the job done, a whole day to pull the engine out and strip it down, and assess what ever you need to repair or replace is enough, and a day for full re assembly and refitting. The only issues would be when you come up against unexpected problems, stuck bolts being one of the main ones so expect to use a little ingenuity. Why do you think you need to dismantle your engine, what are its symptoms ?

[@oscarblanco4015]

Hey Richard. I just changed the gasket in the same manner that you went about it on your bike but now my bike is not shifting to first from neutral and it won’t shift up to 4th or fifth gear. Any ideas?

[@memybikeni9931]

My first thought would be a bent shift rod, may have damaged it of the seal when carrying out the procedure, take it all off and inspect, grease up the bushing, check the rod for any damage.

[@oscarblanco4015]

It was a novice mistake. I didn’t add the oil and tried to shift its working well now. However I still have to replace the rod because it’s stripped some. Thank you for your response. I appreciate your videos, I’m working on my bike and these are great tutorials for me.

[@memybikeni9931]

@@oscarblanco4015 great you got to the bottom of it, glad these videos are assisting, we all help each other don’t we, always learning from comments, and other’s work.