My 1985 Yamaha Riva Scooter
Bought on ebay- my 1985 Yamaha Riva gets about 85 mpg- and is a blast to ride.
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Picked up the Riva and sure enough it is not an 86 but an 83xc. It is the 180 though. I got the throttle cable and installed it pretty easily but it is more of a project than I thought it would be or want. But then I stumbled onto another Riva. You guessed it, I now own 2 of them. The first one is black and the body is dulled and rough and it has been down at least once. The second looks exactly like the Tom Hanks one though. even shiny under the body panels. It does not run either though. Same situation, parked unused for a few years although at least the second one was in a garage. They both crank with good compression but more than likely the first one will be a parts bike for the second one. That decision will be made after I get the new one going. I may not need much from it and may just part it out to recoup my investment. I will need at least one tire but I will probably buy them new for safety’s sake. I am really tempted to just dump some carb cleaner in the gas tank and add some gas and try to start it. I figure if it does not start, I still had to take the carb off and clean it anyway so there is not much to lose and a lot to gain. Have yet to even get a helmet. I might start taking the black one apart today both for storage reasons and to get practice and familiarity with the creature. I have lots of new clear plastic bags and sharpies at the ready to catalog every nut and bolt and I remove. I also have the original tool kit for the second one and a service manual and owners manual. Every other thing on the new blue one seems to work, lights, kickstand bypass, horn, etc. It is also an 83xc and it only has about 3000 mi on it. The first one only has about half… Read more »
I also have a 1985 Yamaha Riva 125. Bought it for 300.00 20 years ago and am thinking about bringing it back to life. It is really is in great shape and ran it briefly. It seems that the carb has a missing float holder on the inside of the carb. It causes the machine to bog somewhat on exceleration. I intend to have a new one installed shortly. Other than that it is a blast!!!! It is exactly like the red one you bought.
Hi I saw that you said you couldn’t find anyone to work on your bike and was wondering where you are located? My boyfriend is starting a shop out of his garage he is a certified motorcycle mechanic out of the Motorcycles Mechanic Institute in Arizona. We are located in Southern California and he actually is working on one of these bikes right now!! Do you happen to have the service manual to the bike? Or do you know where i can find one online for free? Thanks for you time. Hope to hear from you soon!!!
Sincerely,
James Motorcycle Clinic
[email protected]
Hi,
i know its been ahwile. But i am buying a Riva 180 from 1985 and want to know what I should look for when i purchase?
hi i want body parts L&R side panls frunt coul florbord and mats &hedlight as please or cal 503 747 7311