Hello to all of you and especially Manfred - you are a star for starting up and maintaining this site - kudos!  

I have just acquired a TR1 'project bike' through ebay (How else?!) First things first I need a manual to work from.  I have spotted the excellent resources available on this site though have not yet had the opportunity to explore them properly.

In any event, I would like to a Haynes manual as well and looking on ebay there seems to be at least 5 different editions: '81 - 82, '81 - 85, '81 - 94, '81 - 96 and 81 - 03!

My question is this, which one to go for?  I worry that the later books may skip some of the detail contained in the earlier models or be a pain to use, constantly referring to annexes or supplementary chapters.  On the hand, later editions may be better written and laid out with better photos!

I'm hoping one or two of you out there would maybe be able to give me the benefit of your experience!  

Of course you are going to ask me what the year is of my bike! - unfortunately I do not yet know as it is it does not come with a V5 or registration plate - I am going to have to use the engine/frame serial numbers to get an identity for it.

Its been 'modified' as well so there is little to use to identify it visually other than it has a pressed steel frame with the mono shock style swing arm and a chain drive 1000cc motor.

Your thoughts anyone?

Regards

Garrmann

Hello Garrman,,
just a few days ago i found the complete Haynes manual (81 model up to 96 Virago) as a PDF-file somwhere at the www., i did not download it because i bought the book years ago, and i think it´s  illegal.
I can´t remember the site, but maybe google will help?
On the other hand it´s worth to buy the book (for sure it´s possible to get one for 81-96 models, very helpful),
greets Ali

Hi Ali,

thanks very much for your reply to my post.  I will google that but you are right - I think I will be better off buying an actual book to hold in my hands to read any and everywhere!

I'm just wondering though, if anyone has had experience of more than one of the different editions of the relevant Haynes manual that have been published over the years and can make a recommendation on which is best to buy?!

Regards

garrmann

Hi,

I never heard about differences between the editions. May be there are some, though.
Years ago I got the book, bought it as new, but as it's a paperback it can not be called a book any more.
What I find quite annoying about these Haynes books is the fact that they always deal with more than one bike. In this case here, You will read about the XV 535, 750, 920 and so on. They mix it all up. I had hard times reading the book, and find it puzzling.
So there is the pdfs advantage, as You can print just the pages dealing with the stuff You need, as often as You want them.

Cheers,
Stefan