Okay, so today I had the service guys look at the crankcase cover, and everyone universally agreed that there was NO WAY it could be welded. While it's difficult to see in the pictures, the whole area around the bolt hole is deformed, and the metal has mostly shattered into about 6 parts.
The crankcase itself could be welded, but I'd have to somehow push or tow the bike to a welding shop, and there's not any within quite a ways of where I am. So I'll probably clamp and JB-Weld it, and just go very easy on that bolt when I put it all back together.
I managed to get in touch with someone on the Virago Owner's Club message boards that just happened to have a spare left crankcase cover sitting around his garage, so he's shipping that up to me as soon as he gets the chance. I've ordered a new set of gaskets and seals for it through the Yamaha place, and they should be here Wednesday. If all goes according to plan, I could be out of here by then, or maybe Thursday, depending on how long it takes to get the actual crankcase cover.
Until then, I'm at the Mountain View Motel and R/V park. It's right along the Alaska Highway about 5 miles south of Whitehorse, big green sign advertising showers year-round. If anyone is passing through, stop by and say hi! If you need someplace to stay, I can wholeheartedly recommend this place, although they don't really do tent camping, their rooms are nice and clean and homey, the manager is fantastic, and they have laundry and wi-fi and everything.
Oh yeah! I'll come see you :)
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