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So, I've been working on a few virago's as of late for some customer builds and I've always hated the stock swirly wheels.
This prompted me to look into other options, primarily spoke wheels. What I found, is that there were a few possibilities that others have done but all took a whole bunch of fiddling in varying degrees.
Most have used later model xv700 spoke rear wheels but it takes some custom spacers and a few other mods to make work....most of which is tough for the average weekend warrior to do.
V-star 1100 uses the same spline drive, but the wheel is 1.25" wider and equally 1.25" off-center, requiring a $700 cost for a custom offset hoop and spokes, plus requires the swingarm to be modified.
I'm now working in CAD to design a custom machined hub that will be bolt-on for the virago yet lace up with reasonably priced spokes and hoops from mikesxs, and I've just purchased a CNC machine to be able to make these!
in the meantime, I've got a built to finish and needed another wheel conversion to get this bike done....so I started looking into different yamaha Mags.
I've also had a crapload of xs750/850 triple's around esp cause I've owned 6 myself. That's where we are at now.
Xv- Xs wheel conversion by nicholas edsell, on Flickr
so, what this required was some conversion wheel bearings to get to 17mm ID instead of the 20mm ID used on the triples, swapping the internal ring gear from the XS hub to the XV carrier (pretty simple), and a bushing for the caliper mount. Oddly, the brake stay and axle from the XV were able to be retained and worked perfectly. The wheel required the dust shield be removed, and two bolts on the XV hub needed swapped for shallower headed bolts. Otherwise this went great, and I think the 18" straight-spoke mags look far more at home, and a disc brake upgrade ain't so bad either!
Anyway, I have enough parts to replicate this mag wheel swap as a bolt-on kit for someone if anyone is interested....including the wheels. front wheel is a direct swap already. If Interested PM me.
Xv- Xs wheel conversion by nicholas edsell, on Flickr
Xv- Xs wheel conversion by nicholas edsell, on Flickr
Xv- Xs wheel conversion by nicholas edsell, on Flickr
Xv- Xs wheel conversion by nicholas edsell, on Flickr
This prompted me to look into other options, primarily spoke wheels. What I found, is that there were a few possibilities that others have done but all took a whole bunch of fiddling in varying degrees.
Most have used later model xv700 spoke rear wheels but it takes some custom spacers and a few other mods to make work....most of which is tough for the average weekend warrior to do.
V-star 1100 uses the same spline drive, but the wheel is 1.25" wider and equally 1.25" off-center, requiring a $700 cost for a custom offset hoop and spokes, plus requires the swingarm to be modified.
I'm now working in CAD to design a custom machined hub that will be bolt-on for the virago yet lace up with reasonably priced spokes and hoops from mikesxs, and I've just purchased a CNC machine to be able to make these!
in the meantime, I've got a built to finish and needed another wheel conversion to get this bike done....so I started looking into different yamaha Mags.
I've also had a crapload of xs750/850 triple's around esp cause I've owned 6 myself. That's where we are at now.
Xv- Xs wheel conversion by nicholas edsell, on Flickr
so, what this required was some conversion wheel bearings to get to 17mm ID instead of the 20mm ID used on the triples, swapping the internal ring gear from the XS hub to the XV carrier (pretty simple), and a bushing for the caliper mount. Oddly, the brake stay and axle from the XV were able to be retained and worked perfectly. The wheel required the dust shield be removed, and two bolts on the XV hub needed swapped for shallower headed bolts. Otherwise this went great, and I think the 18" straight-spoke mags look far more at home, and a disc brake upgrade ain't so bad either!
Anyway, I have enough parts to replicate this mag wheel swap as a bolt-on kit for someone if anyone is interested....including the wheels. front wheel is a direct swap already. If Interested PM me.
Xv- Xs wheel conversion by nicholas edsell, on Flickr
Xv- Xs wheel conversion by nicholas edsell, on Flickr
Xv- Xs wheel conversion by nicholas edsell, on Flickr
Xv- Xs wheel conversion by nicholas edsell, on Flickr