1982 Virago 920 engine up build

[Knifemaker87]

okay... little update here.
i am continuing to play around with the hub.

as it turns out the Harley Spokes i have dont have the right bend for the outside of the straight flange, but with some finagling i got them in (just some..) i am getting some GL1000 spokes from a friend to play around with as they are designed for a straight flange

got the wheel on...

with the rotor..

checked the clearance between the spokes and caliper... good to go.

also got my rear rubber in...

I also made a small but important victory. Yamaha has kept the shifter spline size and pattern from 82 till now, so an R1 shifter knuckle fits on... ready for linkage!

I also have some more room in the garage as the shippers finally came to pick up the GS750. It seems odd to pay $550 to ship a $800 bike from VA to CA, but hey, i'm not the one doing it.

anyway, i should get the new (to me) spokes today and will be able to finalize the lengths i need. The harley spokes work great for the inside, so i may got with a combination unless the GL spokes are alot closer to the actual length and i dont have to cut them down.

also i am going to try and do the swingarm this weekend.
thanks!
~Chris

 

[two-smoker]

Funny how things work that way... My 73 TX500 has the same splines as an 87 CBR600, which I coincidentally had one of to pirate. Always makes you feel lucky...

 

[biker_reject]

Dude, I see a Buell in the background. A 12R?

 

[Knifemaker87]

Dude, I see a Buell in the background. A 12R?

yep thats my daily driver. its an 03 XB9SL all carbon fiber body-work custom paint on the body-work and wheels by ours truly and some shiney bits. otherwise all stock.

 

[biker_reject]

I built a xb9r out of new and used parts. I just finished and licensed it last year. Love it!

 

[MJPriceisright]

couple pics of the buell to share?

 

[Knifemaker87]

I built a xb9r out of new and used parts. I just finished and licensed it last year. Love it!

i absolutly love mine. it is the most fun bike i have ever had. the only pictures i have of it are just after i painted it, and before i replaced the stock fender and the turn signals

it changes color with the light due to the pearl i put in the paint.

better detail of the carbon fiber.

 

[MJPriceisright]

that thing is intense my friend.

 

[Lincoln Ellsworth]

Not too get off topic, but if I'm following correctly - your friend gave you a GS750 for free and you turned around and sold it for $550? Not a bad deal!

 

[Knifemaker87]

Not too get off topic, but if I'm following correctly - your friend gave you a GS750 for free and you turned around and sold it for $550? Not a bad deal!

hey,
he gave it to me, but i didnt have room to keep it so i sold it for $800 and split the profits with him.

 

[biker_reject]

This was a basket case '05XB9 SC. After tear down, I had about 5 original parts that were good. It is now reconfigured into an XB9R with carbon fiber bodywork and other goodies.

 

[MJPriceisright]

dude these buells are so sick!! lol are they pretty expensive to build up like that?

 

[biker_reject]

I should've just sold off the parts I did have. Ha! But, it was a valuable learning experience. I never kept track of parts bought and sold. When I got the bike, the owner sent along about 9 large boxes full of parts. I just lost track after about three years of piecing this thing together. Knifemaker, thanks for the mention of the R1 shifter knuckle. I am trying to keep my xv750 project Yamaha equipped. So far, only the triple clamp is not Yamaha, but GSXR. I have R1 foks, R6 mono shock, and XS gas tank. Plans are to eventually find R1 or R6 rear sets. Knowing the knuckle fits is a bonus!

 

[MJPriceisright]

I should've just sold off the parts I did have. Ha! But, it was a valuable learning experience. I never kept track of parts bought and sold. When I got the bike, the owner sent along about 9 large boxes full of parts. I just lost track after about three years of piecing this thing together. Knifemaker, thanks for the mention of the R1 shifter knuckle. I am trying to keep my xv750 project Yamaha equipped. So far, only the triple clamp is not Yamaha, but GSXR. I have R1 foks, R6 mono shock, and XS gas tank. Plans are to eventually find R1 or R6 rear sets. Knowing the knuckle fits is a bonus!

get your ass moving on that xv build, it keeps me motivated in finishing mine by spring!

 

[biker_reject]

Will do! Man, these XV builds that have popped up recently on DTT are really inspiring... and intimidating! Ha!

 

[MJPriceisright]

ahaha I know right? that base bike is such a piece of shit, but with some time and work, they can look unreal. like yours. hoping to have mine back on two wheels next week. just painted up the front forks so giving them some time to cure.

 

[Knifemaker87]

well,
i got the GL and CB spokes from a forum member, and they not only fit, but should work with almost no modifications.

also got everything prepped for the swingarm modification, including a new axle.

and a new axle clamp. used to make where to chop

out with the old

in with the new:

well there is no turning back now.
With the swinger cut down, i started fitting the new parts.

the new plate.. better than pressed steel tubing but a little heavier. (i have come to grips with the fact that this isnt going to be a light bike)

and i didnt take pictures of the fitting to get the tube right... it was tedious. here is welded front and back:

and flipped over... this is all preliminary welding. the tube got welded to the plate all the way around and then capped to cover the disparity between the round tube and the flat plate

the axle in the clamp held in place and the swinger cut down to match, ready for welding

i tacked it all up and then welded the outside

then i removed the hub, put the axle back in and welded the inside

and the main structural work is done. the rest of the welding will be little stuff and finishing the exhaust.

here you can see the "caps" that i put on between the swinger and the plate as well as the tube and the plate, so it is all double welded for strength as well as aesthetics

The hub and caliper in their new home. i still have to weld on the caliper stay mount, but i am going to wait till i have the tire on the wheel and it mounted up to double check placement.

also thanks to Harsh, i have a working laced rear wheel! no modification to spokes needed, and it laces up tight and true, with a .5" offset from center. Yamaha drive, Harley rim, GL1000 Spokes, and CBR rotor caliper and bearings. you might even say i "reinvented the wheel" lol

i was going to get the tire mounted last night, but it turns out the inner tube i had was the wrong valve style and it wouldnt fit through the hole in the rim, so i will be picking up a new inner tube and mounting it tonight. then i just need to finish the front forks before i can put it back on the ground.

progress!!!

 

[MJPriceisright]

man i love when i get an email notification to check this thread.. such an inspiring build bro.

 

[Maritime]

Wow, awsomeness.

 

[goodpw]

Superb workmanship, I take it you've got a pretty decent TiG plant.