A Gentleman's Express not your typical Cafe, But!

[gentlemanjim]

I built a Virago a while back and loved the thrust and feel of the engine, but couldn't relate to the look and riding positon so I sold it. I picked up this Virago with the intent to make a mild cafe style that you could put in some serious saddle time on.

Plans include: Lower and level the seat, lower the forks, fork gaitors, CF turnsignals, single round headlight, Slight rear sets, recontour the set for two up, euro rise tubular handlebar (sorry couldn't make it to the supermarket and back with clip ons), barend mirrors, maybe an Emgo cafe fairing. Ofcourse all the basic maintenance items, fluids, filters, cables, carb rebuild, etc.

The building block '82 XV920 -6450 miles

The Mock up - Yep a XS750 tank

Bobbed rear fender and a cafe tailight

The controls - I know the instruments is ala Starwars -butt ugly some nice roung clocks later

Engine painted and polished

Should be burnng some asphalt in a couple weeks

 

[GB400 fan]

looks very interesting, looking forward to seeing the finished product

 

[Hoosier Daddy]

looks very interesting, looking forward to seeing the finished product

Ditto, nice thinking out of the box on a not so common donor.

 

[teazer]

So far so good. I always liked the look of that motor.

Is it possible to replace the rear peg mounts and fabricate a cleaner rear subframe? That rear end is all heavy and soggy looking. It has shaft drive and single shock so it should be possible to remake the whole back end without compromising structural integrity. And maybe lengthen the shock mount to raise the rear end slightly - not so much that it hurts the UJ's though.

There will still be a slight mismatch between seat and tank but something like beachcomber's 7R seat and a Corbin gunfighter style might do the job.

 

[50gary]

I've been tempted by the 920 Viagra several times but I cannot get past the wheels. If I could find a straight spoke that could be adapted? By all accounts the engine is very good and handsome too. I've heard of them going way past 100K miles. How your starter? The Euro model was also very nice. I think this is going to be very cool when finished.
Cheers, 50gary

 

[gentlemanjim]

Thanks I think it will be very cool too.

Yes the wheels are YUCKO. I have an XS650 spoked hub and axle which I will install, Docschops say a gen 2 spoke will fit or can be made to fit. Haven't learned the secret yet or found a gen 2 spoked rear wheel.

Starter, I bought the Chopper Bob's kit cheap and an easy fix.

 

[gentlemanjim]

Teazer,

"Is it possible to replace the rear peg mounts and fabricate a cleaner rear subframe"?

I bought Kawasaki EX250 front and rear pegs to install. The originals don't work with my rearsets and they are so unecessarily bulky. I'll post pics as soon as they are on.

 

[gentlemanjim]

I'm rolling along working diligently and I realize I'm nearly done. Except for painting the fuel tank. Tomorrow I'll take the maiden voyage and report back with photos. The EX250 pegs worked out quite well its really a Frankenbike, but it works for me.

 

[gentlemanjim]

Nearly Done. Got the XS750 tank mounted no small task. Just need to paint it and do something with the seat shape and cover. Not liking that 19" swirl weel much. Need to do the Beachcombers idea XS650 Spoked hub on a wheel 17".

And the BIke runs real well, love the torgue and snappy throttle response.

 

[diggerdanh]

Wow, nice change. It looks like an engine and tank with two wheels and a seat strapped on top. Very nice.

 

[gentlemanjim]

Just wait until you see the seat mod I'm planning and with the tank painted. Did I say it runs like a whore in heat.

A true TRI with a shaft.

 

[john83]

You know, I've always loved these Viragos. It's great to see them being turned into cafe projects.

 

[gentlemanjim]

Got the seat back yesterday - loooking good. I'll do the tank today and she be done!

 

[beachcomber]

Here's the wire spoked XS650 / XS500 mocked up.

Bear in mind this was in the early days of mock up - the tank has been on a diet with 1" lopped off the bottom shape to make it look more in proportion. I also have a neater method of mounting the rearsets than the lump of blockboard !!!!!!!!!

We're doing 2 bikes initially - one with the twin disc front and the other with the Grimeca 4LS.

Front will be WM2 x 2.5" x 18" and rear WM5 x 3.5" x 18"

I guess on the rear of a shaftie [as long as you have the right wire spoked hub] you can choose the rim dia / width to suit your project.

Personally although I'm welded to the sixties in my views - I just LOVE the free thinking ideas that the new wave is coming up with. Now then, I just happen to have a spare 1983 TR1 donor bike ............... but do I have the vision?

Jim - I love what you've done - yep a wheel change could maybe improve things.

More of a Street Fighter than a Cafe Racer might do it. Hmmmmm

 

[my-79-750-k]

I must be the only person on the entire forum who doesn't hate those wheels. I think they look OK personally. I mean, they're not "retro cool chrome spoke with red hoops and black nipples", but they give it a sense of speed even when standing still, sporty looking on a sporty-ish looking bike. I think there's an overwhelming dislike of mag wheels on here for some reason. Period correctness maybe? Whatever it is, those wheels look good to me, they just need to be paint matched with the rest of the final color scheme and they'll look the part.

 

[Catbird]

I like mag wheels because they're easier to clean and don't need to be adjusted like spokes do.

 

[beachcomber]

Don't get me wrong guys - I'm into wire spokes for the reasons given - that's not to say that I don't appreciate other styles.

However, wheels are one of the main items on a bike that give it identity - and I personally am into creating my own identity.

As I said, the new wave of free thinkers are coming up with some stunning stuff - I just love ingenuity - whatever the parts used.

Obviously there's more choice with chain drive as swap ins are simpler - cast or wire spoked.

 

[gentlemanjim]

Swapmeet Louie brought to my attention that 650 Turbo wheels are a direct swap in and 18" F & R. Plenty of them on EBay fairly cheap. That's the route I'm going no machining no modifcations and I get a decent looking Mag style wheel no swirl and the same diameter front and rear. I'd prefer wire spoked 17", but not commited to all the work and cost.

Here's Swapmeet Louies bike with the turbo wheels:

 

[Swapmeet Louie]

the seca turbo wheels are 17" front and 18" rear.

 

[gentlemanjim]

all the better -thanks