XV920 Zero inspired build

[deadhand]

Hey guys, I know the XVs are pretty hot right now and I have my own build too. Thought you might be interested in seeing it and have good insight for me.


When I bought it:

How it stands now:

I've never done anything like this. Its my first build. I had help with welding the new subframe. My idea was to make it look like someone cafe'd it back in 1981, then stored it. So it would be an early 80's version of a cafe racer. I kept all the stock lighting and such. I tried my hand at seat fabbing and it didn't quite turn out like I hoped, but oh well.


I'll be doing a little aircleaner manafold thingy on the frame where the big box is now. I have the rear to front wheel conversion kit and a XV750 16" wheel, only thing is I'll have to adapt the adapter because I have the dual disks.


What do you think?

 

[deadhand]

Wow, that bad huh?

 

[JRK5892]

wow man that sucker was in amazing shape when you started!!!

 

[hillsy]

Wow, that bad huh?

Well, the seat is not as bad as this guys:

http://www.customfighters.com/forums/showthread.php?t=49103

But it really deserves to be better. Your bike looks to be in nice condition otherwise.

 

[Tim]

It looks great - I really like the looks of a V in a cafe these days. Was eyeballing a Virago at Barber's.

The site's a big place so sometimes it takes a bit of time for people to come around to all the new project threads - do you have more pics of the in-between?

 

[50gary]

Hey that's a great start, keep at it and develop your style. Super clean Virago, which have always been on my cool list once they're modded. They'll go a 100K miles.
Cheers, 50gary

 

[gentlemanjim]

You are lucky having a chain drive version foot pegs and controls a bit rear set. Regarding the sub frame I just unbolted the top mount and swung the sub until level and then filled the void with some flat stock, Real simple and makes mounting the seat all original and easy.

Here's some pics

 

[Basement rat]

Very cool, could you use a tank like this?

I dont know if it will fit the profile of your frame, but I think it would look killer with that wide V under!

 

[LuisN]

what tank is that?

 

[Erskine]

Well, the seat is not as bad as this guys:

http://www.customfighters.com/forums/showthread.php?t=49103

But it really deserves to be better. Your bike looks to be in nice condition otherwise.

I'm so glad peops on this board don't behave like that rabble.

 

[Erskine]

Wow, that bad huh?

Hey, it's a work in progress. Some people like everything to be perfect immediately, others like to workshop ideas then chip away and gradually refine the look. And who can see the seat when you're sat on it and going past at warp speed anyway.

 

[beachcomber]

Like I said somewhere else - "TR1 [xv's ] - the new XS650" !

I've staked my claim early with the TR1s - I "missed out" on the XS650 20 years ago when I said to my pals - "I'm getting a few of these before the prices go through the roof" ....... and didn't !

Making up for it now though - picked up my 3rd "donor stash" this week.
Nowhere to put it though as I'm still down to only one garage / storespace.

 

[Basement rat]

I think its an old Dunstall tank, and I dont think its ever seen gas! Loui's talking to me about it. If he changes your mind, I can let you know.

 

[deadhand]

Thanks guys. Its been fun and frustrating.

Here are the in-between pics requested:

Me removing the the OEM subframe, seat, tail light ect.

No mo subby!

Hey Garage Rat, that tank looks HUGE! I love it. The v-twins do lend themselves to tanks of that kind. Gimme it!

 

[two-smoker]

Buy, I tell ya, I really wish Yamaha had kept on developing the chain drive twins... Imagine what we'd have now? The V-Stars aren't terrible bikes, as far as cruisers go, anyway.... But with some more R&D the chain drive motors could have become the basis for some fantastic sportbikes. Glad y'all are doing what the factory wouldn't.

 

[pablohoney]

Nice looking bike dude keep up the good work. And that is a nice seat for the first ever try, my first seat looked like utter crap, it was plywood and two liter bottles.

And geez, I am so glad we don't have threads on here like. Thats pretty rough.

 

[hillsy]

Buy, I tell ya, I really wish Yamaha had kept on developing the chain drive twins... Imagine what we'd have now? The V-Stars aren't terrible bikes, as far as cruisers go, anyway.... But with some more R&D the chain drive motors could have become the basis for some fantastic sportbikes. Glad y'all are doing what the factory wouldn't.

They did the MT-01. It went pretty damn well, but unfortunately they hit it with the ugly stick.

 

[turbodog]

I'm waiting for the Vstar 950 engines to start hitting the boneyards. A nice update to the 920 chain drive engine, IMO (yes, I know it's a belt... but surely that can be corrected!)