XZ in NZ

[Roro]

Hi Guys, from Christchurch, New Zealand. Here's my bike - a 1982 Yamaha XZ550 Vision. This is the fourth time it's been over from earthquakes (we've had some 13,000 in the last couple of years).

Rather than pour even more money into fixing it up for a fifth time, I think it's time to give it some caffeine - I've been lurking here for a while and really like what you guys do. I know the XZ isn't exactly popular round here, but I'm bound to get some inspiration.

 

[Bozz]

Welcome to the madness!


The visions were an odd bird, but mechanically interesting. Think of it this way, you can only make it prettier!


Keep the pics flowing. At least the stock mags are decent compared to the swirly mags Yamaha put on the Viragos and Maxims...

 

[Roro]

Some Viragos of course have the sexy wire wheels. I'm dead keen to swap the stockers out for wire wheels. I have been told that the wire wheeled Virago 1000 is a straight swap, just needs to be re-laced with an 18 inch rim (still an expert job I think). The front may be more difficult - the XZ550 has twin disks, which I believe the Virago does not.

 

[Moa]

Hello and welcome. Just did a quick search on the XZ, I hadn't heard of them before. Looks like an interesting machine. I think it would make a very unique cafe racer if you made some major cosmetic changes.