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Have been looking at getting a light cruiser type bike for a while with a view to use it as the eventual base for a cafe/bobber build. The new Honda VT750S fits the bill and is pretty cheap as well, for a new bike anyway. What do you guys reckon?
I know exactly why you're thinking new bike. And yes and yes on both fronts with the right fabrication. I think up to 2003 you could get the VT750 in chain drive which is primo. They are good reliable bikes. I've been thinking of using the powerplant for a bobber build as well. I dig it. Imagine that motor in a race chassis. It would eat lots of things without that cruiserish handling.
Longer rear shocks, cut the back past the shock mounts, lower the front a little and throw on a tank that sits lower at the neck... You could make a cafe something..
For inspiration check out some of the harley cafe's.. they have a similar frame geometry
The end product isn't what you'd really call a cafe racer .. and some might even call it an abomination... but you end up with a unique ride.
I just threw clipons on my sporty.. you wouldn't believe how it changed the look and the ride.
Get a W650... Radiators are a bummer. Unless youre sticking it behind a vintage style full fairing. That would be nifty. Bet that Honda would take a USD front end pretty easily...
I agree. Piss off the tank, seat, bars, etc and the frame has a lot of potential. I know someone who's selling one too and he loves it. Only selling to make room for his Valkyrie though.
Yeah, I've got an XR600R. I wouldn't try and touch the frame as its way too stretched out to be anything but a tracker...
...but put that engine (along with large plenum intake, performance ignition and stage 1 camshaft as I have installed) into a light sports frame like the 400 supersports or 250cc two-strokes and you would have an absolute weapon! Kickstart too, and very easy at that with the decomp lever. Make you look extra hardass as you tear out of the local watering hole B)
The other thing I was thinking of for a cruiser/bobber/cafe build was a Vamaha Virago 750 or 1100:
Ugly as sin stock, with that squashed front end/tank look to it, but plenty of potential if slung low and all the crap taken off.
The new bike idea was simply because I can get reasonable finance, a nice long warranty and good dealership support from the local crew who I get along well with.
so yep I see all kinds of bikes inside that model and if I had the cash there is a 2010 left over going for 4500 CAD at the small dealer here in town. I would buy it ride it then mod it in a year or 2.
I have thought about financing for a bike, but since I have a family I must finance a car instead. I dunno if motorcycle warranties are anything like auto warranties but once you cut here and weld there, they are void.
That bike may need a lil of both to make it a bobber or cafe...
Just my two cents...
You're happy with your Virago, right? You like the way it rides easy, pulls like a train from low down & has easy power right through the rev band. Good isn't it? Imagine if you will, having all this but more. Way more. In fact, 20% more power & 15% more torque. More power & torque than an 80 cube Harley... Interested? Then read on...
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