DuckHunterJon
Active Member
Figured after a couple weeks of lurking, I might as well do an intro post.
Little bit of background, then onto my project. I'm 34, a mechanical engineer by trade, but my loves are woodworking, metalworking, and riding. I started riding at 16, and put on about 10K miles a year currently. Bikes in my stable are my first bike ever - '71 CL450, an '83 V45 Interceptor (this one was given to me by a good friend, is 100% original, all honda-line accesories, and could pass for new), and my main ride an '07 DL1000. All different personalities, all enjoyed.
So, fast forward to a month ago. I've been thinking about doing a cafe bike for a while. I've been searching for an RD for about a year, everyone that comes up is more than I can scrape together. So a couple weeks ago, I am surfing C-List and come across an ad that says "Old yamaha motorcycle, moving and need gone". I emailed and said I'd be interested, asked all kinds of questions. The reply was almost instant, "come look and take it away for free". I'll be right there! The whole way over I'm hoping it's an RD or DT or XT or ;D ;D ;D... So I show up and find it's an 83 Virago.
Crap . Well, I figure I'm there, it's free, at least I can get some scrap value out of it. So I load it in the truck and the seller says here - hands me a signed title.
Here it is as I got it home:
So I drag it in the shop and start looking it over - it's a 920 and actually pretty complete - only missing one turn signal and the side covers. ??? Last time it was on the road was 1994 - yup, been sitting for 17 years. On a lark, I pulled the carbs (solid gunk) and the tank (not really that bad some how), and emptied about a gallon of cherry pits out of the air box. I cleaned up the carbs, dumped in some fresh gas, connected up my 4 wheeler battery. The thing cranks over about 10 times and fires up. 5 minutes later, I was running up and down the road. Still spits and sputters above 4K, but runs.
So if you're still with me, you probably need help - but thanks. I started looking around and decided since I currently have $2.99 invested into a titled running bike (can of carb cleaner), I'm going to do a build. I know, it's a heavy pig that will never be a true Cafe. Yeah, but it will be one of a kind. First thing to address is the gravel and marbles in the starter. Have researched it and have no problem rebuilding it. After that, it goes on a serious diet. I'm open to suggestions. I picked up a rear wheel/brake/hub from a Yamaha Vision, and a complete front end (tripples, forks, MC, calipers, wheel) from a 650 Seca Turbo that should bolt on and give me better matched wheel sizes. Thinking of doing an RD tank and square'ish tail, but not positive.
Any other suggestions, comments, encouragement, statements telling me I'm nutz are welcome. Thanks!
Little bit of background, then onto my project. I'm 34, a mechanical engineer by trade, but my loves are woodworking, metalworking, and riding. I started riding at 16, and put on about 10K miles a year currently. Bikes in my stable are my first bike ever - '71 CL450, an '83 V45 Interceptor (this one was given to me by a good friend, is 100% original, all honda-line accesories, and could pass for new), and my main ride an '07 DL1000. All different personalities, all enjoyed.
So, fast forward to a month ago. I've been thinking about doing a cafe bike for a while. I've been searching for an RD for about a year, everyone that comes up is more than I can scrape together. So a couple weeks ago, I am surfing C-List and come across an ad that says "Old yamaha motorcycle, moving and need gone". I emailed and said I'd be interested, asked all kinds of questions. The reply was almost instant, "come look and take it away for free". I'll be right there! The whole way over I'm hoping it's an RD or DT or XT or ;D ;D ;D... So I show up and find it's an 83 Virago.
Crap . Well, I figure I'm there, it's free, at least I can get some scrap value out of it. So I load it in the truck and the seller says here - hands me a signed title.Here it is as I got it home:
So I drag it in the shop and start looking it over - it's a 920 and actually pretty complete - only missing one turn signal and the side covers. ??? Last time it was on the road was 1994 - yup, been sitting for 17 years. On a lark, I pulled the carbs (solid gunk) and the tank (not really that bad some how), and emptied about a gallon of cherry pits out of the air box. I cleaned up the carbs, dumped in some fresh gas, connected up my 4 wheeler battery. The thing cranks over about 10 times and fires up. 5 minutes later, I was running up and down the road. Still spits and sputters above 4K, but runs.
So if you're still with me, you probably need help - but thanks. I started looking around and decided since I currently have $2.99 invested into a titled running bike (can of carb cleaner), I'm going to do a build. I know, it's a heavy pig that will never be a true Cafe. Yeah, but it will be one of a kind. First thing to address is the gravel and marbles in the starter. Have researched it and have no problem rebuilding it. After that, it goes on a serious diet. I'm open to suggestions. I picked up a rear wheel/brake/hub from a Yamaha Vision, and a complete front end (tripples, forks, MC, calipers, wheel) from a 650 Seca Turbo that should bolt on and give me better matched wheel sizes. Thinking of doing an RD tank and square'ish tail, but not positive.
Any other suggestions, comments, encouragement, statements telling me I'm nutz are welcome. Thanks!
