Uncommon virago cafe

[CBPayne]

My first bike and first hotrod/build is and 86 virago 700 that I found on craigslist for $1200. It has a manifold to single carb(kjs). I know most people that build virago cafes use the older bikes with the mono shock like the ones build by Doc Chops, which I love, awesome bikes. I've done some work to it last two or three months. Things are going slow because of money as well as Im learning a lot as I am going like welding, well lots of stuff.
I found a tr1 tank in a junk yard, I plan on replaceing the filter with a velocity stack and rebuilding my exhaust to a 2:1. Here is some pics

 

[CBPayne]

Ok, Im trying to post pics here but it want let me. Sorry folks... little help here

Here...http://www.viragotechforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=61&t=35026

 

[teddpage]

It sounds like a neat build, but unfortunately the forum you linked to isnt allowing me to view the pix either. The easiest way to post pictures here is to get a photobucket account and copy and paste the "img" tags
Cant wait to see the bike!

 

[Tim]

For pics best bet is to upload to Photobucket or another hosting service and paste the IMG links in here. You can upload pics here but there is a file size limit.

 

[CBPayne]

before picks

 

[CBPayne]

First is the bike before the new frame with the TR1 tanks first fit. Sorry about the small pic, it is fitting the new frame on before welding.
Also a predrawing of my electronics, with the buell super bars my buddy gave me. I painted them a gold color... I like it.

 

[CBPayne]

Here is the primed tank on the bike, Clearance issue now resolved with the tank and single carb.
Next pick is with the front end lowered 2" witht the Tarozzi clipons, now they are below the top tripple tree.
My electrics are going under the seat. In all these pics the tank is not properly mounted, it is now.

 

[CBPayne]

I like the single carb look, even more with a velocity stack. I eventually want to do opposite facing carbs like on XVR bike. I'm getting ahead of myself.

 

[haplo_84]

I was pretty uncertain about it when you were describing it, but now that i can see the backbones of the project i have to say that looks pretty damn good and a solid foundation now. So how are you going to do the foot control because obviously with the setup it came with originaly it would be a pretty damn uncomfortable ride.

 

[CBPayne]

Yes I would agree. I tried sitting on it and I could ride it for a while...maybe, but it would get old fast.
I plan on installing rearsets were the passenger pegs are, Its kinda one of the last parts of the bike. I'll have to build my exhaust first, don't know what stage I'll be painting, which doesnt matter really. I think the linkage is going to be tricky though, mainly on the brake side. Im switching to two carb as well. I have a lot of work ahead of me... for a first timer.

 

[cory.ahlersmeyer]

There is a slick little CM450 Tracker on YouTube where the builder did something very similar to the frame. It turned out very slick, so I'll be watching!

 

[Wangofree]

Wicked cool CBP. I'm partial to Yamahammers, esp the Vmax. I forgot how muscular the Virago looks. Good job so far.

 

[VonYinzer]

Be very careful building an exhaust before fitting your rearsets. They usually end up in eachothers way.

 

[CBPayne]

I know these pics are not the greatest, but this is what I got so far. Not very far though.

 

[CBPayne]

The mount gives the tank a more aggressive appearance to me. I also have an aluminum splash guard and aluminum electrical board. Hey VonYinzer that's the plan man. Thanks Guys for clicking in.

 

[clem]

Good turnaround on that bike dude. A nice set of sidecovers would fill in the space where you added the upper frame rail and would give a good place for the electronics. I think they definitley need to be hidden some kind of way or removed as they draw attention to that area of the bike.

 

[CBPayne]

Well I like the open naked bike look, of course I have the bar running sort of in the middle there. Its a work in progress. Im not really sure what im going to do. I've notice that on the honda cafe bikes the tank and the seat are level with each other. Well my tank has an angle to it so Im going make my seat follow that angle.

 

[CBPayne]

This is the curve look im trying to go for. It will sort of cover that top empty space. Today I got to try my new tool/toy, dremel 4000. I got into some tight spaces and detabbed the frame. I got the ignition finished and I cleaned up the rear tank mount.

 

[biker_reject]

Nice. I'm likin' it! I am starting the process of building my subframe and figuring out the mounting of an SX tank. I fiddled with my stock tank, and just couldn't come to terms with it. Good to see more and more Viragos popping up! Do we have Englebert's famous build to thank for this?

 

[cqyqte]

Interesting project, I like the frame reconstruction it gives you a great foundation for a cafe seat. Are you going to hoop the rearend of the frame? Did you re-angle the neck or did you just drop the fork tubes? It looks interesting, but I would run the numbers throught the trail calculator just to see what number pops out. Hate to see all this work to find a tank-slapper death wobble .

Going to bookmark this build to watch progress, good start, lovin' it!