Virago powered Norton

[dakine_surf]

So I just saw this, it is not mine but it is for sale and I think it is pretty cool... vintage featherbed with a reliable 65 hp motor... sounds like a winner for long hauls! I think the motor looks right at home in the frame.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230453545937&viewitem=

 

[Maritime]

I saw this n th kneeslider, what I thought was funny was the fact the one of the most regonisable features of the "Featherbed" frame is the twin down tubes, that are not on this bike because the motor is a stressed member. So it really isn't a featherbed, its a virago with a norton tank. Still a nice looking bike etc. But I wouldn't call it a featherbed framed bike.

Cheers,

 

[Deviant1]

God I love the xv motor for a cafe build. I've been saying this for over a year now, but when all current projects wind down, I'm going to start looking for one. That bike is sweet.
And that's still a featherbed frame... It's just been modified. And in my opinion that is way sweeter than leaving it stock and throwing a triumph motor in it. That dude's got balls!

 

[gribbs]

Any Norton that still runs today doesn't need to be different. Cutting up a featherbed frame to stuff in an ugly, hulking, boring, mass-produced engine seems like a loss. Maybe if it made 120hp, I could understand, but not 65.

Great engineering? yes. But if you gave me that bike, I would only thank you for the tank and front wheel/brake set-up.

 

[Swagger]

Man, I love listening to purists piss and moan about some outdated, under engineered (albeit badass for it's time......60 fucking years ago), tarted up old wreck getting reworked.

I don't care what some whiner wants to call it, this is a cool bike. Almost assured to be better than the original, not only in horsepower even though the XVs aren't particularly beastly stock. It's definitely going to be smoother and more reliable with much less maintenance. How does this lessen it's impact or enjoyability?
Don't care for the 16" rear wheel but perhaps he was building on a budget. Which brings up another point, this is a gorgeous bike regardless of how horrifying you may find his choices, the build is great looking and well executed. He can get on this thing and go ride it without having to worry about all the tweeky shit involved in dealing with a "classic".

Have any of it's detractors built anything as good?

 

[dakine_surf]

See part of me cringed when I saw the featherbed frame hacked up, then again we don't know what it looked like before either... this guys also built a brough superior look alike with a harley powertrain...
http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2006/06/25/banquer-superior-a-modern-brough/

anyway, I think the virago is actually a really cool looking motor, and the shaft drive gives it reliability. Yeah it doesn't have 120 HP, but I don't think that was the point... I am pretty sure this guy coulda stuffed 120 hp in there if he really wanted to, but he didn't.