TR1 / XV Cafe Racer

beachcomber

beachcomber

TJ - Beachcomber
DTT SUPPORTER
Hi guys,

just posted a response in Cafe XV750's build thread, but I don't want to highjack his build.

So - I'm serioiusly looking for a TR1 / XV donor to build a '60's style Cafe Racer in the Norvin style.

I can live with the shaft drive if I have to, but it must have wire spoked wheels. I can have them built up [ I want 18"'s back and front ].

I might also look at the Grimeca 4LS front drum/hub ass'y.

Any advice?

yamaton5.jpg
 
Glad I can stir up controversy!

I haven't researched much into the post '83 XVs (beyond 1st gen) - but check out viragotechforum.com for just about anything ... a lot can be found in the Yamaha Parts microfiche sites too.

'84-up XVs had dual rear shocks as shown in your pic. Some models had wire wheels front (I think single and dual disc) and rear (I think there are drum and disc variants). Anything beyond a XV535 is going to have a 16" wheel. You could maybe have a larger diameter rear wheel made, but you would need a spoked wheel donor for the center section.

Seca's had larger diameter cast wheels.

A TR1 is chain drive.

As long as an interesting front wheel fits between the forks just about anything can be adapted. XV front axle is 15mm diameter. Or even change out the forks to something more modern.

The backbone frame is wide so it could get interesting to fit a different tank - might be best to have a custom one made.

Also challenging to hide the electronics and a battery suitable enough to crank over a big twin.

Good luck with the project - I'll be watching!
 
Thanx for the headsup XV.

Ideally I would use a TR1, as that gives me the chain drive I prefer [ looks ] and even the VERY Vincentesque swing arm / rear shocker.
However TR1s are not plentiful here in the UK - and they seemed to suffer from the top ends self destructing due to a blocked oil screen [??] I've seen 5 for sale now with the front barrel / head off !

As long as I can get suitable wire spoked hubs, I'll have alloy rims spoked on - 18" back and front. Am I right in thinking that the main interchange problem is the shaft drive in the tranny ?

Interesting re: the backbone - I only had my TR1 for about 6 months and that was in 1985 - memory fade. I might consider making a new backbone from the headstock back. Electrics not a problem as I've sussed that out with my BMW Kay Streetfighters. There's some excellent compact gel batteries coming out of Germany [ not too expensive ] that can be placed in any orientation. On my Fighter it lays flat in the modified R1 seat / tail and cranks my uprated K1100 motor over without problems.

BTW - are TR1s reasonably available in the US ?

Thanx again and apologies for the earlier posting on your build thread.
 
No doubt using a TR1 would be easier for spoked wheels.

The shaft drive is essentially a ring & pinion at the wheel end of the swingarm. A bolt-on splined hub (on the wheel) engages the center diameter of the ring gear. Shaft drive XVs actually have a slight track width - ie. the front and rear wheels do not share the same center.

In my opinion, it would be best to use a donor XV/XJ wheel, figure out the proper center hub alignment needed with the outer rim, cut/machine out the center section (ie. outside of the brake drum) and have it drilled for spokes on the proper center alignment (likely offset). Easier said than done as I'm not positive that machining for a spoke attachment is even possible.

XV920R's are the US equivalent of the TR1. Here are some For Sale links from a quick search ...
http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/mcy/2202773495.html
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/mcy/2211109313.html
http://honolulu.craigslist.org/big/mcy/2205624339.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/mcy/2204339324.html

Unless they're specifically called out in the ads, the chain drives are hard to distinguish. XV920Rs had fuel tanks with knee 'dents' at the back ... XV920 shafties didn't.
 
Here are 2 leads on US-model TR1 (XV920RH in 1981 and XV920RJ in 1982):


1. Posted for sale in viragotechforum.com 4sale section:


"I have two Chain drive Viragos for sale.

The first has no title, but has all the parts, it was taken down for the previous owner to be painted so it is primed. Asking 600

The Second is complete, running currently going to to maintenance on the carbs, asking 1100. I have photos of both bikes.

Bikes are located in North Dakota"

You'll have to sign up for an account there to reply to him.

2. An advanced search for chain drive 920's nationwide on craigslist yields a few here and there:
http://search.yahoo.com/search?n=10&ei=UTF-8&va_vt=any&vo_vt=any&ve_vt=any&vp_vt=any&vd=all&vf=all&vm=p&fl=0&p=yamaha+920+chain+drive&vs=craigslist.org

I've got a 920R project underway myself.... welcome to the disease.....

Also, if you go with a shaft drive bike, check out Vstar 650 wire wheels.... not sure if the splines match up with a virago drive unit, but worth a look...
 
Thanx for all the help and encouragement - I'm really getting excited about this one as it will have some reasonable performance as well as the "look".

I'm going to hold out for a chain drive model [ TR1 here in the UK ] as that really is the look I want and whatever I end up with as projects now will be IT. I've promised myself no more collecting ;) - all down to the building this year - oh apart from the BMW AIRHEAD I NEED FOR THE MAX DEUBEL SIDECAR HOMAGE. ::) ::) ::) ::)
 
Wow, now this is a thread I can follow... I remember a fella down in Illinois had a chain drive 920 flat tracker with a frame he made from scratch..... With a concentric swingarm pivot. Very tasty. I've often wondered why more people didn't go for these bikes... Such a great platform.
 
Sorry, I had somehow overlooked your location. I guess bikes in North Dakota don't interest you much, eh?
 
Hey Dog,

I just thank you for your interest.

That said [ 3000 miles of Ocean ] - it could well be viable to look for several suitable bikes if they are cheap enough. Shipping from the East Coast shouldn't be that exensive ?????????????
 
Man, the only experience I've had in that area: I bought a '83 - '85 TR1 tail section from a guy in Germany. IIRC it cost $150 to ship just the seat and plastic cowling. Ouch.
 
ck said:
Go for TR1! I've just started working on mine.
Aiming for something similar to one of the John Ryland's of Classified Moto XV's though.
You shouldn't have a problem finding one in Europe, but it would be hard to find the chain driven one.
Try allegro.pl
http://otomoto.pl/yamaha-xv-920-xv-1000-virago-M931820.html
http://allegro.pl/yamaha-virago-xv-920-i1445818211.html
http://otomoto.pl/yamaha-xv-yamaha-xv-750-virago-M2024341.html
or any German sites...
CK
Click to expand...
Yeah, Ryland's blog is awesome. Sunny Zhao's commissioned XV is the direction I'm taking my XV. I wish mine was chain drive, but ya works wit whatcha got, eh?
 
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