Yamaha’s underrated Virago from the 1980s is really gaining favor as a custom base. Classified Moto have already shown the way, and here’s another terrific example—this time from Greg Hageman of Doc’s Chops. It’s a 1982 Yamaha XV750, and it was built for Season Two of Discovery Channel’s Cafe Racer TV show. Hageman built a new subframe to support the lovely, wasp-like seat unit, and lowered the forks by two inches to improve the stance. There’s a Tarozzi fork brace to tighten the handling, along with Tarozzi rearsets and clip-ons for a better riding position. At the back is an adjustable, air-assisted shock and a simple Acewell unit has replaced the standard instruments.
The engine internals have been left alone, but the stock Hitachi carbs have been rejetted, fitted with K&N filters and matched to a free-flowing Mac Performance exhaust. Tires are Bridgestone Spitfires. Most of the metal has been subdued with a matt black finish, and the result is simple and stylish. Is this the perfect twenty-first century café racer?
[Images by Erick Runyon of Choppershotz. Spotted on the highly recommended Return Of The Cafe Racers.]
PS: Bike EXIF is now on Pinterest. We’re showcasing the best motorcycle images and links from around the net, as well as our own greatest hits. Check out our boards here.
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