Make, Model & Year: 1983 Yamaha Virago 920
Fondly known as: Road Sofa to Cafe Racer
Time spent: Built on weekends for approximately a year
Engine: Yamaha Virago 920 V-Twin
Intake: Factory carbs and intakes, re-jetted with velocity stacks
Exhaust: Custom made exhaust header with M4 MotoGP slip-on
Transmission: 5 speed with MotoGP shift
Frame: Virago frame with rear section chopped and modified. Set up is now similar to Ducati or Honda 954 arrangement. Frame also modded to accept a late model rear shock and custom built rear subframe.
Suspension: Complete 2009 Yamaha R6 front end with clip-ons. Yamaha R6S rear shock. Factory rear swingarm/driveshaft assembly.
Wheels, tires and brakes: Michelin 2ct Power Pure tires. Modded 2nd Gen Virago 5 spoke rear wheel to match the R6 front wheel. Wildwood automotive clutch slave cylinder adapted to actuate the rear drum brake.
Finish – Paint: All paint work, frame, wheels, fuel tank, etc. done by myself with high grade automotive paints and clearcoats.
Accessories: Benelli fuel tank, Tuffside custom seat with passenger pad, custom built subframe, Koso gauges, custom exhaust with M4 slip-on, custom LED lighting including 7″ headlight, carbon fiber front fender, custom made carbon fiber rear hugger, custom made carbon fiber coil covers, Ballistic 12 cell battery, Rick’s Electronics Lithium Ion rectifier, Wildwood slave cylinder, aftermarket GSXR rearsets, aftermarket bar end mirrors, aftermarket levers, and many parts I may have forgotten to list.
17 Comments
To think this is a 35 year old motorcycle is mind boggling. Stunning transformation. This is a local build to me so I got the privilege to see this in person. Great work Rick!!
I’m not into cafe racers or that style motorcycle when I saw this bike in person I stood at stared at it for at least an hour..
very dope cafe racer
A lot of hard work and the end result was worth it!
It’s a stunning transformation with an excellent eye for detail. The sweet story of a father and son connecting ove this from across the country gives the whole project some extra shine.
Looks awesome.
From one Rick to another this is amazing! Not just the bike but the love that is so obviously flowing throughout this machine. Thank you for sharing this with all of us.
Amazing build by an even more amazing guy. I have the privilege to know Rick personally, and he is very humble about his abilities and natural talent to turn an eyesore into something everyone dreams of having. I can’t say enough about the passion this man has for all bikes, as well as his true love of the motorcycle community.
This bike is off the chain for a 35 yr old bike. This builder is awesome.
Wow, what an incredible story and transformation, this bike’s beauty shines not only because of the hard work you have put into it but because of the love and dedication that made it possible to get there. Your son must be just as proud of you as you are of him.
An amazing bike ,lots of hard work and an adventurous mind to put thus beauty together, plus it’s local so we get to see it and hear it run it’s definitely a bad bike
I cannot believe that is a Virago! Just about THE farthest away from a cruiser you can get. With a V twin motor to boot. Unsure of how top end is but, can bet this thing will punt you out of the corners. Amazing build.
Awesome transformation,can hardly see a Virago. Do you have any of the old parts laying around?
Well now you’ve done it ! I checked out the pics and got so excited that I bought an ’82 xv 920R that I’ll custom. It’ll cost a bunch of time and money and my wife will probably leave but at least I can blame you for all that. Awesome custom. Very tasteful and beautifully crafted! Cheers, T.
I’m never happy to see a great detailed build, then hang a license plate off the back of the seat.
I wonder if the frame mod and monoshock worked? Does it handle and ride ok? Crazy seat posts are cool and excellent welding on those pipes!!!
I have a 2002 V-Star 1100 and wonder how good it would run of I chopped it up and added some HP! Great great job!
Extremely nice transformation and very nice work .