I wanted to build a bobber. It seems that most people make the early Viragos into Café Racers, but I wanted to do something a little different.
It started as a basic build project, but later turned into a memorial to my in-laws who passed away after I started working on the bike. My Father-in-Law was very proud of his Irish heritage, so I wanted to do something that honored that heritage.
I had a shamrock machined into the left engine side cover and painted the items the colors of the Irish flag.
That I was able to figure things out along the way. I really struggled getting started, so I tried to break things down into simple steps and focus on solving those things one item at a time. For example, I bought the solo bobber seat about 12 months before I really got started with the build. I probably spent hours staring at the seat and trying to figure out how I was going to mount it to the bike. Once I had to seat on the bike, I moved onto the rear fender, and then swapping over the wheels and engine from a different bike, and then the forward controls, etc. By then end I felt that I could overcome any obstacle and nothing was going to keep from from finishing the bike.
They like the colors and the way it looks. I stopped at a gas station yesterday and an older gentleman walked over to say he liked my bike. He stated that he used to ride a 50’s Triumph and my bike reminded him of his bobber.
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One Comment
This is one special ride. Virago’s due to there V configuration twin set them apart from everything else. It doesn’t follow the traditional V-twin looks and it polarized people into; I love it or hate it following. I was of the second camp and never warmed up to the look. What you’ve done is made a bike that demands attention and the background story great. You have taken what was odd for the time and built a stand out bobber that rebels in its uniqueness.