Cafe Racer anybody?

[Khunajawdge]

Yammy Virago xv750

Now, as I am beginning (just beginning mind you :nono: ), to reach the limit of sleeping on the ground on overnight moto camping trips. This idea of cafe racing is "just?" beginning to appeal to me.

There's been a lot of "dream" bikes posted here as "future projects", so let's google what fills your eyes?

 

[Niehart]

Some serious talent there. Awesome!

 

[juniorfjr]

HDnet on direct tv has the cafe racer series and they just profiled this build. Crazy skilz.

 

[ahchiu]

That's a sick bike, I would love to have a bike like that and this one.

https://www.touratech-usa.com/Adventure/Blog/LfDiMe/Touratech-Urban-X-Over

 

[allrider]

That's sharp!

 

[Andyman]

Wow.... Awesome looking Yamaha....

 

[FJRay]

It's a shame they didn't build it that way.

 

[HotRodZilla]

It's a shame they didn't build it that way.

No kidding. That thing is beautiful. If Yamaha made that bike, people would be lining up to buy it. Not the most practical, but cool as ****!

 

[CAJW]

WOW! A co-worker rode a stock Virago to work in the 80's and I couldn't raz him enough about how fugly that bike was. I definitely never envisioned one looking like that! Hell, even I'd ride one of those!

 

[AVGeek]

+! on Cafe Racer on Velocity (formerly HD Theater). I have a season pass for the show, and they have some amazing bikes, plus the Bostrom brothers do the test/demo rides.

 

[dcarver]

My next resto project -

Now, as I am beginning (just beginning mind you :nono: ), to reach the limit of sleeping on the ground on overnight moto camping trips.

Welcome to the club, ol' phart!

 

[Khunajawdge]

My next resto project - A KZ 1300

Welcome to the club, ol' phart!

Good Find Don - Looks Clean!

Except? Oh No, it's a Kawasaki! I used to have a ZG1000 and after the tank rusted up (I live near the Pacific Ocean), I re-built the vacuum/gravity pet cock numerous times. Next, the carbs clogged up with rust, so I ended up pulling the entire set of 4 carbs off 5 times and finally got it to where it would run again (that took 6 months :angry: ). It was in able condition when I sold it with 65,000 miles on it, and put the PDP down on an FJR1300 in August of 2004. I miss the Connie, but NOT the hassel with the rust that got into everything.

I kinda like that Suzuki DL 650 that Tourance tricked up (link above), but am probably going to look for an air cooled V-Twin in the 400 to 800 cc range to strip down. In my case I'm going to look for a fuel injected model (if possible?). Something will eventually offer itself and speak to me.

Here's a few I've looked at on the BikeEx website;

https://www.bikeexif.com/deus-bali

https://www.bikeexif.com/gl1100 (this one is a bit beefy)

https://www.bikeexif.com/1978-honda-cx500

https://www.bikeexif.com/street-tracker

https://www.bikeexif.com/yamaha-xs400-tracker

https://www.bikeexif.com/lossa-yamaha-sr500

https://www.bikeexif.com/yamaha-xs400

and even this 250 thumper is Kewel as all get out;

https://www.bikeexif.com/yamaha-scorpio

Also, I HATE chrome, It's SS and Flat black for me! Spoked steel wheels are OK also,

 

[Sparky.88]

Love what they did with an old Virago! Wouldn't have thought it possible. Cool custom bike site. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Khunajawdge]

Recently, I have been looking for a bike to make a Bob Job out of. There are a lot of Viragos around here that are available as "garage queens", with low mileages and are available at low $$$. So, I've been spreading the word around the MC community locally, that I am in the game to find one.

Someone(?) sent me a caution, that when they watched the Cafe Racer on the Discovery Channel and saw the Bostrom Brothers Virago remodel, they remarked something like this; "I recall it needed a little more refinement to live up to its looks. I believe the Bostrom brothers rode it at Barber and both loved it except with its low pipes. You couldn't turn right except at some peril and trailing a shower of sparks. But it seemed like even with the motor being in stock tune, the pipe routing was the only thing holding it back from being a real smile maker. And admittedly it does look good parked."

...just SOME = CO2

 

[wfooshee]

That Cafe Racer show would be a lot better of they stuck with the bikes and left the memory-lane **** out. But then, they'd only have about 7 minutes of video to fill their half hour with.

I watched a few, and just got to where I couldn't stand it any more.

 

[Khunajawdge]

Found one of these today!

https://auto.howstuffworks.com/1989-honda-GB500-tourist-trophy1.htm

Nice bike, but why did they put sleeves in the cyclinders? The punched out 600cc for the US market would be more my choice.

Still lookin' for a V-twin.

 

[Niehart]

I also like the CX500, awesome little motor.