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View Full Version : My Yamaha Virago Cafe Racer Inspored Build



Exitspeed
05-09-2009, 08:31 AM
I got the bike for free. It's not the best platform to build a Cafe but it's been done and done well.

Being my first bike and first time working on a bike for my first part I'm doing a more mild build.

Bike looked like this to start.
http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/951/img6897vi9.jpg

Got it all stripped down.
http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/1531/img6945.jpg

Put the rear subframe and stock seat back on when my original plans changed. I kinda liked the look of this but wasn't happy with how chunky and swoopey the seat was. It's very un-Cafe. Lowered the front 3"
http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/1016/img7134.jpg

Rook vinyl off the seat and started carving the seat down. I just painted it brown so it was easier to see in pics.
http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/3412/img7580r.jpg

It still wasn't quit the shape I wanted so I used a better tool and kept carving away and got the final shape.
http://img360.imageshack.us/img360/1299/img7588.jpg
[IMG]http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/9060/img7591.jpg

That's where I'm at right now. More to come soon.

-stew-
05-09-2009, 11:59 AM
FUCKING NICE!!!

I've seen some cafe'd Viragos. Pure sex. Your bike will be cooler that 98% of the bikes on the road. Awesome choice for a starting point. Can't wait to see it finished.

loud91rs
05-09-2009, 01:11 PM
That thing looks completely rad! Can't wait to see it done as well!

Deggy
05-09-2009, 01:32 PM
That is a nice looking bike!

pOrk
05-09-2009, 02:47 PM
It has a really cool profile with the sub frame removed, if you don't plan on taking passengers ditch the sub frame and fab a solo seat, then install a fender hugging the rear tire and attach to swing arm so its RIGHT on the tire. Would look tits.

Crawlin
05-09-2009, 03:07 PM
that's fucking awesome!!!

Exitspeed
05-09-2009, 08:59 PM
It has a really cool profile with the sub frame removed, if you don't plan on taking passengers ditch the sub frame and fab a solo seat, then install a fender hugging the rear tire and attach to swing arm so its RIGHT on the tire. Would look tits.

I was going to go full custom rear subframe (new one welded up) and a single seat but my wife laid a guilt trip on me about not being able to ride on it with me. So I decided to go the two seater route.

Glad you guys like how it's coming along. I'm working on it as often as I can.

Once the clip ons are installed the bike is going to transform.

I'm gonna do some real low key front and rear LED turn signals too.

Oh and color scheme is gonna be sick...satin black and gloss black combo.

Exhaust is getting heat tape wrapped too.

shoooo32
05-09-2009, 09:42 PM
Bike looks sick! you really chopped the gay out. Nice work:thumbsup

xFullThrottlex
05-11-2009, 11:13 PM
sick

Exitspeed
05-15-2009, 08:34 AM
Some more work done over the last few days.

First thing is I had to fill in the area on the tank where the Yamaha emblem was. There was a clipy thing that the emblem screwed on to.

First I mixed up some Mar-Glass which I've never used before. Some pretty interesting stuff. It's like hard candy before it gets hard.
http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/4995/img7599.jpg
http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/4617/img7601.jpg
http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/930/img7600.jpg

A couple layers of it. I'm new ot bodu work so I was just kinda winging it.
http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/1173/img7603.jpg
http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/8900/img7602.jpg
http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/1046/img7604.jpg
http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/8241/img7605.jpg
http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/3199/img7606.jpg

Random cool pic.
http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/5959/img7607.jpg

Got the tank sanded down nice and smooth. Needs some more work but it's about 80% there.
http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/2792/img7614.jpg

Then those lights dangling were bothering me as well as the two big ol horns and front turn signals. Removed those.
http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/3797/img7615.jpg
http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/7048/img7619.jpg

That's where I'm at now. Gonna finish the tank over the weekend hopefully.

Exitspeed
05-17-2009, 06:11 PM
Moar progress.

I'm getting close to being finished filling in the area on the tank. Needs a little more work but it's getting there. It's primered gray in the pic. I hung it from a tree to make it easier to paint.

http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/7577/img7622.jpg

Worked at the seat moar. I think the main problem was how the bottom of it swepted downward. It really threw it off. So I chopped that up and made it straight. There's some more finishing work to make it perfect though. And once the vinyl is over it you won't see anything. I'm not worried about the space between the frame. I'll either leave it or fill it with something minimal.

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/7196/img7625.jpg

Here's the tank and seat together as a whole.
http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/6299/img7626.jpg

2006wrxtr
05-17-2009, 06:26 PM
I was planning something like this because I could do it in my dinning room.
Now I have another bike on the list that will work.

BoosTT
05-17-2009, 07:09 PM
Nice work. That is going to be an awesome bike for very cheap! Cool.

Exitspeed
05-17-2009, 07:39 PM
I was planning something like this because I could do it in my dinning room.
Now I have another bike on the list that will work.

The Virago is not the best frame to start with. That's what everyone told me at least. If you go searching around forum after forum will discourage people from using this kinda bike for a Cafe project. While it may not be the most ideal bike obviously with some work and imagination it's not a bad choice.


Nice work. That is going to be an awesome bike for very cheap! Cool.

Indeed cheap. So far I've only spent money on registering it and a few bucks on sand paper and primer. In another week I'll be spending the money on the expensive stuff, but even after that I'm looking at far less then $1000 on the whole bike.

dsireme
05-19-2009, 08:55 AM
What year is it?

It's going to look nice.

Exitspeed
05-19-2009, 09:42 AM
What year is it?

It's going to look nice.

It's an 81.

I hope so. :thumbsup

dsireme
05-19-2009, 10:01 AM
It's an 81.

I hope so. :thumbsup

So it's a 750 then?

Exitspeed
05-19-2009, 05:25 PM
So it's a 750 then?

Yep. Big enough for me.

dsireme
05-19-2009, 11:10 PM
Yep. Big enough for me.
I think my year was the only year they came out with a 500.

VroomPshhTsi
05-20-2009, 11:01 PM
hah, i just rode one of those (250) today for my MSF class

Nitrouschris
05-21-2009, 09:18 PM
Good looking project man! keep at it!


Chris

Exitspeed
05-23-2009, 08:32 AM
FINALLY after jumping through hoop after hoop I finally was able to register my bike. I got the plates in the mil today.

My uncle never registered the bike when he bought it in 1999. I had to have a police officer run the vin make sure it wasn't stolen and send all this stuff to the state about the bike. THEN I had to take out a Surety Bond. It took a couple months, but the bike is registered.

I should be ordering everything (clip-ons, tires, etc etc) by the end of the week so I'll be making some major progress in the next couple weeks!

pOrk
05-23-2009, 11:58 AM
Sweet, thanks for keeping up with the progress. I love these ugly bikes

Exitspeed
05-27-2009, 11:07 AM
Hey Pork, you know anyone that can upholster my seat for me? I got some cheap vinyl from Hancock Fabrics and suck at upholstering shit. I know there's that place that used to sponser Team Rush but do you know of anyone else? Any idea how much it would be?

Exitspeed
05-28-2009, 08:16 AM
I went up to Ride yesterday and talked the guy I know. Dudes hookin me up. Looks like I'll be able to buy a lot of stuff I need right from there. Helmet, gloves, gripes, and turn signals. I should be going there tomorrow to order everything.

Crawlin
05-28-2009, 12:08 PM
Jax Seat Cover did me very well in the past for the Olds Cutlass seats

Exitspeed
05-28-2009, 08:25 PM
Ordered my Woodcraft clip-ons and Pirelli tires today!

Going to buy my helmet and gloves tomorrow and Ride. I might pick up my turn signals right away too.

pOrk
05-28-2009, 08:43 PM
Could try Crash for the seat upholstry, he just started playing with upholstry so it would likely be cheap

0TransAm0
05-28-2009, 09:07 PM
thier was a place on hwy 100(ryan road) and 27th street that did Great work on my dirtbike seat cover and a custom made cover for my dads boat. very good work fast turn around times and cheep prices. this was about 5-6 years ago tho. not sure if they are even there anymore.


bike looks good. how did you lower the front 3" ?

Exitspeed
05-29-2009, 07:38 AM
Jax Seat Cover did me very well in the past for the Olds Cutlass seats

I might take it there and see what they say.


Could try Crash for the seat upholstry, he just started playing with upholstry so it would likely be cheap

Who's crash? :confused


thier was a place on hwy 100(ryan road) and 27th street that did Great work on my dirtbike seat cover and a custom made cover for my dads boat. very good work fast turn around times and cheep prices. this was about 5-6 years ago tho. not sure if they are even there anymore.


bike looks good. how did you lower the front 3" ?

I swing by there and see if they are still there.

I loosened up the tripple tree and slid the forks up. It's a less permanent way to do it.

xFullThrottlex
05-29-2009, 09:07 AM
I might take it there and see what they say.



Who's crash? :confused



I swing by there and see if they are still there.

I loosened up the tripple tree and slid the forks up. It's a less permanent way to do it.


There's a little azn guy in Cudahy that does awesome work. I have his card somewhere, he works right off of Layton by the Harbor Freight over there. He did my uncles bench seat on his 72 c10 for $100.


Also, when your done you should trade for my VTR!!!:banana:):banana1:

Crawlin
05-29-2009, 03:53 PM
I think that guy came into our work here asking to set up a wholesale deal to do a couple bikes, but because we don't do alot of custom stuff.

pOrk
05-29-2009, 07:13 PM
www.crashcustoms.com

Exitspeed
05-30-2009, 07:35 AM
I'm gonna give it a shot myself one more time. If I/m not completely happy with the outcome then I'll have to pay someone.

PHDcamaro
05-30-2009, 11:29 AM
I'm gonna give it a shot myself one more time. If I/m not completely happy with the outcome then I'll have to pay someone.

before you do it me, you should pick up some new foam and shape it again. that old beat up foam prolly wont last very long and the seat will becomd wrinkled..... just an idea

haha i havent posted on bcm in a long long time

Exitspeed
05-30-2009, 05:21 PM
I'm going to cover it with batting and then headliner material (I read that on a how to online) before I cover it. The shaping took me too long to do it over again. That shit will last for a long time. After I cover it if should smooth it out.

Exitspeed
06-04-2009, 06:13 PM
Pictures!

Got my clip-ons today!

So I had to cut the brace that holds the gauges, turn signals, and headlight to the triple tree. It's made of metal and in order for the clip-ons to go in the space I needed them to some hacking was needed.

You can kinda see where it came off of.
http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/9004/img7679e.jpg

Here's the piece off the bike.
http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/5738/img7680.jpg

The piece and my preferred method of cutting.
http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/8918/img7681c.jpg

Sawing away. It cut through easier then I thought. I'm pretty sure it's made of aluminum so it cut easy.
http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/222/img7682.jpg
http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/2716/img7688k.jpg

One side done.
http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/9420/img7691o.jpg

Two sides done.
http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/2783/img7695v.jpg

BAM! Perfect fit.
http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/5602/img7697.jpg
http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/3106/img7698e.jpg

Close up of how close everything is.
http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/6079/img7700.jpg

Finally get to sit on the bike and steer it with handlebars!
http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/4258/img7704.jpg
http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/4/img7714n.jpg

Feels damn good. Right now everything is just hand tight. You can see int eh pics the carbs are off the bike too. last weekend my uncle came over, who has more experience with carbs, and helped me clean the thing up. The bike would not have ran the way the carbs were. Things were all stuck and clogged up.

I also changed the oil.

I also bought some vinyl to wrap the seat in. Got a great deal on a bunch from the fabric store. I'm not that great at upholstering so we'll see how that turns out.

I'm hopin things will start wrappin up in the next couple weeks. Slowly but surely.

Crawlin
06-05-2009, 07:16 AM
Looking awesome!

pOrk
06-05-2009, 07:30 AM
Looks like fun :)

Exitspeed
06-05-2009, 06:54 PM
Another piece to the puzzle showed up like 15 min ago.

http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/6862/img7717.jpg
http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/2909/img7718j.jpg
http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/6628/img7719.jpg
http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/3586/img7720.jpg

Sick new Pirelli's!

DFJ6000
06-07-2009, 12:00 PM
that thing is lookin really badass dude....sweet fricken project....anyone wanna hook me up with a free bike? lmao

Exitspeed
06-09-2009, 12:06 PM
Finally got around to doing a little cleaning up to see if the headlight and gauges would shine up. Turned out nice.

You can see how tarnished and dirty they were.
http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/1729/img7736.jpg
http://img2.imageshack.us/img2/159/img7743s.jpg
http://img60.imageshack.us/img60/5039/img7735.jpg

A little bit of steel wool and some elbow grease later...
http://img44.imageshack.us/img44/1867/img7744.jpg
http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/6484/img7746.jpg

Shined up like a new penny.

Exitspeed
06-16-2009, 09:18 PM
Post from the other another forum:


Made some more progress. I used KREEM to get rid of the rust in my gas tank and recoat it. It's like a brand new tank now. It turned out great.

Got my throttle, and clutch hooked back up and operating properly.

I also got all the new gaskets on the carbs and put that back.

Took the mirrors off today and it looks 10x more rad. Fuck it. I'm going sans the mirrors. Might not be the safest thing but it just looks dope.

Unfortunately I'm not getting any power even though I put a new battery in. Soooo, I have a call into an electrician guy I know who is a genius when it comes to wiring shit ad actually enjoys diagnosing and rectifying issues like this. I hope to get him over ASAP.

In the mean time this week my plans are:

-Remove the rims and paint them
-Possibly have the new Pirellis mounted.
-Sandblast exhaust and order heat wrap
-Grind off the rust around the rim of the gas tank on the outside (just minor surface rust)
-PAINT THE TANK THE FINAL COLOR!
-I'd like to get to upholstering the seat, but I'm kinda dreading it



Today...

Been getting to work on this SOB! Now that I got my job back I need a ride so I'm trying to wrap this bad boy up.

First things first. Like I said I used the KREEM stuff to take care of the rust in the tank. You can see the shit in there in these pics and around the fill spout. That is completely gone now and all sealed up.
http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/2365/img7792.jpg
http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/4805/img7794i.jpg

Yesterday I started painting the wheels. Yeah I'm half ass rattle canning it, but it's good enough for now. I'm thinking I'll powder coat'em over winter.

Here's the ugly bastard stock.
http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/2140/img7834q.jpg
Just with some degreaser it looks better.
http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/6266/img7835z.jpg
Primed it. Looks better already.
http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/1861/img7837.jpg
Few coats later.
http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/945/img7838d.jpg

My next step was to paint the lip flat black. I wanted a two tone flat and gloss black for the wheels. Just to add a lil som som. It was good leaving the old tires on. Saved me from having to mask off the tire.
http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/3151/img7843u.jpg
http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/5324/img7844a.jpg
http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/8185/img7846h.jpg
http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/4332/img7847w.jpg
http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/7743/img7848r.jpg

I spent a bunch of time on the tank, but I'm not happy with the finish. I used different paint then I normally use for flat/sating flat paint and it just turned out a lil blotchy. I'm gonna redo it tomorrow so more pics of that coming then. It's primed and ready to go though.
http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/8373/img7841.jpg

Again like I said, I wasn't getting any power to anything. Had an electrical guru guy I know come over and trouble shot stuff and BAM! POWA! I can tell it wants to just fire up. I don't have the petcocks on the tank yet though so I couldn't fire it up. I will be getting then on tomorrow and it's getting fired up. There's still no exhaust so it should be a lotta fun!
http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/1627/img7858o.jpg
http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/4749/img7865c.jpg

Irish
06-16-2009, 09:26 PM
Eyes glued to this thread! This thing is turning out great! Did you use never dull or just steel wool by itself?

Exitspeed
06-16-2009, 09:33 PM
Eyes glued to this thread! This thing is turning out great! Did you use never dull or just steel wool by itself?

For the gauges and headlight? Just steel wool. Funny you mention Never Dull. This shit is haunting me all of a sudden.

I was at Ace the other day looking for some polishing stuff. I spent like 10 min looking at my options. For SOME reason the only thing i actually picked up and opened to look at was that stuff. I found it to be peculiar but put it back. Then tonight my electrical guy says "Hey I got this stuff called Never Dull. I'll let you use it." I'm like cool. Now you mention it. Weird.

2006wrxtr
06-25-2009, 04:12 PM
we had some stuff we used when I was in the Navy, just like never dull. That shit was Awesome!!!

946speedz
06-27-2009, 12:51 AM
how bad was the rust inside the tank itself? im starting a cafe project on an 81 cb750k next week and im pretty sure the inside of the tank is kinda rusty......where did you get the kreem stuff?

Exitspeed
06-28-2009, 08:49 AM
how bad was the rust inside the tank itself? im starting a cafe project on an 81 cb750k next week and im pretty sure the inside of the tank is kinda rusty......where did you get the kreem stuff?

The rust was bad but nothing that couldn't be fixed. The Kreem stuff really works well. It's a total PITA but it works if you do it right. I got it at Don & Roys for $39 which is what it costs online too. They stock it.

Good luck on the CB. Cool bikes.

Exitspeed
07-20-2009, 09:12 PM
Some quick updates. Visually the bike is coming together. I sandblasted the exhaust, then painted it with heat resistant grill paint (it won't last forever but I'm not expecting it to), then wrapped it with black exhaust wrap, and then finally put it back on.

Got some other misc stuff (new brake lever ((it was broken)), etc etc)

I'm still having issues getting it to run. But hopefully soon. I'm still pluggin away at it. I should have a nice appreciation for this POS when it's done.

http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/7792/img8060z.jpg
http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/1061/img8061.jpg
http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/2577/img8062.jpg
http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/5593/img8063.jpg

Exitspeed
07-23-2009, 01:23 PM
Turns out the new battery I bought is dead. I returned it and got a new one. Put it on and the bike started up. It ran for about 4 seconds and died.

So now I need to sync the carbs and get it tuned. Hopefully that will be the end of the BS.

Things left to do:

-Upholster seat
-Install turn signals and brake light
-Buy and install Mirrors
-Have the new Pirelli's mounted
-Clean the ish out of the whole bike

-Learn how to ride a bike! lol.

Exitspeed
07-29-2009, 10:51 AM
It's alive!

Updates soon.

I'm hoping to have the bike complete by next weekend.

xFullThrottlex
07-29-2009, 02:24 PM
^awesome dude, ive been following this thread and I must say for your first project you kicked some serious ass

Crawlin
07-29-2009, 02:33 PM
Sweet!

Get the bar end mirrors? That would be the ticket on that bike!

Exitspeed
07-29-2009, 02:53 PM
^awesome dude, ive been following this thread and I must say for your first project you kicked some serious ass

Thanks. I'm glad it's turning out good.


Sweet!

Get the bar end mirrors? That would be the ticket on that bike!

I want some so bad...but they are all so damn expensive. The Rizomo ones are like $120 or something. I'm still trying to keep it a budget build, but I may just have to bit the bullet and spring for'em.

EDIT: Screw it, I'm gonna order some cheap ebay ones. They are like $29. It's still a budget build. No need for me to go spending money like I'm putting them on a Ducati. It's not gonna make or break the bike anyway. Just have to find out if they fit.

pOrk
07-29-2009, 08:15 PM
Look at pedal bike mirrors. Last time I bought a bar end mirror it was like 9 bucks from milwaukee cycle salvage


Thanks. I'm glad it's turning out good.



I want some so bad...but they are all so damn expensive. The Rizomo ones are like $120 or something. I'm still trying to keep it a budget build, but I may just have to bit the bullet and spring for'em.

EDIT: Screw it, I'm gonna order some cheap ebay ones. They are like $29. It's still a budget build. No need for me to go spending money like I'm putting them on a Ducati. It's not gonna make or break the bike anyway. Just have to find out if they fit.

Exitspeed
08-07-2009, 09:29 AM
BIG fun updates coming this weekend!

I worked on something all night last night and it turned out freakin SWEET! That's all I'm saying for now.

Exitspeed
08-08-2009, 04:51 PM
Ok fuck it here ya go.

I finally got around to painting the front rim. And not only did I do that I decided "Hey I love the look of black wheels with a red lip". So I said fuck it and did it. Plus it is a common color scheme in Cafe's. It turned out pretty freakin rad IMO. I'm really happy with it. It gives the bike a little punch.

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/2196/img8079n.jpg
http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/2152/img8081w.jpg
http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/1097/img8078g.jpg
http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/6249/img8087yuw.jpg
http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/1093/img8091.jpg
http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/1847/img8094.jpg
http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/7387/img8094gyz.jpg

I got the Pirelli's installed finally too. The paint held up damn well considering it is rattled canned and I did it the night before having the tires put on. That makes me a little more confident they would look terrible after a year.
http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/1348/img8231.jpg
http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/864/img8232d.jpg
http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/4208/img8233a.jpg
http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/1940/img8234a.jpg

The money shot.
http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/5743/img8235.jpg
http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/6871/img8236.jpg


I know the seat is throwing it off, and I think I'm gonna get that done this week.

What do you think?

2006wrxtr
08-09-2009, 05:49 PM
That's pretty cool makes me want to do one....

Silver86
08-09-2009, 06:00 PM
this things starting to look pretty damn cool! nice job! :thumbsup

946speedz
08-09-2009, 07:17 PM
you are makin me wanna go work on my cb750 cafe......havent touched it in 3 weeks.......

pOrk
08-09-2009, 11:19 PM
^ lets see it! I love CB's

946speedz
08-10-2009, 12:07 AM
pork i dont wanna thread jack........ill email ya some pics. shoot me a PM with your email.

Exitspeed
08-16-2009, 07:45 PM
Moar updates. Been working on the bike all week and weekend. Alllllmost done but now quit.

Here's some updates pics. As you can see the seat is done and it turned out great. I also decided to do a rear fender. I just modified the original fender. It's about half as long as it used to be. Then I painted it the same as the tank.

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/5329/img8237o.jpg
http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/8786/img8242.jpg
http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/9949/img8243.jpg
http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/4125/img8245.jpg
http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/6791/img8246f.jpg

Things left to do:

Replace turn signal relay (it's bad and turns won't blink)
Replace relay that turns on headlight (also bad)
Hook up rear turns
Buy and hook up tail light
Complete tin battery cover
Buy bar end mirrors and install
Bend or cut kickstand (you can see the bike is barely leaning right now)
Clean the hell out of the whole thing

Ride and enjoy.

It's getting close. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Bart H
08-19-2009, 02:13 PM
how about paint the rear swingarm?

Irish
08-19-2009, 02:26 PM
I heart this bike!

Exitspeed
08-19-2009, 02:35 PM
how about paint the rear swingarm?

Yep. Going to do that before it's completely done. I'm going to half ass it right now and just mask everything off and rattle can it. Over winter I'll remove it and have it powder coated. Along with some other parts.


I heart this bike!

Thanks man. Glad you like.

Exitspeed
11-11-2009, 10:48 AM
Update on this bike:

Unfortunately I didn't get the thing running in time to ride it this year.

I ended up taking it out to my brother in laws shop in Richfield and while it was great to have every tool and air tool known to man to work on it it was really inconvenient. He talked me into doing a little more to it then I was really wanting to do to it this year and because he was super busy and I never worked on the particular projects.

What I did get done was half assly painting the swing arm which looks a LOT better. I'll be redoing it properly this winter.

We got the led taillight put on. Just had to weld up some brackets to mount it too.

There were a few other mics projects that I'm probably not thinking of.

Ultimately the hold up came down to a bunch of electrical issues that we were not able to solve.

Adam (lasttimearound) has talked me into rewiring the whole bike though which is something I really wanted to do from the start but didn't have the know-how. Hopefully with his help that will go well.

So the project wasn't abandoned, just hit some hiccups.

Plans for winter:

-Rewire bike and get everything working properly
-Re-paint subframe, tank, and rear fender
-Possibly eliminate the gauges all together
-And last if money permits using a kit a guy is making do a rear rim in the front swap. It completely changes the look of the bike and looks awesome.

lasttimearound
11-11-2009, 11:38 AM
speaking of which, print that diagram and blow it up if you can and bring it tonight.

Want_Notch
11-11-2009, 11:54 AM
I have a 81 Virago XV920R if you want to buy it....

GTSLOW
11-11-2009, 12:00 PM
I love the red on the wheels.

lasttimearound
11-11-2009, 12:19 PM
mel do you have any pictures of that green one still? that bike makes my dick twitch

Exitspeed
11-11-2009, 01:25 PM
speaking of which, print that diagram and blow it up if you can and bring it tonight.

Will do.


I have a 81 Virago XV920R if you want to buy it....

No thanks. One is enough for me. My next bike will be a more traditional cafe style bike.


I love the red on the wheels.

Thanks.


mel do you have any pictures of that green one still? that bike makes my dick twitch

I know. SO awesome. You can see he did the rear wheel on the front mod. He was the first to do it.
http://dogsville.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/zerocafe032.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x49/Ecks51/XV750M/Zero%20Caferacer/Zerocafe007.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x49/Ecks51/XV750M/Zero%20Caferacer/Zerocafe009.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x49/Ecks51/XV750M/Zero%20Caferacer/Zerocafehome.jpg

lasttimearound
11-11-2009, 01:30 PM
what model virago/year is that? id like to do something similar. since come december ill have time since i wont be in school anymore.

Exitspeed
11-11-2009, 01:43 PM
what model virago/year is that? id like to do something similar. since come december ill have time since i wont be in school anymore.

'81 750. same year as mine.

lasttimearound
11-11-2009, 01:47 PM
looks like i have to steal the other one out of your garage then.

Exitspeed
11-11-2009, 01:52 PM
looks like i have to steal the other one out of your garage then.

It's gone already. Uncle has it. You can get'em real cheap.

lasttimearound
11-11-2009, 01:57 PM
i know. a guy i work with is nuts for cafe bikes and after i expressed my crush on that green bike, he shows me ever virago he finds on CL.

Exitspeed
11-11-2009, 02:20 PM
I need to find a gauge like the one in that 3rd pic above. But I don't want to pay $100+

I'm also thinking of redoing my exhaust. Getting rid of the mufflers all together. Just need to do some modification to it. Weld on some extra length and redo the mounts.

lasttimearound
11-11-2009, 02:28 PM
you need one like the guy i work it.. has everything all in one and looks old school. ill try to get you a link to it.

Exitspeed
11-11-2009, 02:33 PM
you need one like the guy i work it.. has everything all in one and looks old school. ill try to get you a link to it.

Those all seem to cost a grip though. I'm still trying to build this thing on the cheap.

lasttimearound
11-11-2009, 02:34 PM
he paid under 100 i think. you can only get it from one dist.

Exitspeed
11-11-2009, 02:41 PM
he paid under 100 i think. you can only get it from one dist.

Ok. Let me know then. I'd like to see what it looks like.

lasttimearound
11-11-2009, 02:43 PM
ill talk to him when hes back at work. i think tue? otherwise i may call him this weekend about renting a shop with collin and i.

Exitspeed
11-11-2009, 02:45 PM
ill talk to him when hes back at work. i think tue? otherwise i may call him this weekend about renting a shop with collin and i.

Shit, I'll just talk to you tonight about all of this. :)

lasttimearound
11-11-2009, 02:49 PM
yeah, i was kind of wondering why we keep posting. oh well.

GTSLOW
11-11-2009, 03:03 PM
The green bike is awesome! Where's the turn signals tho?

lasttimearound
11-11-2009, 03:07 PM
eh, turn signals are over rated, thats why god gave us arms.

Irish
11-11-2009, 03:14 PM
...

lasttimearound
11-11-2009, 03:16 PM
thats the thing about mel... hes still back in time where break dancing was cool.

Irish
11-11-2009, 03:17 PM
...

lasttimearound
11-11-2009, 04:37 PM
oh, and the fact hes 5'2"

RanJer
11-11-2009, 04:44 PM
oh, and the fact hes 5'2"

Basically hasn't gotten any taller since breakdancing was cool :rolf

lasttimearound
11-11-2009, 04:56 PM
poor guy, evidentaly spinning on your head, loud house music and camera flashes stunt your growth.

-stew-
11-12-2009, 01:10 AM
I haven't heard that term in y e a r s! :rolf

I ain't herd that term in a grip.

Exitspeed
11-12-2009, 10:22 AM
You guys suck. hhahaaha.

Yeah I still use a lotta old school slang. I still say fresh, dope, ill, etc etc. It's just who I am.

And I'm 5'6".

It was good talking to you guys about the wiring last night. I have confidence now I can get it done with some help.

lasttimearound
11-17-2009, 02:16 PM
http://www.electrosport.com/street/speedometers.php

Exitspeed
11-17-2009, 02:31 PM
http://www.electrosport.com/street/speedometers.php

$119 isn't that bad.

Question: can we do the whole wiring and then just swap this thing in at any time?

Cause I'd like to get the bike rewired and ready go and then if I decide to go that route then cool. But if not the bike is done.

2006wrxtr
11-19-2009, 08:06 PM
Man I hate to do it but think I am going to steel this idea...
Build it in my dinning room..

Exitspeed
03-17-2010, 11:17 AM
I've started working on it again. Updates soon.

RanJer
03-22-2010, 10:05 PM
IT RUNS!!! lol.. Just needs tuning help and uh... a little clutch work :guns1

pOrk
03-23-2010, 08:06 AM
Ditch the stock gauges and get a bicycle computer, they are 10 bucks 99 percent accurate and go up to 99 mph. Super easy to install too, and nice and small so you can hide it. Also available wireless for 35 bucks

Exitspeed
03-23-2010, 09:27 AM
IT RUNS!!! lol.. Just needs tuning help and uh... a little clutch work :guns1

Yeaaah. We gotta figure that out.


Ditch the stock gauges and get a bicycle computer, they are 10 bucks 99 percent accurate and go up to 99 mph. Super easy to install too, and nice and small so you can hide it. Also available wireless for 35 bucks

Hmmm. There's a bike shop right across the street from my work. Maybe I'll walk over there and see what they have. I was planning on going over there to see if they have a bar end mirror that would work.

buttersgt350
04-21-2010, 10:22 AM
bike looks good check this out
http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/mcy/1702772602.html

Exitspeed
04-21-2010, 11:18 AM
bike looks good check this out
http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/mcy/1702772602.html

Wow, that is DOPE! I wonder what he wants for it. He doesn't come out and say.

RanJer
04-21-2010, 04:13 PM
Wow, that is DOPE! I wonder what he wants for it. He doesn't come out and say.

It's in the post title... $2699...

Exitspeed
04-21-2010, 04:21 PM
It's in the post title... $2699...

:goof

BTW my bro in law is gonna come over tomorrow to work on the bike if you wanna come lend a hand.

Exitspeed
04-22-2010, 11:09 AM
Really really really hoping to get the bike running tonight.

RanJer
04-22-2010, 12:14 PM
Really really really hoping to get the bike running tonight.

What time you thinkin?

Exitspeed
04-23-2010, 09:21 AM
It finally got on the road last night! It's still not running completely right, but we made some progress. Pics coming soon.

Exitspeed
04-27-2010, 09:12 AM
Some updated pics. It's coming along. Just ordered a jet kit which should solve all the running issues...I hope.

BTW that is not me in the pics. It's my bro in law.
http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/6861/mg9885.jpg
http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/4312/mg9871.jpg
http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/4876/mg0002c.jpg
http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/4670/mg0006t.jpg

xFullThrottlex
04-27-2010, 02:28 PM
badass

MoCkiN U
04-27-2010, 02:32 PM
what are the chances of taking a small piece of lexan and cutting it to dimension, painting it black and covering that right side of your battery? Just a idea to help hide it a tad

You have done well in this build bro!

Exitspeed
04-27-2010, 02:41 PM
what are the chances of taking a small piece of lexan and cutting it to dimension, painting it black and covering that right side of your battery? Just a idea to help hide it a tad

You have done well in this build bro!

Working on that actually. I'm modifying the stock cover. It has this ugly bulge in it. So I cut that part of it out, cut some sheet metal, glued it in, and then bondo'd and marglassed over it. I just wanted it to be flat and smooth. I've been working on it for a bit (it's not that hard) because I have been so damn busy. It'll be flat black like the rest of the pieces.

That battery is bothering everyone. lol.

88Nightmare
04-28-2010, 02:14 AM
Mel, that thing looks pretty kickass.

sakisteve
05-17-2010, 06:03 PM
nice looking cafe, been wanting to build one myself.

Exitspeed
08-30-2010, 10:39 AM
IT'S ALIVE.

So after going over the cards 2-3 times just trying to clean them (compressed air, carb cleaner bath, etc), and the bike still not running, I finally had them ultra-sonic cleaned. I popped the carbs back in yesterday and the bike seriously just fired right up and ran like it was brand new. I couldn't believe it. After so much time being disappointed and all the work I put into it, if this didn't work I was seriously ready to sell it. I can't wait to finish up some little things on it now and get riding.

loud91rs
08-31-2010, 12:49 PM
Congratulations! I bet it feels pretty good!

caferacerforsale
12-03-2014, 11:54 PM
Great work man!