Hi Tristan. I have enjoyed this series. I hope you are well, have finished the bike, and are going to upload some more videos. We'll done with what you have done though.
Come on man keep them coming;) Love your approach! And how clearly things are explained. Looking forward to see next episode soon. All the best from Poland
love the build! great info and inspiration. Thanks to you i'll likely use the vx as a base for my project. However... please reconsider the headlight. The hella lamps are just inadequete.
Another solution to the ignition switch is to us the R6 switch. The plugs are probably the same and maybe only need the wires to be lengthened. But if the bike has a locking gas cap or storage, then using the bike’s original ignition like you did is better to not have to have two keys.
Yelp that’s true, but I don’t have the R6 ignition switch and I would indeed have several keys after, but I still don’t know which tank I’ll put on the bike so who knows, maybe I back track and put another ignition switch in the future 👍
Nice build Tristan. I like the front end swap, however, a shorter front end and smaller front wheel lowers the bike, causing the side stand issue AND loss of ground clearance and also changes the trail. It will seem to turn in faster and easier, but things will drag sooner. It looks like you may have some of the forks up through the top triple clamp., so you may have some adjustability there.
I had similar problems with my fz6r key ignition on the r6 tree. Although it fits without issue it hits the neck of the bike in other spots. Also I think you might find that headlight might bounce alot due to the single mounting point. Good vids tho. Keep them coming.
Thanks man, yes I’ll see how it goes with the headlight, if it needs more structural stiffness I’ll do what is needed 👍 But those lights are usually on rallye cars and they have that only one mounting point so I’m thinking it should be good
I'm also working on a project '82 XV750 Virago, and our builds are very similar. I'm stuck on the throttle and choke cables, I tried looking at cables from other bikes or even DIY kits for cables. But I'm interested in seeing your solution for this. Please keep updating!
How long have you had your virago I have one I've been riding it for about 20 years on and off I'm about to do the same type of mod on it I like the look of yours it looks sweet you're doing a great job it looks very clean and aggressive
I just quickly measured the rake on this video as you can see given the number of Viragos that have been modified in café racers with front end like mine I didn’t think one second it would be a problem and after measurement it was proven Keep in mind that the Virago is a chopper with a very open rake with that long OEM front end, so putting a sport bike front end is not going to make it dangerous by closing too much the rake
@@TristanDurandBuilds ah - makes sense. I'm looking at doing the same thing with a cb750 but with its 19" front wheel I think it will mess up the geometry a bit...thanks man - your vids are helping me a lot.
does your virago have any problems with the bendix or idler gears ...? im currently building a virago 920 with some starter issues , wiring is scaring me too lol
Hey Tristan. Love the videos. I’m thinking of purchasing a 2007 virago and then following your videos to make convert it to a cafe racer. Do you know if there are any major differences in from your model year to a 2007 that would make that conversion too difficult?
That’s great Steven! There is definitely a lot of differences, one of them being the rear shocks are not like mine, you won’t be able to just bolt a subframe like me. You’ll have to deal with those 2 shocks and the line will be very different. Also, older viragos are cheap and easy to find parts of, keep that in mind to keep your project cost down 👍
Hey man like what your doing, I’m currently on with a xv750, I’m using a 2007 R1 front end (cognito stem of course) and I wanted to ask, what front brake leaver, kill switch, lights switch, choke switch and throttle did you use? I was going to grab some off an early R6/ R1. Thanks pal
R1 front end... good stuff, I just rebuild an 07 R1! For the virago, I’m using the R6 brake system but all switches are the viragos (to keep it classic)
I am doing the same conversion on 83 xv500 and wanted to downsize the tires from the 19 in stock front one. What diameter are your front and rear tire?
I have to go back to it, I got excited on other bikes that I finished and just started a Ducati but I’ll definitely go back to this one, I want to ride it 💨
Hi Tristan. I have enjoyed this series. I hope you are well, have finished the bike, and are going to upload some more videos. We'll done with what you have done though.
Come on man keep them coming;) Love your approach! And how clearly things are explained.
Looking forward to see next episode soon.
All the best from Poland
Excited to see more content on this build !
Ah man when you clipped that cover off the light 👌👌
I agree, it makes it come together 🤩
Never thought u where going to work on it again, but looks sooo goood!
Yes I’ll definitely get that bike ready at some point, I’m back on the R1 now to finish it
so next video is the R1 with fairings on it ✌️
I like your work bro, u have complete equipment to custom...nice job..clean..clear to understand...
Thanks man, I appreciate that 👍
Starting a xv920 cafe build soon. These vids are very helpful on what to look out for. Keep em coming 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽
That’s a great bike you’ll be working with Luis 👍
Thanks for the encouragement!
@@TristanDurandBuilds please make a m-unit walk through video
Great work, that bike will be nice.
Thanks for the compliment Vidar, I think so too ✌️
love the build! great info and inspiration. Thanks to you i'll likely use the vx as a base for my project. However... please reconsider the headlight. The hella lamps are just inadequete.
Glad to be a source of inspiration !
Bro please finish it.. I really love your work
Thanks Michael, I will definitely finish it but the R1 has been my priority ⚡️
Really great and inspiring videos!
Thanks for the compliment Fabian ✌️
Another solution to the ignition switch is to us the R6 switch. The plugs are probably the same and maybe only need the wires to be lengthened. But if the bike has a locking gas cap or storage, then using the bike’s original ignition like you did is better to not have to have two keys.
Yelp that’s true, but I don’t have the R6 ignition switch and I would indeed have several keys after, but I still don’t know which tank I’ll put on the bike so who knows, maybe I back track and put another ignition switch in the future 👍
Gonna need more vids on this man!
You’re right Ronan, I have to get back to that beauty 👍
I started a new project but I need to finish this café racer for the summer ☀️
@@TristanDurandBuilds can’t wait!
Nice build Tristan. I like the front end swap, however, a shorter front end and smaller front wheel lowers the bike, causing the side stand issue AND loss of ground clearance and also changes the trail. It will seem to turn in faster and easier, but things will drag sooner. It looks like you may have some of the forks up through the top triple clamp., so you may have some adjustability there.
I had similar problems with my fz6r key ignition on the r6 tree. Although it fits without issue it hits the neck of the bike in other spots. Also I think you might find that headlight might bounce alot due to the single mounting point. Good vids tho. Keep them coming.
Thanks man, yes I’ll see how it goes with the headlight, if it needs more structural stiffness I’ll do what is needed 👍
But those lights are usually on rallye cars and they have that only one mounting point so I’m thinking it should be good
Great job! As usual! It is is so inspiring to see your passion building up. Well done!
Thanks man I really appreciate that ✌️
When the yamaha R1 fully buildddd😂😂
It should be next week I’m working on it now 👍
Tristan...where are the 8-10, 11, 12 video's? Looking to watch the end game over here buddy!!!
I'm also working on a project '82 XV750 Virago, and our builds are very similar. I'm stuck on the throttle and choke cables, I tried looking at cables from other bikes or even DIY kits for cables. But I'm interested in seeing your solution for this. Please keep updating!
I’ll go back to work on this bike soon so whatever solution I find I’ll show 🎥
keep the vids coming mann
Thanks Shafiq ! I keep shooting 👍
Sweet
Thanks Robert ✌️
Any update yet? Loving your work so far.
I’m working on the YZ250F for now but I want to finish the virago for the summer 👍
How long have you had your virago I have one I've been riding it for about 20 years on and off I'm about to do the same type of mod on it I like the look of yours it looks sweet you're doing a great job it looks very clean and aggressive
I'm looking for a Virgo back rest
Hey man. Great build. Since its been a while....will there be any updates on this project in the future?
Yes I’ll get back to it so I can ride it this summer 👍
Very nice - so you just put the donor forks with the new stem and didn't worry about the rake/offset? the wheels are from the virago right?
I just quickly measured the rake on this video as you can see
given the number of Viragos that have been modified in café racers with front end like mine I didn’t think one second it would be a problem and after measurement it was proven
Keep in mind that the Virago is a chopper with a very open rake with that long OEM front end, so putting a sport bike front end is not going to make it dangerous by closing too much the rake
@@TristanDurandBuilds ah - makes sense. I'm looking at doing the same thing with a cb750 but with its 19" front wheel I think it will mess up the geometry a bit...thanks man - your vids are helping me a lot.
I put the 17" wheel from the R6 on it, I recommend you change that stock 19" wheel to get a more dynamic feel to this bike 👍
Any more videos on the virago?
I’m going back to it this month 👍
The virago used to be my bike at driving-school when i was 18. (Long time ago) I'm curious how it will look as a cafè racer.
Well, you’ll see soon 👍
You gonna finish this up brotha?
When we getting the next video for this bike
I’m going to go back to it in august I think
Hello! Is this project completed? I couldn’t find the final video and test drive?
Hey Paul! Thanks for checking in, I have been 100% on the YZ 250 lately but will finish the Virago for the summer 🔧
I was wondering the same...can't wait to see this completed. Like the videos
U need to anneal alloy before bending
You mean heat?
Wheres the final episode:(
I’m going back on it to have it run for the summer 🔧
does your virago have any problems with the bendix or idler gears ...? im currently building a virago 920 with some starter issues , wiring is scaring me too lol
Hi Logan! So my starter is actually working well (but I started the bike like 3 times before working on it...)
We’ll see ✌️
Hey Tristan. Love the videos. I’m thinking of purchasing a 2007 virago and then following your videos to make convert it to a cafe racer. Do you know if there are any major differences in from your model year to a 2007 that would make that conversion too difficult?
That’s great Steven! There is definitely a lot of differences, one of them being the rear shocks are not like mine, you won’t be able to just bolt a subframe like me.
You’ll have to deal with those 2 shocks and the line will be very different.
Also, older viragos are cheap and easy to find parts of, keep that in mind to keep your project cost down 👍
@@TristanDurandBuilds where do you get your virago parts im having trouble finding them
eBay has everything I’m looking for. Those bikes were very popular in the US in the 80s so there is plenty of parts 👍
Hey man like what your doing, I’m currently on with a xv750, I’m using a 2007 R1 front end (cognito stem of course) and I wanted to ask, what front brake leaver, kill switch, lights switch, choke switch and throttle did you use? I was going to grab some off an early R6/ R1. Thanks pal
R1 front end... good stuff, I just rebuild an 07 R1!
For the virago, I’m using the R6 brake system but all switches are the viragos (to keep it classic)
I am doing the same conversion on 83 xv500 and wanted to downsize the tires from the 19 in stock front one. What diameter are your front and rear tire?
Rear wheel is stock so it’s a 16” (not happy about that) but the front is now the R6, so regular 17”
Any more updates
I’m finishing the YZ250F right now and then I’ll go back on the virago 🔧
@@TristanDurandBuilds Does the headlight have high and low beams?
What happened with this build???
I have to go back to it, I got excited on other bikes that I finished and just started a Ducati but I’ll definitely go back to this one, I want to ride it 💨
Sir may I ask how much it cost for that front end?
I don’t have the price in mind but a quick look on eBay will tell you the market price for second hand front ends 💵
@@TristanDurandBuilds Thank you sir
what type of tig welder did you use?
I used a LOTOS that I found on eBay 👍
Can you make me one of those headlight brackets and ship it to me? Whatever it cost is fine
Hi man! Do you have the same front end and headlight? Because if you don’t it’s not going to work...
@@TristanDurandBuilds same front end yes, and its going on a yamaha xs 750. Would buy the headlight from the link you provided.