XV 1100 Bobber Project : QLD (Completed Video & Pics PG-3)

[Bacca]

Lookin good

[Street_Kleaver]

Seat mounted.





Next up I'll hammer form some side panels up to cover the battery box. And also bend up a cover panel for under the seat to hide all the fuses.

Nearly there!

[Prof]

This is about the only non raked xv/virago that I think looks ok. Nice job. Rather than side panels, just tidy up your wring... openness of that area is part of what I think makes the bike look good.

[Street_Kleaver]

After staring at it for a while... I decided to scrap the springs on the seat.. With some imagination.. I made it work.

Made up a rolled pan that follows the frame rails with mounting brackets for the seat. Covers all the fuses between the frame rails. And also uses the old mount points from the stock seat. Took alot of messing around! But it does look better without the scissor springs.





Pipes and carbs are off. Heads are getting painted VHT Matt black..

This is about the only non raked xv/virago that I think looks ok. Nice job. Rather than side panels, just tidy up your wring... openness of that area is part of what I think makes the bike look good.

I've got something in mind for side panels... It will be hand made, of course.. You'll have to wait and see..

[Chops]

Looks great.. especially without the seat springs..!?

Was only looking at it yesterday.. and thought that the line of the frame.. was almost the same as the seat pan.. and with rear shockies.. could do without the seat springs!?

It's looking very tasty indeed..!!!

Congrats..!!!

And as Prof has said.. and it's only my personal tastes.. but I'd leave that space under the seat open... just a tidy up.. or even a neat hand fabbed battery box.. which allows you to hide the wires and leccy bits in it..!? My thoughts only..!?

[Bearcx]

LOVE the pipes over the side cases, looks awesome.

[Southy]

That looks unreal.

Makes a man wanna get his hands on a spare bike and start chopping it.

[Street_Kleaver]

Go for it! You can make anything look the way you want if you can visualize how it "can" look from stock form.. But not all people do that. They just see whats in front of them and think.... Erghh, That's ugly.. etc.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to get "What model/bike is that??" question..
I got the Virago because they have reliable engines..And plenty of parts. And I own Yamaha dirtbikes too. So its all familiar territory .

Its a first build for me.. Learning on the way.. Lots of fun!

[wolfsbane]

gave me some good inspiration on my xv535 not as big but would look cool similar

[Street_Kleaver]

I suppose I better do a bit of an update..

Painted the heads black.
Slipped these tapered turbo mufflers on. Ran like crap, (unequal pipe lengths). Don't really like the look of them either. Whilst idling it had a bit of a "Poop" noise every 3 secs.

(bars are not mounted, waiting for risers to arrive in this pic)



So in the bin those mufflers go. Going to make my own that look "straight through" but with some baffle inserts and a neat little hidden X pipe to balance the head pressures. To rid that nasty "Poop" sound during idle. Yay.

Since I couldnt turn lock to lock with the drag bars. Got some 5 inch risers. They clear the tank by 30mm now. But I don't like the look of them. Going to change them to some little Z bars.



Mounted the rear plate bracket. And some bullet indicators.





Now that the rear fender is all finished with brackets etc. I'll start to prep it and the tank ready for paint.

The frame under the seat is staying open. I'm currently building a new battery box. Its a little different to most.

[wolfsbane]

with my virago250 and now my 535 i turned the risers around so they lean forward with drag bars changes the look completely mate worth a go any way

[Street_Kleaver]

Yeah tried that dude. The risers have too much of a sweep. Doesn't look right. I'm going to give different risers and bars a go. Will suit it to a tee!

[Prof]

Why not bend up a little set of shorty pullbacks and get rid of the risers. Stabilise them with a speedo mount in the middle...

[JAC]

Looks awesome.

First time I rode mine after a bit of rain I got covered in sh!te from the rooster tail that the rear fender ordinarilly does a good job of shielding you from. Had that misfortune yet ?

[Street_Kleaver]

New pipes. Yeah I know that didn't last long. Hahaha.

Both have baffles welded in each end to quieten it down a tad. I like stuff with a note.. But not "Hey!! Look at me!! Loud, if you know what I mean.
Has a cross over pipe to help equalize head pressures and stainless dump tips.

It was getting late and I didn't get to fire the big girl up. But i'd say it will be just a fraction louder than the original setup photo. Technically its a 2 into 1 system. Just with the looks of a dual system I suppose. From what I've read it helps performance and economy since the head back pressures equalize. I hope! Haha

Of course it will all get heat wrapped in black fibre glass wrapping to match the headers with just the stainless dump tips showing.
The stainless dumps are left overs from the original exhaust. I always try to reuse as much as I can.




JAC - I haven't taken it for a spin yet. Still alot to do. Everything is ready for paint. Then alot of re-wiring to do.

Prof - I've got some different little Mini Z bars and some low risers in the pipeline. Biltwell, Keystones. They are narrow at 28inches wide, with a 5in rise. Should suit it well.