The Brute: Virago 920 Road Tracker by Bueno Co…
Within the early Eighties, Yamaha unveiled their first V-twin — a SOHC, two-valve, air-cooled 75-degree twin that discovered its manner into bikes such because the Yamaha TR1, XV920R, and the Virago sequence. It must be stated the Viragos had been barely unusual machines, meant to attraction to the American cruiser purchaser however vastly completely different in design and engineering from the Milwaukee-built machines that dominated the market.
Yamaha’s V-twin engine served a pressured member in a pressed-steel box-type spine body that remained all however hid, and there was solely a single shock absorber within the rear. The stepped seat, mini ape hangers, and small rear wheel didn’t make for essentially the most enticing machine, however the Virago — the 750 particularly — was a gross sales success.
“Patrons cherished the bundle. It was a superb deal cheaper and much more comfy than a Harley Sportster, even when it did have a barely odd look to the American eye.” –Rider
Quick ahead greater than 40 years, and these air-cooled Yamaha twins are being reborn within the fingers of latest bike builders like Nick Ghobashi of Virginia’s Bueno Co. Nick left his DC-based pictures profession to pursue bike-building full-time only one week earlier than the pandemic struck, reducing the legs out from underneath his first two massive tasks. Nevertheless, the younger man persevered, and increasingly shoppers started trusting him with builds.
“I’ve all types of concepts able to be introduced into actuality within the coming yr and am fairly happy with the course of Bueno Co.”
Final week, we featured Nick’s Kawasaki KZ400 scrambler venture — extra of a finances construct in comparison with the all-out Virago 920 road tracker you see right here, commissioned by a consumer in Indiana.
“The concept was to design and construct a modern, sizzling rod-inspired excessive efficiency road tracker centered across the Virago’s V-twin. I took inspiration from classic truss frames, choppers, classic race automobiles and bikes, and threw in a little bit of my very own fashion to the combo.”
Nick put an unbelievable quantity of labor into the venture. To start, he overhauled the engine with new gaskets and stainless {hardware}, repainted it black, and welded up a {custom} subframe for the rear a part of the chassis spine. The bike now rolls on a set of GSX-R600 forks with {custom} Excel rims laced to a {custom} CNC hub up entrance and a later mannequin Virago hub out again — a variety of machining was required to make all the things line up.
The fenders are handmade aluminum items with chopper-inspired stainless struts, and the bike boasts custom-made foot controls, a {custom} Kevlar and fiberglass seat ache, {custom} stainless-steel under-seat electronics field, hand-shaped twin foam saddle with Bueno Co.’s chevron-style pleating, {custom} wiring, and far more. We’re particularly a fan of the exhaust, which is impressed by the side-pipes from certainly one of our favourite automobiles.
“The exhaust is handmade polished stainless-steel, taking inspiration from the Shelby Cobra and different classic race automobiles with close to 90-degree turnouts on the top.”
The bike can also be operating Mikuni flat-slide carbs and an aftermarket CDI, with all the things correctly tuned for extra punch. The paint is an “insanely overpriced” BMW M inexperienced that appears nearly black relying on the sunshine.
All in all, this “Brute” (as Nick calls it) seems wonderful, pulls arduous, and is definitely fairly comfy to journey.
“It’s surprisingly nimble and ergonomic. It’s fairly comfortable really, nevertheless it’s additionally a fast bike. It nearly seems like a sportier trendy Harley.”
Under, we discuss to Nick for the total story, specs, and particulars on this Virago “modern tracker.”
XV920 Virago Road Tracker: Builder Interview
• What’s the make, mannequin, and yr of the donor bike?
It’s a 1981 Yamaha XV920 Virago.
• Why was this bike constructed?
It was a commissioned construct by a buyer in Indiana.
• What was the design idea and what influenced the construct?
The concept was to design and construct a modern, sizzling rod-inspired excessive efficiency road tracker centered across the Virago’s V-twin. I took inspiration from classic truss frames, choppers, classic race automobiles and bikes, and threw in a little bit of my very own fashion to the combo.
• What {custom} work was accomplished to the bike?
Oh man. So so a lot work. I gave the engine a full overhaul with recent gaskets and stainless bolts and a brand new coat of satin black paint. A {custom} body part was welded up and grafted to the engine part of the body.
Up entrance the suspension was switched out for a GSX-R600 entrance finish and a {custom} Excel rim laced as much as a CNC’d hub by way of stainless spokes. The entrance fender and fender struts are handmade out of aluminum and stainless-steel respectively. A 4.5” headlight from Goal Constructed Moto is bottom-mounted to the entrance finish by way of a {custom} stainless-steel mount. The bars are Renthals, with inlaid minimal buttons, a Brembo grasp cylinder and new aluminum controls, capped off with Vans grips.
For the rear finish, I mated a later mannequin Virago hub to a {custom} Excel rim by way of stainless spokes and machined {custom} spacers / switched out carriers and machined the brake drum and swingarm a bit to make all the things match to the ultimate drive whereas being centered. The fender is once more handmade aluminum with chopper-inspired stainless-steel struts supporting it and a hidden front-mount on the swingarm.
Underneath the seat is a home made stainless-steel twin tail gentle mount / cowl plate powder-coated satin black. It’s in a position to be bolted and unbolted to the body for servicing. Twin Goal Constructed Moto LED tail lights disappear up underneath the seat. The seat is a hand-shaped twin foam piece set on a {custom} Kevlar and fiberglass pan and upholstered in our chevron-style pleating. The custom-made battery field additionally hosts a starter solenoid and the reg/rec and is mounted down underneath the swingarm. All of the wiring is {custom}.
The exhaust is handmade polished stainless-steel, taking inspiration from the Shelby Cobra and different classic race automobiles with close to 90-degree turnouts on the top. The air consumption can also be handmade and fitted with a pancake filter for each seems and proper airflow. The foot management mounts had been custom-made for a superb mid stance and powder-coated satin black, with a {custom} brake pedal being made together with linkages and a shift pedal being made for the left facet. All of the bodywork is completed in an insanely overpriced BMW M inexperienced. After the bike arrived to the client it was moreover fitted with Mikuni flat slides and an aftermarket CDI and tuned for a pleasant further increase in efficiency.
• Does the bike have a nickname?
I dunno. I simply known as it the Brute trigger its loud and torquey and fairly rattling quick, all whereas being skinny and comparatively gentle.
• Any thought of horsepower, weight, and/or efficiency numbers?
I shaved a ton of weight off of it and the CDI and flat-slides together with appropriately sized and size headers definitely added HP. It pulls arduous.
• Are you able to inform us what it’s wish to journey this bike?
It’s surprisingly nimble and ergonomic. It’s fairly comfortable really, nevertheless it’s additionally a fast bike. It nearly seems like a sportier trendy Harley.
• Was there something accomplished throughout this construct that you’re significantly happy with?
I’m undoubtedly happy with the body, as that was the primary full body part of that sort that I’ve ever made. And the twin recessed tail lights. I additionally needed to make actually all the things and try and make the awkward Virago a modern tracker. I believe it labored.
• Is there anybody you’d wish to thank?
Due to Matt (my buyer) for going with all my wild design concepts enthusiastically and letting me get inventive on the construct.
Observe the Builder
Net: www.buenomoto.com
Instagram: @bueno_co
Extra Bueno Co. Builds
Smooth Tracker: Yamaha XV920 Virago – The Brute: Virago 920 Road Tracker by Bueno Co… Within the early Eighties, Yamaha unveiled their first V-twin — a SOHC, two-valve, air-cooled 75-degree twin that discovered its manner into bikes such because the Yamaha […]
KZ Scrambler: Kawasaki “KZ400S” – Kawasaki KZ400 Scrambler from Bueno Co… Within the early 70s, Kawasaki stepped up their sport towards Honda’s four-stroke dominance. First got here the 900cc Kawasaki Z1 in 1972, aimed squarely on the CB750. Whereas these four-cylinder […]
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