Toby’s Virago 250 Bobber hits the streets!

Toby’s Virago 250 Bobber hits the streets!

The Virago’s have been with us since before we knew we wanted a copy of a Harley. I remember when the first XV750 came out around 1984 and we all thought our dreams had come true… Turned out those dreams became a bit of a nightmare before too long. People running for cover and mothers flinging themselves over their children every time the owner of a gen 1 virago 750 hit the starter button. Thankfully by the time the Gen 2 motor came out it was rectified and now the early ones have become popular with the custom Cafe Racer guys thanks to builders like Hageman etc.

The 920 and the 1000cc never made the huge splash as expected but then came the 1100 and everything was as it was supposed to be again. A few small alterations and once again the Japanese showed they really could make a reliable cruiser like no one else. I remember owning the very last of the 1100’s. I got it near new in 99 and it was called the Special. It WAS ‘special’ too with it’s spoked wheels and headlight visor (ok so I’m not so sure about the headlight visor). It also had shotgun pipes which really made it sound exactly the same.

It was a fraction of the cost of the Fatboy I had though. Also the fact it lent into corners when asked and it had more effective brakes, I found myself riding it more than the Harley. The stock handlebars didn’t last long I must admit. There were also the guys putting single carbs on theirs although to me they seemed like the lunatic fringe (if it aint broke, don’t fix it). By 99 Yamaha decided bigger was better and out rolled the Star range with their wide tanks and heavy low feel. Apparently high and thin was no longer the rage and so it stayed until recently.

This brings us to the baby in the Yamaha Virago range. The 250. Possibly one of the most popular 250’s behind the Honda CB250 and a hit with young and old alike. Sure they didn’t sound great and they still had that awful ‘tuck your elbows in and beg’ position but they were a V twin, cheap, air cooled and parts were readily available.

Here at Mostyn we’ve done a few over the years but Toby’s XV250 was probably the sorest and saddest looking beast we’ve had as a donor XV. We had the Bobber kit though and Toby’s admission that he just wanted it back on the road so we got cracking.

As you can see the rear fender and tank got replaced. The whole motor needed cosmetic work so was completed in a wrinkle/gloss black paint scheme which followed through to the rest of the bike. The bobber seat and 3 inch hairsprings made sure there was no mistaking this bike for a dual seat commuter. The sissy bar in chrome helped give the bike a touch of 60’s chopper.

There was still too much chrome on the bike so the pipes got the Black ceramic coating and then wrapped with some of our Inferno wrap. Finally the rear end was dropped 2 inches with our Nitroheads shocks and the indicators changed over to something a bit more discreet.

The bike has a much different feel now. Getting up to highway speeds isn’t noticeably different but with the rear sprocket dropped  by 4 teeth there is a definite difference in highway revs. The back end also feels a lot stiffer now. Not as much as a rigid but definitely not as plush as the Virago in standard form.

The bike now turns heads wherever it rolls and we can’t wait to see it riding around Brisbane streets more. Well done Toby!

For more information on the parts used click here https://www.mostynindustries.com.au/shop/

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