[Ep 01] Yamaha Virago XV920 Cafe Racer Project - Introduction - Teardown 

A new build series?!? From the Illest? Hell yeah!

Hell yeah. Another Illestrator build series. Can't wait to see how this goes!

Good to see you outside in the greasy hands mode again. Top quality video production we can always count on. Look forward to the rest of the build.

I'm picking up a 89 virago tomorrow, 500$. Not in as rough shape as this, but I'm also way amateur. Really glad I found this series lol

This is when a build is most exciting. Can't wait.

That intro has Fortnine levels of loveliness to it 👌🏽 Nice to see the development your career in the moto world, too (RevZilla, etc). Looking forward to the next episode.

Is good to be back for another build✌🏼✌🏼

The guys at revzilla was the judges for me winning the next American innovator contest with my Diecycle.

Back to the builds! Let’s gooooo. Wouldn’t mind an update on all of your current bikes as well.

You're right. That is a pretty interesting starting point for a Cafe racer. Frame is pretty cool

Awesome. I'm very happy to see another build from The illestrator. Just some useless fact, that DOD Sticker expired back in May 2007; the number on the left side denotes the Month, the number on the right denotes the year.

Seeing the bike without the tank, fenders or seat I see a beautiful base that you could go so many ways with different styles of projects.. For me personally I think of the parts in my garage that I could use and I see a harley stretch tank I had on my sportster that would probably cover the wide spined chassis, a rear hugger would work so well with that braced swingarm and a springer/solo seat to keep a minimalistic approach, and making a beautiful custom bike... Or maybe even to go for one of the old school race style/Cafe racer style of build, with the usual style of rear cowling and tank with low clip ons.. A drag style bike would also work.. not sure if a sportster tank could fit over the frame but a two piece tank should work if the frame is too wide otherwise.. it has the fortune of being one of those more universal type of foundations for a build.. And you can't go wrong with a nice torquey V twin to build around.. as far as I know these bikes were built to handle well for their time, and solid too, kind of a hybrid bike ahead of their time, that didn't sell so well because of this, as did a lot of the other hybrid bikes of the time that would probably have done a lot better if they were released some years later. I always liked this virago, I had one of the later models and it was nice enough but was a bit of a christmas tree ornament, all the chrome etc where this one is more bare bones kind of bike.. I think the perfect virago would be somewhere in between the two so I'm interested to see where this goes

this is dope illest. i picked up a virago 920 about 4 years ago and its in the state before you split yours in 3. been sitting in the garage in boxes for years. just got the itch to build it and this series is going to get rewatched a ton. new sub for you man.

He's back with a project boys! Finally! =D

"We couldn't build a better Virago" is so unintentionally hilarious to me. They were not known for being very good or reliable when i got into the bke scene about 15 years ago. Also, Congrats on getting in with Revzilla! You must be hyped!

These intros are too powerful I had to rewatch the k100 one the songs have the right vibe.

Thank god for another build. This thing is going to be badass.

Mom wake up the illestrator just posted!!!

At 15 minutes you can totally see the potential that this bike has… L👀king forward to it!…….

Heeeeell yeah! I can't wait for the next video!

Hell yeah my man! So stoked to see another build from you. 🙌🏻

That intro 👌🏼

I have to admire the fact you are working on this in your backyard….I won’t complain about not having enough room in my garage again😬, I’m building a XV750 cafe racer myself at the moment, , it’s always cool to see other peoples builds, looking forward to see how this progresses 👍

That intro alone makes this one of the coolest teardowns on YT!

Having just imported a 74 triumph t150 from Illinois to UK I can sympathise with the BS paperwork! Good luck with the build, another awkward shaft drive motor. There are a few Virago specials running around over here, interested to see what imagination spits out !😆 looking forward to part 2

Ay you finally got a virago!! Glad to see I know you wanted one for ever

Welcome back sir, missed you! Looking forward to seeing this new build

Looking forward to the next episode. Been wanting to do a cafe Virago build for years now.

Sweet! Another build series!!!!!

Nice. That Yamaha should make a great project. 👍

Aww hell yeah! Looking forward to this one.

I love what you’ve done with your other bikes so I can’t wait to see how this turns out 👍

Finally! I'm stoked to see more! 😁

Good to have you back again, with a brand new build series! I really appreciate all your work and research you are putting into your videos.

Can't wait to see the next steps. Good that there are "loopholes" in the USA, in france, a vehicule without a title is as valuable as the components that are on, it's a nightmare to ever register again, if you manage to acheive it x)

FIRE Video!!! Cant wait to see come together!

Very nice! Your series on the K100 has helped me with mine and your videos are great to watch. Can’t wait for the rest of this series.

You got a new subscriber with that glove hammer 😂😂

Yessbro! You're in my neighbourhood now! Looking forward to see what you do. I just spent 2 years doing my XV920 so I'm happy to help if you need anyone to bounce ideas off (PM'd your FB). That tank looks like a fibreglass replica of the KZ650SR I just saw someone has finally got rouund to making, great start :)

That intro was beautiful. Good to see you back with build series again!

This is the first time seeing your videos. Great job! I'm in!

Cool! This should be good. I enjoy all of your videos.

So pumped for this! Hell yeah!

Yamahas are dam good machines, I know cause I got two of them, I been neglecting the v - Star 1100 since I got roadliner s. I'll be watching this. I like how you do your builds and your vids!

That, my good sir, is what we call in the trade, and please excuse my technical terms, a turd. Can't wait to see what you've got planned my man. Big love.

When you were trying to start it there is a kickstand cut-off it won't start if it is in the down position and sometimes they get stuck .. I ditched mine altogether.. you also have a clutch switch it won't start unless you have the clutch pulled in.. I'd also suggest doing the shim kit for the starter, it doesn't like to stay engaged it pop's out and grindes on the flywheel till it stops spinning... that's something I need to do on mine, sounds terrible if it doesn't start or even engage first crank.. can't wait for episode 2...

So psyched for this build! I know this is a little bit different, but Vermont registered just literally this month, my 2020 250cc Chinese dual sport with just a bill of sale. I didn't even include nada or pics of the bike and it all went seamlessly! It was about a week and a half after the check was cashed that I got the plate in the mail. However, the registration took about 2 more weeks to arrive separately. I had no problem taking that registration and transferring it to TN to get a title, but YMMV. Good luck bro!

The illest as always.

Nice! I'm looking forward to this build. I got an 82 virago running last summer. They are unique bikes.

I love it! I never knew the Virago was so cool until you took this one apart. 😂 Looking forward to the build!

Great intro

Classified Moto did some nice work on Viragos way back.

It’s actually pretty easy to get a title in NY state if you don’t have one as long as the bike hasn’t been registered recently. This is the list of forms you need. 1) Photo copy of license front and back 2) mv82 (registration form) 3)bill of sale 4)mv51 5)mv51b 6)dtf802 (certificate of sale) 7) A photo of the vin # or a scribing of the vin number

Welcome back brother 👌🏻

it's about time man damn I know life gets in the way bit damn!!!

Omg I'm so happy for you bro. Getting a job with RevZilla is awesome. I hope you continue to make great videos. I know you've been away for a bit and I'm glad to see you back. Can't wait to see what you do with this one. 👍😉

Keep up the good work man! Hope to see ya in a meet!

New vid hell yeaahhh. I was thinking about doing a build on this bike too! This gonna be a great series for me 😄

Great can’t wait for your next installment. Yeah that whole lost title thing bites @$$. I always come across really good bikes with lots of potential, accept for the “oh yeah I don’t have the title for it.. is that okay” … No! No, that’s not okay.

Let’s gooo! How many cans of Brake Cleaner are we thinking this time? 😂

Later models went to duel shocks so I think this is the best base for a cafe. I missed out on a basket case here in Tn and wanted to do a similar project. Can’t wait to see this through!

You keep doing builds for the bikes I want! Which is great cus I have no idea what I’m doing!

STOKED ON THIS!

how dare you accuse me and my adhd of having no attention span XD i do have none yet im captivated by your video and love watching them

I can tell this will be another great watch, Your RU-vid work is the best, loved the intro 👍. Maine used to be a good place to go for titles but they have cracked down. Good luck with Vermont. 18:57 I guess that’s why it’s called the 'Viagra'. 😂 I kill.

LETTTSS GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

That intro was fucking dope

Out taste in bikes is identical. I lo e my speed 3, love Virago's (bobber style) and love myself a K bike.

Can't wait!

That virago is a pretty weird/interesting bike. Seems like Yamaha drew a quick sketch of an american cruiser bike and jotted down "air cooled v-twin" then began designing a bike based on that, with 80s tech. Im guessing you'll go the motogadget route, but that 80s digital dash with "COMPUTERIZED MONITOR" on it is so freaking good.

Nice.

Video-ing skillz are sharp af now man. That intro sequence was classy! Virago cafes are sick, glad you got a 920 donor. XJ900 diversion rear wheel shopping next!?

9:10 OMG you're a monster. For me, that's too much of an assumption.

Turn on closed captioning at 11:44 - the screw says, "thank you". (only had CC on to figure out that guy's name)

bruh digging out Unicorns lol, if you invert the bars..... you could have a sick chopper XD

Welcome to the comoto family! Where abouts are you?

This got me thinking; A lot 80's Cruiser Bikes look real goofy today. What bikes today will cause us to giggle at in thirty plus years? Like, I think the new Honda Rebel 1100 looks fantastic, but will that be the source of memes in 2050?

hell yeahhhh

Niiiiice 👌🏽👌🏽👍🏽👍🏽

Wait, that was 2J not you? I couldn't even tell 😆

So excited to watch the new series, brother! If you need any extra info on these first gen viragos, check out Steve DIYs channel. The guy is great. Keep on rocking

fuck yeah.

I want a seat like that original one for my mint 83 virago 500

Great idea I had an Maxim xs 1100 and am no fan of carb work either..

I could really use those front forks mine sat on its side for 20years. The fork that was in the grass I couldn't pull apart had water in it for who knows how long..

A monoshock Virago from the Illustrator? I'd subscribe again if I could!

Old digital displays use likely dead by now capacitors

What happened to your Patreon? I'd sign up for this build.

Please tell us the song at the beginning. Thank you & peace be with you.

Are your café projects going to work from the most dated looking to the least? I think you skipped the Ducati Paso.

Money for nothing.... chicks for Free... he he

That is one ugly ass bike! But I got one that is now a beautiful cafe racer to match my grabber blue mustang