Now offered for sale on Bring a Trailer with no reserve, this extensively modified 1981 Yamaha XV750 Virago represents a comprehensive café racer transformation that blends vintage Yamaha styling with modern sportbike-derived hardware. Acquired by the seller in 2025 as a non-running project, the motorcycle was rebuilt from the ground up, incorporating upgraded suspension, braking, and instrumentation components sourced from later-generation Yamaha performance models.
The most significant modifications center on the chassis and running gear. The front end was upgraded with an inverted fork assembly, triple clamps, dual-disc braking system, and 17-inch wheel sourced from a Yamaha R1, dramatically improving rigidity and braking performance compared to the original setup. At the rear, a Yamaha R6 shock absorber replaces the factory unit, while a 15-inch wheel featuring a drum-brake hub from a Yamaha Virago 1100 completes the custom configuration.
Visually, the build adopts a purposeful café racer aesthetic. The frame, swingarm, wheels, and numerous ancillary components were powder-coated in black, complementing the fuel tank’s black finish accented with red and gold graphics. Additional styling elements include a quarter fairing, café-style tail section, clip-on handlebars, rear-set foot controls, dual mirrors, a side-mounted license plate bracket, LED headlight, and a handcrafted dual-exhaust system.
Power comes from an air-cooled V-twin engine sourced from a 1986 Yamaha XV1100. The seller reports servicing work that included carburetor cleaning and rebuilding, valve adjustment, battery replacement, and a fresh oil change. The upgraded powerplant sends output to the rear wheel through a five-speed transmission and Yamaha’s signature enclosed driveshaft system.
The cockpit features clip-on handlebars mounted below the upper triple clamp and an aftermarket GPS-based multifunction digital gauge displaying speed, trip information, and directional data. Combining classic café racer proportions with modern Yamaha performance components, this custom Virago offers a distinctive interpretation of one of the brand’s most recognizable V-twin platforms.
1981 Yamaha XV750 Virago Cafe Racer For Sale – Image Gallery
Source: Bring a Trailer
