It seems like Greg Hageman can do no wrong at the moment. A few days ago, his retro-themed Yamaha XV1100 custom was a hit. And now his latest build, this radical XV920 Virago transformation, has just been showcased in Motorcycle Classics magazine.
Hageman’s strength is an unerring eye for visual balance and stance. For this Yamaha Virago, he crafted a new rear subframe and installed a MotoLanna seat originally destined for a Yamaha SR500. The tank is a Benelli, but not just any old Benelli: it’s from a 1967 Wards Riverside Mojave, itself an interesting footnote in the annals of motorcycle history.
At the behest of owner Mike Martens, it’s been painted in a variation of the classic Yamaha “Speed Block” graphics.
The forks have been lowered and fitted with Progressive Suspension springs; the wheels are powder-coated black DID rims with stainless steel spokes. The motor on the donor bike was strong, so Greg simply overhauled it and upgraded the twin Hitachi carbs with Dynojet internals.
The exhaust system, however, is a trick two-into-two JAMA system by Laser Exhaust, terminated with SuperTrapp mufflers. I’m told it sounds and performs as good as it looks.
More work has gone into this bike than we can detail here, so head over to the Motorcycle Classics website for the full story. Or check out Greg’s other builds on the Hageman Cycles site.
Images © Erick Runyon. For commissions, bookings and fine art prints contact Erick here.
