Tom Woods’ 1996 Yamaha XV535 Virago

Here are two pictures of my 1996 XV535 before and after. My main aim was to pare back the cruiser look of the Virago and make it look tidier and more streamlined. Firstly I removed the original exhaust system and installed custom stainless pipes and wrapping. I then installed a Royal Enfield Bullet seat: I did this by raising the frame with stainless pipe and a custom-made bracket, the seat then conveniently bolted into the original holes in the frame work. I then removed the rear mudguard and connected tail-light. I had a fabricator make a new tail/ indicator bracket that could be bolted to the frame, allowing me to chop the rear mudguard; significantly reducing its size. I then added Hagon custom shock absorbers on the back as the original shockers were in poor condition. To further streamline the look of the bike, I decided to remove the chrome teardrops from the front of the bike, however one of these housed the bike’s relays/igniter. I asked my friend Ben to 3D print a sliding electrics box to my specs, so that it would fit perfectly under the seat, I then removed the under-seat tank so that I could easily rewire it into the loom. While removed, I refurbed the reserve tap and replaced the pipes. I decided to move the fuses from under the seat into the box. I also needed a plate to sit the new box on: this was made out of perforated stainless steel. Lastly I added a new set of handlebars and a bar end mirror.