Perseus: CW Zon reimagines the Yamaha XV1000

Michelangelo famously mentioned, “I noticed the angel within the marble and carved till I set him free.” I’ve lengthy suspected that Yuichi Yoshizawa applies the same philosophy to constructing customized bikes. The frontman of the Japanese workshop CW Zon has the power to take even probably the most mundane motorbike, stare into its soul, and switch it into one thing magical.

This time, he’s completed it to the venerable 1981 Yamaha XV1000. Often called the TR1 in some markets and the Virago in others, the XV1000 featured an oddball mixture of Japanese engineering and American sensibilities. It now enjoys common consideration from customized builders—however there are solely so some ways you may spin it.

Unsurprisingly, Yoshizawa-san’s Yamaha XV1000 appears to be like like no different customized Virago on the market. It’s been remodeled on two ranges; the highest half boasts handcrafted bodywork, whereas the underside half incorporates a main overhaul of the Yamaha’s operating gear.

There are parallels right here with CW Zon’s earlier work—particularly, the BMW K1600 GTL that they launched earlier this yr. (Which is wild, when you think about how vastly totally different the 2 donor bikes are.)

The entire Yamaha XV1000’s bodywork is gone, changed by a full set of handmade items. The deeply sculpted gasoline tank reveals hints of classic Benelli and Norton Manx items. It’s broad on the entrance, tapering organically in direction of the junction with the seat, whereas flowing over the rear cylinder of the 75-degree V-twin mill.

The tailpiece cuts a extra fashionable silhouette, with its decrease edges widening in direction of the entrance to cover the rear shock. It’s supported by a bespoke subframe, with an aesthetic pleated leather-based saddle up prime.

Ducatisti ought to acknowledge the trellised single-sided swingarm sitting beneath the tail—it’s from a Ducati Monster S4R. CW Zon modified it to suit the XV1000 and fabricated a brand new shock mount, that sits greater up on the swingarm’s cross brace. It’s hooked up to a customized linkage, with the shock operating beneath the seat.

A much less apparent mod is the customized entrance sprocket spacer that CW Zon fabricated to make sure excellent chain alignment. The 17” laced wheels are from a BMW R nineT, and are shod with Pirelli Supercorsa V3 SP tires. Brembo brake calipers at each ends assist gradual the XV1000 down.

The Ducati Monster S4R additionally donated its upside-down entrance forks. A handcrafted fender sits between the fork legs, whereas a Harley V-Rod-style LED headlight is mounted on customized fork ears greater up.

A Motogadget Motoscope Pro dashboard sits simply behind it, embedded in a housing that’s built-in with the highest yoke. It’s flanked by clip-on bars fitted with new grips and levers, nevertheless it’s devoid of any switchgear. (The essential switches have all been tucked away in numerous spots.)

Artistic customized components are littered all through the construct. The rear-set foot controls (and their mounting plates) are one-offs, as is the ribbed air cleaner. A swingarm-mounted bracket presents area for the license plate and an LED taillight.

There’s no paint right here, simply polished finishes that spotlight CW Zon’s handiwork. The one graphics are the ‘Perseus’ motifs on the gasoline tank—a nod to the legendary Greek monster slayer. (It’s becoming that the dual exhausts are as snaky as Medusa’s hair.)

As soon as once more, Yoshizawa-san has confirmed that he sees issues that others can’t. This Yamaha XV1000 is a radical testomony to his creativeness—and his limitless ability.