Yamaha Virago 250 Classic Hardtail Bobber by TH Custom Build Cycles

Date posted on September 12, 2020

The build project is headed by Ricardo “Titing” Tampus. He took inspiration from classic bicycles particularly the Schwinn Jaguar Classic Bicycles which were prominent during the 1950s-1960s with their relaxed riding and handlebar position.

The Virago 250 was an entry-level cruiser motorcycle built by Yamaha Motor Company. It came out in the late 1980s. The larger displacement Viragos were eventually phased out of production, and eventually replaced by the V-Star and Road Star series of motorbikes. The last motorcycle to bear the Virago name was the 2007 Virago 250. The Virago line was Yamaha’s first V-Twin cruiser motorcycle, and one of the earliest mass-produced motorcycles with a monoshock rear suspension. Originally sold with a 750 cc engine in 1981, Yamaha soon added 500 cc and 900 cc versions. The bike was redesigned in 1984, switching back to a dual-shock design with a teardrop shaped gas tank.

The bike sports a gas tank from a 1960s Yamaha YA-6 125 2-stroke motorcycle. The wheelsets are taken from Royal Enfield motorcycles with custom-machined spacers.

The bike uses Michelin 90/90×19 front tires and Fuckstone 5.00×15 tires at the rear. The bike also sports a custom-made “Beach bar” handlebar which allows for a more relaxed riding position. Another unique feature of the bike is the dual-purpose rear disc brake and sprocket meaning the rear disc plate was custommachined to have sprocket teeth so it can function as a disc rotor and rear sprocket at the same time. The bike also has custom-made stainless steel “Shorty Gun Barrel” exhaust system made by NCX Racing from Mandaue City. All the lights are LED at the front and rear. Another unique feature of the bike is its custom-built girdraulic front suspension inspired by the Schwinn vintage bikes with their girder type front forks.

“The bike took 1 year to build because work on it was on and off. This was my personal project. I bought the bike for 18 thousand (the whole unit). Then it came to me that this bike would be a great personal project. So after that, I started working on making an entirely new custom-made hardtail bobber chassis of 80 gauge thickness. I wanted the bike to emulate the laid-back and relaxed design of the Schwinn classic bicycles. So I made a custom girdraulic front suspension inspired by the Schwinn vintage bikes girder type front forks. To continue to carry out the whole concept, I made a custom solo “Springer” seat and a “Beach bar” type handlebar, a collective homage to the timeless Schwinn bikes of the 1950s and 1960s,” Sir Titing narrated .

“Special shoutouts and thanks to Medfer machine shop, Ivan Tero Paints & Design and Roger Tampus “The Doctor-Scientist”. Thank you so much to all the supporters of TH Custom Build Cycles. Big thanks to InsideRACING Magazine for featuring one of our latest builds. Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat,” Sir Ricardo “Titing” Tampus shared.