Project · Bobber GTL · with Leonardo
Riviera
Yamaha XV750 Virago 1994. Luggage, the sea and the rolling hills of the Marche: all in one custom bike.
ScrollChapter 01 — A turning point
With my
son Leonardo
- Base
- Yamaha XV750 Virago, 1994
- Motor
- V-twin, 56 hp, shaft drive
- Style
- Bobber GTL
- Seats
- Marozzi Interni
This project marks an important turning point, as it was built together with my son Leonardo joining the Garage, after a transfusion of petrol into his blood.
The idea for this bike came from a mix of needs and suggestions linked to the sea. The need was for a vehicle you could load with luggage and set off on holiday to Provence.
But it also had to suit a daily ride, perhaps two-up, to the beach a few minutes from home. Finally it obviously had to be special, beautiful and a joy to ride on the winding ups and downs of the Marche hinterland.
“Having your cake and eating it too”, as the old saying goes.
Chapter 02 — The inspiration
A motorboat
at the pier
With the basic requirements set, only two not insignificant pieces of the puzzle were left: which base to use and how to transform it.
The inspiration came during a walk by the sea, when my attention was caught by a seventies Tullio Abbate motorboat, elegantly moored at the pier. The tapered line, the shades of the wood, the chrome details reflecting the waves…
Imagine riding up to the pier, getting off the bike, taking the made-to-measure leather bag and stepping on board, in an atmosphere halfway between 007 and Steve McQueen.
Chapter 03 — The base
A triumph
of chrome
As for the missing piece, the choice fell on a fine '94 Yamaha Virago 750 that a friend had offered me shortly before. A solid custom, with a 56 hp V-twin and shaft drive. A triumph of chrome and metal with unexpected performance.
We decided to keep the original wheels (15" rear / 19" front) as well as the suspension, just stiffened a little. Together with the front fender (cut down), the brakes and the engine, they are the only parts not overhauled in the project.
A complete handmade stainless steel exhaust system, the front fork raised through the yokes to lower the stance, and two clip-ons that at first glance look like a single thirties-style handlebar.
Wheels
19" front · 15" rear
Exhaust
Handmade stainless steel
Motor
V-twin · 56 hp · shaft drive
Chapter 04 — Tank and dashboard
French
walnut
The tank, modelled in clay and made in fibreglass, follows the line and is topped by two chrome plates which, fixed to the frame at the front, glide sinuously back to become the support for the single seat, with a bridge of solid French walnut in the middle, carved from a single block.
A Motogadget electronic gauge and handlebar controls replaced by push buttons complete the dashboard.
With the handlebar switch blocks gone, the electrical system was overhauled as a result and relies on a compact Yuasa AGM battery that still guarantees excellent starting power.
Chapter 05 — Three configurations
Bobber,
two-up, touring
The heart of the transformation is the frame, cut at the rear to make a bobber, but with the special feature of two plugs which, once removed, let you fit a comfortable passenger seat or a steel rack with a large wooden slatted top in a moment.
Three different configurations which, together with the side bags set into the frame, perfectly meet the needs for style, practicality and versatility behind the project.
Chapter 06 — The details
Nautical
and handcrafted
An endless series of details, inspired both by boats and by fine craftsmanship, completes the harmony of the whole. Such as the LED rear light, set into a hand-worked aluminium block that forms a small fin on the rear fender, crossed by an aluminium strip that elegantly hides the cable. The ignition key sits under the seat, and the paint recalls the sandy tones of the beaches of Île de Porquerolles, the original destination of the trip.
All strictly made by us, except for the seats, entrusted to our friend Marozzi Interni, and the bags and travel holdall, handcrafted by Bottega Vasì in Montegranaro, a former shoe maker now devoted to exclusive accessories. Just think that Riviera's holdall took 30 hours of work for the stitching alone, done with double thread through holes made by hand one by one with a compass.
The leather is full grain nubuck, as tough as it is incredibly soft, greased to make it water repellent, in a shade matched to the woods used for the rack and the insert on the tank.
Chapter 07 — On the road
Scraping
the footpegs
On the road, Riviera proves comfortable and enjoyable, thanks to the engine's smooth delivery and the absence of vibrations. Its excellent overall balance lets you have fun and scrape the footpegs in the bends.
With Riviera we believe we have created a new kind of custom bike, the Bobber GTL, able to combine style with a versatility unknown to custom bikes until now.
With Riviera we believe we have created a new kind of custom bike: the Bobber GTL.
Specifications
See the other bikes- Model
- Yamaha XV750 Virago · 1994
- Motor
- V-twin, 56 hp, shaft drive
- Wheels
- Original, 19" front / 15" rear
- Suspension
- Original, stiffened · fork raised through the yokes
- Handlebar
- Two thirties-style clip-ons
- Exhaust
- Complete, handmade in stainless steel
- Tank
- Modelled in clay, fibreglass, chrome plates
- Seat
- Single seat on a French walnut bridge · Marozzi Interni
- Instruments
- Motogadget, handlebar push buttons
- Battery
- AGM Yuasa
- Frame
- Cut bobber, plugs for passenger seat or rack
- Bags
- Bottega Vasì, greased nubuck