Michelangelo famously said, “I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.” I’ve long suspected that Yuichi Yoshizawa applies a similar philosophy to building custom motorcycles. The frontman of the Japanese workshop CW Zon has the ability to take even the most mundane motorcycle, stare into its soul, and turn it into something magical.
This time, he’s done it to the venerable 1981 Yamaha XV1000. Known as the TR1 in some markets and the Virago in others, the XV1000 featured an oddball combination of Japanese engineering and American sensibilities. It now enjoys regular attention from custom builders—but there are only so many ways you can spin it.
Unsurprisingly, Yoshizawa-san’s Yamaha XV1000 looks like no other custom Virago out there. It’s been transformed on two levels; the top half boasts handcrafted bodywork, while the bottom half features a major overhaul of the Yamaha’s running gear.
There are parallels here with CW Zon’s previous work—specifically, the BMW K1600 GTL that they released earlier this year. (Which is wild, when you consider how vastly different the two donor bikes are.)
All of the Yamaha XV1000’s bodywork is gone, replaced by a full set of handmade pieces. The deeply sculpted fuel tank shows hints of vintage Benelli and Norton Manx reservoirs. It’s broad at the front, tapering organically towards the junction with the seat, while flowing over the rear cylinder of the 75-degree V-twin mill.
The tailpiece cuts a more modern silhouette, with its lower halves widening towards the front to hide the rear shock. It’s supported by a bespoke subframe, with a classy pleated leather perch adorning it.
Ducatisti should recognize the trellised single-sided swingarm sitting below the tail—it’s from a Ducati Monster S4R. CW Zon modified it to fit the XV1000 and fabricated a new shock mount, that sits higher up on the swingarm’s cross brace. It’s attached to a custom linkage, with the shock running under the seat.
A less obvious mod is the custom front sprocket spacer that CW Zon fabricated to ensure perfect 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 both ends help slow the XV1000 down.
The Ducati Monster S4R also donated its upside-down front forks. A handcrafted fender sits between the fork legs, while a Harley V-Rod-style LED headlight is mounted on custom fork ears higher up.
A Motogadget dashboard sits just behind it, embedded in a housing that’s integrated with the top yoke. It’s flanked by clip-on bars fitted with new grips and levers, and a grand total of zero switches. (The important buttons have all been tucked away in various positions.)
Creative custom parts are littered throughout the build. The rear-set foot controls (and their mounting plates) are one-offs, as is the ribbed air cleaner. A swingarm-mounted bracket offers space for the license plate and an LED taillight.
There’s no paint here, just polished finishes that highlight CW Zon’s handiwork. The only graphics are the ‘Perseus’ motifs on the fuel tank—a nod to the legendary Greek monster slayer. (It’s fitting that the twin exhausts are as snaky as Medusa’s hair.)
Once again, Yoshizawa-san has proven that he sees things that others can’t. This Yamaha XV1000 is a radical testament to his imagination—and his endless skill.
CW Zon | Facebook | Instagram | Images by Kazuo Matsumoto
