Source: Bike Bound
[[{“value”:”Handbuilt at Skidmark Garage: Brandon Jackson’s XV750 Cafe…
In recent years, we’ve seen a rise in the number of community DIY motorcycle garages across the nation and world. These garages are not only a great place for folks to work on their bikes, but they become hubs for entire motorcycling communities, leading to lifelong friendships and memories.
One of the oldest and best is Cleveland’s Skidmark Garage, a 12,000 square-foot haven with 20 fully-outfitted work bays, a super-cool 1600 square-foot lounge, and a tight community of riders, racers, builders, mechanics, and friends.
Our new friend Brandon Jackson (@twowheelsohio) found Skidmark during a difficult time in his life, and the garage became a place to let go of the day’s stresses. Soon he put his ’82 Yamaha Virago 750 under the knife — his first build.
“I had always wanted to try and build a custom motorcycle, but this build began as therapy. My mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s several years ago. And after dealing with doctors, lawyers, and social workers I just wanted to work on something where all the solutions were on the bench in front of me.”
Brandon wanted his Virago cafe racer to have similar ergonomics and geometry as a modern sport bike, so he took his measurements from an ’08 GSX-R600 and began the build with an ’04 Yamaha R1 front end and ’06 R1 rear shock. Over the 2.5-year duration of the project, he would learn to weld, build a wiring harness, and much more.
Highlights include a bespoke subframe, custom headlight brackets, one-off airbox mount that doubles as a regulator/rectifier holder, and a handmade seat pan that covers up the ugly lip of the stock Virago tank. He welded up the exhaust himself out of various pieces of pre-bent pipe and built the rear cowl out of a Harley fender.
The finished bike looked amazing at the 2024 Handbuilt Show, where we first spied it, and Brandon says it’s a fun bike on the road.
“It’s not the fastest bike I own but I added a sport bike suspension (from a Yamaha R1) which makes nimbler. With the weight being so low it is flickable (quickly moves from a left to right lean). It’s extremely fun in the turns.”
On display at Handbuilt Show 2024. Photo: Kody Melton
More importantly, “Bell” is a loving tribute to Brandon’s mother, who instilled in him his passion for two wheels.
“Bell is named after my mother ‘Bellma,’ who I lost to Covid-19 while building it. The burgundy stripe and accents are for her. Burgundy was her favorite color.”
We can’t think of a better way to honor her, Brandon — we know she would be proud.
Below is our full interview with Brandon about the build, with photos courtesy of Bálint Meggyesi (@bamegg) except where noted.
Virago 750 Cafe Racer: Builder Interview
• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.
It was my mother who taught me how to ride a bicycle, and she gave a passion for everything with two wheels. I didn’t get into motorcycling until my mid 20’s. My first bike was 1988 Suzuki Katana 600, which later became a race bike. I tried bicycle and motorcycle racing for a short stint, anything with 2 wheels and some speed.
Photo: Kody Melton, Handbuilt Show 2024
I found Skidmark Garage looking at motorcycle videos on YouTube. It was a difficult time in my life and Skidmark became a place to let go the day’s stresses. A community DIY garage, no professional mechanic just a wide assortment of people with self-taught skills to show you what you need to know.
• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?
Bell is a 1982 Yamaha Virago 750XV.
• Why was this bike built?
I had always wanted to try and build a custom motorcycle, but this build began as therapy. My mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s several years ago. And after dealing with doctors, lawyers, and social workers I just wanted to work on something where all the solutions were on the bench in front of me.
This being my first build, I had very little clue what I was in for. But the members at Skidmark Garage were a great help teaching me how to weld, to make a wiring harness, and basically keeping from making huge mistakes. Two and a half years later Bell was done.
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
I wanted this cafe racer to have the same ergonomics as a modern sport bike. So, I took most of my measurements from a Suzuki 2008 GSX-R600 — seat height and handlebar placement are as close as possible. Everything began to flow from that.
Put in an air filter from a Harley Sportster but it needed a custom bracket to hold it. I decided to also mount the regulator/rectifier on the same bracket. I had never seen that done before. It looked good and it made wiring a little easier. The rear cowl is a simple Harley rear fender cut down.
There is an ugly lip on a Virago fuel tank, and I wanted to cover it up. I made a custom seat pan to hide the lip. Most of the other design concepts came from trial and error until I got it to work and look good.
• What custom work was done to the bike?
A Yamaha 2004 R1 front end and a Yamaha 2006 R1 rear shock is how the customization began. A bespoke subframe was next and custom headlight brackets and air box filter holder / regulator rectifier holder and the custom seat pan complete the look.
• Does the bike have a nickname?
Bell is named after my mother “Bellma,” who I lost to Covid-19 while building it. The burgundy stripe and accents are for her. Burgundy was her favorite color.
• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?
It’s fun! I did not do any custom engine work other than changing the piston rings. It’s not the fastest bike I own but I added a sport bike suspension (from a Yamaha R1) which makes nimbler. With the weight being so low it is flickable (quickly moves from a left to right lean). It’s extremely fun in the turns.
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
I get lots of complements about the exhaust pipes, they were created out of necessity more than design. I had been working with a professional welder who did the subframe and a few other parts.
He was not available by the time I had to do the exhaust pipes. I was forced to teach myself how to weld pipe. I knew that whatever I came up with had to be simple and clean. After buying some mandrel bent exhaust pipe this is what I came up with, dual exhaust and two Lossa Engineering Stubby Can mufflers.
Follow the Builder, Etc.
Builder: Brandon Jackson (@twowheelsohio)
Shop: Skidmark Garage, a community DIY motorcycle repair shop
www.skidmarkgarage.com
@skidmarkgarage
Painter: Stephanie Hronek
chelseamotorworks.com
@chelsea.motorworks
Photography credit: Bálint Meggyesi
bamegg.wixsite.com/meggyesi
www.facebook.com/bameggy
@bamegg”}]]
