Think of a custom Yamaha Virago, and you?ll probably picture a sleek, waspish build from Greg Hageman or Moto Adonis. The seats are stubby and the stance distinctly lean-forward: The epitome of the 21st century café racer.
David González of Spain?s Ad Hoc Café Racers has different ideas, though. His builds are usually chunky and muscular, eschewing the mainstream for a squared-off style of their own.

And so it is with this 1991 Virago 1100, nicknamed ?Low Tracker.? It?s squat and slammed down, with nary a hint of streamlining anywhere. And strangely enough, it works.
Before he picks up a grinder, David always has a very clear mental concept for a new build: In this case, it was to make a very low-riding bike with a dark vibe and a very compact look.
To modern eyes, the original Virago 1100 is a faintly ridiculous-looking cruiser?a pastiche V-twin with a stepped seat and a sissy bar, bookended by mismatched wheels.
David binned the 19-inch front wheel first, replacing it with a 16-inch rim that?s only an inch bigger than the back wheel. The rubber is Heidenau?s well-regarded K65, a touring compound.

The front suspension required more drastic surgery. The original 38mm telescopics are gone, replaced by 41mm fully adjustable forks from a 2008 Suzuki GSX-R750.
The yokes and brakes have been carried over too, with twin 310mm discs and four-piston Tokico calipers. New YSS shocks keep the back end well planted.

Given the new suspension and brakes, David?s wisely upg...