Fast forward thirty years, and an ungainly TR1 has become one of the best customs we?ve ever seen. It?s been given the cafe racer treatment by amateur builder Roland Snel, who?s taken inspiration from trailblazing Virago specialist Greg Hageman.

?I?m a big fan of Classified Moto, but when Shun and I saw the XV750 of Hageman, I knew I had to build a Yamaha Virago special,? says Roland. ?It had to be low, lean and level?and more ?vintage? than ?rough.??
So Roland chose a 1984-spec TR1?mostly because it has chain drive, making it easy to fit a wider rear tire by offsetting the chain.

To complete the front end, Roland has added an Öhlins steering damper, a combined digital speedo/tacho, and a frame-mounted Bates-style headlight?to keep the big fork legs free. The wheels have been upgraded too, using aluminum Akront rims. There?s an 18-incher up front, laced to a Honda GL1000 hub with stainless spokes. Behind is a beefier 5.5/17-inch rim.

He?s upgraded the carbs though: There?s a Dynojet stage 1 jet kit, to take advantage of the more open exhaust. The modified headers hook up to ceramic-coated MAC mufflers, and the different routing has given Roland room to mount a lithium-ion battery under the swingarm.
To emphasize the engine, he?s machined the cooling fins and added matching fins to both crank covers. The extra horizontal lines give the TR1 more of a custom vibe and Seventies look.

The level of detailing is amazing. Roland has replaced all the nuts, bolts, bracke...