Written by Tim Huber.
Over the last few years Yamaha?s venerable Virago has become an increasingly popular platform for customization, trumped by the likes of the CX500, CB750, and Dominator. And while it?s difficult to pin-down the first shop to treat the Japanese V-Twin to a bob-job, Colorado?s 485 Designs has undeniably played a pivotal role in demonstrating the merits of the XV. In fact, to say 485 specializes in Virago builds would be one hell of an understatement, with the two-man operation?s portfolio brimming with all manner of stellar bobbed Virago builds including turbocharged examples and specimens sporting single-sided swing-arms, just to name a few. 

Headed up by 24-year-old Nick Mercer and located just south of Denver, 485 began the project picking up where the client had left off. ?The bike was brought to us as a project, rolling chassis, not put together, and pretty much just a box of parts,? Nick tells us.  Wanting to bestow the Yamaha with the shop?s signature look that customers have come to expect, while still bringing something new to the table, Nick and Bob ? the second half of 485 ? began brainstorming possible means of implementing some novel elements into the XV. The brief from the customer had asked for a floating style seat, though beyond that the two mid-20-something builders were otherwise pretty much given carte blanche. 

The duo?s answer came in the form of a unique subframe; a thick dual-wire arrangement that sees a tractor-style saddle...