Photo: Bikes & The Cafe via Pipeburn
The custom bike scene seems to be establishing a firm foothold in the Eastern European nation of Bulgaria, with more and more talented builders emerging there as time goes by. Anton Krumkov is something of a newcomer in this growing community, operating as Bikes & The Cafe. That name leaves no room for interpretation with regards to his favorite style, and he certainly knows how to build a fantastic cafe racer.
For the project we’re about to inspect, his starting point was a Yamaha XV920 Virago from an unspecified model-year. The customization process started with a complete teardown and the removal of many factory components, including the forks, rear subframe, and all the stock bodywork, among others. With those items deleted, the real fun got started with a bit of fabrication work.
Anton came up with a bespoke tubular subframe, which is just long enough to support the custom seat pan placed up top. There is an LED lighting strip mounted vertically into the underside of this seat base, while a stunning handmade saddle can be spotted up top. It’s wrapped in light grey Alcantara and accompanied by a Honda Hornet’s repurposed fuel tank further ahead.
The entire frame was powder-coated black, but the Hornet gas tank got wrapped in a light blue and orange color scheme that oozes Gulf Racing vibes. A pair of solid disc covers were attached to the rear wheel, and there’s a swingarm-mounted license plate holder mounted on the left-hand side. The mods performed at the front were even more intricate, starting with the addition of those inverted Yamaha R1 forks.
In addition, the same Japanese superbike also donated its front braking equipment to Anton’s cause, but the Virago’s original three-spoke wheel remains. The project’s author had it cloaked in Pirelli Sport Demon rubber just like the rear rim, and he installed a potent LED headlight up top using custom mounting paraphernalia. Then there is the motorcycle’s updated cockpit.
It is home to clip-on handlebars kitted with underslung mirrors, bar-end turn signals, and a Brembo RCS brake master cylinder. You will see a digital dash fitted center-stage, as well, and the clip-ons are complemented by billet aluminum rearsets further back on the flanks. The Yammie was completely rewired to suit the modern electronics it now carries, with the battery stashed down low beneath the swingarm.
As for the creature’s V-twin engine, it was rebuilt where necessary and then fitted with some fresh respiratory bits. K&N air filtration hardware is present on the intake side of things, while the exhaust gases are routed through a custom two-into-one exhaust made of stainless-steel. The plumbing terminates in a reverse megaphone muffler right below the engine, and it’s the perfect way to conclude this incredible build from Bikes & The Cafe.
Anton came up with a bespoke tubular subframe, which is just long enough to support the custom seat pan placed up top. There is an LED lighting strip mounted vertically into the underside of this seat base, while a stunning handmade saddle can be spotted up top. It’s wrapped in light grey Alcantara and accompanied by a Honda Hornet’s repurposed fuel tank further ahead.
The entire frame was powder-coated black, but the Hornet gas tank got wrapped in a light blue and orange color scheme that oozes Gulf Racing vibes. A pair of solid disc covers were attached to the rear wheel, and there’s a swingarm-mounted license plate holder mounted on the left-hand side. The mods performed at the front were even more intricate, starting with the addition of those inverted Yamaha R1 forks.
In addition, the same Japanese superbike also donated its front braking equipment to Anton’s cause, but the Virago’s original three-spoke wheel remains. The project’s author had it cloaked in Pirelli Sport Demon rubber just like the rear rim, and he installed a potent LED headlight up top using custom mounting paraphernalia. Then there is the motorcycle’s updated cockpit.
It is home to clip-on handlebars kitted with underslung mirrors, bar-end turn signals, and a Brembo RCS brake master cylinder. You will see a digital dash fitted center-stage, as well, and the clip-ons are complemented by billet aluminum rearsets further back on the flanks. The Yammie was completely rewired to suit the modern electronics it now carries, with the battery stashed down low beneath the swingarm.
As for the creature’s V-twin engine, it was rebuilt where necessary and then fitted with some fresh respiratory bits. K&N air filtration hardware is present on the intake side of things, while the exhaust gases are routed through a custom two-into-one exhaust made of stainless-steel. The plumbing terminates in a reverse megaphone muffler right below the engine, and it’s the perfect way to conclude this incredible build from Bikes & The Cafe.
Google News