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LesS · 08-08-2011, 10:11 PM

Hi PaulB2,
I don’t have any pictures yet.
I am more of a street bike guy – I bought the Virago 250 only for the V-twin engine (never owned a V-twin before and can’t afford a MG) – and I am trying to make it more of a street bike.
Actually the bike made for me (and you) is the SRV250, but it is not sold in the U.S.

I found the cruiser seating position of the Virago 250 uncomfortable due to a back problem.
I raised the seat up two inches and moved the pegs back 12 inches which made a big difference in the comfort.
Moving the footpegs back on the left side was not too hard to do (for the shift lever, get a 1981 Honda CM400 shifter – it’s almost perfect). For the left side, I mounted 3/4" x .125" aluminum square tubing (6063-T5) 11.75 inches long to the swingarm pivot bolt with an additional support bracket about two inches behind it..

The right side was really difficult – I built/trashed two ideas before I finally got one that worked. I used a steel brace (1/4 inch thick, 1 inch wide, and 17 inches long) which had a 30 degree downward bend. The left end attached to the swingarm pivot bolt and right side attached to the rear brake support bracket (the hole that is directly below the last “a” in the “Yamaha” on the oil filter cover). The rear brake lever and linkage are removed, I bought threaded rod at Home Depot for the brake rod. I used a 1979 Kawasaki KZ400 rear brake pedal lever assembly and cheap “Motosport Super Sport” footpegs (ebay).

To make a Virago 250 a better street machine, you need to move the pegs back, put on lower bars, change the front and rear sprocket for proper street gearing, and reduce the front forks softness (use thicker oil and add an additional spacer).

I have the Rifle Sport fairing (8 lbs). The Rifle Superbike fairing is better suited to the Virago 250 due to its smaller size and weight (5 lbs) although it is harder to find one used. The Rifle Nighflight is very small – maybe OK if you ride in a full tuck all the time.

The “38F/39R” is the tire pressure I run now for better mileage.
-Les S.

08-08-2011, 10:11 PM	#13 (permalink)
LesS EcoModding Lurker Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Stratford, CT Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Hi PaulB2, I don’t have any pictures yet. I am more of a street bike guy – I bought the Virago 250 only for the V-twin engine (never owned a V-twin before and can’t afford a MG) – and I am trying to make it more of a street bike. Actually the bike made for me (and you) is the SRV250, but it is not sold in the U.S. I found the cruiser seating position of the Virago 250 uncomfortable due to a back problem. I raised the seat up two inches and moved the pegs back 12 inches which made a big difference in the comfort. Moving the footpegs back on the left side was not too hard to do (for the shift lever, get a 1981 Honda CM400 shifter – it’s almost perfect). For the left side, I mounted 3/4" x .125" aluminum square tubing (6063-T5) 11.75 inches long to the swingarm pivot bolt with an additional support bracket about two inches behind it.. The right side was really difficult – I built/trashed two ideas before I finally got one that worked. I used a steel brace (1/4 inch thick, 1 inch wide, and 17 inches long) which had a 30 degree downward bend. The left end attached to the swingarm pivot bolt and right side attached to the rear brake support bracket (the hole that is directly below the last “a” in the “Yamaha” on the oil filter cover). The rear brake lever and linkage are removed, I bought threaded rod at Home Depot for the brake rod. I used a 1979 Kawasaki KZ400 rear brake pedal lever assembly and cheap “Motosport Super Sport” footpegs (ebay). To make a Virago 250 a better street machine, you need to move the pegs back, put on lower bars, change the front and rear sprocket for proper street gearing, and reduce the front forks softness (use thicker oil and add an additional spacer). I have the Rifle Sport fairing (8 lbs). The Rifle Superbike fairing is better suited to the Virago 250 due to its smaller size and weight (5 lbs) although it is harder to find one used. The Rifle Nighflight is very small – maybe OK if you ride in a full tuck all the time. The “38F/39R” is the tire pressure I run now for better mileage. -Les S.