I'm looking for an XV1000 or TR1

[kiwifruit]

sorry, its gone

[Pixie]

Yeah as far as I know the total list of Virago models is (in ascending order) 250, 500, 535, 700, 750, 920, 1000 and 1100. A number of these were only made for a couple of years for the US market after they changed the rules on import bikes in an attempt to stem the flow of import jap bikes taking the sales of Harleys. The early US bikes were all called Viragos and the kiwi/Ausi/UK ones were first called XV... then after about 1986 adopted the Virago name as well. There is no difference between them other than the badges. Apparently the bikes were first brought out as road bikes and were a complete flop on the market so they redesigned them as a cruiser. I am on my second XV750 and likle the narrow lines, a lot like the single bangers I have previously owned. I am basically looking for a TR1 if I can get one for sensible money, or anything 750 and above for the right price. Bearing in mind that I want the bike as a donor for my latest hair-brained scheme. In answer to Pixie above, I won't be trying to replicate front end, I will initially go for the original forks and look out for a girder/springer that will look good powder coated black. The Britten front end is very similar to the Vincent HRD forks along with the stressed member frame, monoshock rear suspension and integrated gearbox - all of which were considered radical at the time.

Actually the Hossack front end (to give credit to the originator,rather than Britten,the copier) is vastly different to Vincent girdraulic forks.
The Hossack suspension is a development of car type double wishbone suspension,and can be seen on the new K1200 BMW's.Norman Hossack was a race car builder.BMW used the suspension when the patent ran out,Britten just pinched the design.
Girdraulics were just oil damped girder forks with parts cast in alloy,the steering wasn't isolated from the suspension movement as it was in the Hossack design.This was the Hossack design's major advantage.

Motorcycle Chassis Design by Tony Foale and Vic Whilloubhy has useful info on the Hossack design,and it is relatively easy to construct

[Wired1]

I must read up on Mr Hossack although I'm sure you are right. I think there was also a fair amount of influence from both the Indian and Vincent bikes in the mighty Britten. I get a bit nervous when talk gets round to making your own front end. I will try most things but if I stuff up the forks I'm gonna know about it in a bad way. If I do manage to find an old XV road bike I probably will go with the stock front end as most of it is obscured anyway.