Some motorcycles immediately suggest a wealth of customisation possibilities. I have to admit, I never saw that potential in the Yamaha Virago/XV, but visionary builders like American Greg Hageman have proven otherwise. His stunning creations helped make the Virago a cornerstone of the custom motorcycle resurgence. These days, though, they’re a less common sight, so it was a pleasant surprise to discover a new builder who has breathed fresh life into this classic model. Anton Krumkov, based in Bulgaria, has put his own personalised spin on the Yamaha XV920, reflecting his country’s distinct style with a minimalist approach and bold colour palette.
The XV range’s impact should never be underestimated. Its success in the early ’80s prompted Harley-Davidson to push for tariffs to protect its market share. Decades later, the XV remains a cost-effective alternative for those seeking the big twin look without the hefty price tag of an HD, which remains exorbitantly expensive in many markets, including Bulgaria. Anton under his BTC, Bikes and the Cafe banner, was eager to showcase his ability to turn out a truly impressive custom beast and set to work.
Every XV build presents challenges, particularly its awkward frame and cumbersome subframe. To simplify the process, Anton cut off the rear section and smoothed the remaining frame with a flappy disc in preparation for paint. He then crafted a sleek, minimalist subframe, with triangulated bars extending just to the rear tyre. This design gives the bike a sharply bobbed and aggressive appearance. Once the initial fabrication was complete, the new frame and swingarm received a sleek black powder coat to finish.
The factory fuel tank is a bulky and pretty hideous thing, so most builders opt for alternatives like the Benelli Mojave unit. Anton took a different route, however, opting for a Honda Hornet tank. This choice adds muscular lines to the bike, giving it broad shoulders. To fit the Honda item, Anton customised the front mounts and added a bespoke rear mount to ensure the Honda unit sits neatly over the backbone. The seat on the other hand is entirely custom and features a curved steel base with a pronounced upkick.
A vertical LED strip is integrated into the seat base for the taillight, while the front end features a slim-profile LED headlight mounted hard against the triple trees on a custom bracket. To enhance the bike’s visual appeal, Anton chose the iconic Gulf Racing livery, which has been strikingly applied to the Honda tank. The headlight also sports blue accents, while the seat stitching contrasts in orange. The solo saddle with its grey Alcantara completes the bike’s aggressive, minimalist look.
Anton didn’t stop with the Gulf colours; the rear wheel features a neat powder blue pinstripe, and the rear shock’s spring is finished in the same hue. The wheel cover helps conceal the less-than-attractive stock wheel, which was retained due to its crucial role in the shaft drive setup. In contrast, the front wheel is left bare, and many components from the front end come from a different bike in the Yamaha line-up, specifically, a modern R1. The gold forks were adapted to fit with a custom steering stem and bearings placed between the triple trees.
The R1 also contributed its brakes, featuring a twin rotor and big caliper setup, coupled with custom braided lines leading to an RCS brake master cylinder. A custom set of clip-ons supports the new lever arrangement, and Anton has rewired the bike to accommodate the modern switchgear. A custom battery box, located under the swingarm, and a relocated ignition switch mounted on the centre post contribute to a sleek, clean look. A small digital display wraps up the electrics, while new rearsets lock the rider into a sporty position.
No custom XV would be complete without attention to the torquey V-Twin engine. Anton first stripped it down for a refresh before painting it black to perfection. The carbs were painted and re-jetted to ensure optimal fuel and airflow, with the latter managed by a K&N filter. The pièce de résistance is the handbuilt stainless steel exhaust system, featuring a 2 into 1 setup that ends in a neat can, adding both performance and a serious sound. Then to finish out his BTC beast, Anton has completed the build with an offset numberplate, and once again the big XV is back on the custom bike stage.
