Redeeming a Wasted Motor through Photoshop

Tanshanomi · 12-03-2012, 01:48 PM

My wife had an '09 V-Star 950 for about two years. She got rid of it because it turned about as quickly as a battleship, and the handling was just...weird. But over the weekend we were talking about how much we'd liked the motor — smooth, silky clutch, spot-on EFI mapping, not a ton of power but very fun. She said she wished Yamaha put that motor in a frame more like her current W650.

Well, I mashed up a quickie slapchop of a V-Star 950 and an XS11 to see what an "XStar 950" might look like. Useless, but entertaining, so I figured I'd share it here. Don't look too closely, though. There are a few little of problems with the details...such the fact that the rider has nowhere to put his feet!

Navin · 12-03-2012, 01:56 PM

Yamaha had some real classy looking bikes back in the day and IMO they and the other big 4 are missing the retro theme by copying others bikes/designs and not their own.

Why they don't have a RD/RZ400 Daytona Special themed 300-500cc, a XV(was that the euro styled V twin sporty bike?)920 and a early DT250/400 style enduro is a mystery to me.

Unleaded · 12-03-2012, 02:41 PM

Nice work! Swap the air cleaner cover out for something more conventional, and that's a way-cool standard. Or better yet, develop the bike, leave the airbox cover as-is, and then sell a ridiculously overpriced normal-looking one as an option.

jules083 · 12-03-2012, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unleaded

Or better yet, develop the bike, leave the airbox cover as-is, and then sell a ridiculously overpriced normal-looking one as an option.

Shh....

You're letting all of Harley's secrets out.

Scrivens · 12-03-2012, 04:15 PM

DAKEZ · 12-04-2012, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scrivens

Tanshanomi · 12-04-2012, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scrivens

...but desperately in need of an 18" rear wheel.

anotherguy · 12-04-2012, 10:50 AM

Ever seen a Carberry Enfield?

Tanshanomi · 12-05-2012, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anotherguy

Ever seen a Carberry Enfield?

Yes, a very neat bike, but not exactly the sort of low hassle, low maintenance ownership experience as a V-Star 950.

Toto · 12-05-2012, 02:19 PM

Looks like the Yamaha XV920RH from the early '80s...only better.
I almost bought a new one ...enclosed chain...BTW
Ended uo getting a new 1983 Honda CX 650E instead.

RustySpokes · 12-06-2012, 09:36 AM

I rode a Honda 1800? V-twin once and really enjoyed the engine. But the handling and seating position were wonky. A good running V-twin in a standard chassis with good suspension would be great fun to ride. Kinda like my 1K VStrom, but better looking.

zuma · 12-06-2012, 05:05 PM

Yamaha brought out the BT1100 Bulldog about 10 years ago.

Vstar 1100 motor, shaft drive, 17" wheels, 20lt tank.

I thought it seemed like a pretty decent allrounder, a Yamaha rep. here in Oz told me they were going to bring it in, didn't happen though. I liked the look of it too, but it didn't sell.

bk brkr baker · 12-06-2012, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toto

Looks like the Yamaha XV920RH from the early '80s...only better.
I almost bought a new one ...enclosed chain...BTW
Ended uo getting a new 1983 Honda CX 650E instead.

Better ?

Entirely subjective. But I'm prejudiced toward the XV920.

EetsOK · 12-06-2012, 05:50 PM

anotherguy · 12-07-2012, 05:23 AM

Another lack of follow through for Harley. They sure did build some cool prototypes back in the day.

12-03-2012, 01:48 PM	#1
Tanshanomi ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2009 Location: Heart of America Oddometer: 132	Redeeming a Wasted Motor through Photoshop My wife had an '09 V-Star 950 for about two years. She got rid of it because it turned about as quickly as a battleship, and the handling was just...weird. But over the weekend we were talking about how much we'd liked the motor — smooth, silky clutch, spot-on EFI mapping, not a ton of power but very fun. She said she wished Yamaha put that motor in a frame more like her current W650. Well, I mashed up a quickie slapchop of a V-Star 950 and an XS11 to see what an "XStar 950" might look like. Useless, but entertaining, so I figured I'd share it here. Don't look too closely, though. There are a few little of problems with the details...such the fact that the rider has nowhere to put his feet! Tanshanomi screwed with this post 12-07-2012 at 02:30 PM

12-03-2012, 02:41 PM	#3
Unleaded Unit Train Joined: Jan 2003 Location: Hellinois Oddometer: 670	Nice work! Swap the air cleaner cover out for something more conventional, and that's a way-cool standard. Or better yet, develop the bike, leave the airbox cover as-is, and then sell a ridiculously overpriced normal-looking one as an option. __________________ "A slave stood behind the conqueror holding a golden crown and whispering in his ear a warning - that all glory is fleeting."

12-04-2012, 10:50 AM	#8
anotherguy Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2009 Location: in the foothills now.... Oddometer: 4,314	Ever seen a Carberry Enfield? __________________ When injustice becomes law,resistance becomes duty. Thomas Jefferson

12-06-2012, 09:36 AM	#11
RustySpokes Two-bit throttle bum Joined: May 2004 Location: Pueblo, CO Oddometer: 761	I rode a Honda 1800? V-twin once and really enjoyed the engine. But the handling and seating position were wonky. A good running V-twin in a standard chassis with good suspension would be great fun to ride. Kinda like my 1K VStrom, but better looking. __________________ "The secret to getting what you want is to simply be willing to blow your budget out of the water..." Pete Z.

12-06-2012, 05:50 PM	#14
EetsOK Studly Adventurer Joined: Jan 2012 Location: Kootenay/Boundary Oddometer: 596	__________________ l never really thought of myself as a freak. But l'd love to freak.

12-03-2012, 01:56 PM	#2
Navin Unwounding Joined: Sep 2009 Location: Mudville Oddometer: 4,318	Yamaha had some real classy looking bikes back in the day and IMO they and the other big 4 are missing the retro theme by copying others bikes/designs and not their own. Why they don't have a RD/RZ400 Daytona Special themed 300-500cc, a XV(was that the euro styled V twin sporty bike?)920 and a early DT250/400 style enduro is a mystery to me.

12-03-2012, 04:15 PM	#5
Scrivens Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2011 Location: South Australia Oddometer: 294

12-05-2012, 02:19 PM	#10
Toto Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jan 2008 Location: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada Oddometer: 162	Looks like the Yamaha XV920RH from the early '80s...only better. I almost bought a new one ...enclosed chain...BTW Ended uo getting a new 1983 Honda CX 650E instead.

12-06-2012, 05:05 PM	#12
zuma Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2009 Oddometer: 168	Yamaha brought out the BT1100 Bulldog about 10 years ago. Vstar 1100 motor, shaft drive, 17" wheels, 20lt tank. I thought it seemed like a pretty decent allrounder, a Yamaha rep. here in Oz told me they were going to bring it in, didn't happen though. I liked the look of it too, but it didn't sell.

12-07-2012, 05:23 AM	#15
anotherguy Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2009 Location: in the foothills now.... Oddometer: 4,314	Another lack of follow through for Harley. They sure did build some cool prototypes back in the day. __________________ When injustice becomes law,resistance becomes duty. Thomas Jefferson

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