When it's turned on its head

I used to play guitar. Well, I guess I could say I still play guitar and haven't forgotten everything I've learned through the years and can probably pick one up and play enough things to convince a stranger I know what I'm doing. But, for sake of this statement, when I did play guitar regularly and would go see my favorite player do a show (you know, someone good at it) I would always leave with this double-edged thought... one, that was great and inspiring, and two, that I should just quit playing now and give up.

Probably more of a reflection on me, really. This "I dig it and it's a great way to express myself but I don't seem to have the attention span to get really really good at it and so as good as I am right now will just have to do".... And, I guess just like proper grammar and sentence structure... I seem to just do it my way and that's that. Sometimes.

Anyway, this morning I saw this...

The same 1983 Yamaha XV750.

Now granted, a pro builder did this and I understand. But It gave me that same double-edged feeling of inspiration and heartache.

But only for a few moments.

So, leaning harder on the inspirational take on it, I can see some of the things they did here, and honestly can get close to understanding and/or utilizing some of this inspiration. Which is sort of the point anyway... So, the chain drive from shaft drive conversion I won't be looking at, so we can toss that out. Which limits the rear tire size but I knew about that and it's OK. I'm not looking for a great canyon carver with this build since I had one of the best of those earlier in my life and this will not even come close. This is a different animal.

Beyond the chain drive, their exhaust system, although custom, looks very similar to the lines of mine, so that part's great. Check. We are utilizing the same rear subframe (the look of it anyway) and the seat itself is the same. Check. While I dig the painted engine and tranny bits the way they did it up, I'm probably not gonna copy that stuff. I gotta be me and will only take inspiration of another so far before I put my own spin on it. Pro shop or not.

Once we get past that, then they go a little bit crazy with the R1 forks and wheel (would love to do but won't/can't), and the tank swap lends itself to the wire wheels they also changed. But since I'm sticking with the stock wheel designs it came with, I'm keeping the tank as is, too. Mostly out of money and/or ability to change it out mechanical ability level. Then their pro-level paint job finishes it off quite nicely.

So, I guess from all this I can come full circle. It's always great to see what others do with this platform, and since it's not one of those true cafe conversions that are closer to those actual cafe conversions from the 60's and 70's, like a Honda CB500 or Triumphs or Nortons... It's a early 80's mono shock Japanese cruiser experiment that lasted 3 years before they pulled the plug for something else.

It's a perfect platform for others (and me) to do whatever they want with it. It can be made to look cafe styled, or can be something completely different yet custom and interesting. Mine will fall somewhere in the middle I suppose, and that's OK. It's mine and I wanted it to be that. Mine own limitations notwithstanding.

And ultimately it's more me that way. Completely different yet interesting.

Of course, that depends on who you ask.