I don’t think a Virago is particularly collectible. Hageman has put it on the map. It was a really great bike. That monoshock was something new back in the day. As I remember, that 750 went like stink! Do something cool with it.
For sure it would have been faster, lighter and better handling than the later twin shock/ shotgun piped/ rocking chair/ kitchy versions of the Viragos (the 250 and 535 being the honorable exceptions)
The original Virago 750 was designed from scratch, and was modern, fairly fast, and the first japanese V-Twin custom. Before they came out, custom style bikes were based on existing vertical twins, triples and fours with just cosmetic mods, like Yamaha Specials, Kawasaki LTDs, Suzuki Low Slingers and Honda CB-C models.Sort of sad that the market does not recognize what a shift in the cruiser bike marketplace it actually was. Cycle Magazine, and CW were really positive about it in the first published tests.
I even remember the first time I saw one on the street. The owner was a chick in her mid 20's, long black hair, open face helmet, red lipstick, perforated leather car driving gloves, red fingernails, and a small handbag dangling from the bars. Made a lasting impression on me, I guess. Both the chick and the bike. She still rides now, I believe. Either Indian or HD, even as she is approaching 60!
If I had been a cruiser oriented rider, an early Virago in stock condition would be high on my shopping list!
