Okay, here’s my shot at a blog post, channeling my inner “mature, hands-on blogger” about chopping a Yamaha V Star:
Alright, so I finally took the plunge. For months, I’ve been staring at my Yamaha V Star 650, thinking, “That thing could look way cooler.” I mean, it’s a solid bike, reliable as hell, but it just screamed “vanilla.” I wanted something with some teeth, some attitude, you know? So, I decided to chop it.
First things first: research. I spent hours, and I mean hours, scouring forums, watching videos, and basically inhaling anything related to V Star bobbers and choppers. Gotta know what you’re getting into, right? I wasn’t about to start hacking away without a plan.
The Tear Down
I started by stripping the bike down. Off came the fenders, the stock seat, the bulky turn signals, everything that wasn’t absolutely essential. It’s amazing how much lighter the bike felt just by removing all that extra stuff. I made sure to label every bolt and wire, bagged it all up and stored in a cardboard box. I don’t throw anything away, you always end up needing something you’ve thrown away
Cutting and Welding
This is where things got real. I’d decided to go with a hardtail conversion, which meant cutting off the rear section of the frame. I took my time, measured about ten times, and cut once (well, twice, but you get the idea). Used an angle grinder. Then I welded a straight piece of tubing where the frame was cut, making a rigid rear end.
New Bits and Pieces
- New seat:Ordered a low-profile spring solo seat. Looks awesome.
- Handlebars:Swapped the stock bars for some mini-apes. Much more comfortable riding position.
- Fender: A short, chopped rear fender. Just enough to keep some of the road grime off my back.
- Lights:Smaller, more streamlined turn signals and a new tail light.
- Exhaust: I am planning on doing something about those pipes.
Putting it All Back Together
Reassembly was basically the reverse of the tear down, but with all the new parts. It took some fiddling to get everything lined up just right, but that’s part of the fun. Seeing it all come together, that’s the reward.
The Result
Man, the bike looks completely different. It’s got that raw, stripped-down look I was going for. It’s lower, meaner, and just plain cooler. And the ride? Totally different. You feel every bump in the road, but that’s part of the charm. It’s a more visceral, connected experience.
I’m still making adjustments. This is the first iteration. It’s still a project. But that’s the beauty of a custom bike, right? It’s always evolving. And when i’m finished, I will post another article of the next project.
