The sheer variety of Freeride Motos Racing’s secure makes it tough to lump them into one silo. You’re simply as prone to discover a svelte supermoto of their workshop, as you’re a 90-year-old Moto Guzzi. Store boss Pierre Dhers is clearly onto a great factor—so it’s no marvel that he will get return prospects.
One such buyer is Dakar Rally driver and flat observe racer Pierre Lachaume. The 2 Pierres met a while in the past when Monsieur Lachaume wished a customized bike. He wished his 1989 Yamaha XT 600 modified at first, however, after some deliberation, Freeride constructed him a surprising KTM flat tracker as a substitute.
Persistence is a advantage that he clearly possesses. As soon as the KTM was completed, he headed again to Freeride’s workshop to get the XT 600 sorted too.
“After having accomplished different initiatives collectively, the topic of the XT got here again on the desk,” explains Pierre Dhers. “We wished a easy and refined scrambler, an ideal approach to get to the nook bar for a drink.”
When you have been unaware, the French as soon as had a booming nationwide motorbike commerce, which pumped out some stunning equipment (give it a Google). Freeride took inspiration from post-war French bikes, by becoming the gas tank from a Fifties Monet Goyon. The oil tank and toolbox have been lifted from a 125 cc Terrot.
The brass gas and oil tank caps have been hand-turned by Pierre’s father. who often contributes to Freeride initiatives. The brushed aluminum accents on the tank and the small baggage rack are interval components that have been restored for the challenge.
The Yamaha’s inventory wheels have been refreshed, and re-spoked with a brand new 18” rim up entrance. This matches the rear rim—which is one thing you must anticipate from a flat observe aficionado like Lachaume. Trying very fashionable in new black paint, the edges are shod with Heidenau vintage-style enduro tires.
The just about-40-year-old braking system was upgraded by means of new grasp cylinders and solid-mounted discs. The discs have been expertly laser reduce with the Freeride identify, and ‘Lachaume 74’ in reference to Pierre’s racing quantity.
One other nod to the France of yesteryear is the selective yellow headlight. It was donated by a automobile from the Eighties, the place it was initially a fog mild. The inventory indicators have been shelved and changed with discrete LED items, hidden between the forks up entrance, and beneath the seat out again.
The seat was trimmed by Mr Cannac Christophe of Akotabe in Carmaux, within the south of France. It’s perched atop a customized subframe.
The rider cockpit now consists of latest switchgear, throttle meeting and black Renthal bars held in place by polished risers. The entrance and rear suspension have been lowered, prone to inject only a few further cc’s of flat-track fashion.
Freeride additionally handled the engine to a full tear-down, including efficiency enhancements by means of a brand new Prox conrod, Vertex valves and a Vertex piston. The carbs have been stripped, bathed and refreshed, and now breathe via aluminum filters from Malossi. Reassembled with recent gaskets all spherical, the engine was painted black to match the body and must be good for an additional 30+ years of service.
The chrome steel exhaust system is hand-made, terminating in a Supertrapp muffler. It’d simply be our favourite a part of the construct; the purple to golden-bronze coloration actually pops towards the in any other case monochrome design.
Gone are the unique plastic guards of the Eighties—they’ve been changed by brief metal guards, painted to match the tanks. There are leather-based accents all around the bike, together with a taillight and plate ‘bracket’ that harks again to the trials bikes of previous. It may not look structurally sound, nevertheless it does look rattling cool.
Freeride got down to create a minimalist scrambler for bopping round city, and have completely nailed it. This XT 600 may be from France, nevertheless it’s the bodily embodiment of dolce far niente.
Image the scene: you’re within the south of France and deal with your self to a lie-in, get up with a powerful espresso and cruise round city in your scrambler. After assembly your mates for a drink within the afternoon, you are taking a scenic detour via the woods on the best way house. Bliss.
Freeride Motos Racing | Fb | Instagram | Photographs by Clement Lazzaro
