Two Yamaha singles book-end our choice this week. We kick off with a pointy customized Yamaha XT600 avenue tracker, then profile a BMW R100RT café racer and a beautiful 1952 Vincent Comet. A Yamaha SR400 from Deus Ex Machina in Japan brings us residence.
Yamaha XT600 by Hoxton Moto With a Yamaha XT500 and a Honda NX650 below their belt, Shaun Fenton and the gang at Hoxton Moto have been eager to sink their enamel into one other thumper. This time, they selected Yamaha’s final four-valve air-cooled single—the 90s Yamaha XT600.
Hoxton began with a 1992-model XT600 that had already been fitted with Yamaha TDM forks, twin discs, and an 18” entrance wheel. Most customized builders gained’t contact a motorbike that another person has already tried to customise—however as soon as Shaun spooned on a pair of Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tires, the bike instantly took on an aggressive avenue tracker vibe that caught.
The unique tank was thrown away in favor of an extended Yamaha DT250 unit that suited the XT’s new silhouette. As soon as the brand new tank was massaged into place, the tubular metal rear finish was lopped off and changed by a cantilevered subframe, fabricated by Jake Robbins Engineering. A brand new seat sits up prime, upholstered by Dave at C.A. Upton & Sons.
Probably the most putting a part of this tradition Yamaha XT600 is the entrance ‘grille’ that was impressed by early scorching rods and race automobiles. Behind the tinted clear panels sits a pair of LED lights, that shine via when they’re turned on. The lenses may also be swapped out for various colours.
The engine and carbs have been fully rebuilt too, with new Okay&N filters fitted. Hoxton saved the exhaust headers, however cleaned them and added a connecting pipe and muffler from Zero Exhausts. Wheel covers have been added to provide the XT a extra sinister look, and customized fenders have been fitted at every finish.
The XT600’s livery is predicated on the straightforward (however efficient) scheme of the 1979 Yamaha XT500. Painted by Matt at Alchemy Paints, the compulsory purple particulars set in opposition to the black and white background scream classic Yamaha, and we’re right here for it. [Hoxton Moto]
BMW R100RT by Jerem Bikes Jérémie Duchampt at Jerem Bikes must not ever sleep. Sizzling on the heels of his final customized Ducati, he’s simply launched his fifteenth construct; a 1994 BMW R100RT café racer.
The bike initially belonged to a pal of Jérémie’s, who offered it to him after listening to that he particularly wished to construct a customized airhead. Jérémie began by gathering elements from a number of different BMWs. The entrance finish got here from a new-ish R nineT, whereas the swingarm and rear wheel got here from an R1150RT.
Jérémie wished to construct a neo-retro café racer with trendy proportions—and that meant becoming a large rear tire. So he sourced a BMW F850GS rim that might accommodate a 160-section tire, then laced it to the single-sided R1150RT hub. It appears able to brawl—particularly with a vivid yellow Öhlins shock sitting simply in entrance of it.
Going again to the entrance of the bike, a customized headlight shroud was created from fiberglass, full with MotoGP-style winglets. It’s not going to supply any significant downforce, however hey, it appears cool. The tank was wearing BMW P28 purple, as have been the edges, headlight nacelle, and tail part.
The seat is supported by a customized subframe, and sports activities leather-based and Recaro plaid cloth upholstery by Yaya Brush Upholstery (Jeremie’s go-to seat designer). With the remainder of the bike prettied up, the engine felt not noted. So it was dressed up with recent paint, a BMW /5 airbox cowl, and a brand new chrome steel twin exhaust with Delcampo mufflers.
A slew of Motogadget and Kellerman elements have been used because the bike’s wiring and lighting. The taillight is especially good—it’s recessed into the seat hump and has a sleek afterburner-like aesthetic when illuminated. A customized carbon fiber stomach pan provides an additional trace of race bike model to the construct.
So, how does it journey? Jeremie sums it up completely: “It’s completely steady, exact and it’s a deal with to journey. I find it irresistible, and it’s going to be tough to promote and never hold for myself!” [Jerem Motorcycles]
1952 Vincent Comet You’ll often discover J. Shia in her workshop at Boston’s Madhouse Motors, cooking up her subsequent clever customized motorbike creation. However J additionally makes a speciality of every kind of motorcycle-related companies, together with restoring and making ready classic bikes on the market—like this 1952 Vincent Comet.
The Vincent story is an enchanting one. They started in 1928 and went on to supply the world’s quickest bikes, all earlier than their abrupt ending in 1955. Their most well-known mannequin by far is the Vincent Black Shadow, a motorbike able to propelling its rider to 125mph. That may not appear to be a lot now, however in 1948 you could as nicely have been straddling a rocket.
The dual-cylinder Vincents took place when Vincent engineer Phil Irving seen two Vincent HRD drawings on prime of one another in a V formation. However earlier than these hit the scene, Vincent supplied the Meteor and Comet. Powered by a 499 cc single-cylinder engine, the Comet was mainly a sports activities model of the Meteor.
This explicit Comet is a 1952 mannequin, which makes it a late-model (and relatively fascinating) Collection C. The bike presents in unbelievable situation and appears prefer it has had a sympathetic restoration with the addition of bar-end mirrors, and an aftermarket taillight and switch indicators.
Nonetheless current is the 150 mph speedo (displaying 35,000 miles) and different Vincent unique gear. The tank has some dings and the paint has some scratches, however we predict this makes the bike all of the extra fascinating; it’s been ridden, not hidden.
The Comet has simply been offered on Deliver a Trailer for a modest $21,750. Should you’re unhappy that it received away, J has hinted that she has extra Vincents on the best way. [More]
Yamaha SR400 by Deus ex Machina Japan Bought all over the world to scores of adoring followers, the Yamaha SR400 had an virtually unheard-of 43-year manufacturing run. Initially styled as a street-going model of the XT500, the SR400 debuted in 1978 alongside its barely greater brother, the SR500. The SR500 was retired in 1999, however the SR400 lived on as much as 2021.
To commemorate the SR400 retirement and have fun its success, Infini Sports activities Group determined to name their associates at Deus ex Machina in Japan to speak a few becoming send-off. Infini operates six Yamaha dealerships in Japan’s Kanto and Tohoku areas, so the SR is near their coronary heart.
“One in all my earliest reminiscences hooked up to bikes was sneaking footage subsequent to an SR parked outdoors a secondhand clothes store on my strategy to faculty,” reads a quote on Deus Japan’s weblog. “My associates and I might watch on, slack-jawed because the clerk approached his bike, donned a half helmet, classic goggles, and a Schott leather-based jacket; you’d suppose he was floating an inch off the bottom the best way we watched in awe as he deftly kickstarted the bike and took off from the curb.”
Deus determined that one of the simplest ways to enhance the SR400 was to simplify it. There’s nothing wild on this tradition construct—only a slew of particulars that commemorate the plucky SR’s enduring enchantment.
The 2021-model SR400 comes with laced wheels, however Deus swapped them for forged hoops as a homage to the unique design. Fortunately, the trendy entrance disc brake remained. A brief entrance mudguard and a brand new LED headlight have been bolted on, each with customized brackets.
Tiny Kellerman indicators peek out from behind the fork gaiters, with twin Daytona clocks changing the inventory gauge cluster. Customized facet covers barely cover the Okay&N pod filter that hangs off the again of the throttle physique.
Deus Japan saved the inventory gas tank however repainted it in a unbelievable root beer scheme. The white leather-based seat is a customized half, designed to be slimmer than inventory. White leather-based isn’t for everybody, however it does pop properly—and it’ll develop a fantastic patina over the subsequent few many years.
The rear finish was chopped and looped to match the contour of the seat, with a brand new rear fender and taillight mounted in place. The ultimate piece of the puzzle is the beneficiant exhaust, completed in matte black.
Deus’ tackle the SR400 epitomizes what the bike has at all times represented—youthfulness and approachability. [More]
