TOP 5 YAMAHA XS650 CUSTOMS

By Wesley Reyneke | Rather Be Riding

It feels like the Yamaha XS650 has been around forever, and that’s not far from the truth: it was offered in various guises from 1968 until 1985. But the air-cooled, parallel-twin engine has an even longer history—it was based on a 500cc German Horex copied by the now-defunct Hosk Motorcycles.

The XS was conceived as an alternative to the classic British twins, and the original XS ‘Standard’ was styled in the vein of contemporaries such as the Triumph Bonneville T120. Riders of a more relaxed persuasion could choose the cruiser-styled ‘Special,’ which had a teardrop tank and high, swept back bars.

The XS was popular among racers, with Kenny Roberts piloting it to victory in the 1973 AMA National dirt track series. It’s since become even more popular on the custom scene, probably due to its familiar engine and natural good looks. Here we’ve picked five of our favorite Yamaha XS650 customs, showcasing its versatility and potential.

An-Bu ‘Skull Tiger’ It’s always refreshing to see a bike that bucks trends—such as this extreme XS from An-Bu of Japan. It was built for the 2013 Yokohama custom show in An-Bu’s signature style—part Mad Max, part Tokyo street culture. The mostly-black colour scheme is punctuated only by the red Hinomaru dot on the ’60s style fairing, and the camouflage-style tank paint. There’s also a full custom exhaust system, and the engine’s been bored out, had its compression raised and been tuned for maximum torque. As if it wasn’t punk-rock enough already, the words printed on either side of the fairing are lyrics from Sex Pistols’ Pretty Vacant. [More about this bike | An-Bu Custom Motors]

Classified Moto ‘Ripper’ Very few builders could get away with painting a bike’s frame powder blue—but Classified Moto’s John Ryland is one of them. What started out as a client project eventually became a BMX-inspired homage to SE’s legendary P.K. Ripper pushbike. It’s a little more playful than Classified’s usual fare, but Ryland’s signature touches are still there—such as the nickel-plated tank and perforated panels on the tail. The kick start lever has a BMW pedal attached to it, and the Classified Moto logo on the tank uses Thrasher magazine’s font. While building the XS, Ryland simultaneously tore down and rebuilt a 2010 P.K. Ripper to match it, complete with a set of iconic Skyway Tuff II mag wheels. [More about this bike | Classified Moto]

Mule Motorcycles ‘MLAV’ Street Tracker This is the third Mule build that we’ve featured in a ‘Top 5′—with good reason. Richard Pollock has a penchant for building über-clean trackers, with a level of attention to detail that borders on obsessive. This XS is built around a custom chromoly steel frame, with billet triple clamps housing the forks from a Honda CBR900RR. Engine mods abound—the most noticeable being a 750cc big-bore kit. The tail unit has a classic flat tracker shape, but is made from carbon fibre. It’s a perfect match for the British racing green Storz tank. [More about this bike | Mule Motorcycles]

La Corona XS650 I realise I may get raked over the coals for selecting a bike with wrapped pipes, Firestones and a thin seat—but I’m doing it anyway. Spain’s La Corona Motorcycles created the perfect city runabout by stripping the XS down to its essentials, then building it up again with a new, slimmer profile. The tank is from a Suzuki DS, finished in a tasteful two-tone paint scheme. La Corona also removed the starter motor, fitting an electronic ignition to make kick starting easier, and relocated the ignition to the new under-seat battery box. Without an electric start, switchgear on the flat track bars could be kept to a minimum, adding to the bike’s overall air of simplicity. [More about this bike | La Corona Motorcycles]

Drogo Michie’s Flat Tracker Although this ’78 XS looks like it’s ready to blast around a dirt track, it was actually built for London’s streets. It belongs to Drogo Michie, who turned to various shops to execute his vision. Flat track specialists Red Max Speed Shop supplied a Champion seat, Trackmaster tank and Koni rear shocks, and took care of the frame mods and powder coating. Co-Built built the bespoke exhaust system—complete with removable baffles. The paint was done by Kevin Hooper, and was inspired by a ’70s BSA flat tracker. Despite being destined for urban use, Michie ended up taking to the track after all, racing in the UK novice class. [More about this bike | Red Max Speed Shop]

That’s our pick of the best Yamaha XS650s. What’s yours?

Our previous Top 5 covered the Harley Sportster.

from BIKEEXIF

The Maserati story: Three-pronged attack

It's 2014 and time to celebrate 100 years of Maserati, the legendary Italian marque which made its first car in, er, 1926...

Ok, maybe it's not really a century since the first Trident-badged car turned a wheel - but it was in December 1914 that the Societa Anonima Officine Alfieri Maserati was established in Bologna, adopting the town's trident of Neptune insignia as its badge.

Family business

Initially, Alfieri and  brothers Bindo and Ettore prepared Isottas for racing, then tuned and raced for Diatto until it stopped production in 1926 -  leaving the Maseratis to make the first car bearing their own name, an eight-cylinder, Diatto-based racer in which Alfieri scored a class win in that year's Targa Florio to lay the foundations of the trident legend.

Further victories impressed industrialist Adolfo Orsi, who bought the firm and took it to victory at the 1939 Indianapolis 500 before car-making was temporarily abandoned.

Production resumed post-War with a series of beautiful road cars with bodywork by Pinin Farina, Zagato and Frua atop the A6 chassis. The early 1950s also saw Fangio score the first of a string of race victories for the marque, culminating in his fifth and final World Championship win in 1957 driving the legendary 250F - the model that also gave Stirling Moss his big break in F1.

Good times and bad

Despite Fangio's glorious victory, '57 was a black year for Maserati which lost several drivers in a string of unrelated accidents. This led the firm to axe its 'works' team, although it continued to build cars for other people to race, notably the legendary, tubular-framed 'Birdcage' models of the early 1960s. 

And it was during those Swinging 60s and into the 70s that some of the most evocative Maserati road cars were developed, including the Bora, Mistral and Ghibli. Their stunning looks and slightly naughty image attracted the likes of celebrities ranging from the Shah of Iran to Peter Sellers, and from the astronaut Wally Schirra to singer Sandy Shaw. Peter Ustinov had one, too, along with Alain Delon, Luciano Pavarotti and Kirk Douglas.

It was in the same era that ownership of Maserati passed to Citroën, a partnership which led to the development of the mongrel Citroën SM (Citroën body and hydraulics, Maserati engine - what could possibly go wrong?)  as well as the Merak SS, the Khamsin and the Quattroporte II. But then Citroën went bankrupt, leaving Maserati to be saved by the Italian government.

Renaissance

Ownership shifted to Alessandro de Tomaso and, by the 1980s, the lovely mid-engined road cars had been replaced by boxy, front-engined, rear-wheel-drive coupés such as the Biturbo, Shamal and Ghibli II, designed by Italian styling house Giugiaro.

Maserati's renaissance proper began in 1993, however, when Fiat bought the company and launched the 3200 GT of 1999, which developed into the 4200 Coupé and Cabriolet, with the GranTurismo and Quattroporte arriving after that under Ferrari ownership.

Now back under the wing of Fiat, Maserati looks to be in rude health, with the new Ghibli expected to reinforce the marque's presence on the world stage with an annual production figure in the order of 25,000 cars.

Alfieri would no doubt approve - although the thought of the optional diesel engine might have him spinning in his grave. Probably at around 8,000rpm.

Photos: Getty Images / Maserati

Many classic Maseratis can be found in the Classic Driver Market.

Triumph Bonneville by Roberto Rossi

 

If you ever wondered what would be a true form of classic custom motorcycle. Look no further than Roberto Rossi’s British classic creation a Triumph Bonneville, called Rivale.

 

This Triumph Bonneville, called Rivale, is the first in a long series of motorcycles which Roberto Rossi has created embracing the philosophy of Charles and Ray Eames; that all of the mechanic’s efforts must be used to defuse the highest quality at the lowest possible prices.

Rossi’s goal is to combine authenticity and history with modern technology and an old style image, perfect for modern daily use.

Rivale was the opportunity to undertake the creation of a functional piece without having to sacrifice beauty and a touch of romanticism. Reconstructed around a Triumph Bonneville T100 this is a tribute to a classic brand like Triumph. Rivale, a Triumph Bonneville with a rugged, well-lived look, which is the way Roberto Rossi likes it, has a Spartan frame, seat and details, giving it the feel of a scrambler.

In fact, this motorcycle is, a bit provocatively, a physical re-evaluation of a used street bike and Rossi’sreconstruction modifications, such as the dust black painted rims and the hand crafted fenders, clearly show that real emotions, like the feel of the wind in your hair, don’t necessarily need to be brand new, they just need to be appreciated, each time as if it were the first.

The frame has been modified. The vintage gas tank was taken from a classic Triumph and adapted to its new location. There is a notable amount of inspiration from the classic models from the 70’s, such as the design on the posterior fenders.

The most eye-catching aspects of the frame are the brush painted designs on the fenders on the sides, which were hand painted by Ettore ‘Captain Blaster’ Callegaro. The most beautiful of his quotations: “Gave shape to this notable British Motorcycle Model”. And Roberto Rossi has done just that for the sake of friendship and for all of the ‘Friends of Triumph’.

The seat and the saddlebag have been custom designed for this model. The saddlebag is detachable and can be slid off to be used as a carrying case for work. The bag blends a rugged, used look with an elegant vintage style. This beautiful bag almost seems to belong to another era and another way of life, an older way of life that appreciates the timeless value of authenticity.

Rivale Technical Specification:

Frame- Triumph Bonneville T100 from 2003 Rims- cmr painted dust black Front and back tires- tessellated Trial Wing Bridgestone for scrambler models Front and back fenders – hand crafted wrought iron custom made for the model Tail light- mini Lucas Headlight- Lucas with integrated bulbs Mini tachometer Gas tank- vintage Triumph Bonneville preserved and adapted to fit the modern frame Exhaust system – based on the design of a scrambler TT, in hand crafted  wrought iron with a perforated protection grille

Rear view mirror- 70’s adjustable large screw model Cut Custom Adjusted Frame- Shortened to the height of the posterior fulcrum shock absorber, bent at 4 curves with the connection point for the posterior fenders designed by Laverda Choot in the 70’s Front and back turn signals re-positioned Seat and saddlebag custom designed Side Covers- hand painted by Ettore Callegaro that read:“A dream for everyone”

Visit - Roberto Rossi | Harley-Davidson Mantova

FOUNDRY’S R75 BRAT TRACKER

This R75 Brat Tracker is the most recent custom Boxer twin to come out of the Foundry Motorcycle workshop. It’s a 1975 R75/6 that came as one of a pair of basket case Beemer’s which were purchased about two years ago. The bike was bought through a small ad from ‘Mark in Midhurst’, who turned out to be one of life’s great characters with endless stories about the places he and the R75 had visited over the years. The intention was to build the bike as a tracker style variant as Tom’s daily ride, but for the second time that wasn’t going to happen.

After telling Terry, a regular Foundry Motorcycle customer, the stories of the bike’s many travels across Europe and Asia (and how it had been impounded by the Chinese border police just before going over the Himalayas), it was a done deal and Tom was without a bike, yet again!

“A fuel tank with so much history was never going to see fresh paint again, but after a complete strip down the frame and modified sub frame were blasted and powder coated, rims and hubs were bead blasted and during reassembly every seal and bearing was renewed.”

The engine had a complete top-end rebuild after being laboriously cleaned by hand to make sure it never got too shiny and the exhausts were hand-made in house, just for this bike. The bars were originally leftovers from Foundry’s Black R8cer build and after a complete re-wire, a digital Daytona speedo and MotoGadget switches were fitted.

The original rear mudguard was chopped, re-profiled and distress painted to match the tank, then topped off with a handmade leather seat. All of the above now rolls on a pair of Continental TKC tyres which, matched with some reasonable ground clearance, means the Brat Tracker is fun to ride on the road and more than happy with a little trail riding.

“Terry’s the kind of customer we like. He ‘bought’ the bike off the back of a sketch and a dented rusty fuel tank, told us to build the bike we want to build, left us to get on with the job and on seeing the finished article, was obviously as pleased with it as we are. We built the bike we wanted to build and it’s a real fun bike!”

As well as building some really nice bikes, Tom & Simon from Foundry Motorcycle in Chichester are a really great couple of guys and it’s great to see the custom side of their business build from strength to strength out of their already cool shop & cafe. If you’re ever in mid Sussex, go visit and say hi. See more from them on The Bike Shed’sFoundry MC pages and, on their Facebook and Website.

Thanks to Bike Shed regular photographer Merry Michau for the pics.