Yamaha Cafe Racer - Return of the Cafe Racers

Sweet Single: Candy Motorcycle Laboratory SR400

Geoff Baldwin — Sun, 10 Mar 2024 15:10:21 +0000

Yamaha’s beloved SR400 may have ceased production back in 2021, but it remains a hot favorite amongst custom builders in Japan. First released in 1978, the “easy to use” SR400 was an instant hit. Upon releasing the model Yamaha designer Atsushi Ishiyama credited the XS650 as a major influence on the design. That bike was influenced by British motorcycles of the sixties so the SR inherited timeless classic styling. The bike’s single-cylinder 400cc engine also complied with cheaper JDM small […]

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Bike Of The Day: 1975 Yamaha XS650 Café Racer

Mark Capayas — Tue, 05 Dec 2023 21:17:24 +0000

Vintage Steele of Brattleboro, Vermont, transformed this 1975 Yamaha XS650 into a café-racer. The bodywork, featuring the original four-gallon fuel tank and meticulously handcrafted fenders, underwent a sleek transformation with black semigloss paint adorned with silver accents and graphics at Washburn’s Auto Body in Williston, Vermont. Modifications include a custom low-profile bench-style seat in rich brown leather, complemented by an LED taillight and a side stand. Powering the bike is a 653cc SOHC parallel twin engine paired with a five-speed […]

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Bike Of The Day: 1981 Yamaha XV750 Cafe Racer

Mark Capayas — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 05:10:51 +0000

This 1981 Yamaha XV750 Virago has been transformed into a cafe racer, featuring a metallic gray finish with gold accents. It’s driven by a 748cc SOHC V-twin engine paired with a five-speed transmission. Custom components include the stainless-steel two-into-one exhaust system, rear subframe, tail section, and side panels. Equipment additions consist of an enclosed driveshaft, front disc brake, gold-finished fork, side stand, aluminum rearsets, body-color alloy wheels, and a replacement electronic tachometer with an integrated digital display. Source: Bring […]

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Bike Of The Day: 1982 Yamaha XV750 Virago Custom

Mark Capayas — Mon, 04 Sep 2023 07:18:13 +0000

This 1982 Yamaha XV750 Virago has undergone extensive customization with a range of unique components. These custom additions include a stainless-steel two-into-one exhaust system, a modified rear subframe, a tubular swingarm, a distinctive saddle, customized control switches, and an adapted inverted fork. In addition, it features an enclosed driveshaft, dual front disc brakes, a convenient side stand, aluminum rearsets, body-color alloy wheels, and a modern LED headlight. Furthermore, it incorporates a Motogadget electronics package, complete with a multifunction gauge and […]

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Bike Of The Day: ‘XS700-R’ by Café Racer SSpirit

Mark Capayas — Fri, 25 Aug 2023 06:47:21 +0000

Cafe Racer SSpirit, located in San Sebastián, Gipuzkoa, is a motorcycle customization workshop founded in late 2014 by a family trio: Juan Carlos López, Hugo López, and Juan Pablo Santinelli. Their mission is to transform motorcycles into unique, aesthetically pleasing creations, enhancing the riding experience. One of their project, the “XS700-R,” aimed to create a distinctive racing-inspired motorcycle reminiscent of the 1970s and 1980s. This endeavor involved significant modifications, including a single seat, lowered handlebars, a racing exhaust, and adherence […]

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Bike Of The Day: XSR700 ‘Otokomae’ by AD HOC Café Racer

Mark Capayas — Tue, 22 Aug 2023 06:00:12 +0000

David Gonzalez from Ad Hoc is renowned for customizing Yamaha motorcycles. He gained international acclaim for his work on the XJ650 and XJ750, where he meticulously transformed these classics with a blend of stripping and reworking, adding unique powder-coated elements. The Yard Built XSR700 ‘Otokomae’ is his latest creation, a street tracker that exudes style and attitude, standing out with its bold colors. To achieve the signature Ad Hoc look, Gonzalez began by enhancing the front end with genuine Yamaha […]

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Bike Of The Day: 1983 Yamaha XJ550 Café Racer

Mark Capayas — Thu, 03 Aug 2023 04:09:56 +0000

In the early 1980s, Yamaha introduced a new family of four-stroke motorcycles, with the XJ550 being one of them. These bikes were developed with significant input from European motorcyclists, conveyed through Yamaha Motor NV in Holland. The result was an impressive and versatile middleweight bike, known for its comfortable ride, precise steering, secure handling, and strong brakes. However, some critics pointed out that the 528cc four-cylinder engine had a peaky power delivery and wasn’t as fuel-efficient. Nonetheless, Yamaha addressed these […]

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Bike Of The Day: 1977 Yamaha XS650 Cafe Racer

Mark Capayas — Tue, 01 Aug 2023 07:43:22 +0000

This Yamaha XS650 stands out as a captivating and tastefully modified representation of the popular classic Japanese motorcycle. Crafted into a bespoke cafe racer, it boasts a variety of enhancements, including lightened polished aluminum parts, clip-on short handlebars, pound coins artfully embedded into the front fork crown, a shortened front fender, an aftermarket fuel tank, rear cowl and seat pad, XS Performance chrome engine covers, NGK ignition leads, cone air filters, small clear front indicators, a low front screen, handlebar […]

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The 700GT: Rua Machines Yamaha XSR700 Scrambler

Geoff Baldwin — Sat, 22 Jul 2023 03:53:56 +0000

Despite its huge success, the Yamaha XSR700 is, in my opinion, one of the least classic-looking modern-retro motorcycles on the market. That’s not to say I don’t like it, or think it’s incredible value for money, or pretty much the best beginner bike out there, but it just isn’t as classic looking as similarly marketed models from other manufacturers. The XSR’s sloping fuel tank, busy-looking chassis, modern engine design, mono-shock rear end and brushed alloy finishes are simply too much […]

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Seeing Red: Persist TwentyTwo Custom Yamaha SR150

Geoff Baldwin — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 09:08:00 +0000

There have been many custom workshops that have evolved their brand into an apparel range. In Taiwan, the clothing label Persist Supply Co. flipped the process on its head. After building a successful streetwear label with designs inspired by gasoline culture, the Persist team turned their passion for motorcycles into a new custom workshop venture. The TwentyTwo Custom project is a limited-build series of 22 motorcycles designed and built by the team at Persist Supply Co. Most of the motorcycles […]

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Bike Of The Day: 2010 Yamaha SR400 ‘Grievous Angel’ by Deus Ex Machina

Mark Capayas — Fri, 14 Jul 2023 07:22:24 +0000

Due to the surging demand for nostalgia-infused motorcycles with a retro aesthetic, it was no surprise that Yamaha decided to reintroduce its iconic SR400 single model. Since its initial debut in 1978, the SR400 has served as a major source of inspiration for numerous amateur customizers. One remarkable iteration of this motorcycle, known as ‘Grievous Angle,’ was crafted by Deus Ex Machina. This renowned company was established in Sydney, Australia by Dare Jennings, the visionary behind the popular ‘Mambo’ brand […]

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Bike Of The Day: 2005 Yamaha GC Customs “Hellion” Streetfighter

Mark Capayas — Thu, 06 Jul 2023 20:19:08 +0000

In 2007, Gregg DesJardins of GC Customs crafted an unparalleled streetfighter motorcycle, representing the pinnacle of customization. Starting with a sleek air-cooled 1670cc V-twin engine from a Yamaha Road Star Warrior, DesJardins meticulously handcrafted nearly every other aspect of the bike. The standout features include a 4130 chrome-moly frame, a single-sided trellis-style swingarm with lightening holes, and an 8.5 x 18-inch GC rear wheel. DesJardins’ ingenuity is evident in the bike’s braking system. He devised a midships-mounted rotor and caliper […]

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Carbon Copy: HooBue Yamaha XSR700 Tyrant

Geoff Baldwin — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 03:04:58 +0000

Back in 2016, Yamaha bit itself off a decent-sized chunk of the modern retro market with the release of the XSR neo-retro models. By leveraging their already well-established Yard Built Series, which invited custom workshops to modify bikes from their range, they attracted potential buyers by showing them how well the XSR responded to customisation. Over in Taiwan, one workshop by the name of HooBue saw the XSR’s success as an opportunity to develop its own custom kit. Designed to […]

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Bike Of The Day: 1975 Yamaha RD350 Cafe Racer

Mark Capayas — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 04:03:40 +0000

This 1975 Yamaha RD350 underwent a café racer conversion in 2014. The changes encompassed an orange repaint over a black powder-coated frame, an overhaul of the 347cc two-stroke parallel twin, and the installation of a Suzuki inverted fork and front disc brake. Additional modifications featured adjustable Hagon shocks, clip-on handlebars, billet rear-set foot controls, a custom solo seat and tail section, a halogen headlight and LED taillight, Excel alloy rims, stainless-steel spokes, dual Mikuni carburetors, foam pod air filters, a […]

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Bike Of The Day: 1981 Yamaha XV920 ‘Double Shot’

Mark Capayas — Wed, 07 Jun 2023 01:53:08 +0000

The Yamaha XV920 ‘Double Shot’ is a prime example of Yamaha’s timeless cruising motorcycle, skillfully transformed and rebuilt in the popular cafe racer style. This customized XV920 boasts a replica 1950s Benelli tank, featuring a lower edge specifically designed to align parallel with the ground, along with an upgraded fuel cap for added convenience. The two-piece frame and the area surrounding the steering head have been expertly reshaped, allowing the tank to sit approximately 30mm lower. The original air inlets […]

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Bike Of The Day: 1980 Yamaha XS650 Cafe Racer

Mark Capayas — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 06:52:30 +0000

Moto Nisto of Ypsilanti, Michigan, expertly transformed this 1980 Yamaha XS650 into a stunning Cafe Racer. The modifications done on the bike are truly remarkable. They installed a state-of-the-art Dynatek electronic ignition system, added a striking gold-painted AirTECH fairing, and replaced the original fuel tank with an aftermarket one. To enhance its performance, dual front disc brakes were installed, along with eye-catching staggered-diameter wire-spoke wheels. Underneath its stylish exterior, this bike boasts a powerful 653ci SOHC parallel twin engine paired […]

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Neo-Retro Cannibal: Youziro’s Yamaha SR534 Cafe Racer

Geoff Baldwin — Wed, 24 May 2023 09:23:39 +0000

Neo-retro cafe racers have certainly become “a thing”. Merging retro styling with modern engineering is a very appealing proposition for riders who want a classic-looking motorcycle that’s devoid of any maintenance hassles. As a result many of the big motorcycle manufacturers now offer at least one retro-styled, modern classic in their range. Take for example the BMW R nineT, Kawasaki Z900RS and the Yamaha XSR700. Many backyard custom motorcycle builders have also adopted the neo-retro approach. Buying a secondhand motorcycle […]

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Bike Of The Day: Addiction Customs Yamaha SR500

Mark Capayas — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 07:11:43 +0000

Japanese workshop AN-BU Customs has developed an instantly recognisable style of their own. Their recipe involves mixing tight proportions, with beefy tires and unique bodywork. All of the bodywork is built inhouse and almost always features an asymmetrical fairing with offset headlights. So when we spotted this bike in Sydney, Australia our first assumption was that it was imported from Japan. However, after contacting the owner we discovered that was not the case. The ‘Arcanum’ Yamaha SR500 is the […]

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Envoyer du bois: Atelier JAB Yamaha XS650

Geoff Baldwin — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 04:57:47 +0000

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know there are very few commonalities between nautical craft and motorcycles. Infact the only thing they tend to have in common are the materials used to build them. One material that doesn’t often bridge the gap between boats and motorcycles is wood, but that’s not to say it never happens. Every so often a custom motorcycle pops up on my radar that has wood used in its construction, and when it’s done right […]

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Bike Of The Day: 1991 Yamaha XJ600 – Auto Fabrica Type 24

Mark Capayas — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 07:03:21 +0000

Auto Fabrica has transformed this Yamaha XJ600 into a one-of-a-kind modern classic sports bike known as the “Type 24”. This bespoke motorcycle was commissioned in 2019, built on a Yamaha XJ600 Pre-Diversion model. Auto Fabrica is a renowned custom bike workshop in the UK, known for crafting unique and handmade machines. The Type 24 is finished in sleek black, featuring a gloss black frame and a seat pad trimmed with synthetic suede, inspired by Recaro sports seats of the past. […]

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Bike Of The Day: Yamaha TX750A By Ron George

Mark Capayas — Fri, 07 Apr 2023 07:49:51 +0000

The story of the TX750 is one that Yamaha would rather we all forgot. The bike, which was set to be the successor of the XS650, had some very big shoes to fill. Unfortunately, things didn’t exactly go to plan. Soon after the release of the TX750 complaints of engine issues and even complete failures came pouring in. This prompted the first-ever recall by a motorcycle manufacturer in history. As you’d expect, TX750 production didn’t last long after that. However, […]

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Bike Of The Day: Makato Endo’s Yamaha SR400 Cafe Racer

Mark Capayas — Tue, 28 Mar 2023 06:56:27 +0000

The Yamaha SR400 was the poster child of the “new wave” custom scene back in ’08/’09. Thanks to workshops like Deus Ex Machina and the multitude of stunning custom SRs built by Japanese enthusiasts, the evergreen thumper left a lasting impression on custom enthusiasts worldwide. Unfortunately, Yamaha put an end to the SR’s impressive 43-year production run in 2021, but that hasn’t made the Japanese icon any less appealing. Cafe racer styled builds are a hot favourite with SR owners […]

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R.I.P Cheesy: BerryBad Yamaha SR400 Cafe Racer

Geoff Baldwin — Mon, 20 Mar 2023 06:42:58 +0000

Despite its 43-year production run ending in 2021, the SR400 remains a hot favourite amongst riders in Japan. The SR400’s popularity can be attributed partly to how Japanese licencing laws favour 400cc motorcycles, but the SR is also affordable and easy to maintain. This made the SR offering appealing to younger riders which in turn led to its popularity as a base for customisation. Kyohey Sugimoto, owner of Berry Bads Motorcycles knows a thing or two about modifying Yamaha’s evergreen SR400. […]

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Bike Of The Day: 1996 Yamaha SRX600 ‘Cafe Racer’

Mark Capayas — Fri, 17 Mar 2023 07:15:58 +0000

This Yamaha SRX600 has been meticulously transformed into a bespoke cafe racer with a sleek and unique style. It boasts a 608cc air-cooled four-stroke single-cylinder engine that delivers approximately 45bhp to the road through a five-speed transmission. The bike has undergone numerous upgrades, including Motogadget instruments and ignition system, Rizoma front and rear brake reservoirs, an FZR1000 rear brake calliper, a Mikuni TM40 carburettor, an R6 Brembo master cylinder and clutch lever, Tarozzi universal rearsets, a BSM Future exhaust, Venhill […]

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Practice makes Perfect: ZMCustom Yamaha XJ600

Geoff Baldwin — Thu, 16 Mar 2023 05:06:20 +0000

The old saying ‘practice makes perfect’ rings true in the custom motorcycle community. Over the years I’ve seen many builders progress from bolting on parts to building entire motorcycles from scratch. Without persistence and repetition, none of them would have reached that level of skill. Maxim Zverovich is a relative newcomer to motorcycle customisation. Although he’s been into bikes since he was a child he didn’t start riding until he completed his engineering studies at university. His first two-wheeled love […]

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Restored Rocket: Yutaka Hoshi’s Yamaha TZ 250 Factory Racer

Geoff Baldwin — Mon, 19 Dec 2022 09:09:20 +0000

Yamaha produced the mighty TZ 250 from 1973 all the way through to 2004. When the model was first released its 2-cylinder, water-cooled two-stroke engine produced 51bhp and was capable of a top speed in excess of 150 mph (240km/h). The model was sold commercially to the public as a factory-built race bike and during its first year of production, a TZ250 piloted by German rider Dieter Braun secured a World Championship title. In 1981 Yamaha completely redesigned the TZ […]

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R1X Retro Rocket: Robert Catanese Yamaha R1 Cafe Racer

Geoff Baldwin — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 12:01:31 +0000

I hate to say it but there is a downside to riding a classic British cafe racer. Sure you’ll revel in the feeling of nostalgia each time you get on it, be intoxicated by the smell of oil and fuel permeating from the engine and find yourself awkwardly aroused by that unmistakable, twin-cylinder exhaust note. But your hopped-up Triton/Norvin/Tribsa will never be the street-dominating beast that the Rockers of the ’60s wanted it to be. Back then, riders would be […]

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RIDE & REVIEW: Yamaha’s 2022 XSR900 Retro Triple

Andrew Jones — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 13:16:09 +0000

Review Summary: The 2022 Yamaha XSR900 Retro Triple is a much meaner and more powerful bike than its sibling, the XSR700. With a gorgeous retro design and an engine sound that will get your blood pumping, this bike is a ton of fun before you even start riding it. Corners are where the XSR900 truly shines—it’s absolutely excellent in the twisties. The area where the seat meets the tank means the rider will often be in contact with the paintwork, […]

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Worth the Effort – Stefan’s ‘Resultat’ Yamaha XJ650 Cafe Racer

Geoff Baldwin — Thu, 25 Aug 2022 14:31:19 +0000

You could be forgiven for thinking that laying bricks and building custom motorcycles have nothing in common. But if you’re 56-year-old Stefan Leihsa from Germany, the only difference between the two is that one is done during work hours and the other after hours. Stefan isn’t a pro builder, nor does he aspire to be one. He’s just a hard-working man who’s been tinkering on motorcycles since he was a kid. “I’ve always been interested in motorcycles and have repaired […]

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Ride & Review: Yamaha’s 2022 XSR700 Retro Twin

Andrew Jones — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 01:54:50 +0000

Unless you’re living in one of those rule-free American states where they let tipsy 13-year-olds ride drag bikes on public roads without helmets, you’ll know what I mean when I say the dreaded words, “Beginner Motorcycle”. They’re the ones learner riders need to buy before they can get their hands on a big, proper bike. Now, when I was learning to ride, there were a bunch of well-known rules for these bikes. Firstly and most importantly, they had to be […]

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Hit Single – Makato Endo’s Yamaha SR400 Cafe Racer

Geoff Baldwin — Tue, 19 Jul 2022 04:10:43 +0000

Back in 2006 one of the first motorcycles that really got me excited about the custom scene was a Yamaha SR400 built by Sydney’s Deus Ex Machina. At the time I had no idea that its creation was heavily influenced by what was going on over in Japan. But that bike sparked an obsession that eventually lead to me discovering a thriving world of custom motorcycles in the land of the rising sun, and the SR400 was its frontman. In […]

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On a Budget – Coti Sanders Yamaha RD400

Geoff Baldwin — Tue, 12 Jul 2022 12:54:46 +0000

Yamaha’s ‘Race Developed’ series of motorcycles from the early seventies left a lasting impression on the motorcycling world. The 1973 Yamaha RD350 set the tone. At the time it was a potent street weapon that dominated the middleweight sports bike market. It was the motorcycle of choice for a generation of boy racers and in the right hands could run circles around the big inline fours of the era. By the time the RD400 was released in ’76 Yamaha had […]

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Blighty Nice – Ace Motorcycles Yamaha XS650 Cafe Racer

Geoff Baldwin — Sat, 11 Jun 2022 07:57:33 +0000

The Yamaha XS650 could easily be labelled as the greatest British motorcycle ever built outside of Britain. Powered by a parallel twin akin to those found in Triumph’s Bonneville or BSA’s A65 the Yamaha XS650 was everything those bikes aspired to be. The main reason for this was the XS650’s superior engineering. The XS650 engine in particular was vastly superior to its British rivals. It was also more reliable and, most importantly, didn’t leak a single drop of oil. It […]

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XSR Motoride – Yamaha Yardbuilt Indonesia and AMS Garage

Geoff Baldwin — Thu, 25 Nov 2021 13:35:20 +0000

The Yamaha Yardbuilt series will soon be celebrating its 10 year anniversary. Originally the brainchild of Yamaha Project Manager, Shun Miyazawa, the initiative has seen builders from all over the globe transforming bone stock, factory fresh Yamahas into all manner of custom creations. In recent years the number of builds being commissioned by Yamaha Europe seems to have slowed, but over in Indonesia, we’re seeing the complete opposite. The most recent spate of Indonesian Yamaha Yardbuilt bikes was based on […]

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WHO’S YOUR DADDY? How the Yamaha SR Changed The World

Andrew Jones — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 12:21:56 +0000

We all know Kentucky Fried Chicken. It’s second only to McDonald’s for making Americans fat and scaring farm animals globally. But do you know the story of Colonel Sanders? Without being too long-winded about it, he spent his whole life trying to catch a break only to be almost broke and living off social security at the age of 64 after his latest restaurant failed. So in 1955, in a last-ditch effort to get his idea off the ground, Sanders […]

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OMGWTF – Stu Lloyd Yamaha RD350LC

Geoff Baldwin — Sun, 31 Oct 2021 12:17:12 +0000

Some people find it a real struggle to sit still. Take Stu Lloyd for example. It hasn’t even been 4 months since we featured his Yamaha SR400e and he’s back again with another stellar custom. This ’81 Yamaha RD350LC is Stu’s homage to the 1980s Pro/Am series bikes that he loved in his youth. It’s a brash yet subtle, classic yet modern amalgamation built with the clear intention of raising eyebrows and inducing smiles. “For 12 years I’ve been keeping […]

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Pure Bliss – Yamaha XV750 Cafe Racer

Geoff Baldwin — Thu, 28 Oct 2021 00:48:52 +0000

Mark Bliss is a man of many talents, but it’s his work with motorcycles he’s most proud of. Both of his parents rode motorcycles so it was natural he would follow in their footsteps. The big difference though was that Mark didn’t just want to ride, he wanted to race. With the help of a good friend and the Post Classic Racing Association in New South Wales, Australia, his dream was realised – and he was hooked. Building custom bikes, […]

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Wildly Mild – Katros Garage Yamaha XSR155

Geoff Baldwin — Sat, 16 Oct 2021 12:48:15 +0000

Andi Akbar and his Jakarta based workshop Katros Garage aren’t showing any signs of slowing down. Katros Garage has continued to churn out an exponentially growing number of custom motorcycles since 2009. Andi has also amassed an audience fast approaching 1 million followers on his Youtube channel where he shares his life in the Indonesian custom motorcycle scene. One benefit of all this success is that large companies are approaching Katros hoping to collaborate. The latest such initiative is this […]

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Yamaha Yearning – Blackout Customs Fazer 600

Geoff Baldwin — Wed, 13 Oct 2021 08:00:43 +0000

Nostalgia is a powerful thing. For seasoned motorcyclists, nostalgia can quickly become an obsession. A chance sighting of a beloved motorcycle from your past, or perhaps something as innocent as a conversation with another rider can quickly result in you trawling the classifieds for a new project. Marcel Galuszka of Blackout Customs in the Czech Republic saw first-hand how quickly this can happen. After an offhand conversation one night at his workshop, a good friend soon had him building a […]

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Old Faithful – Berrybads Yamaha SR400

Geoff Baldwin — Tue, 03 Aug 2021 12:03:01 +0000

Back in 2005, when I first became interested in the Japanese custom motorcycle scene, finding insights into their world took some serious digging. At the time Google translate didn’t exist and I was relying on the handful of Japanese words I knew to find anything I could online. When I did manage to find a workshop website or gain access to a Japanese bike forum there was one motorcycle that always made an appearance, the Yamaha SR400. I discovered that […]

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