Here’s another example of the Yamaha XS650 converted into a very nice special with the street tracker look. In the British tradition of engine frame hybrids, this Yamaha engine resides in a custom frame built on the lines of a BSA DB34. The “Yabsa” that results looks pretty good.
The engine has been enlarged to 750cc and modified with larger valves, Mikuni carbs, Carillo rods, Arias pistons, bigger cam and all of the usual tweaks. The custom frame sports Showa upside down forks, an aluminum tank, Brembo brakes and more. The overall look is very light and airy, a very clean design. The build was the work of Roberto Totti.
I like the international flavor, an Italian built, Japanese powered, British framed street tracker. Very cool.
Link: Moto.it via motoblog.it
Link: Totti Motori – builder
Related: Street trackers from Mule Motorcycles
More photos below:
Chris says
Hrmmm…no electrical system (most obviously, no battery) that I can see, but no kickstarter either? How’s THAT work?
cl
taxman says
the battery looks like it’s just under where the swing-arm meets the frame.
i’ve got to say that i really, really like the looks of this bike. i’m a big fan of minimalism and cafe style. this just seems like the bike that i would pull out of the garage every time i wanted to go for a short cruise or a day ride.
i just can’t get over this bike. it’s gorgeous to me.
David says
A bike that is definitely more than the sum of its’ parts…beautiful and tasteful (in the Italian tradition).
Gordo says
Possibly a bump start bike?
Peter Lombardi says
It seems to me that all the electrics are hidden up in the tank, at least that’s where the spark wires are going…
Are those hard lines for the brakes?
-peter
El heffe says
it looks like the battery below the swing arm to keep the center of gravity low. good looking bike. nicely done!
JR says
Very nice!
I love how clean it is.
The Ogre says
Oh man.
*That* is the “modern retro” bike I want to see in showrooms.
sfan says
Roberto could have also called it: Yaba dabado!
I love the retro minimalist look, including the beautiful alloy ‘spoke’ wheels.
Motorod says
(Speechless)
Motoxyogi says
Wonder how long it takes to get from zero-to-numb.
But ya all of the above and a nice long wolf whistle.
todd says
Nice direction. I’ve been stalled on my own Basuka, BSA/Suzuki project for some time now. This is the sort of inspiration that should kick me off my a$$.
-todd
Roderick says
Every time I see a street tracker, a light and minimal parallel twin, it strikes me all over again that Triumph has missed a huge sales opportunity in not building a performance twin.
Harley, BMW and Ducati have all turned out retro performance specials. I remember a TT styled Triumph designed by Craig Vetter, it was a sweet looking bike! Triumph have been very busy the past few years and have been turning out some great bikes. I hope we’ll see a Triumph street tracker/TT bike soon.
tim says
the only spoiler for me is that the seat doesnt sit flat. the “sticky up at the back” look is too modern sportsbike for me. But that is minor in the scheme…. I love the bike.
tim says
Oh, and Roderick, isn’t the Street Triple the performance midweight Triumph of your wet dreams? It certainly is of mine….
Roderick says
Dark confession time…I’ve owned 3 of the old triple Tridents, a 1972 with 3 into 1 Jardine headers that sounded gorgeous between 5-7000 rpm, a 1973 and the Jezebel of all bikes, the T160, a porky, deeply flawed piece of flotsam from the wrecking of the British bike industry. The new triples are lovely hooligan bikes and they feature prominently in all of my purple bike dreams. Triumph have indeed done well with those bikes.
But gosh darn it, I want it all!
T-Ray says
So fresh. So clean. Is this love?
coho says
Want.
Want now.
FREEMAN says
The bike I learned to ride on was a ’79 XS650 Special.
Nathan says
Love the bike, looks like a laugh but there are too many XS650 customs about in my opinion. Surely an old brit engine would finish the whole thing off properly.
taxman says
i had to come back and look at this beauty again. i think the thing i like the most about this that separates it from the rest of the regular old cafe bikes i see is that they went with a single shock rear suspension. if that’s the right term. diff engine? i think the one in it is fine. although i would be interested to see a bike just like this with a suzuki sv650 engine in there. if it could be done cleanly. classic style with a modern power plant. i think it could be very nice. and still lightweight.
but again, this is a great bike just how it sits.
Zac says
This bike just looks like fun. Really appeals to the whole ‘essence of motorcycling’ thing.
Den says
That is almost the bike of my dreams!
mototom says
this bike is so right I can’t begin to articulate it…
Roderick says
ohh and this is a really sweet machine, love all that air around the engine!
Nathan says
Does it make a difference how far back you mount the engine on bikes?
LN says
Man, this bike is right in so many ways…really an impressive hybrid of classic twin and modern minimalist styling. From the slim seat and pounded tank to the high pipes and mono-shock swing arm, this thing is playing my tune.
Jeff says
Buellish
Luke says
That is a fantastic re encarnation of a yahm 650. I wish I’d been around to ride them the first time.
Yes an old Brit engine would finish it off. Just like it finished the british bike industry off. Most of them had vertically split engine cases which led to all the oil leaks. Mainly because they weren’t that well made at times with sketchy quality control. Triumphs hurricane and SS came to little to late 🙁 . That said if anyone offered me a decent BSA firebird or a tr6 to a good home for 1 thou I would not say no. Its a shame that they all ended up the way they went, jobs lost and all. Even if they made badly designed / outdated stuff, by some geezer in a rolls royce.