XS JAPAN STYLE
Yamaha XS 650 brat bobber
By Seb Kustom Motorcycle • Brittany • France
The Yamaha XS 650 is undoubtedly one of the best and most popular bases on which to make a #bratstyle bobber. Taking advantage of his free time, in six months Seb built this XS 650 in the garage, to be exposed to the Motor Bike Expo in Verona, the largest fair in the world dedicated to motorcycle customization.
First, he modified the rear part of the frame to go solo. Fork has been shortened by 10 cm, modified to remove the front fender support, and grooves have been made on the legs. The sheaths have been returned. Aviation type hoses were installed and a brake disc and caliper removed.
At the rear, the shock absorbers have been replaced by bespoke aluminum struts, designed deliberately in the shape of a shock absorber, with holes to lighten them visually. Additional grooves match of the fork design. The original rims have been drilled and milled clapboard look at the struts. Vintage style Shinko tires cover it to give an even more old school look.
The tank comes from a 1973 Flandria Sp. It was adapted to the frame, which incidentally suffered some modifications. The rear fender was custom made from a scrap fender of 200 mm. It was welded directly to the frame and deliberately raised to match the style.
A steel saddle bottom following the shapes of the frame and the rear fender has been realized. The seat has been covered with imitation leather and corduroy. The velvet comes from an old trousers! The same fabric that wraps the fork legs. The stitching were made with red thread, the saddle was dressed by Asset, a specialized upholstery company. Under this one, Seb created a box where place the electrical elements with simplified harness.
The engine needed overhaul. It was fitted with electronic ignition, meanwhile the air box has been removed to be replaced by racing-type air filters. The lines exhaust pipes have been shortened and equipped with a carp tail type tip.
The battery was fixed under the swingarm on handmade support. The cables of reels have been replaced with vintage types in red and black. For the front lighting, Seb mounted a small Bates headlight that he aged. At the rear, he installed mini 3/1 Atto DF kellermann led lights, and at the front mini Kellermann Atto indicators.
The choice of the handlebar fell on an Loose Easyriders-style, as well as a mini switch for turn signals. On the left side, the Pikachu mascot sits proudly on the support of the clutch handle. The levers have been lightened with countersunk holes. The white old school knobs increase the Japan Style look.
Seb used glossy black epoxy paint for the cycle part. The tank was painted by the L'Atelier de So and the background color is a Lamborghini gray. All the decoration on the tank was made by hand, there is no stickers! It was painted by Sophie (L'Atelier de So) on the tank and the helmet from sketches made by Seb's wife.
Seb would like to thank his partners, who have contributed to the project: Kellermann, Atout Saddlery Lyon, Fictech, L'Atelier de So and Morbihan Moto for the donation of the helmet.
This motorcycle represents a detailed project. A set of well-matched modifications that have transformed an anonymous Yamaha XS 650 into a brat bobber full of style and above all personality!
