Little Chopper Bobber Yamaha XS 650
70's Motorcycle Trends
Even a cursory glance at the shapely shape of the engine reveals a similarity to the English twins from the 1960s and 1970s. This similarity is by no means accidental. The turn of the 1960s and 1970s is the time when Japanese motorcycle manufacturers stormed the US market. In those years English Trimphy, Norton and BSA were very successful in the US.
They were valued for their sporting qualities, confirmed by numerous successes in the indigenously American dirt track discipline. This is a very spectacular form of competition. Motorcycles race on oval tracks, covered with compacted ground. Hence the name dirt track - dirty track. Motorcyclists race elbow to elbow.
On the straight speed exceeds 200 km / h, the bends are defeated with a full side at 160 km / h - a real madness. In those days, road racing in the form known to us was not as popular as it is today, so aces of oval tracks were treated like super heroes, which of course translated into the popularity of brands of motorcycles that were successful in dirt track. The turn of the 1960s and 1970s is a time of fierce battle between British brands and Harley.
Yamaha Joins The Party
In the winter of 1970, Yamaha unveiled its first four-stroke XS1 model. In order to please the American clientele, the machine was designed to look like English motorcycles. The two-cylinder engine with a capacity of 650 cc was deceptively similar to the typical English twina, but, as it happens with the Japanese, it was more modern and more reliable than the original, and excesses in the form of oil leaks were not in its nature. Like most Japanese machines from this period, the XS1 had a great engine and presented itself very well, but in terms of driving properties gave way to British competition. The successor of XS1 - XS 650 was already without these disadvantages.
The Japanese twin has accepted in both the US and Western Europe. In 1975, as an American dirt track races, Gene Romero built a Japanese-powered racetrack. According to the AMA regulations, the engine capacity of the XS 650 has been increased to 750, which has increased power from 53 to 80 hp. On a similar machine, Kenny Roberts won two AMA Grand National titles. Although in Europe XS 650 was treated as a tourist motorcycle, also on the old continent, beautiful twina was used for sport. In the 1970s and at the beginning of the 1980s, the Yamaha four-stroke twin was used by some competitors as a source of motocross sidecars. The classic machine-style production was completed in 1985.
the beautiful twina for sport was also used on the old continent. In the 1970s and at the beginning of the 1980s, the Yamaha four-stroke twin was used by some competitors as a source of motocross sidecars. The classic machine-style production was completed in 1985. the beautiful twina for sport was also used on the old continent. In the 1970s and at the beginning of the 1980s, the Yamaha four-stroke twin was used by some competitors as a source of motocross sidecars. The classic machine-style production was completed in 1985.
Competitive markets of Europe, American and Japan Motorcycle Manufacturers
Even a cursory glance at the shapely shape of the engine reveals a similarity to the English twins from the 1960s and 1970s. This similarity is by no means accidental. The turn of the 1960s and 1970s is the time when Japanese motorcycle manufacturers stormed the US market. In those years English Trimphy, Norton and BSA were very successful in the US. They were valued for their sporting qualities, confirmed by numerous successes in the indigenously American dirt track discipline. This is a very spectacular form of competition. Motorcycles race on oval tracks, covered with compacted ground. Hence the name dirt track - dirty track. Motorcyclists race elbow to elbow. On the straight speed exceeds 200 km / h, the bends are defeated with a full side at 160 km / h - a real madness.
In those days, road racing in the form known to us was not as popular as it is today, so aces of oval tracks were treated like super heroes, which of course translated into the popularity of brands of motorcycles that were successful in dirt track. The turn of the 1960s and 1970s is a time of fierce battle between British brands and Harley.
In the winter of 1970, Yamaha unveiled its first four-stroke XS1 model. In order to please the American clientele, the machine was designed to look like English motorcycles. The two-cylinder engine with a capacity of 650 cc was deceptively similar to the typical English twina, but, as it happens with the Japanese, it was more modern and more reliable than the original, and excesses in the form of oil leaks were not in its nature. Like most Japanese machines from this period, the XS1 had a great engine and presented itself very well, but in terms of driving properties gave way to British competition.
The successor of XS1 - XS 650 was already without these disadvantages. The Japanese twin has accepted in both the US and Western Europe. In 1975, as an American dirt track races, Gene Romero built a Japanese-powered racetrack. According to the AMA regulations, the engine capacity of the XS 650 has been increased to 750, which has increased power from 53 to 80 hp. On a similar machine, Kenny Roberts won two AMA Grand National titles. Although in Europe XS 650 was treated as a tourist motorcycle, also on the old continent, beautiful twina was used for sport.
In the 1970s and at the beginning of the 1980s, the Yamaha four-stroke twin was used by some competitors as a source of motocross sidecars. The classic machine-style production was completed in 1985. the beautiful twina for sport was also used on the old continent. In the 1970s and at the beginning of the 1980s, the Yamaha four-stroke twin was used by some competitors as a source of motocross sidecars. The classic machine-style production was completed in 1985. the beautiful twina for sport was also used on the old continent. In the 1970s and at the beginning of the 1980s, the Yamaha four-stroke twin was used by some competitors as a source of motocross sidecars. The classic machine-style production was completed in 1985.
Yamaha XS650 Stole The Show
Nowadays, the XS 650 quite deservedly achieved the status of a noble classic. As for the custom scene, the "Japanese Briton" is rarely used as a base for building old school bobs. Such machines can be found in the USA, in Australia, as well as in Europe.
The charm of Yamaha XS 650 could not be resisted by young enthusiasts of customization - brothers Adam and Leszek who live in Lisowice near Lubińca in Silesia. They spotted the motorcycle at an online auction. When the machine was in their garage, they took their time to make the alterations. Everyone who browses on the Internet will find there a lot of sources of inspiration. XS 650 is a grateful base for building a cafe racer, light chopper or bobber. The brothers decided on the last variant.
READ ALSO : Yamaha Bobber Build Old School Ideas
Although the effect of their work does not impress with the fine-tuning of the smallest details, it is impossible not to appreciate the courage, stylistic consequences and own commitment. The motorcycle is extremely low budget, elements taken from the accessory catalogs can be counted on the fingers of one hand, and the whole is the result of their own work. The front suspension, together with the wheel and fender, remained unchanged. The rear wheel was not touched, but the frame was completely re-engineered. The control arm and rear shock absorbers were removed, the frame was converted to rigid by making the entire rear part. The fuel tank was adapted from an old Simson moped.
Springs suspended on the springs were created by covering the shovel upholstery! The rear fender took on a rudimentary form, on the left side of the rear wheel there was a rear light from an old motorcycle, fastened together with a license plate on its own support bracket. Footrests are also a home industry product. the frame has been converted to rigid by making the entire back part. The fuel tank was adapted from an old Simson moped. Springs suspended on the springs were created by covering the shovel upholstery! The rear fender took on a rudimentary form, on the left side of the rear wheel there was a rear light from an old motorcycle, fastened together with a license plate on its own support bracket.
Footrests are also a home industry product. the frame has been converted to rigid by making the entire back part. The fuel tank was adapted from an old Simson moped. Springs suspended on the springs were created by covering the shovel upholstery! The rear fender took on a rudimentary form, on the left side of the rear wheel there was a rear light from an old motorcycle, fastened together with a license plate on its own support bracket. Footrests are also a home industry product.
The engine received conical air filters and accessory silencers. After two months, the Yamaha XS 650 transformed into an old school bobber and continues to enjoy its owners ever since. They like the motorcycle so much that they want to look for another XS 650. I will support them and I will not fail to present another incarnation of a Japanese Briton from Silesia.