Custom Yamaha XS650

If you follow Ze Last Chance Garage, you’ll know that Paris-based “Sonic Seb” has immaculate taste. This gorgeous Yamaha XS650 is his personal ride, beautifully captured by the photographer Dimitri Coste for Sideburn magazine.
Seb works for a major European motorcycle manufacturer, and he’s a pure gearhead. So he did much of the work on the XS650 himself, in a fantastic communal garage that he shares with friends—complete with paint booth and dyno room.




The bike is heavily modified, with the most visible change being a tank from a 1970s Yamaha DT360 enduro motorcycle. The two-into-one exhaust is from Gordon Scott Engineering, with a go-kart style spring bracket added by Seb.



The electric start has been removed to save weight and Mikuni VM34 Roundslide carbs fitted to add power. Keeping the motor cool are a large capacity external oil filter and high performance oil pump from Heiden Tuning.



Seb shaved the fork legs, and since these photos were taken, he’s fitted a front brake. The shocks are Harley-Davidson, and the alloy rear fender was found by chance on a shelf. Grips are from the magnificently named Hippy Killer Garage. To read more about this bike, grab yourself a copy of Sideburn 7.
With thanks to Gary Inman and Dimitri Coste. 

Yamaha Virago

Yamaha Virago by Doc’s Chops

It seems like Greg Hageman can do no wrong at the moment. A few days ago, his retro-themed Yamaha XV1100 custom was a hit. And now his latest build, this radical XV920 Virago transformation, has just been showcased in Motorcycle Classics magazine.
Hageman’s strength is an unerring eye for visual balance and stance. For the XV920, he crafted a new rear subframe and installed a MotoLanna seat originally destined for a Yamaha SR500. The tank is a Benelli, but not just any old Benelli: it’s from a 1967 Wards Riverside Mojave, itself an interesting footnote in the annals of motorcycle history. At the behest of owner Mike Martens, it’s been painted in a variation of the classic Yamaha “Speed Block” graphics.

The forks have been lowered and fitted with Progressive Suspension springs; the wheels are powder-coated black DID rims with stainless steel spokes. The motor on the donor bike was strong, so Greg simply overhauled it and upgraded the twin Hitachi carbs with Dynojet internals. The exhaust system, however, is a trick two-into-two JAMA system by Laser Exhaust, terminated with Supertrapp mufflers. I’m told it sounds and performs as good as it looks.

More work has gone into this bike than we can detail here, so head over to the Motorcycle Classics website for the full story. Or check out Greg’s other builds on the Doc’s Chops site.
Images © Erick Runyon of Choppershotz. For commissions, bookings and fine art prints contact Erick here.

W800 SC

LSL Clubman

Some workshops customize motorcycles so well, it’s hard to tell whether or not they are ‘factory’ customs. Most of these outfits are in Japan, but one of the top European builders in this style is LSL-Motorradtechnik.
LSL usually focuses on the ‘modern classic’ Triumphs. But the German company occasionally transfers its attention to the Kawasaki W800—a bike closely related to the Bonneville in spirit if not metal. This stylish ‘Clubman’ is the latest W800 to roll out of the Krefeld factory.



The bike has a distinctively OEM look, but the list of modifications is extensive. LSL has fitted its own bespoke triple trees to the stock 39mm forks, and uprated the front brakes with a 300mm Galfer wave-style disc and steel braided hose. Ergonomics are improved with LSL’s own ‘Scrambler’ bars; a small custom headlight and micro Daytona speedometer are mounted in front.

LSL takes its modifications very seriously; the 2-into-2 exhaust system has EC homologation, for example, and performs better than the retro pea-shooters of the original W800.

The spoked wheels have black anodized aluminum rims, and the back wheel goes down an inch in diameter to 17”. Dual-sport Pirelli Scorpion tires are fitted front and rear. The bobbed fenders are fiberglass and the seat is in LSL’s ‘Six Days’ style. YSS shocks smooth out the bumps, and CNC-machined rear sets move the rider’s feet a little further back and upwards from the stock position. Black engine cases and side panels finish off the cosmetics.
It’s a stealthy rather than vintage flavor, and one that suits the W800 surprisingly well. Kawasaki, are you listening?
Thanks to Wesley Reyneke of Rather Be Riding for the tip.