Yamaha XT500 Avenue Tracker – BikeBound

Jean-Michel Atlan’s avenue tracker, reimagined 40 years later… 

In 1877, Japanese entrepreneur Torakusu Yamaha, the third son of a samurai of the Kishu-Tokugawa household, based Nippon Gakki Firm with the intention to producer reed organs. Torakusu’s evolution right into a pioneer of Western musical devices is the stuff of legend:

“Torakusu created a blueprint for the within of the organ, later creating his personal prototype organ. To ship it to the then Music Institute (right this moment’s Tokyo College of Arts), it’s stated that Torakusu slung his creation over his shoulder on a carrying pole and crossed the mountains of Hakone.”

The corporate was later renamed Yamaha in his honor, and the bike division was created in 1955. In 1968, the corporate revolutionized the dual-purpose market with introduction of the DT sequence of two-stroke enduro machines.

By the mid-70s, nonetheless, street-legal two-strokes have been going the best way of the dinosaurs, and Yamaha’s American division wished a four-stroke thumper that would do double-duty on the paved highways and filth roads of the nation. The XT500 was the reply — a 500cc single that might show itself from nice African rallies just like the Paris-Dakar to the backroads and trails of native riders.

Our new pal Jean-Michel Atlan grew up driving and racing bikes in France, the place one in every of his first race bikes was an XT. Right now, he lives in Reno, Nevada, the place he continues to construct and restore bikes out of his storage.

The ’77 XT500 you see right here has roots greater than 4 many years previous, reminiscent of one in every of Jean-Michel’s first builds:

“I constructed an XT500 customized in 1980 as a avenue tracker bike. That bike was featured in a French customized journal named NITRO on the time. This construct is an extrapolation of one in every of that construct, 40 years later.”

Nicknamed the “Torakusu XT” in honor of the corporate’s founder, the bike is operating a detabbed body, ’98 GSX-R750 forks with Tokico brakes, aluminum swingarm, 19-inch Excel rims laced to customized hubs, 12-volt electrics, a rebuilt engine with high-compression piston and flat-slide racing carb, a phenomenal white and polished shade scheme with laser-cut decals, and far more.

Whereas the bike is an absolute stunner to behold, Jean-Michel says the true magnificence comes from swinging a leg over the saddle.

“That is what is gorgeous about this bike. It’s such a blast to experience! Good dealing with.”

Under, we speak to Jean-Michel for the complete particulars on the “Torakusu XT.”

XT500 Avenue Tracker: Builder Interview

• Please inform us a bit about your self, your historical past with bikes, and your workshop.

I used to be born and raised in France the place I grew up with bikes, and racing them. Certainly one of my first bikes was an XT500 that I raced. I work out of my storage and restore previous bikes for a interest. I’ve a inventory ’78 XT restored , a DR-Z400 supermoto customized that I constructed, and an ’81 YZ465 that additionally acquired a ground-zero restoration. At present, I’m refurbishing a 1974 DT with electrical begin. Additionally on the lookout for a 1300 Kawasaki for a restomod undertaking this winter.

• What’s the make, mannequin, and 12 months of the donor bike?

1977 Yamaha XT500.

• Why was this bike constructed?

I at all times wished to construct a really lovely XT, giving it a avenue tracker look. It’s a private construct that adopted my inspirations.

• What was the design idea and what influenced the construct?

I constructed an XT500 customized in 1980 as a avenue tracker bike. That bike was featured in a French customized journal named NITRO on the time. This construct is an extrapolation of one in every of my first builds, 40 years later.

 

• What customized work was performed to the bike?

The body and engine have been retained as the bottom for the bike. Every thing else was designed and customized constructed.

The body was shaved to present it some smoother traces. A stainless internal fender was constructed to enhance that.

The fork got here off of 1998 GSX-R750. It was retrofitted to suit the XT body. The swingarm is aluminum. YSS rear shocks, Tokico entrance calipers over some Bike Grasp rotors. Rear disc got here off an SR500 with a modified brake keep.

The wheels are 19-inch entrance and rear Excel rims laced over some customized hubs. Tires are Continental K180 trackers. These wheels are lovely and so they actually make the bike stand out.

The entrance fender is a 1998 Suzuki GSX-R750 that I bobbed and connected with some customized brackets. The Knight seat cowl was modified to suit the modified body. I designed an aluminum seat pan and a seat.

The electrics have been upgraded with a 12v magneto and digital ignition. Every thing is LED, customized headlight and DRZ tail gentle. Flip alerts are built-in. The devices are digital Daytona gauges. The handlebars are tracker model with GSX-R levers.

The engine acquired a whole rebuild and powder-coat refinishing. Flat-slide race carb, 10:1 compression piston, and a stainless-steel exhaust manifold. The exhaust muffler is an Akropovic Race. The bike sounds lovely with a beautiful deep sound.

I wished to maintain the paint easy not to remove from the construct. The bike was painted Yamaha white. Polished tank. The aspect covers have been laser-cut to simply accept some plexiglass inserts; they have been then engraved. I designed the tank decals to match.

• Does the bike have a nickname?

Torakusu XT.

• Any concept of horsepower, weight, and/or efficiency numbers?

The bike is gentle and handles so nicely. It has considerably extra energy than a inventory bike. Nice acceleration and a lot torque.

• Are you able to inform us what it’s prefer to experience this bike?

That is what is gorgeous about this bike. It’s such a blast to experience! Good dealing with.

• Was there something performed throughout this construct that you’re notably happy with?

I believe it’s nicely balanced.

• Is there anybody you’d prefer to thank?

Patrick Fifer of Reno for the welding and fabrication, Ace Cycle Service (@ace_cycle_service_supply) for the engine work (JB, Jeremia and Scott, these guys rock!). Dick from Champion Upholstery. Wealthy from Moto Supply for his experience serving to design these lovely wheels. Marina Roberts for the pictures.

Extra XT500 Customs

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