My bike of choice is a 1976 Yamaha XS650. I purchased the Hardtail frame, tanks and spring forks from the Netherlands. I spent a long time looking around for a donor bike. Managed to find one online based in Brighton, so the journey began. The engine was fully rebuilt with updated electronics

• X Charge system from TC Brothers
• Palmco Digital Ignition systems

We had a frame, set of tanks, front end springer (complete with 3rd leg) rebuilt engine and refurbished wheels. The old school styling was very important to me. I wanted the low bar look, keeping the bike slim line and looking very “gentleman ride”.

Once the bike had been “dry built” there were some brackets, spacers, foot pegs and tabs that needed to be manufactured, which I made myself. Now that the bike was ready for electrical installation. cRich at MWS (motorcycle wiring specialist) that took on the project. We managed to wire the tiny cables through the frame and handle bars giving me the clean look that the bike needed.

The frame was sanded clean and all weld joints filled with a P38 body filler giving me the flawless frame work. I chose Aston Martin meteorite grey metallic and found some 3mm brass tube and curved it to match the frame, as you can see the brass really stands out from the frame colour. The tanks were painted in an House of Kolor silver metallic finished with a Pin Up Girl called “Eleanor”!

The exhaust is a full 2 “ custom stainless steel free flowing system made by Infinity exhaust complete with 2” titanium wrap.

After 5 months of stressful grafting and design work I think I have managed to obtain the period look I was aiming for completing the bike with 2017 tech.