Transforming Tradition: YAMAHA SR400 Custom by FLAKES
FLAKES' SR400
Most would agree that customization is one of the many appealing aspects of the SR400/500. From café racer to high-performance, tracker, VMX, chopper and more, this standard single model can be transformed into any style. The chopper style was popular about 10 to 15 years ago, but in order to maintain the on-road sport form many SRs stopped having their seat rails cut and modified. However, recently, there have been more and more orders coming in with requests to return the SR to a single-sport look and to make it more fun to ride. To meet this demand, FLAKES created the bike shown here as a test machine. At first glance, it appears to be a high-performance, café-style custom machine. However, if you take a closer look at the seat rail, you will notice that it has been lowered. Yes, this machine achieves the on-road sport styling while keeping the modified seat rail as is and creating a one-off seat cowl and matching aluminum bracket. Of course, the newly made bracket has holes drilled to give it a cool style and it doesn't look out of place at all. On the contrary, it adds a touch of flair to the seat area. And of course the seat isn't the only thing to look at.
The front forks and swingarm are originally from an NSR250 and have been modified for this bike. GALE SPEED wheels are used for the front and rear, and the swingarm has been shortened, showing off confidence in this bike's cornering performance. The stem shaft is a one-off, made of hollow-machined duralumin, and the NITRON rear suspension's spring rate has been reset. Incidentally, the axle weight is almost 50:50 front and rear, with a dry weight of approximately 120kg! Naturally, the engine has also been modified, with the displacement remaining at 399cc, a lightweight flywheel has been used to allow it to rev at higher rpm. There are other points of interest such as the exterior and brakes, but there are too many to mention! Incidentally, the suspension settings are still a work in progress, and the builder is not completely satisfied with them. Once they are, they will begin a full-scale engine tuning. In other words, this machine is still in the process of evolution and it looks like it will keep evolving with no final goal in sight.
Handle
The speedometer is by ACTIVE, and the tachometer is equipped with a stepper motor from Nagai Electronics. The TYGA Racing top bridge with cutouts is also noteworthy.
Bodyworks
The rocket cowl is a one-off made by FLAKES. The lightweight design is a result of the ingenuity of the tensioning method.
The seat cowl and seat are also one-offs. The seat height is raised using a one-off bracket in order to make up for the lowered seat rail.
Engine
The engine is basically stock, but with a lighter flywheel. Further modifications are expected in the future.
Chassis
The GALE SPEED front wheel is equipped with double SUNSTAR discs and Brembo calipers. The brakes provide overwhelming stopping power and a racer-like look.
The silencer is a FLAKES original and the NSR swingarm, NITRON rear suspension, and Brembo disc are just some of the highlights of the rear section.
The swingarm has been shortened and the wheelbase here is almost the same as stock, however, this is still in the process of being adjusted. It seems that a short wheelbase is currently being used, and this bike is constantly evolving.
Gallery
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Specifications
| Part | Details |
|---|---|
| Engine | Lightweight Flywheel |
| Carb / Intake |
YOSHIMURA MIKUNI TMR-MJN40 Carburetor (without TPS) RAMAIR Air Cleaner |
| Exhaust | One-off Exhaust Pipe DAYTONA KEDO Torque Valve for Exhaust Pipe FLAKES Original Aluminum Megaphone Exhaust (modified, small diameter titanium perforation) |
| Brake |
brembo Brake Caliper P4 30/34 40mm SUNSTAR Semi-floating Front Disc Rotor FRENTUBO Carbon Brake Hose GALE SPEED Radial Master Cylinder brembo New-crab Rear Caliper SUNSTAR Rear Disc Rotor |
| Wheels | GALE SPEED Front Wheel 3.00/17 GALE SPEED Rear Wheel 4.50/17 |
| Suspension | NSR250SP Modified Front Fork NITRON Rear Suspension Twin Shock STEALTH TWIN R3 Series NSR250R ('89) Shortened Swingarm |
| Steps | BORE ACE Rearsets |
| Handle / Steering | DAYTONA Handlebar TYGA Racing Top Bridge for NSR250R MC21 CRG 2" Mirror Highsider 4" Mirror ACTIVE Digital Speedometer Nagai Electronics Stepped Motor Tachometer Dry Carbon Meter Panel One-off Stem Shaft (hollow-machined duralumin) |
| Seat | One-off Seat Cowl and Leather Seat One-off Aluminum Seat Rail Bracket |
| Bodyworks | One-off Lightweight FRP Cowl One-off Aluminum Cowl Bracket |
| Electrical | One-off Aluminum Headlight PROTEC Tail Lamp with Integrated LED Turn Signals mosfet Regulator |
Original Source of this Article
MOTO TIMES
editor
Hakuyo
A foreigner who rides in Japan, Japanese call this "Gaijin Rider". Third year in the Webike global team. He feels and shares the real bike life in Japan then presents you how interesting Japanese customs are.
