Yamaha XT600 Scrambler by Bold Motorcycles

Bold Motorcycles is the creation of two long-time friends, Pedro and João, who live in Sertã, Portugal — located in the middle of the nation’s longest, most mythical road:  the Nacional 2. We were fortunate enough to feature their first build, a 1996 CB500 cafe racer dubbed “B001”.

Now the two-man crew is back with their third build, “B003”, a Yamaha XT600 scrambler built for friend and photographer Ricardo Santos (@sr.s4ntos). The XT600 is one of our favorite platforms for a scrambler build. The air-cooled, old-school thumper is one of the most popular enduro / dual-sport motorcycles of all-time, a hard-to-kill workhorse that has tackle just about every terrain on the planet.

For this build, customer Ricardo gave the Bold Motorcycles crew just one directive, that his scrambler be “dry green”.  The rest was left to the team. The crew opted for a traditional dual-sport scrambler build with some lovely details, such as the side projector light and leather appointments. Below, we get the full story on the build, along with a gorgeous deck of photos from owner Ricardo Santos (@sr.s4ntos).

B003 Yamaha XT600 Custom: Builder Interview

• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.

We are two long time friends who once decided to build bikes (’cause one of us bought one and wasn’t really happy with the result). We were in 2016. This is our third bike. The first one was a CB500 and the second one a small 125 scrambler that isn’t finished yet (is being painted) due to this XT600. We have a very small workshop (is in João’s home garage) but that’s our place, for now, and it’s where “magic happens”.

• What’s the make, model, and year of the bike?

Yamaha XT600 1996

• Why was this bike built?

It was a customer project for Ricardo Santos (the owner and photographer of B003).

• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?

Well, Ricardo told us “I want a scrambler and I want it dry green”, then he left the entire project with us. He relied on us completely and we only showed him the bike in the end, as it is now.

We tried to build a traditional scrambler with some unique details (as the leather appointments and the side projector) without ever forgetting the quality of the construction.

• What custom work was done to the bike?

The bike was completely disassembled, and we cut the rear end and made a new one (including the rear light support) as well as the seat base, the box to hide the battery and CDI and the front fender.

Then the frame, the rims, the superior suspension table and other small parts were lacquered. The engine was all sandblasted before being painted as well as the fuel tank, front fender and front forks.

The fuel tank is from a Motozax, a 50cc Portuguese bike, and we have made the supports for the side projector, the headlight, speedometer, front fender and license plate. The gas cap was handmade from a single aluminum piece.

We also modified the carter protection and the air filter box was replaced for two race performance air filters. The electrical wiring was completely remade and all electrical components are new. The speedometer is new as well as the stainless steel brake cables.

The seat was handmade specially for this bike.

The both wheels were rebuilt (with new spokes) after being lacquered and the 21-inch front wheel was replaced by a 17-inch one.

The package is complete with the Mitas E07 tires and an Inox exhaust muffler pipe.

• How would you classify this bike?

It is definitely a scrambler.

• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?

Mostly the comments of friends during the building process. Apart from that, wasn’t any particular aspect, we are very happy with the overall project.

Follow the Builder

• Instagram: @boldmotorcycles
• Email: [email protected]
• Facebook: @boldmotorcycles
• Photographer: @sr.s4ntos