Yamaha XS650 “Fat Tracker” by MUTO Motorbikes

Yamaha XS650 Fat Tracker

“TRACTO” — a Yamaha “Fat Tracker” from France!

Rémy Pagart of France’s MUTO Motorbikes is quickly making a name for himself with bikes that bridge the gap between bobber, tracker, and scrambler styles. Rémy, working alongside his friend Vincent Dhalluin, approaches each build as an “all-terrain artist,” merging vintage, new, and custom elements to make each bike a unique work of art. It may come as no surprise that Remy is, in fact, an artist and designer whose motto is:  “MAY the FUN be with you!”

Yamaha XS650 Fat Tracker

First there was his Yamaha SR250 “El Pimento,” which caught our attention like a swallowed chili pepper. Now MUTO is back with “Tracto,” a Yamaha XS650 personal project, built in a style Rémy calls “fat tracker.” The core of the design are the solid wheels and heavy-duty forks, around which the rest of the bike was built.

Yamaha XS650 Fat Tracker

Below, we get the full story on this “Tracto” from Rémy  himself, along with photos from Patrick Leveque.

“TRACTO” Yamaha 650 XS Special

Yamaha XS650 Fat Tracker

I started my workshop one year ago but I used to work for a few years on friends’ motorcycles. Since I was a teenager, I’ve had different bikes like Yamaha 125 DTMX (my first bike), 125 YZ, SR 250, XS 650, RDX 350, 500 XT, 600 xte…(incredible! Only Yamaha?!?)

Yamaha XS650 Fat Tracker

Of course, if I chose this bike, it’s because of the original engine. Such a good design! I wanted to keep it that way, with this original power too so I had to recondition it: reboring, new pistons and new segmentation.

Yamaha XS650 Fat Tracker

The engine is something but I had to think about the whole look of the beast: according to MUTO spirit, no way it will look like a moped!

Yamaha XS650 Fat Tracker

I began to slightly work on the frame by shortening it a bit and removing some metal scraps. I was looking for the parts that would give it his character. A “FAT TRACKER”! This is the style I wanted to give to my new custom. So, first, I chose large wheels, a thick fork with wide trees and the rest of the design flew from these.

Yamaha XS650 Fat Tracker

For the wheels, I made up my mind long time ago: full wheels, kind of wheels that I saw several times on motorcycles like speedway’s side-cars or on Harley’s Fat Boy or on the amazing Mad Dax made by Karl Renoult, this great artist-motor-designer from Ed Turner. I chose polished aluminum wheels from a Fat Boy.

Yamaha XS650 Fat Tracker

About the fork, I found one from a Sportster that I had to adapt to the wheels. And for the brakes I used parts from Harley’s too. For the tires, I chose Conti Tour from Continental for their futuristic look.

Yamaha XS650 Fat Tracker

I wanted to give my custom a strong character by the wheels but also with a great tank. I used one from the Yamaha RD50 1978 and I renewed the paint and stickers.

Yamaha XS650 Fat Tracker

A small custom-made leather saddle, side covers, a massive aluminum home mudguard and re-worked menu pots gave to the design its final touch.

Yamaha XS650 Fat Tracker

For the electric part, I obviously chose an M-unit by Motogadget; it’s the best result if we want to save space, weight and for a quicker installation.

Yamaha XS650 Fat Tracker

For the lighting part, I reworked a flagship tracker plate that I inserted between the fork tubes on which we will also find super discreet but very powerful LED flashers. At the back, a led light on the loop and two mini-flashing from Motogadget too.

Yamaha XS650 Fat Tracker

I chose really good side shock absorbers from Shock Factory (France).

Yamaha XS650 Fat Tracker

What more can I say except that we find on the handlebar tracker, a master cylinder and lever Brembo and push buttons Motogadget.

Yamaha XS650 Fat Tracker

At the end, a good (but not that huge) Muto Fat Tracker version which looks like a beautiful toy and which provides all the pleasure…

Yamaha XS650 Fat Tracker

Here is “TRACTO.”

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5 Comments

  1. Nice bike, nicely executed. Ever since the first XS came out I have loved them. I hope mine will one day be as nice as this one. Doing it paycheck by paycheck is a slow go but it is getting there. It will be the bike I have always wanted once it’s done. These pro examples spur me on! Long Live The Mighty XS!

  2. Chhay Lim

    Good decoration….
    Look like strong

  3. Rob Sinclair

    What a beautiful piece of art.
    Just as a matter of interest how did you do the “No background” on the pics.
    Does the motor still have the the standard points and condensor or is it converted to electronic?

  4. Pingback: “SUMO” BMW R80 Brat Scrambler by MUTO Motorbikes – BikeBound

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