“Big Blue”: Yamaha SR400 Street Tracker by Candy Motorcycle Laboratory

The Yamaha SR400 was introduced to the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) way back in 1978, and has remained in constant production except for a single two-year hiatus in the 2000s. Developed with the design credo “easy to use,” the bike is an air-cooled, four-stroke, kickstart-only single that echoes the style of Yamaha’s first four-stroke, the XS650 — itself inspired by British design. In 2014, the SR400 become available in the US, Europe, and other parts of the world.

Enter Jun Nakamura of Japan’s Candy Motorcycle Laboratory — now in their 14th year of operation. Candy is a small workshop, with a two-person staff that handles everything from general maintenance and inspection to custom builds, custom paint, and pick-up/delivery — but they punch well above their weight. Candy bikes have been named best-in-show at the highly prestigious Yokohama Hot Rod Custom Show and earned many other awards, and the small shop continues to turn out stunning builds one by one. They have a particular fondness for Japan’s beloved SR400:

“In particular, we are focusing on the Yamaha SR400 — leave it to our shop for the SR.”

Below, we get the full details on this big-bore 595cc SR400 street tracker — aptly nicknamed “Big Blue.”

Yamaha SR Street Tracker: Builder Interview

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

I am a custom builder and mechanic. This year marks the 14th anniversary of Candy Motorcycle Laboratory. My work has been awarded best-in-show at the Yokohama Hot Rod Custom Show, and I’ve won the domestic motorcycle award.

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

YAMAHA SR400, 1992.

• Why was this bike built?

This motorcycle was made to the customer’s order.

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

For customers who like the tracker style, we have created a tracker style that is easy to ride on in the street.

• What custom work was done to the bike?

RD50 Fuel tank.

One-off tracker seat.

Extended swingarm.

WP Rear Suspension.

One-off silencer.

Engine tune and big-bored cylinder to 595cc.

 

• Does the bike have a nickname?

“BIG BLUE.”

• How would you classify this bike?

Street Tracker

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

How easy to ride.

Follow the Builder

Instagram: @candy_mclabo
Facebook: @CandyMotorcycleLaboratory
Website: www.candy-mclabo.com