#AG02: Yamaha XT600 Scrambler by Asphalt & Gravel

Yamaha XT600 Scrambler

An Italian moto photographer gets to shoot a special of his own… 

In the motorcycle world, there are a handful of photographers who stand apart from the rest, never failing to capture the full power, spirit, and beauty of each machine they shoot. One of these photographers is Andrea Carreda (@andrews_diary), an Italy-based freelancer whose love affair with motorcycle specials began when he met Tommaso Cannas of Asphalt & Gravel — a workshop specializing in cafe racers, enduros, and scramblers:

“From that meeting a collaboration was born that has lasted for years, where Andrea had the opportunity to make photoshoots for various motorcycle builders and for events such as Dust’n Sardinia, Audax1000, and the Scrambler Trophy.”

Yamaha XT600 Scrambler

Finally, after years of shooting others’ bikes, it was time for Andrea to have a build of his own, and there was only workshop to build it: Asphalt & Gravel. Builders Tommaso and Edoardo chose a ’92 Yamaha XT600 as the base, a worthy single-cylinder successor to the legendary XT500 that has a reputation for bulletproof reliability and ruggedness on both tarmac and dirt.

Yamaha XT600 Scrambler

They stripped down the nonessential elements of the big dual sport to create a scrambler that recalls the slightly older enduro machines of the 1970s. Our friend Matteo Murgia handled both the saddle upholstery and the graphics on the Kawasaki KZ400 tank.

Yamaha XT600 Scrambler

The team chose to retain the 21-inch front wheel, as this will be no “bar bike.” In fact, Andrea will be participating in the famed Dust’n Sardinia rally, three-day trek across 300+ miles of southern Sardinia, completely off-road, founded by Tommaso, Nicola Manca, Alessio Ferrari, and Edoardo Proietti Semproni:

“In short, we know that Andrea in recent years has shown that he is a phenomenon behind the camera with motorcycles as a subject, we will now see how he will fare in the dirt roads of Sardinia with his new scrambler built ad hoc by his fellow Asphalt and Gravel builders.”

Yamaha XT600 Scrambler

Below, we get the full story on #AG02 from Tommaso of Asphalt and Gravel, and more gorgeous photos from Andrea himself — photographing his own custom bike for the first time!

Yamaha XT600E Scrambler: In the Builder’s Words

Yamaha XT600 Scrambler

Here is #AG02 built by Asphalt and Gravel for the Photographer Andrea Caredda.

Andrea made his debut in motorcycle photography after meeting Tommaso Cannas, founder of Asphalt And Gravel. From that meeting a collaboration was born that has lasted for years, where Andrea had the opportunity to make photoshoots for various motorcycle builders and for events such as Dust’n Sardinia, Audax1000, and the Scrambler Trophy.

Yamaha XT600 Scrambler

After countless publications in magazines and blogs in the sector, he finally had the opportunity to photograph his own bike.
The #AG02 was born in the Asphalt and Gravel workspace, the same workspace where Andrea’s interest in motorcycle specials was born, in particular for scramblers.

Yamaha XT600 Scrambler

Builders Tommaso and Edoardo chose a 1992 Yamaha XT600e, a base that is suitable for use on both asphalt and dirt roads. The rear of the frame has been rebuilt, eliminating the airbox and any superstructure not considered essential. Work has been done to give the bike a simple and clean line, accompanied by handlebars and risers, oversized footpegs, Continental TKC80 tires, aluminum mudguards, and single stainless steel exhaust to give a more dedicated off-road connotation.

The frame paint has been renewed by sandblasting and powder coating, to ensure better resistance. The XT600 now features LED lights on the front headlight, direction indicators and rear stop.

Given the simple lines of this bike, it was decided to entrust the saddle and tank to the skilled hands of Matteo Murgia, leaving him total freedom. Matteo decided to create a genuine leather saddle with horizontal stitching on the upper part, useful for off-road riding, and dared with a graphic on the tank, coming from a Kawasaki Z400 from the 80s.The name of the manufacturer Asphalt & Gravel appears in large letters, inverting the matte black and glossy gray colors on the sides of the tank, while in the center they meet with a lightning bolt.

Yamaha XT600 Scrambler

The choice to keep the 21-inch wheel at the front emphasizes that this will not be a “bar bike,” but will be used in the mountains, and from 2022 forward will be part of the bikes that will travel along the dirt roads of Dust’n Sardinia.

Yamaha XT600 Scrambler

In short, we know that Andrea in recent years has shown that he is a phenomenon behind the camera with motorcycles as a subject, we will now see how he will fare in the dirt roads of Sardinia with his new scrambler built ad hoc by his fellow Asphalt and Gravel builders.

Yamaha XT600 Scrambler

More Photos

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Photos: Andrea Carreda (@andrews_diary)

One Comment

  1. What battery did you use? And, did you upgrade the rectifier/regulator? I am looking for my 1990 XT600E build.

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