Smoke Show: Yamaha DT400 Scrambler

A Two-Stroke Ripper from Hex Moto…  

The Yamaha DT400 is one of our favorite two-stroke enduros of the 1970s. It arose from the original DT-1 250 of 1969, which revolutionized the market as a street-legal machine capable of real off-road adventure:

“The Japanese had finally realized that there was a specific ‘American’ market, which did not exist in Japan or Europe — and it was those riders who wanted to make use of our vast publicly owned wilderness, and do it at a pace that could give a minor rise to the adrenaline level. The misnamed ‘street scramblers’ were just not suitable, being way too street oriented and not nearly scramblerish enough.” –Rider

Introduced in 1975, the original twin-shock DT400 was quite the machine, packing 23 hp and 27 lb-ft of torque into a package that weighed just 274 pounds dry. The 400 could do 87 mph flat out, and we’ve both raced AHRMA cross-country and commuted daily on DT series two-strokes — they’re incredibly well-rounded machines.

“Weighing less than 300 pounds, with equal amounts of horsepower and torque, the oversquare single-cylinder two-stroke could tackle a dune in the Mojave Desert, climb gnarly trails high in the Rocky Mountains or hare along old logging roads in Maine.” –Rider

The DT also makes a great platform for a custom build. This 400 comes from our friend Jesse Scott Baumann of South Florida’s Hex Moto, who’s progressed over the years from working out of a converted carport to having his own workshop:

“I started off on my patio doing side-work aside from my full-time job doing the same thing. I was building full-blown custom bikes in a one-car carport that was converted into a patio. Eventually I got busy enough and have had my own shop for almost two years now.”

The donor bike — a ’76 DT400B — was completely original. Jesse admits he was loathe to hack into an original machine, but the owner wanted a wild custom bike and gave him free rein to make it happen. Instead of sketching everything out ahead of time, Jesse decided to start with upgraded suspension and let the project carrying him from there.

This DT now boasts a set of early FZR1000 inverted forks, while a YZ490 swingarm and mono-shock conversion hold up the rear. Wheels and brakes come courtesy of a Suzuki DR-Z400, while a Husky 701 donated the headlight fairing. Other mods include the custom saddle and inset taillight, 12-volt RC battery, and a coat of Ferrari Verde British racing green paint with gold graphics.

The engine was left mostly stock, but the lighter weight and upgraded suspension make the bike a hoot on the road. Says Jesse:

“It’s pretty wild. It feels like a street bike and a dirt bike at the same time. So I guess it lives up to its enduro name.”

This is one striking smoker we’d love to rip around town, down the backroads, and through the woods. Below, we talk to Jesse for full story on the project, along with more images courtesy of our talented friend Vincent Conti (@vincent.anthony.conti). Enjoy!

Yamaha DT400 Custom: Builder Interview

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

My name is Jesse Scott Baumann. I own a vintage motorcycle shop in South Florida called Hex Moto. I have been restoring, repairing, buying, selling, and customizing all brands of vintage motorcycles for about eight years now. I started off on my patio doing side-work aside from my full-time job doing the same thing. I was building full-blown custom bikes in a one-car carport that was converted into a patio. Eventually I got busy enough and have had my own shop for almost two years now.

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

This is a 1976 Yamaha DT400.

• Why was this bike built?

This bike was built for a client. He had bought the bike from being a trailer queen and it was completely original. I didn’t want to hack up such a nice bike but he really wanted to build it.

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

I honestly had nothing to go by. The client just wanted a wild custom bike but didn’t necessarily know what to suggest. My only thought was to start with newer suspension and go from there. Nothing was planned, it just came together one thing after another.

• What custom work was done to the bike?

• The bike is fitted with an early FZR1000 front end.
• The rear swing arm is from a YZ490 that miraculously fit perfect, including the axle. I thought I was going to have to do some serious grafting to the frame to get that to work. That was sourced from a friend who just happened to have a roller sitting around.
• I welded the pivot arms onto the frame and then used a BMW R100 monoshock for the shock. I welded a top mount under the seat.
• The wheels and brakes are new for a DR-Z400.
• The headlight fairing is from a Husquvarna 701.
• A custom seat was made.
• Inset tail light.
• Due to lack of space the bike is powered by a small 12-volt lithium battery, usually used for RC cars.
• The paint scheme was trying to stick with that classic enduro/scrambler feel. The opposing art on the oil tank and tank were an accident but I think it worked out well..
• The main color is Ferrari Verde British racing green.
• The frame is powder coated.

• Does the bike have a nickname?

I haven’t come up with one yet but I keep thinking it looks a bit like a wasp or a hornet.

 

• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?

I wasn’t sure what it was going to be like, being that it’s such a Frankenstein, but it’s pretty wild. It feels like a street bike and a dirt bike at the same time. So I guess it lives up to its enduro name.

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

The rear suspension is what I’m mostly proud of. I guess that and not having any direction on the bike and finally seeing a completed product.

Follow the Builder

Website: www.hexmotoco.com
Instagram: @jessescottbaumann | @hex_moto
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hexmoto1
Photos: Vincent Conti @vincent.anthony.conti