Bulldog Approved: Custom SR400 from Hageman MC x Alessandro Bonomi…
When the Yamaha SR400 was quietly put to rest in 2021, it had been in continuous production for more than 40 years. Introduced in 1978, the short-stroke single-cylinder SR was a street-centric carryover of the Dakar-winning XT500 dual-sport, and it proved the old adage that “less is more.”
The bike was kickstart only, with a sight glass and decompression lever to protect the rider’s ankle, and though the SR400 gained fuel injection in 2010, it remained air-cooled and kick-only to the end. Changes over the years were minor, mainly to meet tighter emissions standards, and a late-model SR400 is basically a 1970s vintage Japanese motorcycle produced in the 21st century. As the saying goes: Don’t fix it if it ain’t broke…
“As an authentic classic the SR is a charmer; as a cross town commuter, a delight and as a blank canvas for a customiser, it has appeal.” –MCN
Unfortunately, in a world of ever more complicated motorcycles, the SR400 finally faced the ax. But the model’s simplicity, purity of design, and “noble” character have continued to attract a riders. One is our new friend Alessandro Bonomi (@ABdeveloper), a US-based creative who grew up in Italy, where his father had a collection of “do not touch” bikes.
These days, Alessandro tries to build one bike a year, working with like-minded builders who share his vision.
“My goal is simple: take what they did, preserve what made it special, and figure out what could’ve been done better — without ruining the soul of the thing. It’s a delicate balance: honoring the essence of the machine while injecting fresh ideas.”
For this build, Alessandro sought out one of the best in the business, custom bike builder Greg Hageman. Greg, who operates Hageman MC, who grew up wrenching on bikes and other machinery on the family farm in rural Iowa. He’s spent more than a decade working for Harley-Davidson, attaining his master level 5 technician status, and on the nights and weekends, Greg builds some of the most highly regarded custom bikes in the country.
“I had always admired Greg’s work — his style and builds struck me as consistently tasteful and well-executed. Given his previous scrambler projects, I knew he’d be a great fit for this build.” -Alessandro
As Alessandro and Greg put their heads together over this project, it quickly became clear they shared a similar vision for a simple, lightweight, and reliable commuter with a classic scrambler-“ish” style. The donor they chose was a 2018 SR400.
Below, Alessandro details all of the modifications they made to transform the SR400 city scrambler, aka “Project Snoopy” — a nod to the fun retro character of the build, and to Alessandro’s partner in crime, Chabi, lovingly captured in his motoring attire.
We can’t wait to see the future projects that emerge from this collaboration between Alessandro and Greg. Until then, enjoy the story of Project Snoopy — Chabi approves!
Project Snoopy: Builder Interview
• Please tell us a bit about yourself and your history with motorcycles.
I am an aspiring collector and designer of custom motorcycles, a passion that runs deep and traces back to my childhood in Italy. Growing up, I spent countless hours admiring my dad’s “do not touch” collection of bigger cc bikes — coveting them from a distance — while I zipped around on Vespas and toyed with dirt bikes of my own.
To me, motorcycles have always been far more than machines. They’re a seamless blend of engineering and artistry, each one carrying its own unique story. It’s that combination of freedom, craftsmanship, and storytelling that continues to fuel my passion.
For much of my life, I pursued other interests, but in recent years, I’ve been lucky enough to dedicate more time to this passion. It’s not just about riding for me; it’s the process of tearing a bike apart, second-guessing design choices made decades ago, and reimagining its potential that I find most rewarding, it really has given me a whole new appreciation for the craft.
Today, my new projects are all about the oddballs. I’m not interested in mass-produced perfection. I focus on motorcycles with quirky histories, whether in their design, mechanics, or the way they were perceived in their time. My goal is simple: take what they did, preserve what made it special, and figure out what could’ve been done better — without ruining the soul of the thing. It’s a delicate balance: honoring the essence of the machine while injecting fresh ideas.
These days, if possible, I aim to tackle one project a year, working with brilliant, like-minded individuals who share a similar vision. I’m still learning, still making mistakes, and still having an obscene amount of fun doing it. And the journey? Well, that’s the best part.
• Please tell us about your bike.
The Yamaha SR400 was first introduced in 1978, and it’s a story of a bike that never really found its place in the world of today, eventually being discontinued across Europe and North America in 2021.
At the time when I acquired the bike, I was looking for something with soul. The charm lies in the fact that it doesn’t try too hard. There’s no over-complicated tech to trip over, no electronic this or that. Just you, a kickstarter, and a single-cylinder engine. It’s old school. In a world of electronic starter buttons, the SR400’s kickstart only feature feels like a small rebellious act, a nod to an era past.
Fitting to the story, not soon after I had acquired the bike, the SR400 was quietly retired and disappeared from the market. It was a victim of the times — an era that was slowly turning its back on the art of simplicity. The world continued moving towards bigger, faster, and more technologically advanced motorcycles. The kind of bikes that you’d need a degree in electrical engineering to understand.
And somewhere in the shadows, the SR400, with its humble kickstarter and basic, down-to-earth appeal, just got lost, never really having found its place in the global market… It was just a little bit too… well, in my view noble for the new world. The SR400 was like a polite dinner guest that nobody noticed was gone until they’d already left.
• How did you decide to work with Greg Hageman on the build?
I had always admired Greg’s work — his style and builds struck me as consistently tasteful and well-executed. Given his previous scrambler projects, I knew he’d be a great fit for this build. As we collaborated on concepts, parts, design, and sourcing the perfect donor bike, it quickly became clear that we shared a similar vision for the project.
At the time, my own experience in bringing a fully custom bike to life was fairly limited, but Greg proved to be an excellent partner, guiding me through the process and making it both enjoyable and educational. I loved the experience so much that it wasn’t long before I found myself working with Greg on another project.
• What was the build brief?
In short, we were looking to create a simple, functional commuter, lightweight, classically styled and reliable. Creating a scrambler “ish” motorcycle — which led us to the SR400, a bike that already shared some of this old school DNA. A throwback to the golden age of motorcycles then simplicity ruled the road. At its core it’s a simple machine, a 399cc single-cylinder motor with fuel injection, kickstarter, a simple frame, no fancy electronics, no whizz-bang gadgets — just a bike that gets you from A to B with a bit of character.
Although we modified the bike, the original was a classic beauty. The round headlamp, the clean fuel tank, the no-nonsense seat — everything is in proportion. It’s a bike that doesn’t try to be something it’s not, and in that, it achieves a sense of purity that many modern motorcycles have lost. This was the very innate beauty that we tried to protect throughout this build.
What was done to the bike:
For this project, I worked with the wonderful builder Greg Hageman (www.hagemanmc.com). The bike was a great canvas, and the following key modifications were made, plus some additional bits and bobs:
Gauges:
Custom speedometer/tachometer: A single 4” gauge from Speedhut, designed with a Snoopy logo in color, red needles, and illuminated for night use. Stock gauges were removed for a cleaner design.
Seat and Leather Work:
Seat: Tuffside custom upholstery seat made with leather, including a matching leather tank strip and grips.
Lighting and Indicators:
LED integration: Custom-made tiny LED turn signals, mounted discreetly on aluminum brackets.
Tail light: Integrated LED strip serving dual function (tail light and turn signals).
Front turn signals were also incorporated into the headlight assembly.
Exhaust:
Custom high exhaust: Fabricated with heat resistance in mind and a heat shield for safety.
Suspension:
Rear shocks: Installed Hagon shocks (Model 2810) from England for improved performance.
Front forks: Upgraded with Racetech components.
Paint:
Tank and side covers: Painted in “Pepper White” with satin black for side covers.
Other components: Powder-coated components, including the top tree in satin black; handlebars and clamps left polished alloy for contrast.
Side Covers:
Custom design: Replaced original side covers with fabricated metal sheets to create a sleeker and less “boxy” look, painted satin black, with adjustments made to keep them closer to the original bike while ensuring safe clearance from the exhaust.
Handlebars and Controls:
Flat-track style handlebars: Installed for a retro aesthetic.
Grips: Custom leather grips matching the seat design.
Tires and Wheels:
Tires: Fitted with more aggressive treads for light off-road use.
Rims and hubs: Powder-coated satin black for a modern finish.
Frame Modifications:
Rear frame: Cut and fitted with a new welded hoop to enhance the scrambler aesthetic.
Fenders: Fabricated small front and rear fenders, minimalistic in style.
Weight optimization: Efforts made to keep the bike lightweight, focusing on material choice and minimalism.
Conclusion
Once complete we nicknamed it “Snoopy” celebrating the fun retro nature of the build, and my regular riding partner (lovingly captured in some of the images…).
• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride the completed bike?
In short, its simple, honest, and pure fun. It’s not blisteringly fast — forget tearing up the highway — but it’s light, nimble, and perfect for zipping through city streets with a grin on your face. Along with the nostalgic joy of the kickstart, the custom exhaust also adds just the right growl to make every ride feel special, and while it does get a bit warm near your leg, it’s more like a cozy hug than a searing inconvenience. Sure, it’s no rocket, but whether you’re in the city or going to the beach, it’s all you need: practical, charming, and endlessly satisfying.
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
Looking back, there are always things I’d approach differently, but there’s also plenty to be proud of. For me, the biggest challenge is the constant fear of overcomplicating something that should remain simple. It’s easy to get carried away with modifications and lose the essence of a bike. On this project, I think what I’m most proud of is knowing when to stop — realizing that sometimes, less truly is more.
• Is there anyone you’d like to thank?
First and foremost, Greg, for his incredible support and craftsmanship throughout the build.
A huge thank-you to my loving partner, Sofia, for always supporting my passion — even when it involves rolling this bike in and out of our apartment (occasionally, to her dismay). While we may not agree on whether motorcycles make tasteful home decor, her patience has been unwavering.
Lastly, a shoutout to my bulldog, Chabi, for keeping me motivated — whether by barking as I tinker or taking on the role of reluctant model. Every great project needs a mascot, and Chabi’s been mine.
Follow the Builders
Alessandro Bonomi
Web: www.alessandrobonomidesign.com
Instagram: @ABdeveloper
Hageman Motorcycles
Web: www.hagemanmc.com
Instagram: @hageman_mc
Very cool, and love the side covers.
So tired of the see-through-the-frame trend.
This is absolutely perfect. I love it!