Reborn Fazer 600 from Blackout Custom Design…
The Yamaha FZS600 Fazer — aka the Fazer 600 — was revealed to the public at the 1997 Paris Auto Show. The 599cc 16-valve 95-bhp inline-four came from the YZF600R Thundercat. The engine was re-tuned for better midrange thrust, while the brakes were high-spec blue-dot units from the R1. The Fazer 600 quickly became the best-selling machine in its class, and Yamaha would sell some 83,000 units in the first four years of production.
“If the Yamaha Fazer 600 launched tomorrow it would still probably sell, it’s that good a sports-tourer motorcycle… There is a reason the Yamaha Fazer has such a strong following – as soon as its wheels start to turn you are right at home. It is ease personified and most of this warm feeling comes from the wonderful motor.” –MCN
This customized 2001 Fazer 600 comes from Marcel Galuszka of Blackout Custom Design (BCD), who previously built a white custom Fazer for a close friend and customer. His friend decided he wanted a second one, and so this “Blackjack” version is something of a second incarnation of the original design…and a third version is expected sometime in the future!
The donor had been either wrecked or dropped hard on its left side, bending / cracking the frame along with many other components, and Marcel says the carbs were some of the worst he’s ever seen. So this build required much more than straight customization — it was a case of bringing a dead and forgotten machine back to life.
This evolution — nicknamed “Blackjack” — deviates from the original in significant ways, not just in terms of the color scheme but the height of the subframe / seat, the design of the bodywork, and of course the need to repair the frame and other components from the bike’s previous life.
The overall effect is a unique yet practical roadster born from a wrecked and forgotten donor — well done, Marcel!
In the Builder’s Words…
This is the second Fazer 600 built for my close friend, for whom I also built the first one, the white one. So this is the second reincarnation of his favorite Fazer. And as they are following it, I think we can expect a third variation in the future 🙂
Interestingly, a year after the first build, my friend bought a donor for this build. But the build only started this year, about three months ago. The build itself took about two months, where practically everything took place mainly around the rebuilding of the rear part of the frame, where not only the classic rear loop was added, but the entire rear part, because I mainly needed to raise the rider’s seat a little after the experience from the first build for my friend.
I tried to preserve the line as much as possible, even though the rear was raised. I think I succeeded. The seat is in a combination of black smooth leather and alcantara, everything is stitched with red thread.
The entire frame was then quite restored, because after the overall breakdown of the motorcycle into a million parts, it turned out that the frame was slightly warped after a fall to the left side, which was also reflected in the dent on the tank and I also discovered smaller cracks in the bend of the frame in the front part. But I managed to successfully boil everything and repair it. The frame was then sandblasted and powder coated with glossy black paint, as were most of the other parts on the bike.
Probably in connection with the previous fall of the bike, there was some other damage, so the footrests were replaced, but also the entire airbox came out, which was replaced with red air pods and of course the carburetors were adjusted accordingly. However, I have to mention here that I have never seen carburetors so rusty and clogged/stuck. Getting them in order was quite a challenge.
The engine ran like clockwork, so it was “only” cleaned and the left alternator cover, which was scratched after the fall, had to be repaired. Then I chose to spray the entire thing with matte black paint and new silver screws for contrast. Together with the red air pods, a nice combination was achieved.
I had planned a shield up front from the beginning. I wanted something smaller, which would keep the bike slim, but they complete the style. There is an LED light in the front and the LED indicators are the same at the front and rear, only at the rear they are 3-in-1. I used KOSO as a speedo on the newly installed handlebars with Biltwell grips.
Since the owner and I had planned red from the beginning, I was thinking the whole time how to keep the color not “only” red and I also knew that the motif would be 21 BLACKJACK. So I chose a matte finish with black glossy BLACKJACK accessories on the tank and shield and a few others on various parts of the bike, but so that it wouldn’t be too flashy.
All the electrics were renovated and placed together with the new LI-ION battery in custom-made holders under the seat in the new rear part of the frame.
The bike looks fresh, slim, light and healthy. The owner is satisfied and I think the third version will be blue or black :-). Well, we’ll see…
As always, big thanks to Nicos (@nicossmodel) for all the photos.
Follow the Builder
Web: blackoutcustom.cz
Instagram: @blackoutcustomdesign
Facebook: @blackoutcustomdesign
Photos: Nikolas Stergiadis (@nicossmodel)
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NICELY DONE!