Unique Classic: Yamaha TT500 Restomod

For most of the late 60s and early 70s, two-strokes dominated the off-road market. They were lighter, faster, and simpler than their four-stroke counterparts, and thumper evolution had all but stalled since the British singles went the way of the dinosaurs. Then, in 1972 Honda released the XL250. Here was a four-stroke that was easy to start, reliable, and relatively light compared to the British iron of yore.

Soon, other manufacturers were following suit.

“Yamaha decided to build a new four-stroke flagship for the dirt, one that would take over from the Honda XL350. The plan was to build a full-sized, four-stroke, single-cylinder, dirt bike that was similar to the famous British BSA singles in performance but with better reliability.” –Motocross Action Magazine

In 1975, the street-legal XT500 appeared, and the dirt-only TT500 a year later. At the time, these were the most advanced 500cc four-strokes ever produced, and represented a return of the do-it-all big-bore single. The machines went on to prove themselves in the world’s toughest off-road race, when the XT500 took home victory in the first two runnings of the Paris-Dakar Rally. A legend was born. 

While it was a bit heavy for a motocrosser, the TT500 had immense versatility.

“It is an easy-to-start, unadulterated 500cc thumper that has been fitted with modern suspension, an easy to service engine, a five-speed transmission, traditional Yamaha styling and a whole cylinder full of fun. Also it is versatile enough to be used as a motocross play bike, and can be fitted with lights from the Yamaha TY trials bikes (the lighting coil is already included in the magneto ignition)… As a general all-purpose off-road recreation machine, you just can’t do better.” -Cycle Guide

Enter our new buddy Chad Donner of the London’s Unique Classics — a father/son workshop that specializes in classic car restoration, maintenance, and sales. Many of their four-wheeled builds are on American V8 platforms, and the Donner duo has had plenty of success on the track as well as in the garage.

That said, the Unique Classics boys are fans of two wheels as well.

“We do the odd bike build and are bike lovers from dirt bikes to Harleys and everything in between — and bikes really were out first love when it comes to vehicles.”

This 1976 TT500 was built for their long-time customer, Dino (@dinos_v8s), who gave them free rein from a creative standpoint. They decided to make the bike yellow — Dino’s favorite color — restoring the bike to showroom condition with a few modern upgrades. 

The bike is now riding on black rims laced up with stainless spokes, along with a set of performance shocks. There’s a custom exhaust, front number plate, and colorway, and nearly every component of the bike has been refurbished or replaced. 

The result is one of the cleanest TT500 machines we’ve seen. This “Unique Classic” retains all the charm and functionality of the original in a good-as-new package, along with a one-of-a-kind colorway that befits its rebirth. We hope it brings Dino many years of good, not-so-clean fun!

Yamaha TT500: Builder Interview

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

We are a father and son London-based company. We’ve got a combined 60 years experience and predominately specialise in classic cars from full resto to general maintenance and sales. But we do the odd bike build and are bike lovers from dirt bikes to Harleys and everything in between — and bikes really were out first love when it comes to vehicles.

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

This bike is a 1976 Yamaha TT and was imported from California by a friend of ours.

• Why was this bike built? 

I bought the bike and ended up selling to another friend of ours @dinos_v8s who is a long term customer of ours and we’ve built both bikes and cars for him over the years.

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

Dino left the design of the bike to us and we went for a resto style bike which retained the original style of a ’76 TT. He even allowed us to choose the colour, which was an easy decision as his favourite colour is yellow!

• What custom work was done to the bike?

Main upgrades on the bike are the performance shock absorbers, the black rims with stainless spokes, and the custom exhaust. All other parts were either restored or replaced so the bike looks brand new.

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

The bike is awesome to ride but in all fairness original TT500 is great from stock!

• Is there anyone you’d like to thank?

We like to thank @dinos_v8s for commissioning us to build the bike and giving freedom with the design.

Follow the Builder

Web: uniqueclassics.co.uk/
Instagram: @unique_classics_