Chesterfield Scrambler: Retro-Kitted Yamaha Ténéré 700

Chesterfield-Style Yamaha T7 Scrambler from Holy Moly Motorcycles…

The Yamaha Ténéré 700 — aka T7 — has been one of the biggest hits among newly designed motorcycles in the last half decade. While other manufacturers continued to increase the size, complexity, and weight of their adventure bikes, Yamaha took the opposite approach, developing a lighter, more stripped-down ADV bike that’s easier to handle once the pavement ends.

“Yamaha hit the nail on the head, and because of this it’s often chosen by ‘purists’ who prefer an old school approach when the only riding assist was in the hands, feet, and mind of the adventurous soul onboard.” –MCN

The 72-bhp Yamaha CP2 parallel-twin engine, which comes from the MT-07, is widely acclaimed for its character, power delivery, and all-around performance on both the street and dirt. There are certainly more powerful bikes in the Adventure class, but many of them weigh 75-100 pounds more than the T7.

One need only watch the incredible antics of Yamaha factory rider Pol Tarrés (@poltarres13) to see the T7’s off-road potential. Pol continues to do some truly unbelievable things on this machine, proving the T7 deserves to bear the legendary Ténéré name.

While the T7 has earned its place as one of the best adventure bikes on the market, there’s very little aesthetic semblance to the storied Yamaha Ténéré bikes of yesteryear. In fact, many find the stock T7’s styling fairly uninspiring. Fortunately, our friend Francisco Menezes of Portugal’s Holy Moly Motorcycles decided to develop a full T7 retro kit for this modern adventure bike — one that would honor the origins of the Ténéré series.

“We decided to do something I had in mind for a long time… A retro backdated XT600Z Ténéré like in the late 80s. We tried to achieve the style, the shape, and the duality of the classic XT600Z Ténéré while keeping all the good parts of a new motorcycle, and especially all the good parts of the amazing T7.”

T7 Retro Kit: Yamaha Ténéré 700 Retro Enduro

Since then, Holy Moly has been producing small batches of the T7 retro kit in various liveries, many of them inspired by the Paris-Dakar bikes of the 1980s. One of our favorites is the Chesterfield design, offered in just five units and styled after bikes like the Chesterfield-sponsored “BYRD” (Belgarda Yamaha Racing Division) YZE750 Super Ténéré.

Today, we’re thrilled to showcase one of these Chesterfield T7 editions — this one from UK rider Stewart (@stewart_on2). Stewart’s list of bikes over the last three decades includes the Kawasaki AR two-stroke series, Aprilia RS125, Ducati 748, Yamaha XSR900, Triumph Thruxton R, and now the Ténéré 700.

“The T7 made perfect sense. A bike I could ride off-road and could still cover a lot of miles and in comfort.” -Stewart

At the Malle Mile, Stewart got his first look at the Holy Moly T7 retro kit and fell in love. The kit, which is plug-and-play and completely reversible, manages to convert the modern adventure bike into a giant twin-cylinder enduro that bears a strong family resemblance to its air-cooled ancestors.

“I saw the Chesterfield design that they offered and knew that was the one I had to have. Also Holy Moly only made 5 in this design so I liked the idea of how unique it’d be… The Chesterfield design to me was a great way to celebrate the 80s and early 90s Dakar bikes.” -Stewart

Francisco even came over to the UK from Portugal to install the kit on Stewart’s bike, along with the bike of a good friend of his.

“This is not part of the deal, so I felt honoured that he’d come over.” -Stewart

The result is a modern, highly capable adventure bike in the guise of a vintage enduro, bearing the nostalgic livery of one of the most most iconic Dakar bikes of the late 1980s. It’s truly the best of both worlds.

“The bike is special as it has that retro look but with all the modern bike advantages.” -Stewart

Amen, Stewart! Hats off to Francisco for developing this amazing kit, which honors the storied Ténéré heritage while preserving all the functionality of the original bike. In fact, these kits have had us eyeing the local classifieds for a T7 of our own!

Below you’ll find our interview with Stewart about the build, and you can contact Holy Moly Motorcycles for more information about purchasing one of these kits for your Ténéré 700.

Chesterfield T7: Owner Interview

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

My name is Stewart. I’ve owned and ridden bikes for over 30 years. Had everything from a Kawasaki AR50 and 80, Aprilia RS125, Ducati 748, and Yamaha XSR900.

Currently own two bikes: a Triumph Thruxton R and this Yamaha T7.

• Why was this bike built?

I always wanted a motocross bike. I saw the Holy Moly kit on a T7 at a bike festival weekend (the Malle Mile) and fell in love with the retro look.

The T7 made perfect sense. A bike I could ride off-road and could still cover a lot of miles and in comfort. I saw the Chesterfield design that they offered and knew that was the one I had to have. Also Holy Moly only made 5 in this design so I liked the idea of how unique it’d be.

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

Chesterfield design to me was a great way to celebrate the 80s and early 90s Dakar bikes.

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

The bike is great to ride. The CP2 Yamaha twin develops plenty of torque and bhp; I’ve never felt it ever needed more power, has more than enough for off-road. The bike is special as it has that retro look but with all the modern bike advantages.

• Is there anyone you’d like to thank?

I’d like to thank Francisco from Holy Moly Motorcycles, as he travelled over to the UK from Portugal to put the kit on, as he did a friend of mine’s bike at the same time. This is not part of the deal, so I felt honoured that he’d come over.