The Yamaha XS650 (1970-1983) is one of our favorite vintage Japanese motorcycles, styled after the British twins of the 1960s. The engine/gearbox had unit construction and a horizontally-split crankcase, making it one of the most […]
Tag: Yamaha XS650
Yamaha XS650 “Minabear” by Licari.co
A red-tanked vagabonding machine, built for fire roads and the 405… The Yamaha XS650 is one of our favorite vintage bikes — a British-style 650 twin available from 1970-1983. The engine’s unit construction and horizontally-split […]
Big Wheel: Yamaha XS650 Bobber by A&J Cycles
A metric bobber recalling the Big Wheel trikes of yesteryear… The Yamaha XS650 remains one of the most versatile vintage motorcycles in the hands of custom builders. We regularly see the British-inspired Japanese twin transformed […]
Aluminum XS: Yamaha XS650 Street Tracker by Café Cycles
The Yamaha XS650 is one of our favorite vintage motorcycles. While it was styled after the British twins of the era, the bike was properly modern, featuring unit construction (engine and gearbox in same casing), […]
Fat Brat: Yamaha XS650 from Kuna Customs
Built a stone’s throw from where the turbojet engine was invented! Introduced in 1969 as the XS-1, the Yamaha XS650 would boast one of the most advanced engines of the class, a 654cc parallel twin […]
Red Ripper: Yamaha XS650 by Paul Hartman
“This thing just wants to have fun…” The Yamaha XS650 is one of our favorite motorcycles, a British-style parallel twin whose engine was highly advanced for the time, featuring unit construction, horizontally split crankcases, and […]
Shell Racing XS650 Street Tracker by Josh Keel
A stunning tribute to the Shell Racing trackers of the 1970s… Shell Thuet was one of the greatest motorcycle tuners of all time. Born in California in 1912, he had to begin supporting his family […]
“Martens Motard XSM750” Yamaha XS650 Supermoto
A truly “Handmade Motard” built for the 2018 Dirtbag Challenge… The Dirtbag Challenge, born in San Francisco, is a self-proclaimed “low rent chopper build off,” where participants have one month and a $1000 budget to […]
“La Canaglia” Yamaha XS by Brigand Moto
In Italian, “La Canaglia” means “The Scoundrel” or “The Rogue” — an apt name for this multipurpose Yamaha XS650 hybrid, built to tackle the “bastard configuration” of the Canadian roads, where well-paved highways are interspersed […]
Yamaha XS650 Tracker / Scrambler by Simple Sycles
“A tracker scrambler cruiser that’s only missing a surfboard rack for the ultimate summer’s day.” It’s tough not to love the Yamaha XS650. The air-cooled parallel twin motor is simple and beautiful, with solid punch, […]
