Jean-Michel Atlan’s road tracker, reimagined 40 years later…
In 1877, Japanese entrepreneur Torakusu Yamaha, the third son of a samurai of the Kishu-Tokugawa household, based Nippon Gakki Firm with a view to producer reed organs. Torakusu’s evolution right into a pioneer of Western musical devices is the stuff of legend:
“Torakusu created a blueprint for the within of the organ, later creating his personal prototype organ. To ship it to the then Music Institute (immediately’s Tokyo College of Arts), it’s stated that Torakusu slung his creation over his shoulder on a carrying pole and crossed the mountains of Hakone.”
The corporate was later renamed Yamaha in his honor, and the bike division was created in 1955. In 1968, the corporate revolutionized the dual-purpose market with introduction of the DT sequence of two-stroke enduro machines.
By the mid-70s, nonetheless, street-legal two-strokes had been going the way in which of the dinosaurs, and Yamaha’s American division needed a four-stroke thumper that would do double-duty on the paved highways and filth roads of the nation. The XT500 was the reply — a 500cc single that will show itself from nice African rallies just like the Paris-Dakar to the backroads and trails of native riders.
Our new buddy Jean-Michel Atlan grew up driving and racing bikes in France, the place certainly one of his first race bikes was an XT. In the present day, he lives in Reno, Nevada, the place he continues to construct and restore bikes out of his storage.
The ’77 XT500 you see right here has roots greater than 4 many years previous, reminiscent of certainly one of Jean-Michel’s first builds:
“I constructed an XT500 customized in 1980 as a road tracker bike. That bike was featured in a French customized journal named NITRO on the time. This construct is an extrapolation of certainly one of that construct, 40 years later.”
Nicknamed the “Torakusu XT” in honor of the corporate’s founder, the bike is operating a detabbed body, ’98 GSX-R750 forks with Tokico brakes, aluminum swingarm, 19-inch Excel rims laced to customized hubs, 12-volt electrics, a rebuilt engine with high-compression piston and flat-slide racing carb, an attractive white and polished coloration scheme with laser-cut decals, and way more.
Whereas the bike is an absolute stunner to behold, Jean-Michel says the true magnificence comes from swinging a leg over the saddle.
“That is what is gorgeous about this bike. It’s such a blast to journey! Good dealing with.”
Under, we discuss to Jean-Michel for the complete particulars on the “Torakusu XT.”
XT500 Road Tracker: Builder Interview
• Please inform us a bit about your self, your historical past with bikes, and your workshop.
I used to be born and raised in France the place I grew up with bikes, and racing them. Considered one of my first bikes was an XT500 that I raced. I work out of my storage and restore previous bikes for a interest. I’ve a inventory ’78 XT restored , a DR-Z400 supermoto customized that I constructed, and an ’81 YZ465 that additionally obtained a ground-zero restoration. Presently, I’m refurbishing a 1974 DT with electrical begin. Additionally on the lookout for a 1300 Kawasaki for a restomod undertaking this winter.
• What’s the make, mannequin, and 12 months of the donor bike?
1977 Yamaha XT500.
• Why was this bike constructed?
I at all times needed to construct a really lovely XT, giving it a road tracker look. It’s a private construct that adopted my inspirations.
• What was the design idea and what influenced the construct?
I constructed an XT500 customized in 1980 as a road tracker bike. That bike was featured in a French customized journal named NITRO on the time. This construct is an extrapolation of certainly one of my first builds, 40 years later.
• What customized work was performed to the bike?
The body and engine had been retained as the bottom for the bike. Every part else was designed and customized constructed.
The body was shaved to provide it some smoother traces. A stainless interior fender was constructed to enhance that.
The fork got here off of 1998 GSX-R750. It was retrofitted to suit the XT body. The swingarm is aluminum. YSS rear shocks, Tokico entrance calipers over some Bike Grasp rotors. Rear disc got here off an SR500 with a modified brake keep.
The wheels are 19-inch entrance and rear Excel rims laced over some customized hubs. Tires are continental K180 trackers. These wheels are lovely they usually actually make the bike stand out.
The entrance fender is a 1998 Suzuki GSX-R750 that I bobbed and hooked up with some customized brackets. The Knight seat cowl was modified to suit the modified body. I designed an aluminum seat pan and a seat.
The electrics had been upgraded with a 12v magneto and digital ignition. Every part is LED, customized headlight and DRZ tail gentle. Flip indicators are built-in. The devices are digital Daytona gauges. The handlebars are tracker model with GSX-R levers.
The engine obtained an entire rebuild and powder-coat refinishing. Flat-slide race carb, 10:1 compression piston, and a stainless-steel exhaust manifold. The exhaust muffler is an Akropovic Race. The bike sounds lovely with a beautiful deep sound.
I needed to maintain the paint easy not to remove from the construct. The bike was painted Yamaha white. Polished tank. The aspect covers had been laser-cut to just accept some plexiglass inserts; they had been then engraved. I designed the tank decals to match.
• Does the bike have a nickname?
Torakusu XT.
• Any thought of horsepower, weight, and/or efficiency numbers?
The bike is gentle and handles so effectively. It has considerably extra energy than a inventory bike. Nice acceleration and a lot torque.
• Are you able to inform us what it’s wish to journey this bike?
That is what is gorgeous about this bike. It’s such a blast to journey! Good dealing with.
• Was there something performed throughout this construct that you’re significantly pleased with?
I feel it’s effectively balanced.
• Is there anybody you’d wish to thank?
Patrick Fifer of Reno for the welding and fabrication, Ace Cycle Service (@ace_cycle_service_supply) for the engine work (JB, Jeremia and Scott, these guys rock!). Dick from Champion Upholstery. Wealthy from Moto Supply for his experience serving to design these lovely wheels. Marina Roberts for the pictures.
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