Don’t customize. Build or rebuild! It’s the philosophy of custom builder Mario van Kruijsbergen, a Best Of Show at the recent Netherlands Bigtwin Bike Expo with this superb copper 1978 Yamaha X650. Because as you know, there is a big difference between being a customizer and deserving the title of Custom Builder. Although Mario works mainly on Harleys – his preference are Sportsters and Shovelheads – he was ready to try working on something very different. Just for the challenge of testing himself tinkering with very unfamiliar parts.
One day he bought a full van of 3 unfinished bikes and their parts from a local garage builder. But it turned out that there was enough parts to rebuild 2 bikes, but certainly not 3 as he was expecting. What to do with the naked 1978 Yamaha XS 650 missing most of its parts? Of course, not customizing it, but building it his way, not to return it to its original condition, but instead re-inventing it to make it much more appealing. And what a successful attempt!
This copper XS650 is a ground-up job, a series of quite complicated tasks with many set backs along the way. The major one being that he had to find 3 old engines of the time to be able to make only a good one… And it included turning the cylinder head, welding, grinding, milling, etc. Mario even went to fabricate the lifters himself! (see why in tech sheet listing)
Whatever the difficulties faced all along this project, Mario was able to resolve them all for a spectacular result, proving 1- that he got a lot of engineering and fabrication skills 2- that he can imagine a completely new and very attractive motorcycle from an old platform. Since these pictures were taken, and it’s not a long time ago, Mario has already modified his Yamaha 2 times. One to redo the wiring because he was not 100% satisfied. Then fully rebuilding the bike to be able to pass the technical inspection, making it street legal in Europe. The true character of a Custom Builder, always unsatisfied… Kruyswater Motorfietsen Netherlands (photography @ Onno “Berserk” Wierenga for Cyril Huze)
Nice job! Turning those heads young gets extra points!
Superb!
Very talented. A beauty. Now, the copper has to be maintained…
Ye – I am surprised more people do not give the XS650 a labedoustectomy. Don’t bother to look it up – I just made up the word. Nothing like starting a new year by inventing something REALLY NEW.
Nice build, no doubt, little to fault as far as craftsmanship (etc) – but using the word “invent”, or the more ubiquitous “re-invent”, I cannot concur.., Sir…
And if I see another ‘copper chopper’ – I am going to go off my ‘copper’! Next round, ditch it and consider a two-tone with (perhaps) antique white, even two-tone with dark racing green with pinstripes in gold (as much jewellery-shop-stuff as there should be on a motorcycle).
Siegfried. Don’t try to impose your paint job taste. It’s a beauty.
Motorcycle art.
Art helps science. Encourage this type of builders.
Reversing the heads is pretty clever. However, I wonder about “stuff” entering the velocity stacks/intake and causing ingestion of dirt causing abrasive wear to the pistons, rings and cylinder. Also, with the exhaust located behind the cylinders, which will block air flow…. won’t overheating the exhaust valves occur?
The exhaust valves will probably get toasty like a Harley rear exhaust valve.
richards, my friend, this bike wasn’t built to be ridden. Like all show bikes, it’s made to be looked at.
I never understood the appeal of Yamaha 650’s. Although they were Japans attempt to copy a Brit Bike, they ride more like over-sized Honda 350’s. But again, if no one’s ever gonna ride it…
These are not motorcycles, they are ‘WORKS OF ART’ (and Art should be more proud of some show bikes than others).
stsn…Good Point!
B.D. ….A work of art it is, as such is a success.
Lots of stuff to look at.
Gott-a say, that is a VERY elegant tank….. Way cool.
Reverse heads were tried by a few 60’s Triumph a drag bikes….
Didn’t really catch on. I suspect that it made more sense to put that effort to better use.
Although certainly produces an unusual look.
-nicker-
.
B.D. Is right on. Art bike not a ride bike!
Is it a Bike that you want to Ride a 100 or 200 miles? That is my Question. How much HP does that 650 make/ I say about 50 hp need to have a little Gitttyup. That Bike is too Fricken nice not to Ride!
Agree with Rodent & B..D.
Nice art, no so much on the ride
I was bored with copper in the 70’s. I’m not any more enthusiastic now. Still, a fine effort.
All this using ride quality for the metric of whether it’s art or a motorcycle. That would define most v twins as artwork because they are not beloved for their phenomenal ride characteristics. This bike is no worse or better than many I imagine and at least this suspension fail is the result of design priorities and not the mediocre stock motorcycle suspension which is typical of most v twins.
Some really nice details.
thx guys