The world's coolest SR400 is ready!

Hello! My name is Yu Nakamoto. I usually work as a film director, but I actually love motorcycles. As a result, I have been writing irregular articles for Webike Plus. And recently, I've been struggling with something -- customization of SR400, too many choices! Yes, my favorite bike is a Yamaha SR400, with café-like handlebars and seat, but the rest of the bike is stock. I like it even in this condition, but it is the king of custom base model, so I want to modify it.

But choppers, cafe racers, scramblers, bobbers, vintage motocross, desert threads... they are all so appealing that I found myself searching for custom images on Instagram and Pinterest until midnight. There are so many choices, I'm completely lost.

When it comes to SR customization, GOODS!

Then one day. Scrolling through Instagram, I suddenly had an epiphany. -- "Yes, just ask the experts!" I headed for a long-established SR custom shop! GOODS (Motor Garage Goods ), which has a store in Hyogo Prefecture. In Nakamoto's opinion, they are "the world's most reliable SR custom parts manufacturer.

We took the bullet train to Hyogo

This time, we were met by Mr. Hori, the vice president, and Mr. Yamashita, the senior managing director.

Mr. Hori (left) and Mr. Yamashita (right) with charming smiles

Nakamoto: "I want to customize my SR400, but there are so many genres that I don't know where to start..." Hori: "I see... Regardless of SR, what genre do you like the most, Nakamoto-san?" Mr. Nakamoto "Well... Scrambler, I guess! Let's go with Scrambler! Nakamoto: "What? That was fast! But won't it cost a lot of money and time to make it to Scrambler specs? Mr. Yamashita "That's true. If you want to modify the frame, you have to ask a store to do it for you." Mr. Hori "How about we make custom parts that can be bolted on by beginners? Mr. Yamashita "That sounds great. Mr. Yamashita "That's a good idea. It would be ideal for people who don't have a custom store nearby or who want to start customizing their cars casually! Mr. Nakamoto, let's do it! Let us make custom parts for you!

Nakamoto "Yes! You're going to go to the trouble of making custom parts for this article? Are you sure? Mr. Hori: "Of course! The world's coolest SR400 finished with bolt-on parts! -- And so, with the full support of GOODS, my SR400 custom project was launched!

What is Yamaha SR400?

If you are reading this article, you probably don't know about the SR400, but let me dare to introduce it to you: the SR400 is a long-selling model released by Yamaha in 1978 and produced for 43 years until the final edition in 2021. Air-cooled, 4-stroke, single cylinder, 399cc, no celluloid, kick starter only, this is the SR which is a very popular model, yet it is a very difficult bike for beginners. By the way, my SR is a type 2 with a drum type front brake. The engine is good enough to start with a single kick even in the middle of winter by pulling the choke, and the 400 cc single-cylinder's heartbeat echoes through the city. This is the kind of machine that makes you feel that "motorcycles are fun" just by lightly riding it on the street.

SR400 customized to Scrambler specifications!

So, with the support of Mr. Hori of GOODS, we set out on our way in scrambler style. It took a few months after my accident and other things happened, but it was completed without any problems! Let me show you the results without being too forward...! Dooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

How do you like it? Isn't it too cool?

It's so cool! It's probably the coolest SR in the world. To put a finer point on it, it is closer to VMX (vintage motocross) style than to scrambler, but in this article, I will talk about it under the name of "scrambler," which many of you are familiar with. The theme of this article is "Heisei Retro. We aimed for a style that falls somewhere between "nostalgic " and "cute," with a little bit of a loose feeling. The tank, seat, muffler, headlight, blinkers, handlebars, mirrors, power filter, etc., were almost fully customized. And most of the parts were made by GOODS. We really can't thank them enough!

This is what it looks like in the video! SR400 Heisei Retro Scrambler Video!

https://youtube.com/shorts/3StlOPqDaHw?si=1VtmaNHIKsz9TZKO

GOODS handlebars for scrambler style!

From here, we would like to introduce the installed parts in detail. Mr. Jin, the representative of the custom store " tokyo new vintage" in Ome, Tokyo, helped us with the work. As expected, it was difficult to bring the SR400 to Hyogo and ask GOODS to customize it, so he lent us a hand when we were worried about it.

tokyo new vintage representative, Mr. Jin

The first step was to replace the handlebars. The bar chosen was the VMX bar, a popular product from GOODS. It is a dirt style bar with a bridge, and the moment you grip it, you can smell the "earth" in the handlebar. The perfect narrowing and width make it very easy to use.

The grips are the same design as the Yamaha DT-1 of yesteryear. This alone gives the bike a vintage look.

The compact fuel tank has a vintage off-road feel!

Next, we changed the fuel tank. We chose the MX tank by GOODS. This is a must-have fuel tank for a scrambler style bike. The size of the tank is exactly what I had in mind, and it would look great on a cafe racer. The fuel tank is smaller than the stock tank, but it is not too small and has a good volume. Moreover, this fuel tank is made of FRP, which you can't see in the picture. This makes it lightweight and ideal for everyday city driving.

Original seat made for this project!

Next is the VMX seat, originally made by GOODS! The previous seat for the MX tank required a loop frame modification, but this time it was specially made to "bolt on to the stock frame. It is a revolutionary item that even a beginner can install easily, and the lines with the MX tank look great!

With the down fender, it looks like the DTs of yesteryear?

The side-up muffler is an essential part of the Scrambler!

Next, a left side up muffler was installed. This product was also created by GOODS for this project! The exquisite shape that just barely follows the frame is a work of art, and the quality of the up muffler is insane, showing off GOODS' attention to detail.

Note that the air cleaner must be removed and a power filter installed, and the frame must be partially cut off. When you hear the words "cutting the frame,"you may think, "This is impossible for beginners! but don't worry. The part that needs to be cut is a small, thin frame for attaching the side covers, and even I can do the work if I have a thread saw sold at a home improvement center.

Need to cut a small frame

However, it allows us to install a muffler that goes beautifully under the seat.

Classic pattern tires that are good for both dirt and on-road!

The tires are LOADSTAR TIRE "ROUGH-CRUISE" recommended by Mr. Hori of GOODS. The pattern is a little more dirt tracker than vintage motocross, which gives it a Heisei-style appearance. The tires are reminiscent of the days when the streets of Shibuya were lined with Yamaha TWs and SRs, Kawasaki Estrellas and 250TRs, Suzuki Voltys and Grass Trackers, Honda FTRs and Clubmans... all those famous cars, and they can be ridden on-road as well.

The rear fenders and tail area are also original!

The tank and fenders were painted by tokyo new vintage, and the tone is exactly as I imagined. The logo on the tank was created by me in the image of the Yamaha Motor of yesteryear. It is cute with a retro atmosphere. I think it will be popular with riders from overseas.

The rear fender and tail light are newly made as bolt-on specs. The headlight is a Lucas type headlight by GOODS.

The blinkers are "Star Beans Blinkers" by 2%er (Tuper Center), a long-established company in the same Kansai area. At first glance, it is hard to tell where the blinkers are attached! And yet, they are inspection compliant.

The mirrors are retractable for off-road bikes, so they are also very practical. Finally, a number was attached to complete the project!

Completed! Heisei retro style SR400 Scrambler!

With the support of GOODS and tokyo new vintage, the Heisei Retro style SR400 Scrambler was finally completed! I, the owner of this bike, am very satisfied with the completion of this bike, so much so that I thought it was a genuine Yamaha. Without the help of GOODS and Mr. Hori, whom I first consulted with, I don't think I would have been able to create such a high quality custom bike! Thank you very much, Mr. Hori! A machine with a strong presence that is sure to catch the eye on the streets. I'm off to dash through the streets of TOKYO again today!

Next time, we will report on the actual driving impressions! What do you think when you actually drive the "World's coolest SR400"?

We have driven the SR400 in town, in the suburbs, and even on a bit of dirt road. What we found out is the potential of the GOODS parts and the true appeal of the SR bike. In the next installment, we will show you the full extent of the fun of riding it! When the article is published, it will be posted on my SNS, so be sure to check it out!

tokyo new vintage

The custom store tokyo new vintage in Ome, Tokyo, supported our work this time. They have experience exhibiting at the "JOINTS" custom show in Nagoya, and are flexible to any kind of customization, with a focus on SR choppers. They are also available for painting, so if you are interested, please contact them through Instagram!

MOTOR GARAGE GOODS

SR400/500, W650/800, Harley, GB350.... MOTOR GARAGE GOODS is the only choice for neo-classic custom parts! They are a popular custom parts manufacturer not only in Japan but also overseas. We have a wide range of products, and just looking at them will melt your time.

Early model narrow tanks that SR400 riders are interested in!

The new tank that faithfully reproduces the narrow tank of the early SR model is scheduled to be released by GOODS. The 3D scanner was used to measure the data from the actual vehicle, and the lines and curved surfaces of the time were reproduced millimeter by millimeter.

The final model, but with the look of the early model! This is hot!

The classic proportions of this tank are different from those of the current tank, and it is a must-have for riders who love the SR model. Moreover, it is currently available for pre-order with a 10% discount! Please check it out!

GOODS's official website and Instagram are here!

If you are interested in purchasing the parts used for this customization, please contact GOODS once!

GOODS' parts are also available on Webike! Check it out! Please note that parts newly created for this article are not yet lined up!

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