Source: Bike Bound
Gabe Griffin’s Pick: Big-Bore Yamaha Tracker from Rocket MC…
Earlier this month was the 2023 Yokohama Hot Rod Custom Show (HRCS), the 31st annual edition of one of the custom world’s longest-running and most prestigious shows. Often referred to simply as the Mooneyes show, it’s a showcase of Japanese custom culture and a pilgrimage for many builders in the international community.
“Mooneyes is a cornucopia of visual delights. Like the Japanese custom scene itself, it operates on another level, with no regard for convention. Although choppers usually dominate the floor space, myriad other styles are represented too — from café racers to flat trackers, scramblers, bobbers, and other oddities that defy definition.” –Bike EXIF
Among the mind-bending design and fabrication work of the well-known Japanese masters, a new (to us) name caught our attention this year: Yutaka Hoshi of Rocket Motorcycle. Many of our favorite builders have racing backgrounds, so we weren’t surprised to learn that Yutaka-san has long worked as a professional road racing mechanic:
“While running my own shop, I worked as a mechanic at the All Japan Championship and the Asian Championship. Recently, I’ve been participating in classic bike races with machines that I built myself. My shop also makes custom bikes, but I usually do repairs and vehicle inspections.”
In this case, Yutaka turned his gaze from the road racing circuit to the dirt oval as he transformed one of our favorite vintage Japanese donors, the Yamaha XS650 — the British-inspired, Japanese-built parallel-twin that King Kenny Roberts himself made famous on American flat tracks, dicing with the Nortons, Triumphs, and Harley XR750s of the era.
Yutaka made the fuel tank, seat, and number plates from aluminum, leaving them naked as the polished skin of a P-51 Mustang –just lettering and pinstripes. The custom high pipes have been painted a glorious matte white, as have the fork guards, and the exhaust exit nets are a nod to MotoGP silencers.
The engine has been properly fettled as well, boasting a 750cc big bore, high-performance cam, and FCR carbs. While the bike may look like a competition-only flat tracker, it’s actually street-legal, with subtle LED lighting designed for quick removal.
“The front and rear lamps and turn signals can be easily removed using couplers, allowing you to run on the course immediately.”
Yutaka finished the bike so close to show time he’s barely had a chance to ride it, but it was well worth the long hours of effort. At this year’s Mooneyes show, the bike earned the coveted “Gabe Griffin’s Pick” bestowed by the legendary garage builder, rock-n-roller, and author.
Congratulations to Yutaka and the whole Rocket MC family for this very well-deserved recognition. While this XS650 street tracker may be a little too pretty to take on the track, we’d be sorely tempted to wring it out anyway!
Yamaha XS650 Tracker: Builder Interview
• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.
I come from a road racing mechanic background. While running my own shop, I worked as a mechanic at the All Japan Championship and the Asian Championship.
Recently, I’ve been participating in classic bike races using vehicles that I built myself. My shop also makes custom bikes, but I usually do repairs and vehicle inspections.
• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?
Yamaha XS650, 1979.
• Why was this bike built?
Company Promotion.
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
Flat tracker.
• What custom work was done to the bike?
I made an aluminum fuel tank, an aluminum seat, and an aluminum bib plate, and did not paint them, just the pinstripe and lettering.
The muffler was also made as an up type and painted white. The exit net is inspired by MotoGP.
The front and rear lamps and turn signals can be easily removed using couplers, allowing you to run on the course immediately.
The engine has been made more powerful with a bore up to 750cc, a high-performance camshaft, and FCR carburetor.
• Can you tell us what the riding experience is like on the finished bike?
I haven’t ridden it yet.
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
Actually, I worked so hard on this for my first Hot Rod Custom Show, so I’m very proud to receive this award.
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