Source: Bike Bound
[[{“value”:”Yamaha XS650 from Calgary’s Ill-Fated Kustoms…
There are those dark moments in life when misfortune strikes and fate seems against us, fixed and irreversible. But such moments, if we’re open to them, can also be the seed of positive change and new beginnings. That might be one way to see the genesis of Calgary-based workshop Ill-Fated Kustoms.
One night several years ago, founder Kenny Kwan was struck by an oncoming SUV, sustaining nearly fatal injuries that would require months of recovery. His ’07 Triumph Bonneville was written off, but he was able to salvage the engine…and there began his first custom build.
“In doing so, Kwan found that there was a need for supplying specialty bike parts in the city and started Ill-Fated Kustoms based on the ill-fated night that led to the completion of his OG Bobber, which is a staple at the shop today.”
Amee Reehal / Traction Life
ILK has since expanded from customs and service to add retail, coffee, and host community-based bike events throughout the riding season.
A customer from Saskatchewan recently commissioned the ILK crew to build the ’83 Yamaha XS650 you see here. To our eye, the XS650 engine is one of the loveliest of the era, and the bike lends itself to customization. In this case, the design brief called for a racier style:
“The customer wanted a cafe racer-styled build. After some time studying race bikes from the 80’s, we designed and fabricated accordingly to create our take on a 1980’s GP race bike.”
The customization took 254 hours to complete and touched upon every aspect of the bike. A full engine rebuild and refinishing, custom subframe and seat cowl, retro-fitted Suzuki tank, front fairing, wiring harness, spoked wheelset, beautiful high-pipe exhaust, custom paint courtesy of Kevin Cuffley, and much more.
According to the owner, this “Ill-Fated Kustom” will soon become a bearer of good luck:
“I actually have a penny that was minted in 1983 that I’d like to affix to the blank piece of metal press-fit opposite the ignition. I want to put it on last, as a kind of christening of the bike—like a good luck charm.”
The owner has aptly nicknamed the bike “Penny” for this reason, and we foresee many miles of smiles to come. Below, we talk to the ILK crew for more details on the build, and credit goes to Brendan Stephens (@bstephoto) for the shots. Enjoy!
Yamaha XS650 GP / Café: Builder Interview
• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.
Ill-Fated Kustoms is a Calgary based shop that holds community first and foremost. The history and start of this company stems from one night. The founder, Kenny Kwan, was riding home one evening and pulled off to get gas when an on-coming SUV didn’t see him and turned left across his path. Kwan was unable to stop in time and ran straight into the right side of the vehicle causing serious and almost fatal injuries.
Kwan survived the crash with many months of recovery but the 2007 Triumph Bonneville T100 he was riding was written off. He was able to salvage the motor from the crashed bike and started his very first custom build. In doing so, Kwan found that there was a need for supplying specialty bike parts in the city and started Ill-Fated Kustoms based on the ill-fated night that led to the completion of his OG Bobber that is a staple at the shop today.
Today the shop has grown to add to its custom and service beginnings, to add retail and coffee with many community-based bike events throughout the season.
• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?
1983 Yamaha XS650.
• Why was this bike built?
Customer from Saskatchewan hired IFK to complete this build.
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
The customer wanted a cafe racer styled build. After some time studying race bikes from the 80’s, we designed and fabricated accordingly to create our take on a 1980’s GP race bike.
• What custom work was done to the bike?
Full engine rebuild and refinishing, custom wheel set, fender mounting, wiring harness, hand controls setup, lighting, subframe fabrication, swingarm chain rubbing strip, retrofitted Suzuki gas tank, seat cowl, exhaust system, fairing mounting, foot controls, kickstart lever modification, paint.
• Does the bike have a nickname?
From the customer: “As it happens, I do have a nickname: Penny. I actually have a penny that was minted in 1983 that I’d like to affix to the blank piece of metal that y’all press fit opposite the ignition. I want to put it on last, as a kind of christening of the bike—like a good luck charm.”
• Any idea of horsepower, weight, and/or performance numbers?
Estimated 65 HP, 50 ft-lb torque, 385 lbs.
• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?
This bike rides as well as it looks! Handles well like a nimble cafe racer should, great acceleration. Exhaust note is pitch perfect.
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
The exhaust system and heat shields, fairing mounting, engine rebuild with vapour blasting, paint job by Kevin Cuffley.
• Is there anyone you’d like to thank?
We’d like to thank our customer, Joel Houston, for choosing IFK to complete this build and to the whole team at IFK for having a hand at completing this project over the 254 hours it took!
Follow the Builder
Website: www.illfatedkustoms.com
Instagram: @illfatedkustoms
Photography by: Brendan Stephens (@bstephoto)”}]]
