Simplicity goes a long way in the two-wheeler world. The Harley-Davidson Sportster, Yamaha’s CP2 lineup, and Kawasaki Ninja 400 are all fitting proofs of this theory, credit to their no-frills nature. But when you talk ‘simple’, there’s nothing quite like the Yamaha SR400. It debuted in 1978 as a humble, single-cylinder commuter but remained a hit for over 40 years, even without major updates.
Not just that, the thumper has also established itself as a favorite in the custom motorcycle world, given the ease of taking it apart and putting it together. This is why you’ll find some excellent custom projects based on the SR around the world, one of which we’ll show you here. The build comes from talented Australian shop Black Cycles which has transformed the vanilla commuter into a smoking cafe racer.
The Custom SR400 Belonged To An Australian Rockstar
This SR400 has had an interesting life thus far. It first landed on Black Cycles’ shore under the ownership of local metal rockstar Joel Birch. He had a few things in mind, with his key request being an all-black, murdered-out custom. The shop obliged and converted the SR into exactly what Joel had in mind. But the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted the artist’s financials, which forced him to sell his prized possession. Little did anyone know, the motorcycle would go to an avid customer of Black Cycles (and an automobile collector) who brought it back to the shop for another makeover. With the ownership history out of the way, let’s get to the motorcycle.
The SR400 Looks Gorgeous In Its Custom Avatar
In its stock self, the SR400 looks like an average old-school commuter bike. Silver spoke wheels, chrome engine bay, long exhausts, and drawn-out fenders make it unintimidating to look at, perhaps even borderline boring. Luckily, Black Cycles’ version goes the opposite way.
The shiny chrome has made way for a matte black finish that extends to all parts, even the drum brakes at both ends. This is topped by a custom indented fuel tank (in Benelli Mojave style), complete with a pop-up flush fuel cap and an external fuel level tube. What makes matters sweeter is the elegant livery with Yamaha’s historic Yellow And Speed Block graphics on the tank, gold wheels, and a custom yellow fender up top. Final touches have come in the form of an all-LED headlight, handlebar-mounted turn signals, and a keyless ignition module.
Design aside, the SR400 is different from the saddle too, credit to the reworked ergonomics. The tall stock handlebar has made way for an uber-low clip-on unit, housed on a custom triple-clamp. It also comes bejeweled with bar-end mirrors, micro switches, and the race-inspired MotoGadget MotoScope Pro speedometer at the center. Meanwhile, you sit on a custom, ribbed leather perch and rest your feet on raised foot levers for a sportier riding triangle than the stock SR. A closer look at the down low also reveals a carbon fiber texture on the heel guards.
The Custom SR400 Has Spruced Up Underpinnings And Engine
What about performance, you ask? Well, the SR400’s 399cc, single-cylinder engine breathes better, thanks to a custom air filter and exhaust system. The latter comprises 44.5 mm steel headers that end up in an SC Project muffler for a thumping note. We don’t think this will do much to the 24 horsepower and 21 pound-feet output, but the mill will certainly feel crisper than ever.
The real overhaul, however, has occurred in the underpinnings department. Gone is the long rear end of the semi-double-cradle chassis and in comes a sharp, narrow hoop for a squeaky clean look. The new tail also houses a sleek plate holder and three-in-one LED tail lamp, alongside billet custom springs to drop the ride height. The latter joins hands with the rebuilt, shortened front forks to result in an unmatched stance, made better by the beefy Dunlop K180 flat track rubber. Sure, the new stance drops the ground clearance by a chunk, but hey, practicality is never a priority with such beautiful customs.
Can You Buy This Custom SR400?
As mentioned above, Black Cycles has built this SR400 for a loyal customer. So, in case he doesn’t put it for sale, there’s no chance for you to take this home. However, the shop is open to orders and will be happy to bring your dream SR400 (or any other motorcycle, for that matter) to life. You’ll have to be patient, though, since Australia to America freight will take a lot of time (and $$$). Anyway, you can get in touch with the shop via Instagram.