When we think belong to MotocrewWe think of sleek, muscular customs with a very modern edge. But sometimes it’s good to try something new, even if that ‘new’ is something old. And that’s what happened with Chris Scholtka’s latest build.
The full-time firefighter, part-time builder has been fierce with his latest creation. The style is familiar but beautifully executed and designed to satisfy a very tight brief from the client.
The sponsor’s bike is 1979 Yamaha XS650, and for most of its life it had only two owners. Chris tells us: “The second owner bought it from his best friend in 1981 and has been riding it ever since. “He handled it very carefully. The bike is in good condition, and in some ways too good to take apart! ”
Chris describes the current third owner as “a car guy who lives in Stuttgart.” He had three requirements for the custom build: The XS650 had to be low, big, and all-black.
Last November, with long European winter nights, Chris started work. “The decision was to make a classic cafe racer,” he said. “After making more modern bicycles, such as BMW K100 and a Ducati 848I was fired for building a classic.”
That’s not to say this Yamaha is filled with antiquated technology. One of the biggest changes is the switch to the Honda CBR1000RR fork, which uses a frame shifter taken from Cognito Moto.
Using the CBR wheel should make the implantation pretty easy, but Chris wanted to use a round wheel. “The idea was to fit the biggest tires I could find — and legally fit.”
He founded a company in Kiel that was able to produce 3.0 x 18” rims, complete with a certificate important to the German TÜV. The rims are specially pressed and drilled for the axles, and wear Shinko E270 rubber – a tire with a modern construction but a traditional serrated style.
The front hub had a problem, but Cognito Moto helped with a CNC machined black anodized unit. “It allows me to place the wheel without the need for a spacer.”
It also means Chris can use CBR brake calipers, which he combines with new discs from TRW, Brembo brake pads and Brembo brake cylinders. (Rear brake is a complete unit, reworked.)
To achieve the low stance that the customer wanted, Chris used Touratech fork springs and Black-T shock absorbers. “I had a custom setup for the rear, which matched perfectly with the rider weight and ride height I wanted.”
Even though the XS650 has been well taken care of, it’s still a 43-year-old bike. So Chris removed the parallel twin motor and got rid of it. He processes it into new pistons and replaces worn parts, then installs a new clutch before fitting it back into the frame.
The exhausts sit directly below the Cognito Moto exhaust, and Chris built the entire system himself, using 48mm pipes. “I sawed it into 42 pieces on each side and soldered it. Believe me, it’s big enough! “The overhauled carburetors are running larger jets to compensate.
The new clamps are complete with handles from frequent collaborator Hookie Co., along with new switchgear, turn signals and magnetic glassless aluminum mirrors. Motogadget—And a complete coil.
A Motoscope Mini speedo sits inside a 3D-printed bumper, keyless ignition, and it’s all controlled by a bluetooth-enabled mo.unit box — including 6.5-inch Puig LED headlights.
After modifying the fuel tank with cutouts to retain the steering lock, Chris fitted it with a luxurious pop-up cap and shaped a rear hump to match the classic cafe racer design. It sits atop a simple yet effective new subframe that also houses discreet lighting from Highsider.
Not many builders can switch styles so easily, so here’s another feather in Chris’ hat. And we have to admit we would love to put this machine in the EXIF garage – even if it means upsetting the neighbors.
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