Takashi Nihira has Win prizes and get commissions from major OEMs. But the man behind Tokyo Wedge Motorcycle also know how to sound it down, when the call is brief for it. And whether he’s building a luxury vehicle or a humble commuter like this neat Yamaha SR400, his work always shines.
With factory-grade finishing and posture correction, this SR400 is more of a retouching device than a full custom job. But the magic lies in its subtlety. There aren’t any major hubs here — instead, Nihira-san has treated Yamaha with a host of well-regarded tweaks.
Its compact and low profile nature is the direct answer to customer needs. Takashi explains: “The owner of the bike is a woman and it was her first bike. “So she wanted a bike that was easy to ride and easy to handle.”
“So I made it custom—but not too much—while trying to keep some of the stock look.”
Takashi kicks things off with some 2008 model-standard releases Yamaha SR400. It’s also in pretty good shape, so the engine only needs some basic maintenance to keep it running. A bit of wrinkled black paint on the case adds the first elegant touch.
The SR’s single-cylinder engine is powered by stock carb, but the exhaust system is new. Takashi crafted a tightly routed stainless steel header that ends with a Supertrapp silencer.
Getting the right Yamaha perspective is a top priority. The owner is quite petite, so Takashi wanted to make sure the bike would fit her frame and that her feet could hit the ground easily.
To that end, he shaved off 2” of the front fork and fitted a shorter rear shock absorber. He then stripped the SR’s original 18″ wheels, repainted the axles and rims, and re-glued them with brand new spokes. They are wrapped in classic Shinko rubber.
The bodywork is a selective mix of stock and custom. Takashi kept the SR’s iconic teardrop-shaped fuel tank, but tweaked its seating by modifying the front and rear mounting tabs. “The reason for the modification was to make it flat,” he said, “and create a straight line from the tank to the saddle.”
Going back further, Takashi cut and joined the subframe, then created a custom seat for one. After the foam part of the seat was shaped, he sent it off to be re-upholstered and fabricated a rear fender to complete the rear end. The side covers are stock, and the front fenders have been crated.
The building is finished with a laundry list of vintage looking parts. The 4″ Bates-style headlights are at the front, with the classic round taillights facing back and bullet-shaped turn signals at both ends. The low chrome handlebars are adorned with original Yamaha vans, levers and switches.
Takashi also fitted a small aftermarket speedo, but kept the OEM ignition — and a useful helmet lock located along the left shock mount.
Wedge is as known for its paint job as it is for custom bikes – but again, Takashi keeps things simple and tasteful here. The SR is painted with a timeless red finish, complemented by a white pin strip. The Golden Wedge logo on the tank adds only the tiniest amount of flair.
The end result is a handsome pony that fits its rider perfectly without any hassle. What if you don’t love?
Wedge Motorcycle | Facebook | Instagram | With thanks Tadashi Kono
