Respectable Yamaha The SR400 has been customized in every way imaginable—a testament to both the longevity and versatility of this brave little single. This 1988 model comes from Ken Ken Motorcycles in Taiwan and it is a perfect example of this. It combines the stance of a street tracking with the sensitivity of a chopperto create something truly unique and captivating.
Based in the port of Kaohsiung, Ken Ken Motorcycles is run by Ken Ken Jung. He has no shortage of imagination and his portfolio includes a multitude of designs, patterns, and custom build styles.
“This style is a mix of scrambler and tracker,” says Ken. “We kept it old-fashioned with some new ideas. Almost 70% of the parts on the bike are made by hand.”
Good news for Ken, it’s Yamaha SR400 engine is in good condition; hail Yamaha’s legendary reliability. Most of the work takes place outside, where he installs the Keihin carburetor and case filter. Some of the engine’s original rust remains, but other parts have been cleaned and polished.
The SR400 is now a bit taller thanks to forks taken from another bike and a custom rear shock. Ken wrapped the fork cap in custom sleeves to add bulk to the front end, while also crafting a flat headlight panel to match it.
The original axles were replaced with a set of 19F/18R wheels. Ken decided to keep the drum brakes at both ends but built a ribbed aluminum cover for the right side of the front hub. The experimental tires are from Shinko.
Next, Ken goes to town on the frame by cutting out and rebuilding the subframe. Still, it’s a job well ahead of your average cut and close job, and packed with neat details. Note the end caps and recessed pins on the rear fender struts and the drilled mounting plates in the frame spacers.
At the top are the custom fuel tank, saddle and rear fender. The shape of the fuel tank is reminiscent of the original design of the SR400, but the whole rearrangement is unique. The fuel tank sits neatly in the saddle, separated from the rear fender by a boxy tail ‘bumper’.
Housed in a triangular frame underneath the saddle is a custom battery box that further showcases Ken’s creativity and skill. Like the front axle, it is decorated with ribbed lines—this time similar to the pleated stitching on the custom saddle. Ken also built a sump guard for the Yamaha, new mounting plates for the footrest and more that he probably forgot to tell us about.
The few SRs available for sale match the atmosphere Ken has created. These include a set of flat track bars from Bratstyle Japan, footrests from Posh Japan and handles borrowed from the SYM Wolf 125. A single mirror flanks the top yoke with vintage-style micro-switches adorning the panels. bar.
The bullet-style turn signals are located directly behind the upper shock mount at the rear and on a custom mounting bar right in front of the engine. The taillight’s finned housing is a custom piece—and the car even has a well-placed license plate holder. Completing everything is an elegant high-mounted exhaust, which runs along the left side of the vehicle.
The car was nicknamed ‘Tiger Shark’, so Ken chose a paint color to match. Made by Jeffrey’s Finishing Touch, the paint job is intended to mimic a row of shark fins. The effect is transmitted all the way to the rear fender; The middle seat is upholstered by Sure Leather.
Ken’s Yamaha SR400 strikes the right balance between polished and rustic finishes, with its easygoing nature showing how much work has been done. We’ll be riding it—and showing it off at our local hangout—in a snap.
Ken Ken’s Motorcycle Facebook | Instagram | Image of 蔡宗蒲 | Thanks to Saoirse fairy
