Stefan isn’t a professional builder by trade; his aspirations lie elsewhere. A lifelong passion for motorcycles has driven this dedicated individual to hone his skills from a young age. “With a lifelong passion for motorcycles, he’s spent countless hours repairing and transforming everything from Harley-based choppers to…” With the surgical procedure’s temporary limitations behind him, he redirected his focus to building cafe racers, an endeavour that has captivated him ever since.
Stefan’s latest endeavour saw him transform a 1980 Yamaha XJ650 into a remarkably authentic 1950s British café racer replica, despite the bike’s inline-four powerplant. After 15 months of meticulous work, the bespoke bicycle was assembled using only the essential off-the-shelf parts, its sole purpose designed to provide a reliable daily companion.
Introduced as part of Yamaha’s Specials collection, the XJ650 Maxim emerged as a distinct byproduct of this innovative series. The motorcycle boasted a fearless inline-four engine that transmitted its power to the rear wheel via a robust shaft drive. The Jaguar XJ’s sleek cruiser design allowed it to reach velocities approaching 200km/h, backed by its powerful twin-cam engine and five-speed transmission. With its impressive performance and reliability, the Yamaha XJ650 Maxim earned a reputation that exceeded expectations, ultimately being deployed for highway patrol responsibilities by law enforcement agencies to their delight. Yamaha subsequently developed a turbocharged version of the XJ650, dubbed the Seca, which gained fame when rode by Sean Connery in the 1983 James Bond film “Never Say Never Again”.
Stefan’s aspirations to build a cafe racer from his XJ650 weren’t without their challenges. Based primarily in Germany, he needed to ensure that his custom motorbike complied with the country’s rigorous TÜV regulatory requirements to facilitate registration. Fortunately, his experience as a bricklayer instilled in him the resilience and can-do attitude needed to steer the venture forward. The two most stringent aspects of TÜV’s regulatory framework pertain to efficiency standards and chassis alterations. To maintain its original character, he deliberately preserved the bike’s frame and engine in their unaltered state, with the sole exception of a cosmetic makeover.
Stefan’s creative process thrives in a mental space where he builds intricate blueprints without the need for physical materials or visual aids. When faced with an obstacle, he tends to seek out alternative solutions. One major hurdle he encountered when working on his XJ650 motorcycle was the inherently small gasoline tank.
“At the onset, I yearned to swap the distinct tank,” he remarks. Despite initial optimism, Stefan’s enthusiasm was tempered when he uncovered rust points beneath the paint after removal. Undeterred, he seized an opportunity to repurpose a Kawasaki Z500 tank, only to encounter new obstacles in its transformation. “The KZ tank stood out due to its striking disparity with the rest; whereas other tanks were narrower, this one was broader, accommodating the ignition coils uniquely.” Because I wanted the engine compartment fully accessible, the ignition coils had to remain in place.
To effectively convey the scenario, Stefan collaborated with his welder to acquire artistic supplies. After excavating a larger tunnel, he installed a bespoke prototype securely in position. To achieve a precise fit, he adjusted the brackets on the body and integrated his custom brackets onto the refitted tank. The last circumstance to consider was the filler.
The quirky Kwaka tank sported a mismatched, foldable cap that jarred awkwardly with the cozy ambiance of Stefan’s café. The extra presence required him to carry another key, an option that wasn’t available. The solution was to eliminate the custom filler and replace it with a novel, spherical alternative. He finished the piece by adding a classically proportioned, spherical finial.
Stefan’s XJ650 cafe racer makeover entailed a significant upgrade by replacing the rigid stock wheels with sleek, high-performance spoked alternatives. While this iteration had its challenges, a notable one was the innovative yet complex shaft-driven rear end configuration. The simplicity of the entrance’s spoke wheel installation is confirmed by the individual, who notes that they obtained one from a Yamaha XS650, requiring minimal adjustments to fit seamlessly. For a chain-driven motorcycle, the rear wheel replacement would typically be a relatively uncomplicated process.
After thorough consideration and evaluation, Stefan acquired the sprocket set from a Yamaha Dragstar 650, leveraging its identical shaft-drive architecture to the XJ. To accommodate the swingarm, the enthusiast carefully machined the internal edges of the hub on a lathe, then paired it with custom-made spacers and bearings for a precise fit. After completing the task, he successfully paired the hub with an aftermarket rim, employing stainless-steel spokes to secure the assembly.
Beyond the tank and wheels lies a lengthy chronicle of alterations made to bring the bike into being. The eclectic assembly is comprised mainly of salvaged components from various motorcycles, alongside bespoke creations crafted by Stefan himself. He has meticulously crafted all the necessary bracketry from scratch and designed personalized “Resultat” badges for this ambitious project, which he has dubbed his own entrepreneurial venture.
With its striking makeover complete, Stefan successfully shed significant pounds from his XJ650 during the rebuild process. As a direct result of its 45-kilogram weight reduction, the bike now exhibits exceptional performance. The integration of the 4-into-1 exhaust and velocity stacks on the carbs necessitated a retuning of the latter, thereby dramatically reshaping the engine’s character.
As Stefan’s innovative project neared completion, an unforeseen consequence emerged: a tidal wave of inquiries he’ll face at every traffic light stop. Many cyclists’ origins are shrouded in mystery for pedestrians curious about their mode of transportation, prompting us to hope that they share the story behind their dedication and hard work.
