Yamaha XT500

XT500
1981

There’s something about a single-cylinder, simple bike. The SR/XT/TT have such a good base and proportions and have proven to last over and over. I have a SR500 hiding in the back that was ment to get an offroad/tracker makeover but it’s been a slow process. The XT500 is what I envisioned my SR to become, but that project has been on the shelf for a couple of years. So, when an XT came up for sale near me, I had to have it, almost skipping the line on the SR build, sadly.

It’s an old girl with marks to show the life it has lived, I try to embrace the dents, scratches and strange parts on it. It got a little electrical overhaul with new tiny rear/brake lights, switch gear up front and all new wires. The front and rear mudguards were swapped for a little more off road look.

Bars are now a set of Renthal old school bars with some new grips to match. I really don’t have much more I want to change on it, it has all the character and feel you could ever wish for!