Customized into a Bobber style while retaining its vintage feel! A unique 1979 XS750Special build

Customized a 1979 Yamaha XS750Special into a street bobber style. It has been finished in a unique style, featuring a self-painted tank and an engraved points cover. In this article, we will introduce this XS750Special.
(Top image: Photo by Hikaru)

1979 YAMAHA XS750 Special

What is the XS750Special?

The Yamaha XS750Special is an American-style model that began domestic sales in 1978. It is equipped with a 747cc air-cooled 4-stroke parallel 3-cylinder DOHC engine and uses a shaft drive for rear-wheel propulsion.

While many large Japanese motorcycles of that era were 4-cylinder models, this bike is characterized by its unique 3-cylinder + shaft drive configuration. Its distinctive engine sound and ride quality are also part of the XS750Special's unique charm.

The one introduced here is a 1979 model. Based on this unique XS750Special, it has been customized into a street bobber style.

Yamaha XS750Special with air-cooled 3-cylinder engine and shaft drive (Image: From Yamaha website)

The inspiration for the purchase was the GX750

The owner, Taichi, first became interested in the XS750Special a few years ago.

It started when a friend who owned a GX750, which uses the same engine series, let him ride it.

He was drawn to the maniacal construction of an air-cooled 3-cylinder engine with a shaft drive, as well as its unique sound and ride.

After that, he spent about five years away from large motorcycles, but this year, he experienced hospitalization due to illness.

"I thought that if I only have one life, I would regret it if I didn't ride the bike I wanted to."

At that moment, he found an XS750Special listed on Yahoo Auctions and bought it immediately.

Instagram "Taichi"
https://www.instagram.com/taichi_xtrastray750sp

The XS750 Special found on Yahoo Auctions (Photo shows the stock condition immediately after purchase)

Owner Taichi and his beloved XS750 Special

A vehicle that slept for 36 years

After the purchase, it was discovered that this XS750Special had a surprising past.

It had been dormant for a full 36 years since its registration was returned in 1990.

Taichi was born in January 1991.

In other words, this bike had been sleeping since just before he was born.

"I was shocked that this bike had been sleeping for as long as I have been alive."

Because it was a vehicle that had been stored for a long time, maintenance was necessary before it could be delivered.

The carburetor was fully overhauled. All oils were changed, and parts such as rusted brake discs were replaced.

With the maintenance complete, the XS750Special, which had been sleeping for 36 years, began to run energetically once again.

To wake it from its long slumber, a full carburetor overhaul was performed

After 36 years, the XS750Special began to run energetically once again

Street bobber style that retains the vintage feel

The direction of the customization is street bobber style.

Since there are many chopper riders around him, he has incorporated chopper-taste items such as rabbit bars, plug holders, and a fuel canister.

On the other hand, he intentionally did not change the lighting or the stock cast wheels, preserving the original vintage feel of the XS750Special.

Instead of rebuilding it into something modern, he finished it in his own style while making the most of the 1979 model's atmosphere.

A custom build that finished as a street bobber while incorporating chopper elements in key areas

For the side opposite the strobe color, he chose a chic black paint

He intentionally did not change the lighting or the stock cast wheels, preserving the original vintage feel of the XS750Special

Instead of rebuilding it into something modern, he finished it in his own style while making the most of the 1979 model's atmosphere

Self-painted Honda Steed tank

One of the most eye-catching parts of the custom is the fuel tank.

He modified and installed a stock Honda Steed tank and finished the painting entirely by himself.

Based on a two-tone color, he intentionally incorporated strobe colors in some parts, creating an image of black paint peeling off to reveal another color underneath.

Furthermore, a design motif of a musical staff was placed on the boundary of the colors.

It is a hidden detail that subtly incorporates the Yamaha identity, known also as a musical instrument manufacturer.

A two-tone tank with an image of black paint peeling off

The base tank is a stock HONDA Steed part

A design motif of a musical staff is placed on the paint boundary, subtly expressing the Yamaha identity

Points cover combining a family crest and the tuning fork mark

Another point of focus is the points cover.

It is a special part that he obtained as a deadstock item and had his bike friend, Hikaru, engrave.

The design motif is the "Mukai-Tsuru" (facing cranes) family crest.

He combined it with the Yamaha tuning fork mark to create an original design.

This points cover, for which he thought of his own design and had Hikaru bring to life, is one of his favorites on the XS750Special.

It is not just about installing off-the-shelf products; it is finished as a one-of-a-kind part packed with connections to friends.

Instagram "Hikaru"
https://www.instagram.com/hikarusr400

The points cover features original engraving that combines the "Mukai-Tsuru" family crest with the Yamaha tuning fork mark

Custom details

- Tires: DIRTMAN Vintage Block (front and rear)
- Tank: Modified and installed stock Honda Steed tank
- Tank paint: Self-painted
- Points cover: Deadstock item, engraving by Hikaru
- Kick pedal: Brass pedal for SR
- Brake pedal: For GX750
- Seat: White vertical tuck-roll TT seat
- Muffler: Dual Cabton (Right 2-in-1 / Left 1)
- Handlebar: Rabbit bar, self-cut
- Grips: White barrel-type
- Mirrors: Kijima clamp mirrors
- Oil temperature gauge: RR vehicle-specific oil temperature gauge
- Intake: Power filter conversion
- Plug holder: 3-unit type

Since the brass kick pedal for the SR interfered with the brake pedal, he replaced it with a different type of brake pedal for the GX750.

Such ingenuity in fitting parts on-site is a unique pleasure of vintage bike customization.

Chose DIRTMAN vintage block tires to create a wild look

To prevent interference with the brass kick pedal for the SR, he replaced it with a GX750 brake pedal, among other efforts to get closer to the desired style

For the muffler, he chose a dual Cabton (Right 2-in-1)

The cockpit area intentionally retains a rugged vintage feel

The white TT seat balances the overall color scheme

Every encounter led to this one bike

This XS750Special is packed not only with the vehicle itself but also with the five years of bike life that led to this point.

He used to ride a Harley, but had to let it go due to various circumstances.

After that, he started playing with DIY customization of a TW, and from there, he participated in the "Minna no Tankito" (Everyone's Single Cylinder) morning activity meetings.

There, he met friends and became interested in domestic vintage bikes.

Furthermore, he received stimulation and inspiration from his friends' bikes and customizations, which led to the style of this XS750Special.

"If I hadn't been playing with DIY customization of the TW after tearfully letting go of my Harley, I wouldn't have participated in Mintan-san's (the author) morning activities, met everyone, become interested in domestic vintage bikes, or received stimulation and inspiration for customization."

"This is a bike made possible thanks to every encounter over these five years."

That is what Taichi says.

This XS750Special is not just a bike he found on Yahoo Auctions and customized.

It is a single machine completed by connecting everything: his past relationship with bikes, encounters with friends, and changes in how he approaches his own bike.

Taichi chatting with friends he met through bikes

On this day, we took photos during the morning activity!

I'm happy when people ask "What is this?"

With its unique vehicle configuration of an air-cooled 4-stroke 3-cylinder engine and shaft drive.

Combined with the self-painted tank, original engraving, and rabbit bars, the XS750Special is a presence that catches the eye even in the city.

"I'm happy when people ask me 'What is this?', and I'm also happy when they praise it."

Because it is a unique bike, conversations start from there, leading to new encounters.

And what Taichi wants to do from now on is to travel to various places with this XS750Special.

A 1979 XS750Special that slept for 36 years.

What kind of places will this bike, which has finally started running, travel to, and what kind of encounters will it create?

It is a bike whose future bike life I am looking forward to.

The XS750Special that slept for 36 years. From now on, he will travel to various places with this bike.

Instagram "Minna no Tankito"
https://www.instagram.com/minnano_tankito