Kit out bike for that iconic retro look…

The draw of nostalgia can be a force to be reckoned with and that is certainly the case when you look at the popularity and increasing price of old two stroke motorcycles.

It doesn’t matter how good, or bad, the bike was new, somehow now it’s worth up to several times its price when new and even more than a lot of iconic motorcycles that just happen to be four strokes.

Unfortunately, age doesn’t bring reliability and while some people love the idea of owning a smoker from their youth they can’t go through all the fouled plugs, oily bottles and rebuilds again and are happy with the simple life of a modern four stroke.

Now they can have the best of both worlds.

Surrey performance experts, Velocity Moto, headed by well known specials builder Hag Hughes, came up with the perfect solution.

Firstly they introduced a body kit in 2018 to transform Yamaha’s XSR900 into a clone of the iconic RD350LC they all loved so much, albeit with modern handling, build quality and a lot more power.

The 900LC project takes the classic look of the Yamaha RD250/350LC and brings it right slap bang up to date using an XSR900 base (other than cosmetics, identical to the much raved about MT09).

Fast forward to 2022 and they’ve done it again, this time transforming the younger sibling, the XSR700 into the legendary powervalve equipped RD350 YPVS.

This 689cc parallel twin engined machine is arguably a better choice for an RD350 tribute as it’s smaller, lighter and less frantic making it easier to throw around and have fun on, much like the original bike.

The kit comprises a nose-cone, screen, belly pan, side panels, seat base/foam/cover, tail section, rear mudguard, light bracket, rear light lens, headlight brackets, and all other brackets/rubbers/mounts etc. required to install the kit.

Fitting is simple, but a little time consuming, and a ride-in-ride-out service is available for an additional £600.

Powder coating of the frame/swingarm/footrest hangers/wheel adjusters (for the ultimate YPVS look) is £1,600 which includes a complete strip down to the bare frame, removing engine, loom, bearings etc. and full rebuild.

Wheel paintwork is also available in single colour (white to match your trainers and sweatbands) or red/with silver rims (to match your shell-suit). A tasteful black with silver rim is also available to recreate the original look. £295 for one colour, £350 for two colours.

Other options such as K-Tech suspension at £1,200 for front & rear, Akrapovic/Yoshi exhausts (poa at the moment), a quick-action throttle kit at £99 and an ecu re-map at £295.

Speaking to Motorcycle News, Hughes said, “The 900 was a big success. It sold in the UK, Australia, Spain, France, New Zealand, the States… everywhere.

“I wanted to follow it up but also mix it up a bit,” he continued. “The 700 has a slightly different appeal. Quite a few people who bought the 900 said ‘Oh, it’s a bit too feisty for me. I want something easier to ride.’

“I did have quite a few enquiries about putting the LC kit on the 700 but then I thought, because the demographic is slightly different, I’d do it as a powervalve instead.”

“The grabrail was the most difficult bit to make because of the bracketry involved. It’s made up of about six pieces and proved to be a right pain,”

Hughes added. “The response has been really good. The first one’s already gone to Australia and quite a few of the people who wanted a 900 also want a 700. It falls into that kind of collector philosophy. It’s more of an addition than a one-off.”

Prices start at £1,200 for a full kit in black gelcoat and are in stock while a painted version will be about a four-week turn around.

Paintwork is an extra £1,100 while additional options such as powder-coated frames, wheel painting, K-tech suspension, ECU-remapping and Akrapovic/Yoshimura exhausts can be bolted on at the same time.

For more details, check out velocity-moto.com or call 07716 303 204.

 

Pictures: Velocity Moto