Project · Yamaha XZ550D · for Francesco
Space Ace
Yamaha XZ550D. The café version of the Dakhla's angular monocoque.
ScrollChapter 01 — An unusual engine
Futuristic
lines
- Base
- Yamaha XZ550D
- Motor
- 4 valves, liquid cooled, 64 hp
- For
- Francesco
- Monocoque
- 3 mm aluminium
When I happened to get this XZ550, the peculiarity of its engine caught my eye. Similar to the Virago's, but with 4 valves and liquid cooling. 64 hp against the 44 of its little sisters, the 500 and 535.
The frame was unusual too, and all this narrowed the choice of character to give it. It had to be a café racer, but one that highlighted Yamaha's futuristic gambles (or experiments) of the time.
A vintage look did not suit it, so when Francesco asked me for an aggressive line for his future bike, I realised this could be the right base for another styling experiment.
Chapter 02 — From the Dakhla
The café
version
I took my cue from the recent Dakhla and wanted to make a café version of that angular desert monocoque.
3 mm of aluminium beaten and worked by hand, forming tank, seat and tail in a single piece that covers the whole bike and comes off with just one bolt.
Bold, sharp lines, an arrow fired at almost 180 km/h in pure ice white, set against an extremely bright neon blue.
Chapter 03 — Sharp edges
Lights
and details
The choice of lights also followed the sharp edges, with a rectangular headlight that anticipates the line and rear indicators set into the ends of the tail.
The exhausts are handmade, as is the gauge bracket, while the large warning lights on the top yoke and the braking system remain original.
The 0° clip-ons, for greater comfort, and the fork covers with headlight bracket are handmade too.
Chapter 04 — Space Ace
Ready for
the Shuttle
The final shape stays very close to the original, at least in its essential lines, but it is simplified, lightened and modernised, until it looks like the ideal bike to take aboard the Shuttle on the next lunar mission. Space Ace, indeed.
An arrow fired at almost 180 km/h in pure ice white.
Specifications
See the other bikes- Model
- Yamaha XZ550D
- Motor
- 4 valves, liquid cooled, 64 hp
- Monocoque
- Hand-beaten 3 mm aluminium: tank, seat and tail, removable with one bolt
- Colours
- Ice white and neon blue
- Headlight
- Rectangular
- Rear indicators
- Set into the tail
- Exhausts
- Handmade
- Gauge
- Handmade bracket, original warning lights
- Clip-ons
- Handmade, 0° inclination
- Brakes
- Original