X650 Storm conversion kit for Yamaha 650 Twins

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I'd love to tell this new coming Yamaha conversion is a street tracker or a café kit, but I can't. The styling is neither. If you need a label-let's call it a "sport custom"-kind of like the bodies Tracy Nelson made in the 70s. You old timers will know the styling source-yup, a X75!

Now the Storm is conceived as a quick makeover for late model 650 Specials. You can convert a cast wheel or wire wheel model. If you are going to do an X75 replica, select a 650 Special with chrome headlight, headlight ears, sliders and fenders. The 1983 model should be avoided if possible because too many parts are black unless you are doing a black themed bike. I am going to do a X75 replica with a 19" front and 18" rear wire wheels from a Standard on my show case bike. Of course means a swing arm and brake parts conversion.

Basic kit parts

• Tank with mounts, petcocks and gas cap
• Tail piece with the world's coolest seat
• Graphics for tank and tail
• Handle bars, wide with a low rise and a major pullback (cool-looking with great comfort)

Other possible products

• Frame cover up plates
• Shocks, if I can good ones at a reasonable cost

Sourced from other suppliers

• 2 into 2 chrome upswept megaphone exhaust, right side

Options

• Body parts will be offered in colored gelcoat which means no painting. The colors will be; orange, yellow or white (for painting another color)

Now the entire idea here is to offer you a cheap body kit that looks terrific and is easy to install. I think the kit will sell for under $900 but I can't be sure yet. I know I will be able to make tanks for less than ever before because I have found a new anti-ethanol resin from a secret supplier (don't ask, I won't tell). This will eliminate the expensive interior tank coating process which I have done for the last seven years.

The tail design uses the stock rear fender and taillight. This saves too because I don't have to include a taillight into the design or price. Another thing that will save you a ton of money is the fact that I will make the body parts in orange and yellow gelcoat. You won't have to spend $400 bucks on a paint job. I will make the body parts in white for those of you who want to do a custom paint job. I will have a graphics kit which give a professional, finished look to your conversion.

You should be able to install the entire body on a Saturday. You pull off the stock tank, seat and sissy bar. You'll be cutting off some seat rail tabs but the rear loop stays. Once you've sprayed your cuts in black you just slap the body on and hook up the fuel lines. I'll supply the petcocks and gas cap. By Sunday you should be riding.

The photo on the right shows my progress at week 8. The parts have been sanded to 2000 grit and polished to a glass-like luster. The next step is to take them to the glass guy for molds to be built. As of 7/26 the molds have been finished. Now I have to make the tank bottom and work out the graphics kit.

If you would like to get on my 'Up Date' list, write me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

It's week 9, and the tank top and tail fender molds are done. Next I have to make the tank bottom, seat base molds and mold for the seat foam. I am cheating a bit by painting the inside of the wheels and hubs orange but I think this touch of color will add to what basically is a body dropped on a stock bike.

Most of you will do custom changes beyond what you will see on my showcase bike. My showcase bike will show the basic conversion without many deviations, the kind of bike most of you will build. This basic approach will also show how radical a stock bike can be changed with just a new body on it.

Since I showed the last photos I have been waiting for parts to come out of the mold. That has happened. I am pleased with the overall look but I have to rework the molds. It seems that fiberglass suppliers are not used to precision molded parts. The gap between tank and tail has to be tightened up so both pieces look like a one piece body.

You'll notice how I am using orange inside the rims and inside the brake drums to add a subtle accent to the overall package.

The bodywork is spartan because I have no graphics to define the lines and give the bike a finished OEM look. You can see the swoopy lines for the seat-the seat is really going to help this kit. What with reworking the molds and the other things I need to do-I know the finished kit is some months off. If you put me on the rack, I'd guess December-January.

Frame Plates

The section of a Yamaha 650 frame where the foot pegs and axle are located is an eye-sore on all 650 models. I developed Ugly plates for the Omar street tracker way back when but these are different and totally dedicated to the Storm kit. It won't work with a stock bike or any other kind of 650 custom.

The top portion is bent out then in to meet with the bottom edge of the Storm tail piece. Now this is just a prototype. If you don't like it or wish changes, let me know now at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Chrome Front Fender

This fender has been requested by Tom Brattskar, my European distributor. He has found it very difficult to find a pristine stock front fender over there for the X650 Storm he is building. He knew that I am going to introduce a new Yamaha 650 kit, the Beach Storm in the winter of 2013/14 and he wanted the fender from that 2014 kit early for his X650 Storm. Here is a peek at it in a pre-mold stage.

Tarozzi Fork Brace (ter-oz-ee)

These Italian braces are top quality pieces. They are designed for strength and ease of installation. The black color is what happens when aluminum is heat treated for toughness. I recommend you paint the brace silver to hide it so it's less dominant when surrounded by the chrome fender and shiny forks. Or heck you can leave yours black or paint it orange or whatever color.

It fits: SR500 1980-1995, XS650 1977-81, XS650SE 1980-1981 all with 35mm tubes x 55mm sliders. I will be selling these for about $145