Based in Orange City, Florida there is a passionate Vintage Custom motorbike builder named Jason. He started Vintage Customs as an after work hobby with his first custom project bike a 1975 Yamaha XS650.
After 8 years in the Graphic Design profession, Jason decided to swap a mouse for a welder and his pen for a wrench. All motorbikes at Vintage Customs are pre 1980 but they are styled to preserve that Classic look of the 50’s and 60’s. They are also all hand fabricated by Jason at his workshop.
The Redline 1978 Yamaha XS is the first but I’m sure it won’t be the last of Jason’s bikes we will feature. The Redline build started with a frame, which is quite unique as it’s a hybrid of both an XS650 & XS500. The frame stock XS650 with customized tail section which was fabricated from aluminum and fiberglass and blends perfectly in to the frame. The swingarm, brakes, wheels and tank are all from an XS500.
The heart of The Redline is an original-unmodified 1978 Yamaha XS650 with 17,810 miles on it. The engine has been stripped and cleaned down; block and heads were painted with a high temp, oil resistant paint. Carburetors on this Yamaha have been rebuilt. Timing on this bike has controlled by original points and condensor set-up with no electronic ignition. The bike also has a new solid-state regulator/rectifier, which puts out around 14.2 v at full advance. Custom fabricated seat, which was professionally upholstered with a black embossed diamond and patterned vinyl. A Monza style sport rear shock. We love that toggle on the headlight bucket, which looks fantastic.
Tank, tail section and headlight bucket were base coated in black and silver then topped with PPG clear coat and then overlaid with a red vinyl pinstripe. The swingarm has been painted in silver and clear coated to protect it. The rest of the frame was painted with the high gloss, fuel & oil resistant black. Rear set on this bike has been custom fabricated and looks great in combination with the clip-on bars. Nice bright taillights on the rear cowl. If you’re looking for the battery it’s hidden under the swing-arm. This Redline rolls on stock Yamaha XS500 mag wheels, finessed in gloss black paint with an aluminum rim and red vinyl pinstripe.
According to Jason this custom Yamaha XS starts with the second kick, a single kick-start is not that cool on a bike like this, you have to take some time to show it off! We love the black and red pinstripe paint on this bike, The Redline 1978 Yamaha XS resembles the true Vintage Custom Cafe Racer style!
