This week I shared a modern Yamaha in the yellow/black speedblock livery – now it’s time for an older one! This fascinating Kenny Roberts-inspired Street Tracker was built by Englishman Joe Banks as “a fusion of vintage inspiration and modern engineering”.
The build started with a Co-Built chromoly steel frame mated to a nickel-plated swingarm, which is one of the few reasons why the entire build was able to achieve a dry weight just shy of 250 pounds. While the structure of the motorcycle was finished, the rowdy nature of the original flat-tracker could only be emulated with the motor from one vehicle – a Yamaha Banshee.
The engine itself was enlarged to 421cc by the original builder, who states they received guidance and help from a Roger Arreola at Wicked ATV. Good for close to 80 horsepower and 50 ft.-lbs. of torque, the motor included Wicked ATV billet cool-heads, Wiseco pistons, and 4mm stroked Hotrods crank-welded to name a few additions to the heart of this street-faring modern classic. The builder had this to say when it came the question of why he built this custom: “if you can’t buy one build one.” He also documented the build in a thread on ADVRider which is well worth a read if you have some spare time.
Find this custom Yamaha for sale in Knoxville, Tennessee with bidding up to $5,300 and the reserve not yet met here on Iconic Motorbike Auctions.
Disclosure: Bike-urious is a partner in Iconic Motorbike Auctions.