ae86slaver's SR400

[Justin Fox]

ae86slaver's SR400
Photography by Simon Taylor





















JDMST's Motorcycle Forum has developed nicely over the years. To celebrate it's growth I thought I'd interview Des, a member since 2005 and a guy who's sold his epic AE86 for his current ride, a Yamaha SR400.


JF:
Some people might remember your 86, heaps of flare, such great style. Why did you sell it and what was the motivation behind this new project?

Des:
I sold the 86 because at the time I needed to focus on other things, mainly my career. It was and still is one of the most enjoyable projects and fun times I've
had in my life and although it was very tough selling it, I had to move on to bigger things.

After that I actually had a big break from anything automotive related, started
riding motorbikes and after owning a few sports bikes and motards, one day about a year ago I made a spontaneous decision to embark on a different project.

After randomly searching for old bikes online I stumbled across one that struck me, it was all modified tastefully but I knew I wanted to mod one how I wanted it, and one which represented me. After a few hurdles finding one I got lucky with the guys at Scotts and had one freshly imported.

JF:
SR's have a huge global fan base. They're such diverse bikes. I've seen SR's modified to be cafe racers, boppers, track racers and more. Like your old 86, the bike looks truly awesome Dez, very you. How did you approach modifying your SR?

Des:
From the start I had visions as to how I wanted to mod it - but saving up for a house was the speed hump and I wanted to get it done in a set time frame AND to
a budget. My aim was to build the bike with as many (or least) original parts on it as desired, either restored or replaced, tastefully giving the factory lines
some justice. I wanted to clean every bolt, washer and piece there was and put it all back together. Thankfully, the simplicity of the bike design made it
relatively straightforward to take apart, and after a few late nights I had the bike frame hanging off a tree in the backyard ready to respray!

I tackled every hurdle there was including seized bolts, rust, chopping the frame and a bastardized bogged up fuel tank that even the guys at American Chopper would have been proud of. The whole job was DIY with the exception of some polishing help from a mate and I still have plans to mod the performance of the bike further.

JF:
Dare Jennings from Deus admits that he was blown away by what guys were doing in Japan with old SR's, so much so that he brought the scene out here as Deus (and the rest is history). What are your thoughts on Deus, and the turn key commercialisation of
cafe racer/brat culture.

Des:
Like Dare, I too had a big appreciation for what the guys overseas were doing to these bikes. The creativity and cult-like status of these bikes over in Japan is truly amazing, even after 30 years that most of these bikes were born.

I congratulate and embrace Deus Ex Machina for bringing it to Australia, the guys have done a wonderful job. All power to them if they can keep churning out bikes like they do in Japan. The meets they hold and the culture they have created is a great thing for the retro/vintage bike community - something so timeless to be appreciated now is very cool.

Like many, I often have had the debate about the 'walk in and buy' a bike that is all done. My stance on that is that if it can be sold to someone who truly appreciates (and affords) it, then good on 'em. Coming from someone who has put a lot of time and effort into building one, I couldn't put a price tag on the joy and pride I've had with the bike. It would take a generous offer or someone who truly understood these bikes to buy it from me 'all done' if ever I was to sell!

JF:
So where are you at right now with your bike, your state of mind and life in general?

Des:
Right now I’m just enjoying riding it. Surprisingly it is one of the most reliable bikes I’ve ever owned. Considering it is kickstart only, left lying there for days it seems to punch on with only a few kicks. The only maintenance it needs is engine oil and lube. I have no radiator, brake fluid or even a battery.

I'm renovating my place at the moment so that's the biggest project I've ever undertaken, also getting married this year to my long time girlfriend Amanda who
has been the most supportive of everything I've done.


Des' SR bookmarks:
Des' SR400 Build Thread
www.sr500forum.com
www.dotheton.com
www.pipeburn.com
www.yamahasrxtphotooftheday.blogspot.com
www.motorcyclephotooftheday.com
www.bubblevisor.blogspot.com

[JDM-20L]

Wow that is a really sweet bike! It has so much character!

[eg5]

Very cool Des

[Jace.]

Damn that's a classy bike.

Would.

[AJ-80]

Awsome bike.

One of these would look nice im my garage next to my R1...

[anth]

very nice, and thanks for those links too, some very cool sites.

[Garth Ivers]

It's... Beautiful....

[4shizz]

It's... Beautiful....

haha. spot on.

[tofuboy]

awesome. just pure awesome

[ae86slaver]

lol Garth

Thanks guys, glad to be the first bike feature

[RB_LOVE]

Woo! Bike feature! Well done Des.

[Magnet]

Nice wheels. I've got an sr500 atm, got it for free and it's grown on me heaps(i don't like bikes)

Have you considered doing the engine black and sanding the paint off the fins, looks like it'd suit it well

[felixR]

very nice des!

[jaayy]

Awesome bike... You actually inspired me to buy my project sr400 months ago when you put the photos up

Have you had any problems with cops with the plate number bolted to the axle nut?

[kre]

lovin' it mate