Nippon Bobbers
Japanese Bobbers and Choppers
The Nippon Bobbers website is about all Bobbers, Choppers, Short Chops, Ratbikes, Street Trackers, Dirt Track Racers, Cafe Racers, TT Bikes, Lane Splitters, Lowriders, Hot Rods
and other Custom Motorcycles powered by the Yamaha XS650 engine.
Enjoy!
The Yamaha XS650 Engine
The Yamaha XS650 engine was introduced in 1969.
After an exceptionally long production period of sixteen years, delivery of the XS650 was ceased in 1985 to make way for other engine designs.
Modelled after the British Triumph and BSA two cylinder engines, the XS650 was Yamaha's first 4 stroke engine.
The XS650 has proven to be a sturdy and dependable powerpack, and easy to maintain. Her sturdy gearbox and overdesigned roller bearings make it relatively easy for the average "amateur" wrench to improve performance, and the XS650 has built a reputation in all kind of motorcycle sports in the USA and Europe, from dirt track racing to sidecar motorcross.
Her sporty image, ease of maintenance, relatively low cost, and - most importantly - her good looks have made the XS650 very popular with Bobber and Chopper builders worldwide.
Can a Japanese Engine Ever Become a Classic?
Many Harley Davidson fans won't agree.
And honestly, we can't believe that the endless succession of short lived Japanese motorcycle engine designs is fertile ground for classics. They are too short lived, too easily replaced, and too easily forgotten.
Still, an engine that was discontinued in 1985 - and which twenty five years later still has a following of fans to keep it alive and roaring - can't be all that bad.
So maybe there are exceptions...
Yamaha XS650 Bobber Photo Albums
Here's an overview of the Yamaha XS650 Photo Albums on Nippon Bobbers:
Show Your Bike!
The idea is that we show our modified bikes to each other. No matter in what shape or condition the bike might be.
So, whether you ride your bike 365 days a year or only once every 365 years, if you have a Chopper, Bobber, Ratbike, Salt Flat Racer, Dirt Track Racer, Pubracer or Lowrider - and she's powered by a Yamaha XS650 Engine - show her to us!
