The sheer variety of Freeride Motos Racing’s secure makes it tough to lump them into one silo. You’re simply as more likely to discover a svelte supermoto of their workshop, as you’re a 90-year-old Moto Guzzi. Shop boss Pierre Dhers is clearly onto a very good factor—so it’s no marvel that he will get return clients.
One such buyer is Dakar Rally driver and flat observe racer Pierre Lachaume. The two Pierres met a while in the past when Monsieur Lachaume wished a customized bike. He wished his 1989 Yamaha XT 600 modified at first, however, after some deliberation, Freeride constructed him a shocking KTM flat tracker as an alternative.
Patience is a advantage that he clearly possesses. Once the KTM was executed, he headed again to Freeride’s workshop to get the XT 600 sorted too.
“After having completed other projects together, the subject of the XT came back on the table,” explains Pierre Dhers. “We wanted a simple and refined scrambler, a perfect way to get to the corner bar for a drink.”
If you have been unaware, the French as soon as had a booming nationwide bike commerce, which pumped out some lovely equipment (give it a Google). Freeride took inspiration from post-war French bikes, by becoming the gas tank from a Nineteen Fifties Monet Goyon. The oil tank and toolbox have been lifted from a 125 cc Terrot.
The brass gas and oil tank caps have been hand-turned by Pierre’s father. who commonly contributes to Freeride initiatives. The brushed aluminum accents on the tank and the small baggage rack are interval elements that have been restored for the undertaking.
The Yamaha’s inventory wheels have been refreshed, and re-spoked with a brand new 18” rim up entrance. This matches the rear rim—which is one thing it is best to anticipate from a flat observe aficionado like Lachaume. Looking very trendy in new black paint, the edges are shod with Heidenau vintage-style enduro tires.
The almost-40-year-old braking system was upgraded by the use of new grasp cylinders and solid-mounted discs. The discs have been expertly laser reduce with the Freeride title, and ‘Lachaume 74’ in reference to Pierre’s racing quantity.
Another nod to the France of yesteryear is the selective yellow headlight. It was donated by a automotive from the Eighties, the place it was initially a fog gentle. The inventory indicators have been shelved and changed with discrete LED models, hidden between the forks up entrance, and underneath the seat out again.
The seat was trimmed by Mr Cannac Christophe of Akotabe in Carmaux, within the south of France. It’s perched atop a customized subframe.
The rider cockpit now consists of latest switchgear, throttle meeting and black Renthal bars held in place by polished risers. The entrance and rear suspension have been lowered, more likely to inject only a few further cc’s of flat-track type.
Freeride additionally handled the engine to a full tear-down, including efficiency enhancements by the use of a brand new Prox conrod, Vertex valves and a Vertex piston. The carbs have been stripped, bathed and refreshed, and now breathe via aluminum filters from Malossi. Reassembled with contemporary gaskets all spherical, the engine was painted black to match the body and must be good for an additional 30+ years of service.
The chrome steel exhaust system is hand-made, terminating in a Supertrapp muffler. It may simply be our favourite a part of the construct; the purple to golden-bronze colour actually pops towards the in any other case monochrome design.
Gone are the unique plastic guards of the Eighties—they’ve been changed by brief metal guards, painted to match the tanks. There are leather-based accents everywhere in the bike, together with a taillight and plate ‘bracket’ that harks again to the trials bikes of outdated. It won’t look structurally sound, nevertheless it does look rattling cool.
Freeride got down to create a minimalist scrambler for bopping round city, and have completely nailed it. This XT 600 could be from France, nevertheless it’s the bodily embodiment of dolce far niente.
Picture the scene: you’re within the south of France and deal with your self to a lie-in, get up with a robust espresso and cruise round city in your scrambler. After assembly your folks for a drink within the afternoon, you are taking a scenic detour via the woods on the best way residence. Bliss.
Freeride Motos Racing | Facebook | Instagram | Images by Clement Lazzaro
Source: www.bikeexif.com
