X650 Storm conversion kit for 650 Yamahas

Features

Nifty little (illegal) tailight/brake light. See how seat cushion attaches with Velcro.Seat base with Velcro

Optional Accessories

Frame cover up plates

Superbo Tarozzi fork brace. It comes in heat treated black but you can paint as I did.

Storm bars have the same overall shape of western bars that were popular in the '70s. However for greater comfort, these have a low rise and they are wide. You will like them and the price: $39.00 Napoleon bar end mirror pivots in two axis so you can get the right sight picture and tuck it away in your garage.

Progressive 14 Series shocks are designed with smaller diameter bodies for the vintage look but retain modern velocity sensing multi-staged valving. The spring rate of these chrome 75-120 springs is on the cushy side for we older riders who average around 190 pounds. If you weigh more just crank up the adjustable spring preload. Now mind you these shocks are not designed for two-up riding principally because I don't recommend that with my tail and cushion. Shock kit comes with shock eye spacers and an adjustment tool.

Below is a picture story of product development

The tail design uses the stock rear fender and taillight. This saves too because I don't have to include a taillight into the design or price. Another thing that will save you a ton of money is the fact that I make the body parts in orange. You won't have to spend 400 bucks on a paint job. I will make the body parts in white for those of you who want to do a custom paint job. I will have a graphics kit which give a professional, finished look to your conversion.

You should be able to install the entire body on a Saturday. You pull off the stock tank, seat and sissy bar. You'll be cutting off some seat rail tabs but the rear loop stays. Once you've sprayed your cuts in black you just slap the body on and hook up the fuel lines. I'll supply the petcocks and gas cap. By Sunday you should be riding.

The photo on the right shows my progress at week 8. The parts have been sanded to 2000 grit and polished to a glass-like luster. The next step is to take them to the glass guy for molds to be built. As of 7/26 the molds have been finished. Now I have to make the tank bottom and work out the graphics kit.

If you would like to get on my 'Up Date' list, write me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

It's week 9, and the tank top and tail fender molds are done. Next I have to make the tank bottom, seat base molds and mold for the seat foam. I am cheating a bit by painting the inside of the wheels and hubs orange but I think this touch of color will add to what basically is a body dropped on a stock bike.

Most of you will do custom changes beyond what you will see on my showcase bike. My showcase bike will show the basic conversion without many deviations, the kind of bike most of you will build. This basic approach will also show how radical a stock bike can be changed with just a new body on it.

Since I showed the last photos I have been waiting for parts to come out of the mold. That has happened. I am pleased with the overall look but I have to rework the molds. It seems that fiberglass suppliers are not used to precision molded parts. The gap between tank and tail has to be tightened up so both pieces look like a one piece body.

You'll notice how I am using orange inside the rims and inside the brake drums to add a subtle accent to the overall package.

The bodywork is spartan because I have no graphics to define the lines and give the bike a finished OEM look. You can see the swoopy lines for the seat-the seat is really going to help this kit. What with reworking the molds and the other things I need to do-I know the finished kit is some months off. If you put me on the rack, I'd guess December-January.

9/12/12. Today for the first time the new seat is shown on the Storm body. The remaining element needed is the graphics which will be done in two grays-one dark, the other light. Once graphics are done I will have studio photos done for the formal product introduction.

 10/1/12. I think this project to develop this Storm conversion kit for 650 Yamahas has taken one year. There are so many little and big pieces to jiggle to make a completed whole. Now for the first time you can get how this kit will look.

You see it with body on, the seat in place, the exhaust system on and a small idea of the graphics we have chosen in two metallic grays. I should have a professional photos to show you here about the end of October.

Before the official product introduction I want to have kits in stock so when you call, I can ship the week you order. I have always been behind so maybe this is wishful thinking but it is my goal. I'll talk at you later when I have more to show.

~ Phil

Frame Plates

The section of a Yamaha 650 frame where the foot pegs and axle are located is an eye-sore on all 650 models. I developed Ugly plates for the Omar street tracker way back when but these are different and totally dedicated to the Storm kit. It won't work with a stock bike or any other kind of 650 custom.

The top portion is bent out then in to meet with the bottom edge of the Storm tail piece. Now this is just a prototype. If you don't like it or wish changes, let me know now at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Chrome Front Fender

This fender has been requested by Tom Brattskar, my European distributor. He has found it very difficult to find a pristine stock front fender over there for the X650 Storm he is building. He knew that I am going to introduce a new Yamaha 650 kit, the Beach Storm in the winter of 2013/14 and he wanted the fender from that 2014 kit early for his X650 Storm. Here is a peek at it in a pre-mold stage.

Tarozzi Fork Brace (ter-oz-ee)

These Italian braces are top quality pieces. They are designed for strength and ease of installation. The black color is what happens when aluminum is heat treated for toughness. I recommend you paint the brace silver to hide it so it's less dominant when surrounded by the chrome fender and shiny forks. Or heck you can leave yours black or paint it orange or whatever color.

It fits: SR500 1980-1995, XS650 1977-81, XS650SE 1980-1981 all with 35mm tubes x 55mm sliders. I will be selling these for about $145.