Yamaha XS650 - x-SixtyFive
Yamaha XS650 - x-sixtyfive
Yamaha X-Sixtyfive: A Zombie-Apocalypse Flat Tracker with Skate-Punk Soul
Some motorcycles are born from blueprints, others from wild ideas scrawled on the back of a napkin. And then there’s the Yamaha X-Sixtyfive—a bike so thoroughly reimagined that it’s part hipster fever dream, part teen skate park rebellion, and all-around post-apocalyptic masterpiece. What started as a bit of a wrecked import from Minnesota—a hilariously tragic example of 1980s custom excess—has become a one-of-a-kind machine that combines flat-tracker DNA with enough zombie-green flair to make the undead jealous.
Let’s dig into the madness.
From Ugly Duckling to Two-Wheeled Phoenix
This story began with a Yamaha XS650 that had seen better days. Found in all its 1980s “custom” glory, it sported mag wheels, tiller handlebars, and a king-and-queen seat straight out of a no-budget bikesploitation movie. It was the kind of bike you could only love if you squinted really hard through your little hipster glasses… or had a plan. Enter our hero (me), who took one look at this relic of questionable taste and thought, flat tracker.
Of course, endless garage tinkering has a way of derailing even the clearest vision. Soon, the flat tracker dream gave way to practical upgrades—like an external spin-on oil filter, a modern coil swiped from a Honda CB600, and a pair of Keihin carbs stolen from a Ninja 500. The carbs, though a snug fit, needed endless tuning to function properly. (Hours of your life vanish fast when you’re chasing “just right” jetting.)
Eventually, the bike reached what I would call “perfection” but what others might describe as “a good stopping point before I lose my mind.” That’s when or glorious leader Den took over, dialing up the madness and transforming the X-Sixtyfive into the skate/zombie-apocalypse-themed work of art you see today.
Tech Specs: A Skate Park on Two Wheels
The X-Sixtyfive isn’t just a bike; it’s a rolling tribute to the skate culture and post-apocalyptic grit. Den’s professional touch brought a wild mix of function and flair to the build. Let’s break it down:
Tyres: Shinko E270s for that old-school flat tracker vibe, because sliding is more fun when it’s intentional.
Suspension: Shortened fork stanchions with a Telefix fork brace and adjustable clip-ons. Forks are paired with an R6 “gold spot'“ brake conversion, HeL lines, and a disc scavenged from a suspiciously anonymous Chinese bike. (Don’t ask questions; it works.)
Skateboard Detailing: Skateboard wheels double as bobbins, and a modified skate truck serves as the seat mount. Even the seat itself is a repurposed skateboard, upholstered in matte vinyl with diamond stitching and zombie-green thread. The apocalypse might be coming, but at least you’ll look damn stylish.
Custom Fabrication: From the aluminum front cowl with a built-in headlight and Motoscope speedo to the electric tray and lithium battery, this bike screams bespoke craftsmanship. Even the exhaust pipes, built by a Welshman off Facebook, look too cool to belong in the land of the living.
Zombie Aesthetic: The engine and chassis are coated in matte black and titanium Cerakote, while the wheels fade from zombie green to black. The pièce de résistance is the hand-drawn sharpie zombie artwork by Me sealed in matte lacquer on the original 1980 Yamaha black bodywork. It’s creepy, clever, and utterly unique.
Branding That Bites
Every bike needs a killer logo, and the X-Sixtyfive doesn’t disappoint. Designed by Den, the logo features two crossed skateboards forming an “X.” Sure, some people think it’s a plaster, but that just adds to the fun. The number 65 is rounded to resemble a skate wheel, tying the theme together. It’s the kind of detail that makes hipster hearts flutter while leaving the walking dead scratching their brains.
A Legacy in the Making
The X-Sixtyfive isn’t a one-off; it’s the beginning of a movement. With two more builds in the pipeline—a Joker-inspired bike and a pinup sailor tattooed version—the X series is shaping up to be a full-on franchise. Meanwhile, the team has already dabbled in bigger things with the X75, based on a Yamaha XS750. (Stay tuned for that chaos in another post)
For now, the X-Sixtyfive stands as a testament to what can happen when you combine a passion for bikes, an eye for creativity, and just a dash of insanity. It’s skate punk meets zombie apocalypse meets flat tracker, and it’s proof that even the ugliest duckling can become a showstopper with the right amount of vision—and zombie green paint.
In the end, the X-Sixtyfive isn’t just a bike; it’s an attitude, a conversation starter, and, quite frankly, the coolest thing to come out of Minnesota since Prince. Sure, the original flat tracker idea got lost somewhere along the way, but who needs practicality when you’ve built a bike that’s brought back to life and hungry for attention (and a seat made from an old skateboard)?