From the moment Steven Shook set his eyes on 1978 Yamaha XS650 bobber, he knew it was destined to become a canvas for his mechanical artistry.
Shook’s journey began in October 2024, when the itch to dive into a new project became irresistible. “Projects are my thing, I’m always looking for the next thing to work on and build. If it has a motor I’m interested,” Shook shared. His search led him to a promising XS650 in upper Michigan, a four-hour drive from his home in Indiana.
Despite the distance, the bike’s clean title and fair price made it a worthy candidate. “I had my wife (who has the Facebook account) reach out to him and say if you can hold onto this I’ll be there in three days to pick it up,” Shook recalled. The seller’s cooperation set the stage for what would become a remarkable transformation.
Upon bringing the bike home on October 16th, Shook wasted no time in stripping it down and ordering parts from TC Bros. His vision was clear: a low seat, high-mounted tank, lower bars, forward controls, and kick-start only.
The meticulous process began with cutting the frame to accommodate a hardtail, borrowing a friend’s welder to bring his vision to life. “I had a vision of what I wanted,” Shook explained, and he pursued it with unwavering determination.
The engine, showing signs of wear with low compression readings, received a thorough overhaul. Shook opted for .50 pistons and had the cylinders bored to match, followed by lapping the valves, replacing gaskets, and ensuring everything was torqued to spec. The electrical system saw a significant upgrade with the Hughs Handbuilt PMA complete kit, eliminating the starter and opting for a batteryless setup with a capacitor.
Shook’s attention to detail extended to the bike’s bearings, replacing them with All Balls bearings in the wheels and headstock. Custom touches included a handmade fender mount, a faux oil tank for housing electronics, and meticulously welded brackets. With the structural and mechanical aspects in place, it was time for aesthetics.
Thanks to his wife’s connections at Modern Materials, a powder coating specialist, Shook’s custom color vision came to life. “I went for a matching frame, tank, fender, and electronic box to begin with and then did a white lace overlay spray to really bring out the old school feel of this build,” Shook described. The result is a stunning visual masterpiece that pays homage to classic bobber styling while showcasing modern craftsmanship.
By Christmas, the bike was reassembled and ready for a test ride. Despite the naysayers who warned about the potential discomfort of the rigid frame, Shook found the ride surprisingly smooth. “Everyone who has seen it says ‘that thing is going to kill your back, you’re only going to be able to ride it for 15 minutes,’ but I will say that as basic and simple as this build is, it’s like riding on air,” he noted.
As winter settled in Northern Indiana with frigid temperatures, Shook eagerly anticipates April, when he can fully enjoy the fruits of his labor. “Here I sit waiting on April to go on a long cruise and reap the joy of being on something I built 100%,” he shared, a sentiment that resonates with every motorcycle enthusiast who understands the pride of a self-made machine.
Steven Shook’s ’78 Yamaha XS650 bobber is more than just a motorcycle; it’s a testament to the passion, skill, and relentless pursuit of perfection that defines the custom motorcycle community. As the pictures tell the tale of his journey, one thing is certain: this bobber is a rolling work of art, a symbol of Shook’s dedication to the craft.
