This Custom-Built Yamaha XS650 Chopper From Australia Looks Utterly Dumbfounding

There he runs Butler’s Customs & Classics, indulging in both car and motorcycle customization with a team of knowledgeable specialists backing him up. Liam’s professional background as an automotive electrician provided the initial springboard for his personal endeavor, but his skillset has grown exponentially ever since. The bike we’ll be looking at today is among the latest gems put together by Butler’s.

It’s a breathtaking hardtail chopper based on a Yamaha XS650, which was commissioned by a client named Rodney with no budget constraints whatsoever. The classic Yamaha looked rather pitiful upon arrival at Liam’s garage, though, so it was immediately clear that a great deal of TLC would be needed here. On the bright side, the XS650’s parallel-twin engine had already been refurbished at this point, and it was in much better shape than the other bits and pieces.

The donor came with a hardtail skeleton, as well, which might’ve been convenient if it weren’t corroded beyond repair. Given these circumstances, the rigid framework was chopped up and only its front down tubes have been kept in play. Liam fabricated the rest of the tubing in-house, while ditching the original wheels to make room for a pair of Harley-Davidson replacements.

Shod in vintage-looking Shinko tires, the new rims measure 21 inches at the front and 16 inches at the opposite end. Up north, the wheel is mated to a classy pair of springer forks, which came with the Yammie when Rodney bought it but have been thoroughly revised during Butler’s overhaul. They now feature an array of handmade billet aluminum and brass goodies, while supporting a tall chopper handlebar with integrated Motogadget instrumentation.

A bit further ahead, we find twin rectangular headlights stacked vertically and held in place via custom mounting hardware. By the looks of it, all the stopping power this XS650 can muster originates at the back, courtesy of a Lowbrow Customs caliper pinching a drilled aftermarket brake rotor. The rolling chassis was pretty much done with these parts installed, so Liam turned his attention to the bodywork.

Center-stage, he fitted a superb chopper-style fuel tank built from scratch. The peanut tank actually started out as an off-the-shelf component, but it was modified so heavily that it is now a genuine one-off piece. Traditional metal-shaping techniques were used to make it all come together, and the other garments you’ll see here have been fabricated in a similar manner.

Right behind the peanut tank lies a chrome-plated metal saddle, featuring mesh-covered cut-outs and supported by a single leaf spring. There is a handmade electronics box below the seat, and the bespoke goodness continues as we move southward. A sizeable rear fender rounds out the creature’s attire, bearing a stylish LED taillight close to its southernmost tip. But then there is that incredible sissy bar we can’t seem to take our eyes off.

It is yet another custom piece manufactured by Liam’s capable hands, acting as a fender strut and the mounting point for a pair of LED turn signals. The sissy bar was built with the help of Exclusive Metal, and its design is perfectly complemented by the new exhaust plumbing. This bespoke stainless-steel setup follows the lower frame tubing before curving upward close to the rear axle.

From there, it runs almost parallel to the sissy bar in seamless fashion, becoming an integral part of the design in that area. The whole affair speaks volumes about the sort of handiwork you can expect from Butler’s Customs & Classics, but so do the various finishes adorning this motorcycle from head to toe. Items like the fuel tank, electronics box, and rear fender were all enveloped in a glossy coat of burgundy.

Additionally, the same hue made its way onto the hardtail frame, while many other bits and pieces were either chrome- or brass-plated. Some gold leaf detailing is also present here and there, bringing the color scheme full circle with a nice bit of bling. Lastly, most craftsmen struggle with the electrical side of their builds, but Liam’s background made the rewiring process an absolute breeze.

Less than 24 hours after the project’s completion, the chopped XS650 already won a first-place trophy at a local custom bike show. It was then handed over to Rodney, who was understandably lost for words upon seeing his new, award-winning ride. This is what happens when you reach out to a great custom motorcycle shop and give them no specific set of instructions or budget constraints to abide by. In short, it’s pure bliss!