Yamaha SR500 Candy Is a Gorgeous Custom Scrambler With Old-School DNA

To an extent, this vibrant one-off came together at the hands of 6/5/4 Motors over in Stockholm, Sweden, but much of the work was handled by the motorcycle’s owner, as well. Since 2014, the 6/5/4 crew had been operating a communal workshop, where amateur builders regularly get together to wrench on their machines, share tips, and have a great time.

Nowadays, the space is rented by up to 40 people at a time, and one of 6/5/4’s long-term tenants is a young lad named Rasmus Steyner Randen. He’s the proud owner and co-author of the project we’re about to look at, which began with a Yamaha SR500 from the model-year 1980. Rasmus sought a nimble one-off that would feel at home on city streets and gravel roads alike, so choosing an SR as the donor was a bit of a no-brainer.

He infused the classic UJM with a playful aesthetic we can’t get enough of, and 6/5/4 was there to lend a helping hand when needed. As the old SR500 was coming apart, Rasmus got rid of all its stock bodywork, and items like the rear shock absorbers, exhaust system, and seat immediately followed suit. With a blank canvas before him and all the backing he could ever need, the aspiring bike builder dug straight in.

For starters, he busied himself with finding a replacement fuel tank that would suit his vision. A 1979 Yamaha FS1’s module eventually caught his eye, so it was promptly purchased and adapted for its new host. The SR500 subframe was then shortened and looped, before getting topped with a custom black leather seat and a rear luggage rack. Bright LED turn signals are attached to the latter on the flanks, and there’s a bespoke aluminum fender sitting underneath.

It acts as the support for a Bates-style taillight, but there’s no visible license plate bracket pictured here as far as we can tell. Rear-end suspension duties are now taken care of by modern YSS shocks, while the front forks have been retained, refurbished, and fitted with progressive springs. A high-mounted custom fender is placed in between them, along with a retro-looking LED headlamp a bit higher up.

Identical to the units found at the back, the front blinkers are fitted on each side of the lower triple clamp. Taking a look at the unsprung sector, we’re greeted by the repurposed drum brakes of a Honda CL450, chosen for cosmetic purposes rather than enhanced stopping power. These bad boys are linked to fresh stainless-steel spokes and a pair of Excel rims measuring 18 inches in diameter.

For ample grip both on and off the asphalt, the wheels were enveloped in classy dual-purpose tires. Rasmus went to town in the cockpit area, too, installing a low-profile ProTaper handlebar complete with Vans x Cult grips, plain switches, and premium control levers. Minimalism was the name of the game here, so there are no dials or rear-view mirrors to speak of.

The visual side of things was obviously the main focus on this build, but the SR500’s owner hasn’t forgotten about its single-cylinder engine. On the contrary, he blessed the trusty little thumper with a complete rebuild from head to toe, boring its cylinder out and having it Nikasil-coated for durability. A Wiseco piston replaces the worn-out OEM part, and oil circulates via a youthful Kedo line.

In terms of breathing equipment, Rasmus added a Mikuni VM36 carburetor and a high-grade pod filter from K&N. Exhaust gases are routed through stainless-steel pipework supplied by SC-Project, close to which you’ll see a set of off-roading foot pegs fit for the scrambler theme. With all these goodies installed, it came time for Sir Randen to address the bike’s paintwork.

Honestly, the chosen color scheme might just be our favorite thing about this entire build, and it’s what drew our attention to it in the first place. The SR500 received a light blue finish all over its framework, while the FS1 fuel tank was wrapped in a contrasting orange hue. White tank graphics spell out the motorcycle’s very appropriate nickname, that being Candy.

Every component aside from the fuel tank and frame was either finished in black or left unpainted, and the resulting colorway is a thrilling sight to behold. Rasmus Steyner Randen’s groovy SR500 scrambler comes to show the benefits of communal workspaces for amateur builders, with the best tools and professional advice being readily available. And, of course, it’s a true testament to the owner’s talent more than anything else!