Yamaha Tenere 700 Champion Is Dripping With Old-School Dakar Vibes

Although his long journey on the 2020 MY Yamaha got off to a good start at first, disaster eventually struck while he was traveling through Iraq. That’s where a collision with a reckless driver brought the guy’s trip to an abrupt end, but he thankfully managed to walk away unharmed. The same couldn’t be said for his poor Tenere, though, and there was no other choice but to have it hauled back to Prague.

As a friend of Gas & Oil (G&O) founder Matej, he didn’t have to look far before finding someone who would buy his partially wrecked ADV. The specimen came with no forks or front wheel, its radiator was broken beyond repair, and some of its electrical components had also been damaged in the crash. However, its frame was sound and the engine still ran, so Matej deemed the purchase to be worthwhile.

With the Tenere 700 on their workbench, the G&O crew started thinking about the styling approach they would employ, ultimately drawing inspiration from old-school Dakar racers. More specifically, the project was influenced by the beefed-up XT500s built by Sonauto to compete in the first iteration of the Paris-Dakar Rally. One such creature actually went on to win the motorcycle class in the 1979 event, with Cyril Neveu in its saddle.

Looking to create something of a tribute to these rally-prepped XTs, Matej and his squad proceeded to dismantle what was left of the Tenere. Then, they blessed its front end with a premium pair of WP Suspension forks, securing them in place via a KTM 690 Duke’s triple clamps. Peek lower down, and you’ll see a laced 21-inch wheel sourced from D.I.D’s catalog.

It’s accompanied by an 18-inch Excel hoop at the back, with chunky dual-purpose knobbies hugging the rims on both ends. As far as the machine’s rear-end suspension is concerned, Gas & Oil installed a top-grade TFX shock absorber to complement the WP forks we’ve mentioned earlier. All these mods brought the T7 back from the dead, but the guys were just getting warmed up.

They revised the bike’s subframe and fitted a handmade electronics box in between the tubes, topping everything off with a vintage-looking saddle. The seat is cloaked in two-tone synthetic waterproof upholstery, and behind it sits a repurposed luggage rack taken from an unidentified classic motorcycle. An Acerbis fender occupies the Champion’s rearmost section, supporting the license plate bracket and a retro-style taillight.

As for the side covers placed on the flanks, they’re custom aluminum units manufactured in-house, while the high-mounted front fender was also supplied by Acerbis. In addition, the boxy fuel tank found center-stage has also been fabricated from scratch, and it’s a clear nod to the Sonauto tanks of yore.

Any self-respecting rally bike needs ample protection down low, so G&O’s specialists acted accordingly. UFO fork guards and a sturdy skid plate keep some of the Tenere’s lower parts out of harm’s way, but one may also spot a set of plastic hand guards higher up. They’re attached to a Renthal handlebar, which is placed right behind our favorite thing on this entire build.

Namely, we’re talking about a 3D-printed fairing that encases twin, vertically stacked LED headlamps sourced from LSK’s inventory. Perhaps seeking to avoid the complicated electrical sorcery which might be required after swapping the instrumentation, Gas & Oil chose to retain and reposition the stock display. On the other hand, the original battery made way for a lithium-ion alternative developed by Shido.

ADV-style aftermarket foot pegs round out the ergonomic side of things, and they’re the logical choice for such a rugged off-roader. Other accessories include a laser-cut radiator cover, small but bright LED turn signals from Motogadget, and a Kedo chain guard. Matej and his team didn’t have to stress too much about the powertrain, because the Tenere’s 689cc parallel-twin was still in good shape.

They did, however, replace the standard airbox with a new Muller Motorsport item, subsequently turning their attention to the exhaust. The factory headers have been kept in play, but they’re now linked to a Sharon reverse megaphone muffler through a bespoke mid-pipe made of stainless-steel.

You will also find a Magura hydraulic clutch, which was the final addition made by Gas & Oil before they moved on to the paint job. Simple though it may be, the chosen color scheme will most certainly turn heads, mixing an immaculate white base with black graphics that resemble Yamaha’s “speed block” design. All things considered, the Champion really lives up to its name!