The Yamaha XT600Z Ténéré, which debuted in the early 80s, was designed as a production version of the motorcycles racing in events like the Paris Dakar. The bike offered a long-range fuel tank (30 liters / nearly 8 gallons), a long-travel swing arm, and a punchy 43-hp engine built like a hammer. The bike was very popular in Europe, with more than 60,000 sold.
Enter the crew of Red Hot Chili Customs (RHCC), stationed in Szczecin, Poland. One of their customers has owned his 1987 Ténéré for years and years. Now he wanted the bike restored with some custom details…mainly, a “huuuge headlamp” and patina paint job. RHCC ran with these ideas, building one of our coolest big single custom scramblers we’ve seen.
Below, we get the full story on this curb-jumping, dirt-eating beast.
Yamaha Ténéré Scrambler: Builder Interview
• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.
Along with the idea that guided our company from the very beginning we’re trying to build motorcycles that give the most positive driving experience. We make sure that the boundary between man and machine is constantly blurred and becomes imperceptible. Through our projects we pay tribute to the classic motorcycle which is the source of our inspiration. We melt steal, squash metal and pay attention to detail, so each project is unique and inimitable.
We love all motorcycles from L.A., through Europe to Tokyo and in each of them, we see great potential. Many times we’ve changed the ugly duckling into a real beauty. Each project represents for us a challenge and great satisfaction.
Our company is located in Szczecin, Poland, we’re customizing motorcycles since 2007 and as Red Hot Chili Customs since 2012. Our garage is a second home for us, a place where we build motorcycles, eat, talk, laugh and sometimes even sleep.
Visit us for a coffee or beer, give the high five and talk about motorcycles. We are the Red Hot Chili Customs and we make motorcycles with soul.
• What’s the make, model, and year of the bike?
It’s a Yamaha XT600Z Tenere 1987
• Why was this bike built?
It’s a customer bike. He owned it for years and now bike needs to be restored. So by the way we change some details to make it look more cool
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
Design concept was only one : it should have a huuuge headlamp and look one-off with patina paint job.
• What custom work was done to the bike?
Headlight : Trialtech
Taillight : Disc LED
Turnsignals : Tiny LED
Suspension : Hyper Pro
Seat : RHCC
Fenders: RHCC
Frame : stock vs RHCC
Exhaust : Kedo vs Marving
Speedo : Daytona Velona
Paint job : RHCC
• How would you classify this bike?
Scrambler
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
We are proud of the end result. Bike is awesome!
Follow the Builder
Rhcc.pl
Facebook.com/redhotchilicustoms
Insta: @red_hot_chili_customs
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