The custom scene has changed a lot over the past decade, but the venerable chopper still has an enduring appeal. And when someone manages to capture that classic 70s vibe as well as Fo Huang has done with this chopped Yamaha SR400, it’s impossible not to smile.
Fo’s based in Kaohsiung City in southern Taiwan, where he creates furniture and custom motorcycles as NamiXII Design. Dubbed ‘Light Tripper,’ his Yamaha is a charming homage to the choppers of the 1970s?from its stance to its many thoughtful details. It also took home the ‘Best in Show’ award at the 12th annual Ride Free show in Taiwan recently.

The 1985-spec Yamaha SR400 might seem like a weird choice as a donor for a chopper, but Fo’s managed to pull it off. He started by hacking off a huge chunk of the SR’s frame, then grafting on a rigid rear section. The main frame backbone that holds the oil is still intact. Fo kept the SR’s OEM forks and drum brake wheel hubs, but laced on new rims. It now rolls on a 21F/18R combo, with a Duro tire up front and a Shinko at the back. There’s also a custom-made brace to stiffen the front forks?and to mount the tiniest fender we’ve ever seen.

For the fuel tank, Fo acquired a used Sportster unit?then modified the heck out of it. It features a custom bung for the fuel petcock and a tidy little knurled gas cap, and there’s an oil temperature gauge installed just in front of it.
Lower down is a handmade ...