Takashi Nihira has won awards and taken commissions from major OEMs. But the man behind Tokyo’s Wedge Motorcycle also knows how to tone it down, when the brief calls for it. And whether he’s building an all-out showpiece, or a humble commuter like this tidy Yamaha SR400, his work always shines.
With factory-level finishes and a stance adjustment, this SR400 feels more like a restomod than a full-on custom job. But the magic lies in its subtlety. There’s no one big centerpiece here?instead, Nihira-san has treated the Yamaha to a flurry of well-judged tweaks.

Its low-slung and compact nature is a direct answer to the client’s needs. ?The owner of the bike is a woman, and it’s her first bike,? explains Takashi. ?So she wanted a bike that is easy to ride and manageable.? ?Therefore, I made it custom?but not too much?while trying to keep some of the stock look.?

Takashi kicked things off with a standard issue 2008-model Yamaha SR400. It was in fairly decent nick too, so the engine just needed some basic maintenance to keep it ticking over. A lick of wrinkle black paint on the cases added the first tasteful touch.
The SR’s single-cylinder mill is fed by the original carb, but the exhaust system is new. Takashi fabricated a tightly-routed stainless steel header, terminating in a Supertrapp muffler.

Getting the Yamaha’s stance just right was a top priority. The owner is rather petite, so Takashi wanted to make sure the bike would su...