Lots of people build a bike with the sole purpose of thrashing it. But it’s usually a ?beater,? with very little time or money plowed into the project.
This svelte Yamaha XT 600 E was clearly built to get loose, but it’s also a remarkably cohesive and neat custom. Even if that wasn’t the original intention of its owner, Stefan Lantschner.

Stefan is an Italian living in Barcelona, Spain?a videographer who spends his free time wrenching on bikes under the nickname ‘Koolt Creations.’ He’s already built a couple of machines for himself and friends, but this XT 600 project had a very specific purpose.
?After going to Wheels & Waves,? he tells us, ?all I wanted to do was build a flat tracker! The plan was to do something quick and cheap?but as soon as I started, the plan changed.?
?It is probably the bike I spent the most time on, and it caused the most headaches. But as soon as you ride it, it pays off!?
Stefan bought the 1992 XT 600 E from a friend who abandoned a plan to customize it. As far as big thumping enduros go, the XT 600 E makes sense: it’s lumpy, but the air-cooled single makes enough power and it?s tough.

Stefan’s lowered the weight from the stock 170 kilos (375 pounds) wet, mostly by throwing all of the original bodywork in the bin. And since he’s set the XT 600 up for off-road use only, he doesn?t need niceties like lights, dials or excess wiring.
The Yamaha now wears the monocoque fiberglass body...