Yamaha SR400 single

A bike that was first released in 1978 –primarily to mainly appeal to the Japanese market when new licencing arrangements were introduced – will be re-released in Australia. Price is $8999.

The SR400 is not about fanfare and glitz, but instead for those “who are looking to rediscover the soul of motorcycling”. And it’s an ideal platform for customisation to really fully engage its owner, whether taking the scrambler, café racer of bobber route.

The engine is almost identical to the original design, with a 400cc air-cooled single-cylinder SOHC engine with a bore x stroke of 87mm x 62.7mm and a compression ratio of 8.5:1. Power is claimed at 23.3hp (17.1kW) at 6500rpm.

Of course, fuel-injection is now standard – but “the charm” of starting the SR400 remains with a kickstarter. But unlike the original model, the new SR400 now runs with a newly designed transistor ignition system that generates a better spark when starting the bike. The bike also runs an indicator on the right side of the cylinder head that shows when the piston is in the best position for starting, and a decompressor lever on the left side of the handlebar assists in starting the engine smoothly.

To prevent discolouration of the big-bore exhaust pipe, its exterior surface has been treated with a special nano-film coating, while the polished engine cases feature a clear-coated buff finish to maintain the powerplant’s “gleaming looks”.

There’s a tubular semi-double steel cradle frame, which has been designed to carry the engine oil which runs through the main downtube and into the engine, mitigating the requirement for an oil pump.

The front forks give 150mm of wheel travel, while at the rear end there’s a twin-shock system with 100mm of travel.

Throughout its long history, the SR400’s fuel tank design has remained largely unchanged, with the only real ‘update’ over the years being different paint and graphics. The SR400 is equipped with the same familiar teardrop-style fuel tank which is virtually identical to the original design, with the exception that the 2014 tank offers a capacity of 12 litres.

The SR comes with a drilled front disc which is slowed by a twin-piston caliper. Braking at the rear end is provided by a sealed drum brake. The tyre sizes 90/100-18 (front) and 110/90-18 (rear) tracking on spoked wheels.

The SR400 will be available in matt grey and will in dealerships from mid-April, 2014.