The bike also ended up stripped again and repainted to a gloss black and white. This was a simple but clean look. The fresh paintwork accentuated the stock lines of the bike while subtle lowering of both the front and rear turned this ‘stock’ daily into a piece of art. While Andrew has managed to keep the same paint job for the last few years, he’s still added his touch to the V50. Probably the most noticeable change is the expansion chamber exhaust. Designed for the 100cc Malaysian edition of the Mate; this aftermarket item needed some slight fabrication to fit but immediately changed it’s humble ring-a-ting into a deep filthy tang that causes you to hear the bike long before you see it.



The 72 spoke rear wheel, combined with the stock front wheel and white wall tyres truly set off the whole stance of the bike. Andrew discovered his new wheels in the middle of a 2,500KM Small Bike ride through Malaysia and Thailand. Astounded by the wealth of parts on the shelves of local bike shops, he finally caved by way of purchasing the 72 spoke rims and white wall tyres. He didn’t even have room to take them on his bike but thankfully the shop sent them forward to his hotel. These wheels would prove to test him again when his luggage was lost on the flight home from South East Asia, with none other than the wheels and white walls inside. A few nervous days elapsed before they were reunited safe and sound. He’s used a 72 spoke rim on the rear and keep the stock 32 spoke front end. Speaking to Andrew, I found out the rims weren’t actually made for Yamahas, but they were a bolt on replacement for Honda Super Cubs. The rear was a direct fit while the front will require some machining work due to the brake set up being different on the Yamaha. The middle basket is a recent addition from Malaysia and hangover from his recent adventure. Almost every single Small Bike in that country had one of these middle baskets. They proved to be a blessing for locals who had a Small Bike as their only means of transport. Combined with a front basket and a storage top box, the Underbone bikes of Malaysia would have a respectable amount of storage. When one became available locally it was quickly snapped up and adapted to his Yamaha. Last but not least is the heart of the machine. Andrew did the unthinkable and sourced an original Yamaha V90 motor. With the second engine swap complete and an 80% increase in power from stock, the once humble Yamaha V50 is now a sleek, quick and enviable machine.



Learning about both the history of the Yamaha V Series and the history of Andrew’s V50 has taught us a lot. But if anything, we learned you don’t need to follow the crowd to get noticed. In a world where every man and his dog chase a Honda Cub of some sort, the V50’s and FR50’s of this world are often left behind. Regardless of their make, all Small Bikes deserve love.



Let this be proof that the Yamaha can hold its own; it just takes the right person to do it.

Check out this Gallery of Andrew’s V - Series