We last heard from Wayne Corbett and Gabrielle Jones of One Down Four Up a year ago: They’d just returned from the The One Motorcycle Show with a trophy for their stunning Yamaha DT250. And what do you know, they’ve just gone and done it again.
This year, their entry was a fresh take on the Yamaha SR500, a platform that’s been chopped and changed literally thousands of times. This ‘SR500IX’ dirt tracker has classic styling, the proportions of a supermodel, and the quality finish you’d expect from a Bentley. And it looks like a real hoot to ride!
“Different metal finishes play a big part on this motorcycle” says Wayne. “There’s nickel electroplating, the matte aluminum of the engine, and brushed stainless for the handlebars. The wheels have chromate coating, the forks and clamps are polished, and we even have brushed fasteners.”
Of all the beautiful finishes used, it’s the nickel plate that’s most impressive. You can see it on the custom exhaust (with aftermarket XT muffler), the box-style swing arm from Hoos Racing, and the de-tabbed frame—all were nickel plated as a nod to old school dirt trackers.
The high luster, yellowish finish looks a million bucks, and provides a highly functional corrosion barrier that’s perfect for the bike’s purpose.
“Another big part of the build was using parts that other people can easily buy for their own builds,” says Wayne. “Although we made changes to everything we used, it really shows how far you can go with parts on the market today.”
The seat pan is a Biltwell Inc number that Wayne and Gabrielle have upholstered in cream leather to match the grips and the custom headlight cover—a neat touch we haven’t seen before. It’s hiding a vintage 4-inch headlight nestled between the stanchions.
As well as aftermarket bits, there’s a selection of custom-made One Down Four Up parts and transplanted items. To get the right off-road racing stance, there’s a set of Bultaco Betor forks up front and NOS Red Wing shocks in the rear.
The front brake has been scrapped for a true dirt track racing configuration. But depending on the rear brake alone for stopping power necessitated another upgrade—so there’s now a Brembo caliper and Nissin master cylinder managing the task.
Sitting over the SR500’s wide oil-in-frame backbone is a modified peanut tank from Lowbrow Customs. The paint design was inspired by the Kenworth truck from 1970s TV show Movin’ On.
The 65-degree stainless handlebars are custom made, and mounted to Can-Am TNT triple clamps.
On their Instagram feed, Wayne and Gabrielle have stated “This is one of our most ambitious builds yet”—and it’s easy to see why. Thankfully all their hard work paid off, and the bike picked up the ‘Do It Right, Do It Once’ trophy from Red Clouds Collective at the One Show.
The SR500IX is one of those bikes you’d love the chance to throw a leg over. It makes you grin just looking at it.
I’m just hoping we don’t have to wait another 12 months before we see another astounding build from this talented pair.
One Down Four Up website | Facebook | Instagram
