My name is Felix Platzgummer, I'm about 1.75 m tall and 28 years old. I come from South Tyrol in Italy. My most important motorcycle is definitely my XT 600, built in 1984, which was passed on to me by my father. It has been with me all my life.
People can follow various projects of yours on Instagram. How long has your workshop been around? And how did you get into screwdriving?
The 'workshop' has actually been around since I was 14 years old. It grew out of my passion for Vespas. As I never had money for a mechanic and cycling was out of the question for me, I taught myself how to screw things together. Over time, this experience developed into my own workshop."
Which bike makes your mechanic's heart beat faster?
All old bikes have their appeal - I'm not picky, but I admit to having a bit of a soft spot for the classic Yamaha single cylinders.
Is there a particular project from your workshop that you particularly remember and why?
Actually, all projects are unique in their own way, but the touring engine for my trip around the world is particularly memorable. I had to rebuild everything just three weeks before the planned start due to a defective camshaft, which was a real challenge. But I have to say, for the mere 100 km test drive, it ran the entire 30,000 km without any problems.
SR 500: Eifel tour or passes in South Tyrol
XT 500: Balkan trip with off-road and road mix
Ténéré 700: Can be used anywhere, except on the racetrack
You rode through the Mongolian desert on your XT. What were your favorite trips on the old Yamahas, your biggest learnings and struggles on your travels?
Traveling on an old motorcycle conveys a certain comfort and ease in everyday travel in a special way. The trip around the world is definitely one of my favorite adventures with the XT. One thing I have learned during my travels is that it always goes on. It's often just a question of time. And the best thing is that, with a few exceptions, almost everything can be repaired or improvised so that the bike runs smoothly again.
Which trip would you definitely recommend with an SR500, XT500 or T700?
The SR 500 really is a feast for the eyes, and I can only recommend a tour of the Eifel with it. In fact, it wouldn't even have to go that far, because I could also imagine the bike here in South Tyrol. Riding it on the mountain passes would be a real experience, and the sound of the classic motorcycle would quickly make you forget the alleged "lack" of horsepower.
The XT 500 is an absolute dream and belongs to the "Hall of Fame" of cult motorcycles, from which it is impossible to imagine life without it. I can very well imagine a trip to the Balkans on this old beauty. The mixture of off-road stages and paved roads fits perfectly with the dream of riding on two wheels.
The T7 well... What can I say? The real question is rather where you can't recommend it. What Yamaha has presented here is really almost unbeatable. A successful new edition of the old Ténéré. I'll have to seriously consider whether I can part with my old bikes at some point to get one. Apart from the racetrack, I would recommend it anywhere in the world.
Yes, they really do exist! For example, when I got stuck with a broken spoke in Mongolia, you really helped me out of a tight spot. I was able to re-spoke my rim in less than a week.
I also think the new solution you offer is really ingenious - the spacers for extending the intake manifolds on the 43F. A simple and ingenious solution to the problem!
Is there a dream project or vehicle that you really want to realize in your workshop?
I have long wanted to restore an XT 600 43F from the ground up, i.e. completely redesign the frame and everything else. I'm also planning to integrate a modern ignition with control unit and all the necessary components, as I don't really like the original ignition on the 43F.
These motorcycles are simply something special - they are purist and yet offer everything you need. You simply sit on it, start the engine and ride off; the motorcycle reliably takes you to your destination, no matter where that may be.
With older models, however, it is not a given that you can still find spare parts. That's why it's all the nicer to have such a large, almost family-like community. There are companies like yours that provide us with help and advice - that really is priceless. The opportunity to approach you and make suggestions, be it for a spare part or solutions to problems like the shrinking intake manifolds, is incredibly valuable.
You can tell that people here are passionate about their bikes. It's not just a company with employees who sit dully in the office and have no idea about the subject matter.
Have the courage!
Screwing is not rocket science - especially not with the classic wooden engines from Yamaha. They are uncomplicated and easy to screw on. There are numerous helpful instructions and tutorials on the internet that can help you.
Ideal for anyone who is just starting out or would like to start as a career changer!
For me, there are few things better than working on an old engine that I bought on an online platform in winter. It fills me with joy to rebuild it from scratch and put a smile on someone's face. This is how we save an old Yamaha from the scrapyard together!
Thank you very much, Felix.
We wish you every success with your upcoming projects! There will certainly be a lot to report.
