Yamaha Swoosh Logo for XS650 and Others

thingiverse

I own a 1980 Yamaha XS650, and the right-side tank logo has been missing its lower left corner since I got the bike. I initially planned to buy OEM replacements until I saw a T-shirt with an alternative logo that drew inspiration from the standard Triumph logo's design elements. This is when I decided to create my own version of the logo, giving it a unique twist compared to the one on the shirt. To clarify, this custom logo isn't a trademarked Yamaha logo or a copy of the T-shirt photo; instead, it was created entirely from scratch by me. It's 2.8mm thick, which might be slightly thinner than ideal, but I'm willing to give it a try and see how it holds up. The design doesn't have any holes; I'll drill them the traditional way. Sometimes, 3D printed items can shrink a bit, so measuring and drilling seems like a smarter approach. The best method for this logo is to print it with black filament, sand the tops of the letters and the "swoosh," and then paint them with gold paint to match the original color scheme. I'm printing this in PLA, but your mileage may vary. Fitting the flat print to the curved tank is a breeze – just hit it with a heat gun, and the PLA will become pliable. Place it inside the original logo, and run cold water over it to set it in place. The logo is designed at an angle to accommodate 3D printers with small plates. Yamaha used this same logo on several other models and years, so it's possible that this custom design could be used elsewhere, especially given its relevance to the XS650 as a clone of British bikes like the Triumphs of the 60's. I've added some notes below: Some PLA shrinks quickly when heated, but I was able to get away without applying heat. Be careful when marking and drilling the holes – a small mistake will result in a hump in the logo. I learned this the hard way! The paint shown in the photo was applied using a brayer (ink roller). I used ordinary craft paint, rolled it out onto a hard surface, but it turned out too thin. After letting it get tacky, I reapplied more coats until I achieved the right consistency. It took at least three tries to get it just right. Once I had the perfect consistency, I applied three coats of urethane protectant with UV blocking. It wasn't as easy as I hoped, but the result looks fantastic.