Yard Built for Good: Yamaha XSR900 Retromod

Win this FZR750-inspired XSR from Yamaha Yard Built x CROIG x Strange Industries!

In recent years, several major motorcycles manufacturers have become more deeply involved in the custom scene, mainly through commissioning some of the world’s best builders to transform their modern production machines into one-off creations. Possibly the best known of these programs is Yamaha’s Yard Built series, which encourages customizers to explore the creative potential of the company’s Sport Heritage line.

“Yamaha was able to form close and authentic relationships with true icons and trailblazers of the custom-building world. These visionary builders used their collaborations with Yamaha to produce jaw-dropping, eye-popping creations that demanded global attention and respect.” –Yamaha

Yard Built builders have included Rough Crafts from Taiwan, Roland Sands in the USA, Denmark’s Wrenchmonkees, Germany’s Kingston Customs and JVB Moto, Italy’s Deus Ex Machina family, and many more.

Our friend David Chang, founder of CROIG (@caferacersofinstagram), has taken the Yard Built concept a step further, using his platform to give back to the world. He teamed up with Yamaha’s Yard Built program to launch the Yard Built For Good (YBFG) initiative, wherein a new custom-built bike is given away to raise funds for Waves For Water, a nonprofit dedicated to providing clean water to communities in need.

The idea began in 2019, when David discovered the profound need for clean drinking water while distributing life-saving filters in Thailand. Back home in the States, he orchestrated the building of a custom Sportster 48 with luminaries such as Sosa Metalworks, J Shia from Madhouse Motors, Jay Donovan, Joe Mielke, Andrew Blaschko, and Kristen Lassen. Filmmaker Ben Holmes documented the entire build, and the bike — which we featured here on BikeBound — succeeding in raising $24,000 for Waves for Water.

Built for Good: Harley Sportster Forty-Eight by CROIG

Now Chang, CROIG, and Yamaha are back with a second Built For Good project, constructed in collaboration with Los Angeles-based fabrication shop Strange Industries. The base is a 2022 Yamaha XSR900, the triple-cylinder “Neo Retro” machine whose 890cc engine is shared with the MT-09.

Named SV2 (Strange Version 2), this custom XSR is inspired by the legendary TECH21 Yamaha FZR750 ridden by Kenny Roberts in the 1985 Suzuka Endurance Race. At the time, Roberts had already retired from GP racing. The Suzuka 8-Hours wasn’t just his first race in 1.5 years, but his first-ever endurance race, period. No matter, Roberts set a new TT-F1 class record for Suzuka with a scorching 2:19.956 lap time to take pole position — the King was back.

In the Le Mans-style start, however, Roberts fell far behind the pack when he had difficulty getting the FZR started. But the King wouldn’t be denied.

“From virtually last place, Roberts rode at a blistering pace, reaching 14th by lap 4, 6th by lap 10 and 2nd by lap 20. After handing the bike off to Taira on lap 22, the reigning Japanese champion continued the charge, passing the Honda duo of Wayne Gardner and Masaki Tokuno on lap 38 for the lead at the 1 hour 32-minute mark. After that, the Yamaha pair maintained a fast and consistent pace at the front to hold onto the lead.” –Yamaha

Yamaha XSR900 Custom — King Kenny on the FZR750

Unfortunately, with just 30 mins to go, the FZR750 developed a mechanical issue, and the TECH21 team ended up with a DNF. Still, Roberts and Japanese champion Tadahiko Taira had been nothing short of dominant on the FZR750.

In order to echo the shape of the TECH21 FZR750, the XSR’s bodywork was first sculpted in foam, then digitally refined, and finally brought to life using 3D-printed molds. Other highlights include the following:

AmpliTex by bComp: A sustainable alternative to carbon fiber, giving the bike an eco-friendly edge.
Race Livery by Ryan Quickfall: A striking design that ties the entire build together.
Custom Air Intake: Integrated into the Deltabox frame for optimal airflow.
Rotobox RBX2 Carbon Fiber Wheels: Paired with Bridgestone Battle Ax tires for superior handling.
Full Öhlins Suspension: Ensuring track-ready performance.
Gilles Controls & Akrapovič Full Exhaust: Enhancing both aesthetics and performance.

The result is what we sometimes called a “retromod” — a modern bike customized to look and feel like a machine from an earlier era. This is one of the best we’ve seen, a modern homage to King Kenny’s legendary FZR created to raise funds for clean drinking water. Best of all, it could be yours!

How to Enter the Giveaway

Here’s your chance to win a one-of-a-kind custom motorcycle while supporting a great cause. To enter, donate at least $10 to Waves For Water, with all proceeds going toward clean water initiatives worldwide.

Enter now at go.rallyup.com/w4w-yardbuiltforgood-giveaway/Campaign/Details.

Fingers crossed one of our readers wins!