Epic 80s endurance racers and over-the-top sprint bikes both get our motors running here at EXIF. Now Workhorse Speed Shop has just smashed both styles together in one machine?and blown our minds.
This is Sakura, a Yamaha XSR700 destined to compete in the Sultans of Sprint Factory Class. Commissioned by Yamaha Europe as part of their Yard Built program, it was built by Brice Hennebert in his workshop deep in the Belgian countryside.

Most European custom fans are aware of the Sultans of Sprint. It?s an 1/8th mile sprint series, running alongside the bigger events on the alt-moto calendar?like the Glemseck 101. The ?Factory Class? is designed for bikes with two cylinders or less, liquid cooling, and a maximum power to weight ratio of 0.65 hp/kilo. You can’t modify the frame around the engine, and you can’t extend the swing arm by more than 20 percent. But for everything else, you can go loco?which is exactly what Brice did.

?For inspiration, I love to dig into the brand history of a donor bike,? Brice tells us. ?Here, I had to build something ?violent? for drag racing, and I fell in love with the 1985 Yamaha FZR750 “Gauloises” Bol d’Or racer, from the Sonauto team. The square flat face, combined with a full fairing, is an 80s blast.?
Brice wanted to recreate the 750’s distinct fairing?but needed a solid reference to work from. Reproduction parts are virtually non-existent, and there are surprisingly few photos on the web with enough ...