Ever since Yamaha threw the wraps off the XSR700, we’ve been dying to see it customized. We?ve ridden it and love it?but admit that its design can be polarizing. The real test is to see how well it responds to wrenching.
Now Yamaha have answered the call. They’ve slotted the XSR700 into their Yard Built program and turned their focus to Turkey, home of Bunker Custom Cycles.

The Istanbul-based Uzer brothers have a keen eye, and a knack for crisp styling. Their backgrounds could have something to do with it: Can is a top skater with the Vans Turkey skateboarding team, and Mert was in digital advertising before he switched to bike building.

It was Bunker?s Yamaha SR500 (below) build that caught the Yard Built team’s eye. Its hand-made feel, clean finishes and built-to-ride vibe ticked all the right boxes. Contact was made, and an XSR700 delivered for surgery.
One thing we really loved about the XSR700 was its torquey yet manageable parallel twin motor.
It’s the perfect engine for a dual-purpose machine?something that Yamaha is rumored to be working on. And the Uzer brothers agree.

?We went for the tracker style, because we really wanted to capture the spirit of freedom,? they say. ?The twin motor is the perfect base given its engine characteristics, and the bike inspires you to create something light, agile and free.?
The Uzers have not only nailed the scrambler aesthetic, but also made some well-judged practical changes. At a first glance yo...