After an incredible seven years, Yamaha?s Yard Built custom program is still firing on all cylinders. In 2012 it kicked off with the Wrenchmonkees? iconic ?MonkeeFist? XJR1300, and there have been over 60 pro builds since.
This is the latest, an XSR900 called ?CP3? from Jens vom Brauck of JvB-Moto in Cologne. It tips the scales at just 180 kg (397 pounds), and with 115 hp on tap, it?s one of the fastest Yard Built machines yet.

The stock XSR900 does 0 to 100 km/h in three seconds flat, but the JvB-Moto machine has around 20 kilos less weight to carry?so the performance will be even more ballistic.
The XSR900 is your classic ?retro rocket,? but Jens has brought it bang up to date. And he?s also deliberately made it easy for XSR owners to follow his path.
?It?s not a retro bike anymore,? he says. ?The only things you might call retro are the lines and proportions. I?m a big fan of concept cars from the 70s and 80s and got a lot of inspiration there.?
Jens wanted his XSR900 to look fast, without looking ?aggressive.? ?It doesn’t need a robot face, or to look like a dangerous insect!?

?It?s about less retro, more minimalist design?reduced and purposeful.? The appeal is definitely more ?concept bike? than ?German custom bike,? with understated styling and a crisp, clean look.
Jens has focused on switching up the looks of the XSR900, designing new tank covers, a new LED headlamp arrangement, and a bolt-on tail unit with built-in LED lighting.

The good news is th...