Yamaha has unveiled its latest creation to come from brand’s groundbreaking Yard Built project, the Wrenchmonkees XJR1300 Skullmonkee. The 2015 Yamaha XJR1300 and XJR1300 Racer have drawn considerable attention in standard form already, with design updates inspired heavily by the custom world. A shortened and cleaned frame, narrower fuel tank and smaller headlight pay homage to recent custom creations and also show the potential for further customisation.
Throughout 2015 a series of Yard Built projects by select custom builders will focus on the new XJR1300 will demonstrate what is possible through creative use of ‘bolt-on’ parts, reinforcing the real ‘Yard Built’ concept instead of dramatic cutting and welding. First up to take on the challenge are two legendary Copenhagen based builders.
“The Wrenchmonkees provided valuable insight into this latest model of XJR with their earlier collaborations”, says Yamaha Motor Europe Product Manager, Shun Miyazawa. “Their Yard Built XJR1300 ‘Monkeefist’ was one of the ‘fathers’ of the 2015 XJR, providing essential inspiration to the modern design. Because of this influence we didn’t feel the need to change the bike drastically, instead focusing on fine tuning and upgrading where necessary to enhance the bike.”
“We worked hard to ensure we made no radical design changes for the build”, commented Wrenchmonkee Per Nielsen, “instead focusing on adding our clean style and silhouette with no cutting or welding to the framework.”
Fellow Wrenchmonkee Nicholas Bech adds, “We looked to strip the bike back and removed some pieces to make it look like they had never been there, then from the beginning we were looking to work with other companies to find bolt-on parts that we could modify to create our style.”
The Wrenchmonkees tracked down and modified the coolest, cleanest and most fitting aftermarket parts to transform the bike. Handcrafted Wrenchmonkees parts, including CNC milled Wrenchmonkees ‘Monkeefist style’ aluminium triple trees and engine covers were also added.
The super clean handlebars are finished with LSL Speed Match black aluminium clip-ons and Biltwell grips, centered on a neat MMB mini digital speedo with yellow light, above a unique custom WM yellow headlight. The brake system gets a serious work over with a full Beringer set up added, including Hypersport brake discs, Beringer calipers front and back, Beringer brake master cylinder and matching Beringer clutch master. Black steel braided hoses add the final touches.
Matt black LSL aluminium rear sets have been customised in-house to give amore aggressive riding position reinforced by Öhlins STX 36 shocks on the rear. The standard XJR rims remain as fitting wheels for the Skullmonkee, but come wrapped in Michelin Pilot Road 4s to hold the road.
An LSL Titan steering damper keeps everything under control and a Wrenchmonkees custom rear bracket with LED light is the last thing you’ll see above a custom 4 into 2 stainless system with Wrenchmonkees/ Spark stainless mufflers.
The finished bike is sublime, coated in a gloss black paint job with Skullmonkee tank emblem and a few simple gold touches, it is a fitting tribute to the 20th anniversary of this legendary street bike.
XJR owners can order Skullmonkee parts directly from the Wrenchmonkees website to add some serious Copenhagen style to their ride.
all images courtesy of YAMAHA