Following on from last week’s reveal of the special edition VMAX Carbon, Yamaha has today officially unveiled the VMAX ‘INFRARED’ – the result of a new collaboration in the Yard Built world with German builder JvB-moto.
The custom creation serves as a tribute bike to the original VMAX bruiser, which was originally launched in 1985.
The Cologne based custom builder is said to be a long-time fan of the VMAX, and credits the machine as one of the sparks that ignited his passion in motorcycles at the age of 15 in 1985. Despite not being available in Germany at the time due to its power it has inspired JvB-moto’s Jens vom Brauck to this day.
JvB-moto’s vision for the VMAX Yard Built special was to transfer the stock VMAX into a dragster meets café racer concept, exaggerating the bike’s power. A second key element in the design is a tribute to the 30-year history of the machine, encapsulating elements from the first roll out of the bike in 1985.
Starting at the front end, a custom-made aluminium mudguard sits below a JvB-moto signature style custom carbon-fibre headlight unit integrated into the front forks and Motogadget indicators above custom carbon wheel covers. Modified aftermarket clip-on bars add the café racer element and the rider looks down on an authentic American dragster rev counter by Autometer.
A custom carbon tank cover sits over a heavily modified airbox and electrics and is complemented by special air intake scoops made from stock aluminium units taken from the original 80’s VMAX.
The modifications continue with a handmade aluminium subframe crafted from bits of the stock unit and a custom fuel tank placed under the seat, also made from aluminium and holding the same fuel as the standard tank.
The rear is finished with another JvB-moto signature piece, a custom carbon tail unit, handmade by Jens. The exhaust system is modified with a custom 4-1 collector and finished with a Termignoni silencer.
Last but by no means least is the paint job. Again reflecting the history of the bike, and of Yamaha, JvB-moto chose a retro colour scheme based on the livery of Yamaha’s 1985 GP team for added authenticity.
Speaking of JvB-moto’s aesthetic, Shun Miyazawa, product manager for Yamaha Europe, comments, “We are huge fans of his work, and feel his minimalistic, industrial style fits well with the VMAX. The results are clear; the Yard Built ‘INFRARED’ pays homage to the origins of the VMAX but also hints at the performance of tomorrow.”
Source: Yamaha
