Motorcycle specifications YamahaV-MAX 1700 Yard Built -CS-07 GASOLINE- 2016 An inspired celebration

The VMax is not a conventional motorcycle. Oli le Belge got a glimpse of its power and formidable aura during his test ride.
The Portuguese monohull pioneers are back and kicking off 2016 in style with their third Yard Built project, largely inspired by this legendary Yamaha VMAX. Porto-born Portuguese duo Alexandre Santos and Osvaldo Coutinho have been building remarkable custom machines under the it roCkS!bikes brand since 2013, incorporating their monocoque tank block, seat and rear end on every model.

for their latest Yard Built creation, Osvaldo and Alex chose to give the VMAX an all-new look, improving and exploiting its dragster performance. Like all their bikes, the CS_07 "Gasoline" is equipped with their famous monocoque unit, albeit with a fake fuel tank as the real one is located under the VMAX's seat. Handcrafted from sheet metal, the unit gives the bike a sleeker, slimmer and sportier silhouette with a retro feel.

the dragster influence is clearly underlined by the smooth, massive Mickey Thompson rear tire and the handcrafted stainless-steel 4-2 tubesthe influence of the dragster is clearly underlined by the sleek, solid Mickey Thompson rear tire and the hand-built stainless steel 4-2 pipes connected to a custom SC Project free-flow exhaust system with carbon mufflers.

the CS_07 "Gasoline" features large, specially designed wheels: a 3.5x18 front wheel with a Dunlop 120/70-18 tire and a 6.0x18 rear wheel for the dragster-style tire. The original tachometer is retained but integrated into a special aluminum housing, and the standard fuel tank is replaced by a superb custom aluminum unit adorned with the it roCkS!bikes logo. The hand-crafted metal fairing guarantees excellent aerodynamics for the 1/4 mile, and adapters and clip-on elements for LSL footrests allow the rider to adopt the correct position. The Rizoma fuel filler cap and K&N air filter add a further touch of extravagance, enhanced by Brembo brake and clutch master cylinders.

A range of Motogadget parts, including handlebar grips, an m-Switch and m-Blaze indicators, highlight the customization work, while the handmade leather saddle adorned with the it roCkS!bikes logo sets a new benchmark.

the bike was the last to be built at the end of 2015 to celebrate 30 years of the VMAX. To mark this major milestone, a classic paint scheme was used to finish the bike. Inspired directly by the 70s, the color palette of white, black and yellow is emblematic and celebrates not only 30 years of the VMAX, but also 60 years of Yamaha! The bike was spray-painted, before being coated with a gloss varnish directly by its designers.

Photo credits: Yamaha Motor Europe