Motorcycle specifications YamahaSCR 950 Yard Built - Chequered - 2017 The American escape

Yamaha's Yard Built project is enjoying great popularity in the land of the Star Spangled Banner. From the West Coast to the East Coast, builders have prepared machines from Yamaha's Sport Heritage range, including the XJR 1300 "Rhapsody in Blue" from New York's Keino Cycles and, of course, the many Yard Built preparations from the famous Roland Sands.

For the very first preparation of the new Yamaha SCR 950, Yamaha called on the legendary Japanese builder and Californian by adoption, Go Takamine of Brat Style. With his reputation as a motorcycle tuner, Go Takamine was the ideal choice for this first creation.

Born in Okinawa near an American military base, Go Takamine acquired his passion for motorcycles by watching American soldiers enjoying themselves on the base's dirt roads. A few years later, in 1998, the Brat Style workshop was born in Tokyo. Its vocation: to build custom city bikes that reflect Go's passion for all-terrain riding. Today, almost 20 years later, the Brat Style workshop has taken up residence in California, where its name now evokes a customization style shaped in large part by Go Takamine's passion for the SR 400 and 500. The Japanese manufacturer has prepared over a hundred SR Brat Styles in his career, including his first Yard Built collaboration: the sublimely beautiful SR 400 B.S.R.

"The Scrambler SCR 950 is a natural evolution of the Sport Heritage range," explains Cristian Barelli, Marketing Coordinator at Yamaha Motor Europe."It's an iconic bike that has a perfect place in our range. Today, there's a growing desire to get away from it all, so the SCR 950 is designed for adventure! To prove it, we called in a tuner we'd wanted to work with for a long time. And the result is breathtaking. Go Takamine has perfectly captured the spirit of the Scrambler, and his creation clearly reflects his influence and style. We loved the work he did on the SR to transform it into a super Scrambler-style machine, and we were looking for the same effect with the SCR. And Brat Style didn't disappoint!"

"I really like the SCR 950," said Go Takamine."It's powerful, comfortable and very maneuverable. I loved riding it on the streets, but also on dirt roads. I also like the color scheme, which is inspired by Yamaha's old cross bikes. I had a lot of fun transforming it! As usual, I made most of the trim parts to make it a Brat Style machine: the fuel tank, seat, mudguards, side covers, exhaust and handlebars. The fuel tank was particularly difficult; I had to go over it several times to get it just right! Integrating the fuel pump was also a problem. I've reduced the weight considerably compared to the original SCR 950, and the riding pleasure is tenfold! In my opinion, the SCR 950 has good customization potential. Its tubular frame is simple and uncluttered, and its rear loop is very pretty. The exhaust, seat and mudguards can all be easily moved. It was also very easy to clear the handlebar area. I think you can easily add your personal touch to the SCR 950, without replacing a lot of parts."

To create the "Chequered Scrambler", Go Takamine cleared the front end and added wider handlebars, for increased off-road control, and a smaller headlight. The Brat Style signature has been engraved on the superb fuel filler cap, in homage to Yamaha's Faster Sons platform; the custom air filter cover also features beautiful engraving.

The rear suspension, specially designed by Works Performance, has been fitted to increase travel and ground clearance. In addition, a hand-crafted rear loop and rear mudguard offer the same unobstructed rear end as the front. Large off-road tires are mounted on spoked rims. And no Brat Style motorcycle would be complete without its iconic taillight. Custom exhaust pipes run along both sides of the Chequered Scrambler, and a hand-made heat shield protects the legs from the heat! Finally, a handmade saddle by Mauricio Aguilar, vintage Yamaha paintwork and chequered flags by Denis Babin on the tank add the finishing touch to the bike. Time for adventure!

To find out more about Brat Style, visit: www.bratstyle.com

Information and media credits: Yamaha