Bikes

Gallery: Yard Built Yamaha SR400 by Krugger

Custom SR400 built with a layer of MotoGP history

September 16, 2016

The Yard Built SR400 is a collaboration with Belgian builder Fred "Krugger" Bertrand, whil took inspiration from his friend Bernard Ansiau, who is a MotoGP mechanic for Valentino Rossi.Courtesy of Yamaha

The latest in Yamaha's Yard Built custom series may be based on the humble SR400 but has a layer of MotoGP history as part of the build. Scroll through the gallery below to see more images of the bike, and the story behind it.

Ansiau has also worked for such 500 Grand Prix greats as Wayne Rainey, Kenny Roberts, Randy Mamola and Norick Abe, among others. Bertrand and Ansiau decided to use the SR400 as a starting point but to "bring alive the racing spirit of the 1970s in a tribute to the Yamaha TZ machines and also to mark Bernard's career."Courtesy of Yamaha

"You wouldn't normally associate the SR400 with MotoGP racing," says Yamaha Motor Europe Marketing Coordinator Cristian Barelli, "but this build is as genuine and authentic as its possible to get, a real Yard Built special!"Courtesy of Yamaha

The standard SR400 is a single-cylinder retro model that harkens back to Yamaha's own SR500, which was first offered in 1978.Courtesy of Yamaha

Engine modifications include an Aisin 300 supercharger and custom plenum chamber, with an S&S 48mm carburetor replacing the standard bike's fuel injection system.Courtesy of Yamaha

The handlebar is custom, and the brakes and clutch have been upgraded with Beringer aftermarket pieces to match the supercharged engine.Courtesy of Yamaha

The front forks have been lowered, while the rear shocks are Fox units. Tires are Dunlop K81s, "inspired by the first tire to lap the Isle of Man TT course at over 100 mph."Courtesy of Yamaha

The stainless steel exhaust system is a one-off creation.Courtesy of Yamaha

A tiny custom cowl is mounted to the modified top triple clamp.Courtesy of Yamaha

Krugger's attention to detail includes safety-wiring most of the hardware on the Yard Built SR400.Courtesy of Yamaha

The tiny speedometer, switches and hand grips are by Motogadget.Courtesy of Yamaha

While some images of the bike show an air filter attached to the carburetor, others show this huge bellmouth and no filter - just like a real race bike from the '70s would have.Courtesy of Yamaha

The standard SR400 fuel tank is used, but reworked to be narrower and longer than stock; the Yamaha Speedblock paint scheme incorporates the names of all the riders that Bernard has worked with during his racing career.Courtesy of Yamaha

More details inspired by '70s-era racing.Courtesy of Yamaha