Yard Built Yamaha XJR1300 Big Bad Wolf

Yamaha are on to a good thing with their ‘Yard Built’ XJRs. Big, brutal engines, retro styling, capable chassis/suspension and no going overboard with technology – just the way we like it! The newest bike to join the YB line-up is Spanish custom builders, El Solitario’s Big Bad Wolf.

“El Solitario is not familiar with 4-cylinder bikes so at first we couldn’t understand the challenge. For months we tried to answer the same question – how could we take it further? Asking what scared us the most, the answer was performance and technology. Both were unknown and expensive paths for us. Suddenly, aversion turned into curiosity and we had our challenge,” says El Solitario’s David Loner. “We are motorcycle poets not engineers, so countless hours of research, and the love of our friends, made it possible to find the best partners in the world of fast bikes, and with their help, we developed one of the gnarliest muscle bikes ever to be seen in recent years,” he adds.

“We wanted to challenge El Solitario with the Yard Built project to show a different side to them and push them to see what they are capable of. The result is impressive! With no cutting or welding to the frame of the XJR they have proved that the bike continues to be an excellent base for customization, no matter what direction you choose to build in. We’ve seen a number of amazing builds this year, taking different looks on the XJR and this is again a new approach. The level of detail is fantastic, and we are proud of the collaboration, showing not just a new face for the XJR but also new ground for El Solitario,” says Yamaha Motor Europe Product Manager Shun Miyazawa.

The Big Bad Wolf has almost everything custom made, with the exception of the frame, the tank, the handlebars and the rear light, reducing the wet weight to just 183kg. The engine was blueprinted and the heads were ported and flowed. The con-rods were reinforced with titanium bolts and the crankshaft was rebalanced. All the electronics and were removed and state of the art Lectron 42 carburetors were added, developed specifically for the BBW by Lectron Fuel Systems. A Dynatek Programmable Ignition was installed. The work takes the power up to 148bhp at the rear wheel!

Classic Co. then fabricated a carbonfibre tail section, motor air rams and the belly pan, as well as all the aluminum brackets for the needed modifications. UK based Dymag developed the carbonfibre wheels especially to fit not just BBW but also the stock XJR1300. ISR hand controls were added, along with ISR front 6-piston calipers and rear 4-pistons caliper.

K-Tech Suspension collaborated with Novatech to develop the impressive front forks and the rear shocks and the screaming custom titanium exhaust was made by Asahina Racing in Japan, designed to fit not just the BBW but the stock XJR1300 also. Moto GP oil cooler supplier, Taleo Racing in Madrid created the custom semi circular oil cooler and EMD in France, machined in aluminum the prototype motor covers which will be available to buy from El Solitario for the stock XJR1300 in the foundry version.

A TWM custom gas cap sets off the tank and a stunning custom aluminum swing arm by Over Racing in Japan finishes the rear along with a set of their rearsets. The BBW was wired using the Motogadget M-Unit & uses the M-Lock for on/off. Corona supplied the super cool quick shifter and PIAA supplied the intense headlights.

The BBW stays stuck to the tarmac with Michelin street, slick and rain tyres to maximize the fun whatever the conditions. Last but by no means least, the custom graphics and paint was the work of London artist Death Spray Custom.

Source Faster & Faster