XSR900 special to be sold in limited numbers
UK custom house Auto Fabrica has long been a partner in Yamaha’s Yard Built programme but this time around they are going one bigger and entering serial production, albeit in very limited numbers, with one of their most alluring projects to date.
A Sports Heritage staple, the XSR900, was chosen as the base for its extensive customisation capabilities, as well as the proven power of its 847cc three cylinder power plant.
Auto Fabrica co-founders Bujar and Gaz Muharremi linked up with designer and close friend Toby Mellor to lay down the blueprints for the Type 11 Prototype One. This design focused on blurring the lines between classic style and modern surface language. The team decided this would be a track machine so they wouldn’t be held back by the regulations for day to day road use.
The Story Begins with the Prototype One
The Prototype One was race ready with Öhlins suspension, Brembo calipers, specialist PFM brake discs and BST Carbon Wheels. Carbon-nylon 3D printed, CAD designed elements combined with a hand laid carbon fibre elements and featuring Zirotek coatings were specially selected and designed to fit harmoniously with the traditionally made, radically styled, handmade wrap over aluminum body. A flush fitted dial, contrasting seat unit, quick fill race tank and handmade sand bent, 3-into-3 exhaust topped it all off.
It quickly became clear that this bike was only the beginning of the story. They wanted something with the same DNA they could take to the road. The Prototype Three took shape, this time using a true legend as the base; the Yamaha XS750. With the style of the 70s, the XS750 fit with the Auto Fabrica love of modern design on classic lines. Performance parts added the power and the team brought the historic machine right into the future. Brembo calipers and a Motogadget Speedo mix with flowing forms created using traditional panel beating techniques and hand forming. All these blended with creative interpretations of classic designs, like the 3D printed velocity stacks and bespoke headlight structures. The signature sand bent exhaust marked the creation as unmistakably Auto Fabrica.
After the Prototype One and Prototype Three, there was only one place to go. The Type 11 Prototype Two took everything from first two builds and combined it into a road going machine. The Prototype Two was built on the Yamaha XSR900 base and takes its performance perks from the Prototype One where the Prototype Three shines through on the aesthetics.
High quality, bespoke, blended collections of design philosophies combine in the Project 11. A round headlight, conventional fuelling, trimmed seats, indicators, road tires and matching metallic silver paint finish tie the Prototype Two to the classic style of the Prototype Three.
“Seeing this project evolve has been something really special for all of us,” commented Antoin Clémot, Yamaha Motor Europe Motorcycle Product Manager. “This went from a beautiful idea with a great bike to three incredible creations that speak to everything Yamaha’s Yard Built platform represents. That the Prototype Two is going to find its way into enthusiasts hands is thrilling as well. So often these are one off pieces and knowing that this bike will be ridden out there in the real world, by people with a love for unique design, is something we can all get a kick out of.”
Yamaha Motor Europe and Auto Fabrica will show off the machine this weekend at Iris Studios in London. The Prototype Two will be supplied in a strictly limited run, sold as the Auto Fabrica Type 11 and tailored to order with the first deliveries expected between Summer and Autumn 2018.
