Motorcycle specifications Yamaha XV 950 Yard Built -Playa del Rey- 2015 Mechanical citrus

yamaha's latest Yard Built creation comes to us straight from southern Europe, from a workshop on the outskirts of Malaga, Spain. Nestled in the sunny streets of San Pedro, Matt Black Custom Designs is putting the finishing touches to its first Yard Built project: a breathtaking tribute to the Board Tracker models of 100 years ago. The Yard Built XV 950 "Playa del Rey" is the result of a clever mix of custom, unique and additional parts.

This masterpiece is the fruit of the expertise and creativity of the entire Matt Black team. Anthony Partridge used his fairy fingers to create a superb tank and other metal parts; technician Kurt Lohse used his electrical genius to ensure that the "Playa del Rey"'s astonishing transmission combined functionality and form; project manager Dom Kelly used his 3D design skills to bring the concept to life on screen before the parts were manufactured, as well as to shape several parts. Every self-respecting Yard Built model has a memorable paint job, and Matt Black's work is no exception. The remarkable Ray Hill added the finishing touch with a superb color and an elaborate striped pattern, after contributing to the design of the bodywork and finishes.

Matt Black Custom Design had one thing in mind: despite the complexity of his work, he wanted XV 950 owners to be able to create their own "Playa del Rey". Thus, an impressive list of additional custom Matt Black Custom Designs parts was created. These include: the superb 21-inch front and rear wheels, the rear pulley with damped drive mechanism, the transparent Plexiglas cam gear guard, the left-hand crankcase cover and the right-hand alternator cover. The small right-hand side guard and front pulley guard have also been created, as well as an air filter adapter compatible with the Crime Scene Choppers air filter cover.

of course, as with all Yard Built projects, one-off pieces were custom-made by Matt Black Custom exclusively for this project. These include the superb hand-crafted fuel tank, the electrical and battery sidewalls and the rear mudguard, all of which were designed in-house. The Yamaha XV 950's standard header pipes end in a unique custom header, before producing a distinctive tone at the end of a modified MIVV Ghibli muffler. A custom battery box is concealed inside, and the XV handlebars have been modified to create true "Board Tracker" styling. The Matt Black customization also features footrest adapters, a front deck guard and a modified wiring harness.

Continuing the tradition of Yard Built concepts that can be created at home, the "Playa del Rey" model includes a refined range of custom parts. The incredible spring-loaded front fork was designed by Rebufini and slightly modified by Matt Black Custom, while Ohlins shocks were installed at the rear for a smoother ride. The custom fuel cap was created by the legendary Crafty B in the USA, and the rocker cover was hand-engraved by Tony the Engraver! Vitys headlights and grips add character to the front of the machine, highlighted by Rebufini hand controls and switch boxes. Rizoma makes an appearance with Bullet turn signals and footrests, while a Motogadget speedometer and housing take center stage. Braking power has been enhanced with PM calipers, and a pair of LA Choppers risers add West Coast style.

thanks to Matt Black Customs, XV 950 owners who want to add a "Board Tracker" style to their machine can choose from a range of additional parts available directly from its website. The Spanish customization team plans to expand its range of options.

If you'd like to customize your XV, head over to the following site to find out what it has to offer: www.mattblack.eu.

News and media credits: Yamaha