It is already a great artwork.

Is this the YAMAHA legend racer “TZ”!?”
It was the expression that I blurted out when looking at the customized motorcycle which was discreetly exhibited at the motorcycle apparel specialty shop that seems like a secret hideaway in Nishi Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo.

It made me confused as artwork for the motif of the legendary model “TZ”, by looking at the slim silhouette which composed of the rounded rocket cowl, and a squared-long tank and single seat. But by looking closely, it has a 4-stroke engine and security parts for the public road such as lights and the registration plate. After a while, I noticed that it was a customized motorcycle based on the YZF-R3, and it gave me an impact to that extent.

The Collaboration model with Japan x US

Actually, this vehicle is the retro customized machine made by “ROARS ORIGINAL”, who is the founder of this project, based on the YZF-R3 and using the fairing kit made by the design studio “GG Retrofitz”, which is the maker of the motorcycle exterior kits in California, USA. ROARS ORIGINAL had been working on the overall concept, and requested the GG Retrofits fairing kit and other parts assembly to the moto shop “Nine Gate” in Higashi Kurume City, Tokyo.

Creating the perfect customized machine that adult riders can be satisfied

To briefly introduce this machine, it is exchanged to the GG Retrofits fairing kit based on the conventional YZF-R3. The fairing kit is consist of an upper cowl, side cowl left and right, undercowl, seat cowl, and other mounting brackets. By the way, this kit is only for the conventional YZF-R3 at the moment. In order to install this fairing kit, it requires a clip-on handlebar and a mirror to fit in, and fender eliminator kit other than this, and has been used a product of other parts maker this time.

In addition, Mr. TAKAHASHI, president of ROARS ORIGINAL, has strong feelings that “If I will do it, I want to make a perfect customized machine that will satisfy adult riders” So, it was changed the muffler to the Y’S GEAR “PRUNUS” slip-on muffler, and the front and rear suspensions were changed to KYB fully adjustable type. In addition, the seat cover was changed to the original real leather that was designed in consideration of the comfort, a hold feeling, and the foot grounding while fully utilizing the texture of the leather comfort. The headlights are the “face” for the motorcycle, was used the LED type carefully selected from the overseas brand.

And it was the original colors and graphics designed by ROARS for this model that everyone showed us the beautiful paint like a breathtaking artwork. It is an image of “a broken piece of glass” and it expresses stylishly the atmosphere in the city by running the tension in an inorganic black.

To express the retro boomed in my own color

Interviewed Mr. Takahashi, the representative of Roars, about customized R3.

“We had exhibited the YAMAHA intercolor (yellow-black strobe line) machine of the 70’s Works Machine style made by GG Retrofits at the end of last year. It got good ratings, and many people from twenties to sixties were interested in it. It seemed nostalgic to those who knew that time from the old days, and the rocket cowl form seemed to be fresh on the contrary for the young generation. Actually, even if they want a historical model, they can not buy it because it has a premium price, and even if getting that, there is another risk of breakdown. I think that’s true. If so, I thought “it is good when there is an old style motorcycle that has reliability and running performance of the modern model, and atmosphere and design from the old motorcycle”. I think people like that are increasing, that’s why there is a neo-classical boom now, then, if we will make that, we should show up the unique characteristic of our company. And it became like this (laughs). I wanted to betray the retro image in a good way.

 

Test ride review by Kenny Sagawa

The view through the windscreen is nice! The center of attraction is also outstanding!

The retro appearance that was motif a 1970’s road racer is stylish. The chic colors and graphics designed by ROARS ORIGINAL are bringing out an urbanized atmosphere. The body is conventional, but the riding position is leaning forward by having a clip-on handlebar, and it brings out the sportiness feeling by narrowed handlebars angle. The view through the big round screen is retro, and it is really like an old racer machine. The real leather seat is making the high texture and soft sitting feeling, but it may be slippery if wearing jeans because it has a slight inclination.

 

The FRP fairing kit has a high attaching accuracy without fluttering at high-speed cruises, and the seat cowl had a sense of rigidity when sitting on. The clearance is also very precise, and it can be seen that it is carefully fitted with respect to the based model.

I felt like I’m cutting the wind because the silhouette became slim, and swaying the body to right and left was also light because of the weight reduction with the fairing kit. The racy sound of Y’S GEAR muffler with raise in the throttling makes feeling good.

The front and rear suspensions are KYB fully adjustable type, its smooth operation is impressive, and the ride feeling is moderately bouncy and comfortable. LED headlight, Clip on the handlebar, mirrors, front and rear suspensions, and others are other brand products, but in the sense of a grade that matches the atmosphere of this machine and bottom-up of riding performance, this selection of parts are right, and you should be able to fully experience its value. If riding on this machine in the downtown area, the center of attraction is more than a luxury foreign motorcycle! (Lol).

This fairing kit is for only the conventional YZF-R3, but if you dare to make own original machine steadily based on a used motorcycle, I think it is more enjoyable.

[Webike Shopping]
◆ GG RETROFITZ: Retro Styling Full Cowl Body Kit Product Page

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