Yamaha XV950 – Kingston Customs

Written by Martin Hodgson.

Dirk Oehlerking of Kingston Customs is an elite motorcycle builder known for his clean, stylish creations with small design details you won’t find anywhere else and a pursuit of perfection that is largely unrivalled. So when Shun Miyazawa, the Product Manager at Yamaha Europe and also the man behind Yamaha Yard Built program, was looking for his next builder he knew he had just the man. Thrown the keys to a new XV950 Bolt from Yamaha’s Sports Heritage range, the idea was for Dirk to create a custom classic like nothing else in the Yard Built stable that would inspire fans around the globe and bring to life a new parts catalogue any XV950 owner could add to their own custom creation. Welcome to Yard Built team Kingston Customs Café Bob XV950, a tough road warrior known simply as “The Face”.

The XV950 lends itself perfectly to the style of the Café Bob that Dirk had envisioned and his execution is on point in every manner drawing on elements from both styles to create a seamless design. The seat pan is the perfect example. Designed and built in-house, it has a café styled hump, with bobber like tyre hugging fit, old school back bone flow and a beautifully stitched leather seat. This is one of the parts Kingston Customs willoffer for sale and no cutting of the frame is required, in fact all you need is one M5 Allen key and its job done, genius! With the seat acting as a rear fender and no front fender the only other “tin” is the stock tank. Both are painted in a rich gloss black for a tough look with Yamaha’s famous speed block design on the tank and a racing number on the tail.

Where the large pieces have been kept simple and stylish the other visual features are clever creations that gives the XV a distinctive Kingston Customs feel. The small yellow-lensed headlight proves less is more while providing ample room for the yellow MX visor that acts as a small screen. The triple trees are remarkably clean for a modern motorcycle but given a unique touch with a spark plug mounted into the stem nut and valve caps fitted to the top of the forks. This minimalism continues throughout the build allowing the key features to take centre stage, like the exposed belt at the gearbox that gives the Yamaha the subtle appearance of having an open primary drive.

The custom touches continue with Yamaha factory parts working with Dirk’s own creations to further individualise the look of “The Face”. Kingston Customs fabricated brackets support Yamaha YZ dirk bike footpegs, some of the only raw metal on the whole build, while Dirk crafted foot controls for both the brake and gearshift from scratch. It is the clever use of mid controls on the XV950 by Yamaha that enable builders to create a range of styles without having to take drastic measures. The LSL clip-ons mounted down the forks give the machine a low café look without compromising its bobber qualities in any way and hold the factory switchblocks and Motogadget grips. The speedo is nicely hidden to keep the lines clean and is a fully functional Motogadget unit mounted on Dirk’s own bracket that provides all the information of the standard cluster in one neat package.

Over the years certain manufacturers have become complacent with the internal designs of their V-twin offerings, not Yamaha. The XV950 features Yamaha’s 942cc version of the V configuration with state of the art 4 valve cylinder heads, multi-directional spray injectors and pent roof combustion chambers that deliver maximum volumetric efficiency that results in handfuls of useable torque throughout the rev range. Not only does it make for a great ride it also means you get maximum reward for your bolt on modifications. Dirk took advantage, ditching the standard can and fitting a classic look reverse cone muffler in black that elicits the meaty V-twin sound and delivers a few extra ponies. On the inlet side the Dual bore, 35mm throttle body is exposed with the ultra cool see-through ‘The Face’ style air filter cover and even more mechanical workings are exposed with the counter sunk holes drilled into the valve covers.

The choice of wire wheels are a perfect selection for a Café Bob as they feature heavily in both styles while the chunky vintage styled Shinko rubber with white walls works wonderfully with the white in the paint scheme. This is a machine that is well thought out and executed exceptionally, Dirk lets the features he wants you to see make a statement while required items blend into the overall design. You’d hardly notice the bar end indicators until they are illuminated and that is exactly the point. While Highsider items do the same job out back, mounted just below the shock mounts, its road legal function with show quality finish. The suspension while not featuring big dollar componentry is modified by Kingston Customs for just the right look, the front end lowered and the bottom line of the tank remains perfectly parallel to the ground.

It’s one thing to be able to hack up a frame, change tanks and utilise an enormous budget to throw big dollar components at a build; But when one of the leading manufacturers in the world calls on you to create a high level custom with parts their customers will be able to bolt on the challenge is arguably far greater. And Dirk of Kingston Customs has more than stepped up to the plate, he has joined a handful of the world’s best builders in creating a masterpiece for the masses and continuing the phenomenal success of Yamaha’s Yard Built program.

via PIPEBURN

GEAR GUIDE #64

Words by Ross Sharp ·

For Gear Guide #64 we go flat tracking in the Knox Urbane armoured shirt, ride about town in the Resurgence Ace Denim jacket and use a pair of Icon Prep boots just about everywhere. We could call this the pub issue as all three items have been designed to protect you on the road whilst looking good off the bike.

RESURGENCE ACE DENIM JACKET

The Texas Tuxedo is all the rage at the moment and no longer is it considered a faux pas to mix and match with different weaves, as a result there are a few manufacturers offering protective versions of the timeless denim jacket. Resurgence Jeans are relatively new kids on the block and as a result are pushing the boundaries of their base materials in a bid to gain market penetration. Their fancy word is PEKEV™, and for the science click here but it essentially means that the aramid fibres won’t break down after washing and exposure to sunlight. Both pretty handy attributes for a motorcycle jacket that’s designed to slide down the road and save your bacon.

And that’s what it is, a denim jacket properly suitable for riding. There’s CE armour in the elbows, shoulder and back, although the back isn’t a full length version. As you can see there are decent zips on the cuffs and front of the jacket which do their job well and ensure a snug, breeze-free fit. At speeds likely to guarantee a night in the clink, the Ace feels reassuringly encapsulative. If they can have a fancy made-up word, so can we.

If you’ve read these reviews before you’ll be aware of a consistent bemoaning of my fat elbows. Combined with manufacturers modelling clothing on boys who have never tugged a spanner or lifted an engine, I often struggle to find comfort in shirts and jackets. The Ace proved to be of the same cut but based on my normal jeans billowing like a wind sock after a few wears I figured the Resurgence denim would yield. On a blistering summers day I dunked the lower arms into cold water before setting off, hoping the Incredible Hulk stretching method would work. It has, to a point.

With the mercury nudging foreign holiday figures I still stayed comfortable so presumably the PEKEV™ was doing its thing, and of course I looked cool sporting double denim on an adventure bike.

With the armour removed the Ace doubles up as normal everyday wear and the horizontal selvedge strip across the front is a feature you’ll either like or not, that’s how it comes. The Resurgence Ace is thankfully another jacket I can use around town when the Power Ranger look might not be suitable. Another point on practicality, the pockets are good. Internal ones swallow sunglasses, a phone etc and are just below the outer top pockets so you there’s no need to pack light for fear of turning up at the pub looking like a Dolly Parton tribute.

GET IT HERE

KNOX URBANE ARMOUR SHIRT

In an arse about face manoeuvre a couple of us booked a day at the Flat Track Champions School run by European Champ Peter Boast. Why we didn’t do this before rather than after Dirt Quake is still a mystery. Now, I’m quite a fan of being wrapped up tight and cosseted by protective armour, every time I crash i always manage to land on a joint and despite my best efforts there isn’t much meat to cover mine.

For a practice day to be effective, or riding in general, one needs freedom of movement and kit that’s designed properly and is fit for purpose. Knox is a brand we’re all familiar with, they’ve been producing top-level armour for decades and their pads can be found in a wide range of jackets and trousers. But with the high chance, if not a guarantee, of spending time eating dirt I didn’t want to wreck a good jacket. With just an hour’s notice the good people at Knox had supplied an Urbane Shirt to keep me sliding safely.

The Urbane is designed as part of Knox’s new range of practical, multi-layered protective wear. Rather than simply supplying other manufacturers they now design a line of well engineered jackets for the rider than doesn’t always want to walk into the pub or office looking like a Marlon Brando wannabe or track day hero. The basis of this is an armoured under shirt, as modelled by this strapping young hot shoe (can’t hold breath much longer….). As you can see it’s mesh with armour on the elbows and shoulders with a full length back protector. What was surprising was the flexibility and freedom of movement allowed by such a close fitting garment. With a motocross jersey over the top I forget I was wearing protection and the ventilation was excellent. At not point did the Urbane bunch-up, slip or move the position of the crucial padding.

So, on track it works, offering peace of mind. Bike Shed Timm used up all of the crashing tokens for the day so I can’t comment about impact absorption or the benefits of CE Level 1 over Level 2, so check the Knox website for tech-talk. Back in town and the Urbane shirt excels further. Whatever the stats are about crashes occurring within x miles of home I prefer not to take my chances, I’m not a cat and 9 lives isn’t enough anyway. My favourite Barbour now doubles up as a bonafide motorcycle jacket for trips around the city. OK so the Barbour has the abrasion resistance of a middle aged arse cheek but with the Knox shirt I feel pretty invincible, allowing concentration to focus on u-turning twats in Toyota Priuses and numpty pedestrians Tindering kerbside.

Upon arrival at the pub, office or more formal meeting the Urbane shirt folds-up and can be stashed in sensibly sized bag, allowing you to look like a normal person enjoying their ordinary sartorial choices. Up close the details are well thought-out with a quality feel. The collar doesn’t rub, the zip is easy to pull whilst wearing gloves and the small pocket will swallow an iPhone, well not one of those silly big ones.

If versatility and protection are important to you then definitely take a look at the Knox range.

GET IT HERE

ICON 1000 PREP BOOTS

Having whiled away many an evening trying to rub scar tissue lumps out of the back of my calf I thought it time to wear some more grown-up boots when riding like an idiot is on the cards. Icon’s Elsinores are an excellent boot but the styling is quite purposeful and side buckles preclude all but the most John Travolta of trousers from fitting over the top. The Prep is Icon’s more subtle offering.

They’re made from thick cow and have a waterproof liner sewn in, and with rear entry possible via a zipped back driving rain is unlikely penetrate. A handful of stormy rides home confirm completely dry socks, with soaking legs though, as East London’s fashion laws do not permit use of the waterproof trouser. Shivering for just 30 minutes a day burns enough calories to allow for extra pretentious sprinkles on ones’s organic yak’s milk skinny frappacino. So, the Preps are warm, dry and sturdy as lady shot-putter.

Toes and heels are protected by rigid cups, probably thermoformed – see we know our stuff on the Gear Guide. Ankles are sheathed from danger too. The non-opening side buckles visually break up the boot and multi-task by adding another layer of thick leather over the ankle, both inner and outer. The chunky sole has metal reinforcing running through it yet long periods of walking haven’t been an issue.

The full length zip opens and closes easily but the top and bottom buckles are a bit of a fiddle, to give Icon their due, I’m an impatient person to put it mildly. The fit is good and snug, I have tennis rackets for feet and there’s no pinching of the pinky toe. If you’re into ski socks maybe opt for a half-size up as there is unlikely to be a huge change in shape after the Preps are fully broken-in.

There is some chat on the Icon website about post apocalyptic 1980s style something or other but in my mind these are a good compromise between the protection of a full on race boot and the simplicity of a pair of rigger boots and with jeans worn over the top you could sport these on a night out without too much trouble. In fact, the Preps were barely distinguishable from other Chelsea shit-kickers at a recent dinner party and had it not been for rattling the windows at 1am nobody would have noticed I’d arrived by bike.

For once I’m looking forward to winter knowing Jack Frost isn’t getting anywhere near my toes.

GET THEM HERE

via The Bike Shed

‘It gets in your blood’ – historic motorsport, Europe versus America

With Henry Hope-Frost as umpire, overseeing familiar faces Derek Bell, Jochen Mass, Sir Stirling Moss and Alain de Cadenet (plus two very special guests in Dario Franchitti and Jackie Oliver), Credit Suisse’s sixth Historic Racing Forum proved as entertaining and humorous as ever...

Chalk and cheese?

So to the topic at hand: historic motorsport, Europe vs. America. “The main difference is that the Americans don’t like damage to take place to old cars,” said De Cadenet. “In comparison, it’s like a demolition derby over here.” An animated Moss piped up, “I remember in America at one point, they actually had no-passing zones!” Bell quipped, “But you didn’t take any notice of them, did you?” Triple Indy 500 Champion Dario Franchitti concurred: “It’s a different atmosphere, and a bit more of a demonstration over there – I’ve not seen the guys at Monterey, but this is serious here. These guys want to win.” 

“Anyone can drive a racing car,” commented De Cadenet. “There’s a big difference between someone who drives a racing car and someone who is a racer. Derek might say to me, ‘Oh, I don’t really take this too seriously any more, I’m just out there to have fun’ – like hell!”

All of them drivers with a wealth of motorsport experience in America, the six agreed that ‘across the Pond’ was a fun place to go racing, despite its comparative lack of top-quality circuits (though all the panellists agreed that Elkhart Lake in Wisconsin was superb). “They hadn’t got the circuits or the cars that we had, but I enjoyed it very much over there, said Moss.” He also vividly recalled one of the few American cars he drove, the Maserati 250F ‘Eldorado Special’, a little too casually, considering... “Oh yes, I was going round the top of the Monza banking at around 175mph or so, and suddenly my arms crossed and I knew something was wrong.” Franchitti said his only issue with racing in America was getting dizzy on the ovals, to which Bell cheekily responded, “Think of the money, though.”

A worthy cause

As an amateur driver, Alain de Cadenet had good reason to enjoy racing in America. “The big difference was that when you went to the States as an amateur, you got paid to go and do it. At Watkins Glen, for example, you got more money for coming last in the Can-Am, than you did if you came third or fourth in the Six Hour race the day before.”

When asked if historic racing felt like the old days, Jackie Oliver said that the speed was like nicotine, and not only was historic racing expensive, but also adrenalin-fuelled. Despite the inherent danger, Derek Bell would never pass up the chance to take part. “It gets in your blood – anyone in this paddock would jump at the chance to drive these glorious old cars.”

In the 50-minute discussion, held in the fabulous, recently restored Race Control building, many more cheeky anecdotes and thought-provoking comments emerged, none of which would have come to light if Credit Suisse weren’t so committed to historic racing.

Photos: Rémi Dargegen for Classic Driver © 2015

Classic Driver’s extensive coverage of the Goodwood Revival 2015 is kindly supported by our friends at Credit Suisse. You can find an overview of all Revival 2015 articles here.  

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