Two XSR 700 Scrambler kits kicked off Yamaha’s Yard Built programme in 2017. These kits were built by Winston Yeh, founder of Rough Crafts, Taipei.
XSR700 Scrambler Kit & Cafe Racer Kit by Rough Crafts
Winston and Yamaha previously teamed up for the acclaimed 2015 build, “The Guerilla Four” based on the XJR1300. This time ’round the sporty neo-retro, roadster, the XSR700 from Yamaha’s Sports Heritage range was selected as the base for the build.
Rather than being content with a single custom build, Winston Yeh developed two kits that transform the XSR700 into two distinct styles. There’s the slick café racer-inspired kit ‘Corsa Scorcher’ and the hard-knock, off-road-ready scrambler kit ‘Soil Scorpion’.
The genius of these kits lies in their simplicity – within an hour, riders can switch between these two styles, thanks to their easy-to-change design.
This pays strict adherence to the Yard Built programme’s policy of zero cutting or welding of the frame.
Corsa Scorcher – XSR700 Cafe Racer Kit
The “Corsa Scorcher” café racer kit features ultra-lightweight carbon fibre wheels from Rotobox, offering both aesthetic appeal and improved handling. The inclusion of Gilles Tooling clip-ons provides the rider with a classic café racer stance, while the Akrapovič titanium tailpipe, originally designed for the YZF-R1, enhances both performance and sound.
Winston’s craftsmanship shines through with a custom Rough Crafts header on the exhaust and the meticulously designed carbon bodywork. The bike is finished with signature Rough Crafts velocity stacks that enhance the engine’s intake and give the bike a raw, aggressive edge.
The result is a sleek, minimalist machine that embodies the spirit of café racing while retaining the core DNA of the XSR700.
The Soil Scorpion XSR700 Scrambler Kit
On the other hand, the “Soil Scorpion” scrambler kit, brings a rugged, off-road-ready aesthetic to the XSR700. This transformation is centred around lightweight forged wheels from Wukawa Industry Co., which provide the durability needed for off-road adventures.
The handmade flat bars deliver a more upright and aggressive riding position, perfect for tackling dirt trails.
The Soil Scorpion also features an Akrapovič titanium high pipe, modified to suit the scrambler’s off-road intentions. For added functionality, Rough Crafts fitted the scrambler with Sprint Filter waterproof filters, ensuring that the bike can handle rough terrain without compromising performance. The build retains Beringer brakes and integrates Rough Crafts’ Fighter Bars for enhanced control, making the Soil Scorpion a formidable machine both on and off the road.
Finishing Touches: A Fusion of Form and Function
Both the Corsa Scorcher and Soil Scorpion are finished with distinct paint jobs, courtesy of Air Runner Custom Paint, a longtime collaborator of Rough Crafts. These subtle yet striking finishes complement the builds’ personalities, whether it’s the sleek, aggressive look of the Corsa Scorcher or the rugged, adventurous feel of the Soil Scorpion.
Summing up Thoughts
Rough Crafts’ Yamaha XSR700 builds offer a masterclass in custom motorcycle customisation. By creating a modular kit, Winston Yeh has pushed the boundaries of what’s possible with the XSR700, delivering two stunning, versatile builds that cater to both café racer enthusiasts and scrambler fans.
The Soil Scorpion scrambler kit fills a scrambler size gap in Yamaha’s Sport Heritage range, offering riders who might otherwise be fans of the robust XSR700 a rugged off-road option. With these two builds, Rough Crafts demonstrates the versatility of the XSR700 platform, proving it can be anything you want it to be.
Yamaha Yard Built: Rough Crafts XSR700 Video
Aside: Both bikes were put through their paces in their native environments by Ross Sharp from The Bike Shed. Check out the video below and see the full in-depth write-up on TheBikeShed.cc.
