The CS_05 Zen, the latest creation by Portuguese custom bike builder it roCkS!bikes, is the lovechild of a partnership between the Portuguese branch of Yamaha Motor Europe, Motociclismo magazine and the custom shop from northern Portugal.
Alexandre Santos and Osvaldo Coutinho transformed the Yamaha SR400, using their trademark monocoque design to create their Yard Built interpretation of the classic Yamaha. Inspired by the early flat trackers, the Zen employs the distinctive design characteristic of the Portuguese custom builder, the single piece tank, seat and tail.
The dual rear shocks were replaced with a center mounted single shock in cantilever, which has an unusual size of 240 mm and only 36 mm of travel. The single-sided swing-arm, built out of tubular steel, was designed from scratch and the frame was extensively adapted in order to fit the monocoque. The seat was laboriously produced by a Portuguese artisan in high quality leather with reinforced stitching in order to produce a piece worthy of “haute couture”. The 100/100 – 18 inch Bridgestone tires mounted in both wheels further accentuate the split personality of this Yard Built.
The single cylinder engine of the SR400 was left untouched but its performance has been bumped up due to the increased air intake and the new exhaust system, also built from scratch in stainless steel aluminum.
The bicolor paintjob, which is red on one side and yellow on the other, with a few touches of black and white, manages to express the different corporate identities of the companies that took part in this elaborate project.
