Francisco Alí Manen returns to his roots with one of his latest projects at the facilities that LDK owns in Malaga: La Yamaha VMax Neoracer. This has been developed based on a 1992 model. With more than 30 years behind it, this completely customized Yamaha V Max 1200 has re-emerged with a new aesthetic thanks to the work of Manen and his team.
Despite being a historic bike, this iconic V4 is still a beast of acceleration, and when it reached the hands of the LDK team in Vélez, it was in a fairly acceptable mechanical state. But its owner wanted to give it a new life, a more modern look and it was there that the team decided that in this project, in addition to changing the aesthetic aspect, they could improve some of the bike’s features, such as the suspensions and brakes.
Yamaha VMax Neoracer in detail
The first step was to completely disassemble the bike, then install a new inverted fork with two brake calipers on the front, as well as a rim with improved brake discs. Afterwards, a tracker-type handlebar and an LED headlight were fitted, something different from those usually seen on today’s modified bikes. As final details on the front, a metal fairing and a minimalist mudguard were installed, both hand-made by LDK.
A great deal of work has been done at the rear, cutting the entire subframe and hand-crafting a spectacular tail unit with an integrated seat, which is also removable thanks to the original opening systems that this bike has to access the fuel tank.
Finally, a pair of new Ohlins shock absorbers have been integrated, a handcrafted license plate holder, also the work of the LDK team, LED indicators, new modified exhaust pipes or the Motogadget digital odometer to highlight some details. As for the finishes, the bike had to be simple and not have a very flashy paintwork, as it had to highlight the muscular lines of this bike. Yamaha VMax Neoracer.
For this reason, the entire bike has been painted in matte graphite grey and black, and the seat has been upholstered in imitation alcantara. The result speaks for itself, with a historic bike reconverted into this incredible Yamaha VMax Neoracer modern with an air halfway between a naked bike and a café racer, but above all with a unique touch of a beastly bike.
