Let’s be honest, the Yamaha TR-1 or XV920R didn’t really catch on as expected; it was a bit popular in Europe right after its official launch, back in 1981, but in the US the biker community almost ignored it, even though a V-twin tourer sounds like a great ride. We guess it was all a matter of timing, and we all know that the 1980s were a strange time to be – so to speak.
But after more than 30 years this bike comes back on our radar, showing off a gorgeous cafe racer treatment, courtesy of the skilled custom bike builder Roland Snel. This 1984 Yamaha TR1 now shows off a wider rear tire, modern USD forks from a Ducati 916, a Triumph Speed Triple rear shock, as well as aluminum Akron rims wrapped around in Metzeler Roadtec Z8 rubber.
Since the engine had been put to work for only 29,000 kilometers, the bike builder decided no major work was needed. But the carburetors now benefit from a Dynojet stage 1 kit, with modified headers to enhance the bike’s ceramic-coated MAC mufflers, while the engine shows off machined cooling fins right now and matching fins on the crank covers as well.
The red hot paint-job seems to fit this gorgeous bike perfectly, and we’re thinking this is what Yamaha imagined the TR-1 should have looked like, since it still gives us some serious retro vibes. But it’s all brought to modern times, with cool elements and a stunning dose of thrills. We’d love to have this bike, or at least one that’s a similar, in our garage.
