Source: Bike Bound
[[{“value”:”“Proper Arm-Extender” — Shoogly Shed’s Custom XJR…
The Yamaha XJR1300 was one of the last old-school muscle bikes, a big-block brute with twin shocks, a braced swingarm, and a beefy air/oil-cooled inline-four rated at 100+ horsepower and 80 foot-pounds of torque. Here was a proper retro bike that could outpace a Porsche Turbo, eat up highway miles with ease, and give you more smiles per dollar than just about anything on two wheels.
Enter our friend Euan Ryan of Scotland’s Shoogly Shed Motors, whose wife was kind enough to buy him a Yamaha XS250 as a pandemic project…unleashing a passion that grew from Euan’s original 6×4′ “Shoogly Shed” into a full workshop. The last time we talked to Eaun, he’d just finished his Yamaha V-Max “Musashi” build for a client.
Power Cruiser: Yamaha V-Max “Musashi”
Now he’s back with a “dream build” all his own, based on an ’02 XJR1300:
“I’ve always liked the big muscle bikes and the XJR1300 in particular. I picked this donor bike up for a decent price because of the state it was in, and I set about making it the build I wanted to own!”
Euan decided to eschew the “quite loud” muscle bike builds he often sees, opting for a more elegant and clean aesthetic. The biggest challenge would be fitting a pair of spoke wheels from a Ducati GT1000, which would end up necessitating a whole slew of custom-machined bits: spacers, top-hats, spindles, disc spacers, machined calipers, custom rear caliper hanger, and more. But the new undercarriage really does transform the bike, turning back the clock on the bike’s style at least another decade and giving it a real touch of class.
Other highlights include a custom subframe and electrical box, alloy side panels, custom headlight and speedometer mounts, relocated ignition, fork brace / mudguard mount, Tom Hurley seat, and a set of hand-turned foot controls. The engine was fully rebuilt with “full power” intake boots, pod filters, and a 4° timing advance upgrade, then coated Cerakote Glacier Black before going back into the frame. An NWT X21 control module serves as the brain of the electrical system.
Rarely have we seen a muscle bike with so much class, but as with any muscle bike, the real treat is the ride itself:
“The bike pulls like a train. Proper arm-extender. But with Tom Hurley’s custom seat, it’s extremely comfortable — a super-sonic armchair!”
Below is our full interview with Euan for more details on the build.
XJR1300 Custom: Builder Interview
• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?
This is a 2002 Yamaha XJR1300.
• Why was this bike built?
This bike was my dream build. I’ve always liked the big muscle bikes and the XJR1300 in particular. I picked this donor bike up for a decent price because of the state it was in, and I set about making it the build I wanted to own!
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
I wanted to design and build a bike that had the power and delivery of a muscle bike, but the minimalist looks of a cafe racer. Most muscle bike customs are quite loud designs, loud paint jobs, and louder exhausts. I wanted this to be much more elegant and clean. And, despite its appearance, the custom exhaust has a very tolerable but rich note to it!
• What custom work was done to the bike?
Spoked wheels from a Ducati GT1000 were the biggest challenge to fit! After those, the bike is adorned with many little custom parts and pieces. Custom subframe, electrics box and panel work. Alloy side panels, with invisible mounts. Custom Le Mans style fuel cap, custom headlight and speedometer mounts, relocated ignition, fork brace/mudguard mount.
Hand-turned foot pegs and toe shifter/brake pedal. Engine fully rebuilt and coated in Cerakote Glacier Black. Full NWT X21 control module with momentary handlebars switches.
• Does the bike have a nickname?
Rather amusingly, no. But the bike featured on display at The Bike Shed Show 2024 under the title “Undecided” after that’s what I wrote in my submission form! I genuinely hadn’t decided on a name yet!
• Any idea of horsepower, weight, and/or performance numbers?
The bike’s engine is currently running “full power” intake boots, pod filters, and a 4° timing advance upgrade. Stock, this bike has 100bhp with 80lb-ft torque, so hopefully with these upgrades it’ll be a little extra nippy!
• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?
The bike pulls like a train. Proper arm-extender. But with Tom Hurley’s custom seat, it’s extremely comfortable — a super-sonic armchair!
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
Getting the wheels to fit was my biggest engineering feat to date. Everything from custom spacers, bearing top-hats, custom spindles, brake disc spacers, machined calipers, custom rear caliper hanger. It was certainly a real head-scratcher…
• Is there anyone you’d like to thank?
Thanks go to…
Gav Brown for paint
Tom Hurley for the seat
Graham Tait for the Cerakote work
Philpott for Chrome
NWT for electronics
More Photos
Follow the Builder
Instagram: @shooglyshedmotors
Jon Beckett (JB): @78_outlaw”}]]
