
YAMAHA VMAX NEORACER
- Bikes & DesignFeaturedNews
- September 16, 2024
YAMAHA VMAX NEORACER…a new v4 beast created by Lord Drake Kustoms
The famous customizer Francisco Ali Manen has no limits and proof of this is that he surprises
us again with a totally different job to what we are used to…we are referring to a Yamaha V
Max 1200 from 1992 that he has given a new life to…and what a life he has given it!
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 Fran Manen and his team at Lord Drake
Kustoms with facilities in Malaga (Spain).




Despite being already a historic bike, it has never stopped being a V4 beast of acceleration and
when it reached the hands of the LDK team in Vélez Malaga (Spain) it was in a fairly acceptable
mechanical state; But its owner wanted to give it a new life, a more modern look and that was
where Fran Manen decided that in this project, in addition to changing the aesthetic
appearance, some of the bike’s features could be improved, such as the suspensions and
brakes.
The first thing was to completely disassemble the entire bike, then the first thing that was
done was to install a new inverted fork with two brake calipers and a new rim with improved
brake discs on the front, which has undoubtedly improved the braking of this beast; not to
mention the new aesthetics that have been achieved on the front of this customized bike.
Next, a tracker-type handlebar and a LED headlight were installed, somewhat different from
those usually seen on current modified bikes. As final details on the front, a metal fairing and a
minimalist front fender were installed; both hand-made by LDK.

A lot of work has been done at the rear… The entire subframe has been cut and a spectacular
tail unit with an integrated seat has been handcrafted, which is also removable thanks to the
original opening systems that this bike has to access the gas tank. Finally, new Ohlins shock
absorbers have been installed, a hand-made license plate holder made by LDK, 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 muscles and lines of this powerful Yamaha V Max Neoracer by itself…. 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… a historic bike, which has gone from being a V4 beast with an old
and perhaps somewhat outdated look, to being a new, modern YAMAHA VMAX NEORACER
1200 with the feel of a naked bike, café racer and above all a beastly bike.

Words and images by: Fran Manen (www.lorddrakekustoms.com)