Two years in the making turned...
Two years in the making turned a hand-built R1 that doubles as a rolling business card.
Justin’s Semien’s 2005 Yamaha R1 is the true definition of a project bike. Literally built from the ground up, Justin managed to turn spare parts into a completely capable and virile machine. Brought to life from the skeletal remains of a motor, wheels and swingarm, this bike is a fetching showpiece.
Justin was looking for a way to promote his business. He needed a custom ride that would show the bike building community what he was capable of. So he ordered some parts off eBay and began fabricating the R1 in his shop, JS Customs. He sent the frame and swingarm to a friend at Powder Coat Junction for powder coating and then shipped a box of parts to Los Angeles for chroming at Plastic Components. The rest was fitted together, welded and molded by his hands to create a true garage masterpiece, “I touched everything on the bike,” said Justin.
Once the bike’s skeleton was fully assembled, Justin took inspiration from his tribal tattoos for a paint scheme. Yellow highlights and tribal accents stand out amongst stockers but he’d rather be riding than showing off. Mornings and weekends spent wrenching keeps Justin inspired at his non-motorcycle related day job and a perseverance to build bikes turned out a unique R1 crafted from the tools at hand.
2005 Yamaha R1
Front end: Performance Machine El Dorado wheel, Galfer Wave rotor and brake line
Rear end: Performance Machine El Dorado wheel and brake kit, Gregg’s Customs single-sided swingarm with 240 kit, Galfer Wave rotor and brake line, Soupy’s Performance lowering links, D.I.D. chain
Motor: Smog block-off plates, modified stock exhaust, Dynojet PCIII, K&N air filter
Paint: Justin Semien of JS Customs
Accessories: Sportech windscreen, diamond cut grips, chrome billet mirrors, 54 Psycho LED kit, painted stock components, powder coated frame and swingarm, custom seat with illuminating “R1” logo
Owner/Builder: Justin Semien