Maarten Poodt is a creature of habit. Every winter, he drags another Yamaha into his workshop, rebuilds it to his liking, and sells it to raise funds for the next one. But he’s changed everything since last year and is now taking on the assignment as well.
Judging by the excellent work Maarten has done on this Yamaha Fazer, working with a short client doesn’t detract from his style one bit. That’s because he stuck with the same formula he uses for his personal projects: classic-inspired sports cars with an OEM feel.
The ‘factory’ effect that Maarten is all about is not just about fit and finish. He tends to put his own spin on classic Yamaha designs and he often keeps his bikes street legal, with the kind of turn signals and license plate holders you have. available on an antique bicycle. So it’s easy to get confused Special Poodles to restore a vintage Yamaha — though one you can’t identify.
The bike sponsoring this project, the 2000 Fazer 600, was supplied by a Maarten customer. The summary is very simple; it’s simply a photo of the iconic Yamaha TZ500.
Making a modern four-stroke road bike look like a classic two-stroke racing bike is a tall order. But that’s just the kind of challenge Maarten likes, so he took it very seriously. “This is not a replica,” he explains, “but a very user-friendly Yamaha with a classic racer look.”
To create the aesthetic, Maarten started with the wheels. He ditched the Fazer three-spoke units and replaced them with a set of classic 18” PVM rims. They have to be massaged on the lathe a bit to be able to accommodate common bearing sizes.
There is another nod to the TZ500 back. Maarten removed the Fazer stock rear suspension link and built a brace for the swingarm that closely resembles the TZ. A new adjustable shock from WP Suspension is included.
Up front are forks, brakes and springs from the newer Yamaha R6. The setup has been further enhanced with adjustable Wilbers forks, braided stainless steel brake hoses and upgraded brake discs.
A new bodywork is a must – and Maarten has completely nailed it. For the crank and rear end, he started with some details of the original TZ bodywork, which had to be heavily modified to fit the Fazer. Maarten also added some customization and built in new brackets to accommodate everything.
He also re-engineered the bike’s subframe to accommodate the new solo saddle and rear bumper. A large amount of work has been turned into pieces that will probably never be seen. Hidden under the tail is a new battery box, internal fenders, a pneumatic crankcase and all the electronics, neatly packed.
The original Fazer fuel tank is still original, but it’s also gone. Maarten made room for a revised rear shock and repositioned the fuel hose. Further down, the airbox has been swapped out for a row of K&N filters.
The engine is in such good shape that it just needs a good refresh to get it back on the road. Maarten serviced it, adjusted the valves and adjusted the carbs, and it meowed like a kitten.
Proper disposal of emissions is on Maarten’s list of priorities. So he built the four-to-two headers in stainless steel, spitting out a pair of Laser mufflers where you more or less find them on an old TZ.
An indentation on the right side of the tail emulates the same design on the TZ. On the opposite side, Maarten has cut part of the crankcase to make room for the headpiece and ignition cap. No stones are left untouched.
Elsewhere, you’ll find a new speedo and tacho, as well as factory-style switches and grips. A single skewed headlight protrudes forward, with twin taillights mounted at the rear. A spacious tailgate holds the license plate, turn signals are larger than what you’d normally find on a custom bike, and even a reflector.
Maarten also replaced all of the bike’s perishable parts and fitted new Bridgestone rubber. It may be a twenty-year-old bike that looks like a forty-year-old bike, but it just came out of the factory.
Choosing a livery is a no-brainer. Fazer’s new paintwork is a brushstroke on the TZ500, complete with Yamaha logos and yellow wheels. If Maarten’s well-reviewed mods are a back alley, those delicious red ‘speed blocks’ are a downhill.
Winter is fast approaching in the Netherlands, where Maarten is based, and he already has his next bike up for grabs. It’s a ’90s Yamaha TDM and it’s for the same customer.
Maarten Poort | Instagram | Photo of Mark Meisner
