Yamaha Skullmonkee, a Yard Built XJR1300, unveiled in Paris

“We worked hard to ensure we made no radical design changes for the build”, commented Wrenchmonkee Per Nielson, “instead focusing on adding our clean style and silhouette with no cutting or welding to the framework.”

Fellow Wrenchmonkee Nicholas Bech adds, “We looked to strip the bike back and removed some pieces to make it look like they had never been there, then from the beginning we were looking to work with other companies to find bolt-on parts that we could modify to create our style.”

The Wrenchmonkees tracked down and modified the coolest, cleanest and most fitting aftermarket parts to transform the bike. Handcrafted Wrenchmonkees parts, including CNC milled Wrenchmonkees ‘Monkeefist style’ aluminium triple trees and engine covers were also added.

The super clean handlebars are finished with LSL Speed Match black aluminium clip-ons and Biltwell grips, centered on a neat MMB mini digital speedo with yellow light, above a unique custom WM yellow headlight.

The brake system gets a serious work over with a full Beringer set up added, including Hypersport brake discs, Beringer calipers front and back, Beringer brake master cylinder and matching Beringer clutch master. Black steel braided hoses add the final touches.

Matt black LSL aluminium rear sets have been customised in-house to give a more aggressive riding position reinforced by Öhlins STX 36 shocks on the rear. The standard XJR rims remain as fitting wheels for the Skullmonkee, but come wrapped in Michelin Pilot Road 4s to hold the road.

An LSL Titan steering damper keeps everything under control and a Wrenchmonkees custom rear bracket with LED light is the last thing you’ll see above a custom 4 into 2 stainless system with Wrenchmonkees/ Spark stainless mufflers.

The finished bike is sublime, coated in a gloss black paint job with Skullmonkee tank emblem and a few simple gold touches, it is a fitting tribute to the 20th anniversary of this legendary street bike.

XJR owners can order Skullmonkee parts directly from the Wrenchmonkees website to add some serious Copenhagen style to their ride. www.wrenchmonkees.com

According to the Denmark based Wrenchmonkees, they do not necessarily focus on extreme performance or aerodynamics, but seek to build motorcycles with individual styling and dynamic driving experiences that relates to the style of each motorcycle and the client’s needs.

Based in Copenhagen, Denmark they build one-off motorcycles for clients who seek something out of the ordinary. They have been building customised motorcycles since 1998, - since 2008 as the Wrenchmonkees.

On the company website they claim that they love Japanese, British, Italian and American motorcycles. “Nearly all the manufacturers have models that would make great Monkee bikes.  We don’t need legendary models to build legendary motorcycles. We choose our building blocks based on original frame design and engine configuration. Every creation rolling out of our garage is built from these key elements with love and affection,” claim the Wrenchmonkees.