Based out of Iowa, custom motorcycle builder Greg Hageman started working on Yamaha motorcycles at the start of this century. His very first one was an XS650 build that basically kicked off his love of vintage Yamahas'. And as they say, the rest is history.

This scent was picked up by the folks at Yamaha Yard Build, guys who ask "talented customizers to provide inspirational ideas on how to transform modern Yamaha models into 'Yard Build' specials."

Looking at his appreciation to the oldies of the Japanese brand, Yamaha Yard Build chaps decided to team up with Greg to concoct two beauties keeping retro revival in full swing. Using a pristine 1972 XS2, Greg created a “Faster Father” XS project bike that will have all the aura of the ‘70s frolicking around but gets the modern day performance set up.

Then there is the XSR700 “Faster Son” version. It is a lightweight, high-performance retro special whose authentic café racer design reflects the true spirit of the motorcycles in the ‘60s and the ‘70s era. But make no mistake, it is very much futuristic. This is the perfect blend of ultra-cool retro style with the grunt of a sports racer.

Both Yard Built XS650 & XSR700 define the “Fast Father & Faster Son” philosophy that blends the retro flavor with the modern sophistication. The 1972 XS650 XS2 custom “Fast Father” turned out to be the inspiration for the XSR700 “Faster Son” custom build. And guess what? Both the builds were imagined together when Yamaha decided to bring the XSR700 into the country.

With the 1972 XS650, Greg used Yamaha specialists MikesXS’s services to perform a full engine rebuild with updated Mikuni VM34 carbs, a Pamco electronic ignition, and an XSCharge permanent magnet alternator with a lithium battery. The battery supports the stunning LED lights all-around.

Greg had also to update the chassis using an early 2000 R6 front end and an SR500 MotoLanna aluminum swingarm with Hagon rear shocks. The R6 front helped retain the conventional fork styling. The new wheeled made use of the XS60 original hubs but got laced onto a pair of Excel rims with stainless spokes to run more modern Shinko 705 radials.

A high-quality custom paintjob sees the same 1972 red paint, and the tuck and roll saddle gave the XS2 custom a fancy outlook. Greg finishes off with a modern Speedhut GPS-based speedometer.

Coming to the XSR700 “Faster Son” build, Greg didn’t have to tinker much with the motor or the mechanicals except for the Akrapovic exhaust system. Instead, he focussed on ‘creating the aesthetic synergy between the two bikes.’

He started off with making use of the same 7” LED headlight units used on the XS2 and added a fork gaiters up-front to heighten the vintage appeal. That along with the lower profile Virago risers and a lower superbike-style bend handlebars from MikesXS changed the entire face to resonate the ‘70s.

At the rear, the XSR also gets a tuck and roll saddle and modified and streamlined the rear fender. The wheels get a silver powder coating to match the XS2 and did not play around with using spoked wheels here instead.

The final thread tying both the machines was to have the same paintjob on them. Moe Colors did a satisfying job on them perfectly matching up the color on the removable XSR tank panels. Hageman finished off this build by adding the retro Yamaha badges to the XSR tank panels making them the “Father and Son.”