Flying Dutchman: a Yamaha XS850 racer from Holland

Every year, Dutchman Maarten Poodt builds a new bike. As winter approaches and the daylight hours shorten, he starts a new project from scratch. There are a few must-haves. The bike has to be an older, reasonably rare Yamaha. It must be possible to convert it into a sportbike with good handling. And it needs to look 'factory'—complete with rear fender, if need be. Like this incredible XS850 inspired by vintage racebikes. Maarten is one of those 'amateurs' whose work is a match for most professional builders. He kicks off his annual project in October, starting with a thorough test...