The V-Max has officially entered middle-age, and like some 30 year olds, it's looking to glom onto whatever's trendy to stay relevant. Hence the Infrared, the latest installment of Yamaha's "yard built" bike series. But it's actually pretty damn slick.

Cologne-based JVB Motorcycles was tapped for the build, taking the latest V-Max and transforming it into a cafe-racer-slash-dragster that blends some design elements from its 1985 introduction into a modern package.

Up front, they've mounted an aluminum fender attached to new forks with clip-on bars and topped off with a carbon fiber surround for the headlamp and Motogadget instruments.

Carbon fiber makes its way to the tank cover, air box, and custom tail section, while scoops pulled from the original V-Max adorn the sides.

Everything aluminum – from the custom tank to the reworked rear subframe – was made in house, while JVB tapped Termignoni for an exhaust and modifying the piping to suit.

If you've never been enamored by the V-Max, the Infrared could change your mind. And the timing of the release is spot-on, paying tribute to .

Odds are good that you're familiar with the work of Kenji Ekuan, even if you don't know his name.…