Project Rhodium Omega - An insane GTS1000 Custom
This Yamaha GTS 1000 custom, named Project Rhodium Omega, is one of the most radical builds ever based on Yamaha's hub-center-steered 1990s tourer. Built over 30 months by Samuel Kao of JSK Moto Co. in California for collector James Chen, it strips the bulky GTS1000 down to its unique frame and reclothes it in a predator-stanced fiberglass body with a six-eyed LED faceplate.
What was the Yamaha GTS1000?
Back in the 90s, Yamaha was racing with other major manufacturers to develop motorcycling technology. One of their most unique motorcycles of the period was the 1993 GTS1000. The bike was a beefy tourer, made to cruise at 200 km/h on the freeway without breaking a sweat, and yet somehow it stood on two single-sided swingarms at both the front and rear. Amazingly, the bike used hub-centered steering that made it look completely disconnected from the front wheel. According to Silodrome, this layout removed fork dive under braking and kept the geometry consistent through corners.
Who built Project Rhodium Omega?
The only comparable rival of the GTS1000 was the Bimota Tesi, a bike that liked to break down every 100 km because a fly went into its headlight. Yamaha put its reliability and state-of-the-art technology to work to create a unique motorcycle unlike anything on the road, without sacrificing reliability. This unique machine grabbed the attention of James Chen, who commissioned JSK Moto out of California to build this amazing custom dubbed Rhodium Omega.
How was the GTS1000 transformed?
First, the entire bulky body of the tourer was discarded to reveal an athletic frame full of potential. During 30 months of building, the JSK team basically replaced everything on the bike. The athletic, predator-like body is built in fiberglass after being sculpted in clay atop the machine. JSK even designed a custom steering guide, but it was damaged in transit, so they kept the stock hub-center steering system. Given the bike's uniqueness, few parts were available, so JSK ordered bespoke front and rear shocks from Gears Racing, while the side vents, radiator, and custom fuel tank were all custom-built or laser-cut. The full build story is documented on the JSK Moto Co. site.
What makes the Rhodium Omega so distinctive?
Despite keeping the stock steering system, nothing looks the same up front. A futuristic, arachnid-like faceplate with six LED headlights replaces the bulky 90s front fairing. The seat is no longer an elongated couch for two on the highway: it is now a single, red-leather-covered saddle that keeps you ready for open throttle. Judging by its predator stance, aggressive looks, and muscular body, this is not a bike you would go easy on. It turns heads wherever it goes and combines Yamaha reliability with Bimota quirkiness, the best of both worlds.
Where to find Yamaha customs and radical motorcycles at TheArsenale
If Project Rhodium Omega speaks to your love of one-off builds, TheArsenale curates a range of custom and futuristic motorcycles. Discover the wild Lazareth Yamaha R1 Back to the Future, the Bad Winners Yamaha XJR1300 Muscle Retro, the Hookie-built Yamaha XSR700, and the sci-fi Bandit9 Supermarine. Browse the full TheArsenale motorcycles collection for more.
Ready to own a true one-off motorcycle? Explore the curated TheArsenale motorcycles collection and find your next two-wheeled masterpiece.
