This post will be about a bike. A custom build one, but one which at a regular motorcycle garage.
You see, my brother and I, we dreamed making a custom build bike. but one that will look like how we imagine it, not someone else.
We dreamed, planned, imagined, designed. made all the Photoshop stuff in the computer. we knew exactly how this bike will turn out in the end. (more or less..)
Then we went to Ebay and started ordering parts.. waited for them to arrive, then ordered again.
When everything was ready for the bike to be assembled – we went to a motorcycle garage, a regular one, not some fancy custom build shop – they were to expansive for us.
So you have been warned! In this post there will be no complex descriptions on how I dismantled & assembled parts, or coped with broken screws, or sawed frame parts, because no. I didn’t done all that. I do not have the technical knowledge or tools for this kind of craft.
And yet, I still wanted a custom build bike, so there you have it, the scrambler that been made in its owner mind and imagination, and assembled in your next door motorcycles garage. but stillworth a post, isn’t it?
The bike chosen to donated himself for the project – the all mighty all capable – SUZUKI DR 650, model year – 96` and still ticking.
Why choose the SUZUKI DR ?
Mainly `cause it was the best deal I picked at that time. but here some more practical reasons :
1 . It have a single cradle frame, allow mounting a “cafe racer” style gas tank.
2 . I wanted a scrambler. so a bike having a real off-road capabilities was a must.
3 . The DR is simple. in a good way: a single-cylinder engine, five gear gear-box, carbureted . no unnecessary electronics, no surprises.
Down to business.
The frame, engine & gear box, rear swing arm and the front fork: all stayed mostly untouched (part of a paint job). The back end of the rear sub frame was chopped to make it shorter.
Everything else was replaced.
Final touch
Here is where I modestly tell you about stuff I added\changed myself.
I made a small metal panel for the front (above the head lights are), from a peace of tin which I cut from an old gutter.
Speaking about the front head lights – they turned out to high for me, I took a pare of metal shelf-holders, and use them as a new headlight holders.
After a few days of warm weather (Its hot here in Israel), the leading fuel tube broke free. I replaced the whole thing and added a fuel filter for keeping the carburetor from any harm.
The carburetor did jammed, but it was before the adding the filter.. anyway the jammed carb` unmounted, cleaned and put back to use.
Whats next?
I want to add some crash bars, fog lights, move some wires, but mainly now is the time to start ENJOYING the bike! and that all for now, after a long nine month the bike is finally complete in its current form – “WILD DOG” is his new cool name (and he even have a decal showing it..), and I can finally say he is complete.
*Mostly.. because this kind of projects are never really “complete”, but maybe that what its all about.
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