MOTORCYCLE MODIFICATION

You can see more here.  All in french though. 

Old school racing cool. This is a bit of a repeat. I have an old post on this bike but it was only one side shot. These are much nicer.

Mike Sternick writes in:
Good Morning,
Its a 2003 Suzuki DR650 with a few mods and it gos like stink!
Cheers!

Later he updated me with some build details:

I'm not interested in becoming a for sale site but if anyone's interested I'll get you Mike's Contact info. I think it great and I'd seriously consider buying it myself but I've alead got a DR650 (much more stock) that I'm modding.

Damm. Words escape me...

I still love those old GSXR's

Austin says this is on highway 20. North cascades pass, Washington state. He had a few other shots that looked great but they were too small / low resolution to post. If you can re-send those I'll be happy to add them.

Thanks Much

No future Tokyo..  More pics there.

Over on Motorcycle Daily there's a good blurb today about a beautifully equipped Euro only V-Strom 650. The story covers the usual storyline about Americans and their love of cruisers etc... etc...

The sad fact of the matter is that we don't get them here because we really don't "get" them.

Damm Shame. Missing out on some great bikes that would do very well in Americas wide open spaces.

Exhibit "A":

Ken Fontenot of Cyclesports Houston sends in their latest masterpiece.  one of these days I'm going to have to buy myself a nice GT.  They're starting to grow on me.

 Ken writes:

Here is a custom restoration we did on a '72 Suzuki GT750. The bike came in to us all apart in boxes and had been that way for several years. Actually there were two frames and parts from two different bikes, a '72 and a '73.

Instructions from the owner were that he hated chrome and wanted a nice bike that looked like a stock one but with nice mods that would make it a better bike, no outrageous custom, wanted to keep it very conservative looking, using the '72 frame.

We did a complete inspection of all the parts and pulled all the best stuff out and started the project. First off we took ALL the chrome peices and sent them to the powdercoaters for a nice aluminum coating, fenders and all. We also sent the '72 frame, electrical box, side & center stands and had them coated in gloss black. In lue of the chrome rims we ordered a set of aluminum excell rims and stainless spokes from Buchanan's, the hubs were also aluminum coated. We had Jemco exhaust systems right down the street from us build a set of there 3 into one nickel plated chambers. All the painted items were stripped and painted aqua Blue, same as the stock color for '72 but left off all the stripes. The instruments were sent off and were completely refurbished. We also ordered a set of black XR750 flat track bars from Flanders.

We had two engines so we took both completely apart and used all the best parts to make one. Crankshaft was sent to Bill Bune Enterprises for a complete rebuild and truing with all new bearings and seals. We also got new first over pistons & rings, bored the cylinders and painted the cases satin black. All the engine covers were either polished or painted hi-gloss black. All fasteners were replaced with polished stainless allens.

Carbs were also stripped and painted, bodies satin black, covers & bowls hi-gloss black and rejetted for the chambers and K&N pod style air filters instead of the stock airbox. All cables, hoses & fuel lines were replaced with new.

We had a '73 disc front bake setup as well as the '72 Double leading Drum. We knew the Disc would probably work better but just couldn't get away from the cool good looks of the Double leading setup, all new shoes and bearings of course.

New Footpeg rubber, seat, front fork boots, as well as grips were aquired and installed. New tapered roller bearings on the steering stem, progressive springs and new progresive shocks and bronze swingarm bushings renewed the suspension and worked much better than the stock componets. For tires we found a set of new K-70 dunlops for that retro look.

The bike has won awards at local shows and is ridden by its owner Greg Owen every chance he gets. The bike really handles great, is very comfortable, and runs exceptionally well. Those Jemco Chambers give it a very nice growl and sitting there at idle its music to the ears! We love the old Two strokes!

Thanks for Your consideration!

Ken Fontenot
Cycle Sports Ltd of Houston
9802 Clay Rd
Houston, Texas 77080
713-690-9802
www.cyclesportshouston.com


Thanks for the great pics Ken!

Add caption

Hi Steve.....we are flattered that you like this bike. It was built by us, (Paul and Tim), at Titan Performance in Kent in the UK. We specialize in 500 cafe racers, and the parts needed to put a bike like this together. Take a look at our website and lots more pictures, on www.classic2strokesuzuki.com
best regards Paul.

That's a serious ignition!

I LOVE this kind of build.  This is the kind of bike that Suzuki should be offering as an offshoot...  For the complete story of this fantastic build go HERE on the ADV rider site.

Thomas Leeming from Montana recently sent me this excellent Suzuki GT550 cafe racer / former racebike. I told him that I've always been a Yamaha RD400 and Kawasaki Triple fan but this Suzuki could definately sway me. Jush gorgeous.

Thomas Writes:
Thanks for the great web site. I recently completed this 1975 Suzuki GT550 cafe. Pipes by Omar's. Electronic ignition. Battery, oil tank and electrics are hidden under the seat cowl. The older photo is from 1974 at Louden NH when I roadraced a GT550.

Thanks Very Much for the pics Thomas. Very Much Appreciated!

Well there might be a trend towards enduro bikes for a while.  My recently acquired DR650 is cleaning up nicely and after some fun afternoon test rides playing in a few mud holes and such I now officially have the dualsport  bug... BAD!  This thing is a freaking blast!  It doesn't hurt that I almost stole it when I bought it.  There was literally a moving van in the driveway when I got there so the negotiations nicely turned my way.   Even when all the mods are done I'll be in it for under $3k.  Came with the IMS tank and a spare Corbin seat!

Here's a few pics after her bath.  Still have some tweaking to do.  So far new 50/50 tires, new handlebars, new heavier rear spring and lot more ghoodies on the way including 520 chain/sprocket, front springs, brakes, wheel bearings etc etc..  along with all the necessary maintenance stuff that you have to do to a bike when you dont't know anything about it's "real" history.  Anywhay here's how she sits at the moment but I think a switch to all white (with tasteful decals) my be in the offing.  Too soon to tell.