The Gent
A Full Custom Build 1998 Suzuki Intruder 1400
My first complete custom bike build, I have modified bikes as most bikers do and with my engineering background, I have always wanted to build a custom bike, so when a dear friend randomly suggested that I build one for him, I was taken aback. We quickly ordered another pint, and chatted about the various styles, and chose on a ‘bobber’. I had an idea of epic proportions, but choosing the right bike was finding a needle in a haystack as the donor bike had to be under a certain budget. Luckily we found a decent 1996 Suzuki Intruder 1400. When the bike arrived both the client and myself were like children opening presents at christmas, and hacking around the streets of East Dulwich. Given what was achieved, it is proof that faith is extremely powerful.
The reason I say this, is that this bike was built on the street and with only a small chest of engineering tools, an angle grinder and a cordless drill. Strip down was straight forward and no dramas. Then came the fun and tiring job of sourcing parts, manufactures and companies. For example lots of what was chrome on the original was cleaned and antique copper plated. The seat is an import from India, the handle bars are a custom design, same as seat mounting brackets and rear mudguard stays. Oh, the headlight is an old BSA 250 replica. One thing I did like, was the shape of the petrol tank, and once the awful seats had been removed and their lines could be properly seen, there was no need to replace them.
Painting was super interesting as I wanted the tank, headlight unit, mudguards in British Racing Green. Again having no workshop, shed or space, so I brought some plastic sheeting and masked up our little galley kitchen, turning it into my very own spray booth. I never had a problem with spray can painting until it came to the lacquer, a slight run here, a reaction to the paint there, it was brutal resanding and painting but eventually got it.
In between all this working out the perfect curve for the handle bars, as I was aiming to mimic part of the lines from the petrol tank, and eventually found these cool guys up north would could do the bending. Wheels were stripped down, ready for the some professional treatment, and subsequently followed by new bearings and discs. Forks completely rebuilt with new springs, new rear shocks at the back, and once having fitted the new exhaust system all started to really bring everything together. There was one detail that I wanted to add, but couldn’t find anyone who could possibly help; the WW2 couriers bags needed adjustment and due to the shear thickness of the material. I did the best I could using leather needles and thread. However after saying that, they do come in very handy and you’ll be surprised how much you can fit in them.
One of the last pieces to this amazing project was the side mounted mini speedo, with the internal throttle, custom buttons and dash, all contribute to the minimalistic and super clean lines that really make this gorgeous motorbike something special.