12 Years in the making
Words and images courtesy Sebastien Vernaison
I bought this GSXR Suzuki about 12 years ago and started looking for more modern parts for the running gear. Initially, I planned to install Aprilia RSV forks and swing arm but the project stalled and remained on standby for almost 10 years. My heads was too full of ideas, so many that I didn’t have the inspiration to create this motorcycle because I didn’t have a focus. Initially, I wanted to make a street bike, then a café racer, then a street tracker but finally I backtracked by heading towards a modern café racer so I re-welded the frame loop that I had initially cut off earlier!
Once the plan was established for this motorcycle, the real work resumed in 2022 and I started looking for a polyester GSX-R fairing from 1989 and a very vintage, slab-side seat from 1987. I headed towards Narcostrat Composite for the body parts, the manager of the company is a GSX-R fan and was happy to work on this project. Unfortunately, he left us before the bike was finished.
The body parts received, I immediately attacked the modifications in order to give them a touch of modernity (the double front headlight, removal and modification of the location of the side air outlet, modification of the shoe). The seat was sghortened but also made wider to allow installation on the earlier 1992 frame. While I was going that I took the opportunity to give it a more modern shape on the sides.
To add a touch of racing aesthetic, I had the tank covered in carbon and took the opportunity to make the screen and a chain guard in carbon. An Endurance type fuel filler was made according to the plans I had made.
For the paint I wanted it to be inspired by the decoration of the Ruroc helmet so the background paint is a RAL Gray which was applied by a paint specialist then the bodywork parts were supplied to Fast Lane so that he could carry out the decoration inspired by the helmet. The motorcycle is dubbed ‘Street King’ the same as the Ruroc helmet model name.
To continue the racing theme, the Devil Endurance exhaust system was modified and two silencers were made to measure, and according to my specs, by West Welding29.
1100 GSX-R 1992 ‘Street King’
Aprilia RSV Factory fork with Hyperpro spring
Carbon steering damper
Rear shock absorber: Custom Shock Factory with custom links – Aprilia RSV Factory wheel
Custom yoke
2005 GSX-R 1000 swing-arm, extended by 20cm
Braking front master cylinder (brake and clutch)
Brembo rear brake master cylinder
Oberon performance clutch master cylinder
Brembo front and rear brake caliper
Master Brakes motorcycle brake discs and Pads
Aviation-spec brake and clutch lines
Full Bore USA tyres
Bodywork:
Adaptation and modification of a GSX-R 1100 fairing from 1989 from Narcostrat composite (modification of the headlight, modification of the air intakes on the sides and removal of part of the shoe)
Adaptation and modification of a GSX-R 1100 seat from 1987 from Narcostrat composite (seat shortened in length and cut on the sides, modification of the front part to adapt to the saddle and the tank)
Custom-made steel front mudguard (in-house)
Aluminum mirror (homemade)
Tank covered in carbon by Stratosphere Composite
Endurance type fuel cap
Screen, exhaust surround and carbon chain guard from Stratosphere Composite
Satin black chassis paint
Custom satin varnish grey background painting done by Tony
Decor entirely handmade by Fast Lane
Custom saddle by C&R creation saddlery
Gray vintage handle
Engine:
K&N air filter
K&N Oil Breather
Devil Endurance exhaust, with mufflers by West Welding 29
Wagner Classic Oil engine oil and fork
Acerbis quick draw aluminum clutch receiver support
Electrics:
Kellermann Atto LED front and rear turn signals
Kellerman Atto WL LED license plate light
Retro front headlight with Led bulb, full headlight Square LED lights
Kellermann Bullet LED tail lights
Kellermann flashing unit
Lithium battery
Thanks:
West Welding29 -Kellermann
Moto Master Brakes
Ruroc
K&N Filters
C&R Saddlery
Matt Racing
Wagner Classic Oil