Licks Cycles: Suzuki GN125 “TNT” Customized

Pint-Dimension Stick of Dynamite: Suzuki 125 by Cus’Tom Motorbike…

Round 1980, Suzuki launched their GN sequence of single-cylinder, air-cooled SOHC machines. Main fashions would come with the GN125, GN250, GN400, and GN600, every with the funky “cruiser” styling so standard on the time. Whereas these had been no-frills machines, the GN125 and its bigger siblings proved themselves as hardy workhouses with ultra-low operating prices.

“The Suzuki GN125 is a troublesome little bike with a trusted engine and chassis...a great about-town motorbike or leaner bike.” –MCN

The low barrier of entry and excessive elements availability have made these bikes best as donors for 125cc customized builds. This one comes from our good friend Tom Boissel of Cus’Tom Motorbike, whose late father taught him to journey the twisties round their dwelling in rural France — experiences that may culminate with Tom racing supersports within the Coupe de France Promosport 600cc class earlier than opening his personal workshop close to Toulouse.

Previously, we’ve featured some pretty excessive efficiency machines from Tom’s store, together with a Honda CB1000 Tremendous 4 and one among our favourite builds of 2023, a Yamaha RD350 that his father used to select him up from faculty. He’s additionally exhausting at work on a Yamaha V-Max we’ll be that includes quickly.

For You, Previous Fox: Yamaha RD350 Customized

Within the meantime, Tom simply accomplished this 125cc Suzuki GN as a part of his “Rage” sequence of full-blown customs:

“It bears the ‘Rage’ coat of arms, which represents the entire and distinctive preparations from Cus’Tom Motorbike. This implies a change on the whole model, full rebuild of the motorbike, improve in energy, customized elements made within the workshop, and the main points that mark such preparations (X-stitched leather-based grips, Rage engraving, stainless-steel screws, titanium nuts, Cus’Tom particulars).”

Beginning with a “fully peculiar” Suzuki GN125, nonetheless in its Japanese mini customized model, Tom got down to make it a enjoyable little café racer.

Tom particulars all the modifications beneath, however highlights embrace a rebuilt engine with efficiency cam, stainless-steel exhaust, rear disc conversion, upgraded entrance brake, blaze orange saddle and grips, and plenty of high-quality finishes and one-off customized touches.

The result’s a candy little 125cc customized that punches above its weight class, with model in addition.

125 Suzuki GN Customized: Within the Builder’s Phrases…

Chassis:

Creation of a customized higher tee utilizing conventional machining to accommodate a Motogadget speedometer with “impartial” and “full headlight” indicator gentle.

The entrance wheel has been stored regardless of a brand new tire measurement and portray of the unique rim and hub.
The entrance disc has gained 20 mm in diameter and the single-piston caliper has given strategy to the double-piston caliper of the 250cc model.

Observe in passing, the small entrance wheel spacer (Cus’Tom element).

New entrance mudguard and mounting bracket. The fork has not undergone any modification; nevertheless, its caps had been re-machined (Cus’Tom element).

Substitute of the unique 16″ rear wheel and its drum brake with an 18″ disc rim borrowed from a MUTT 125 Akita.

It was essential to adapt a rear brake grasp cylinder mounted on a customized plate welded to the body, modify the brake pedal to attach it to the cylinder with the suitable lever arm proportions, and a caliper housed on a machined assist, coupled to a customized connecting rod fastened to the body. Observe a chrome steel tube protecting the grasp cylinder rod so as to streamline the main points.

Rim spokes had been changed by stainless-steel fashions.

The rear a part of the unique GN body doesn’t have a “straight” line, so it was mandatory to chop behind the tank and rebuild this complete a part of the body, and within the course of, elevate the tank a little bit.

Two Shock Manufacturing facility shock absorbers, 10 mm longer so as to abandon the unique mini customized line. Observe the “Cus’Tom element” washers, which conceal the rubber of the shock absorber eyelets.

Engine:

A “Rage” should even be quicker. Along with an engine and carburetor restore which solely brings a small achieve, the camshaft has given strategy to a “racing” mannequin which supplies a higher opening time of the valves — the facility goes from 10 hp to fifteen hp.

And a chrome steel exhaust made to measure within the workshop, in a half-moon form and TIG-welded.

The Enjoyable Half:

Gentle grey powder-coating of the body.

Physique paint in an analogous shade with “dynamite” and “Rage” emblem below varnish, achieved with an airbrush stencil.

The plastic facet covers have given strategy to metal covers made within the workshop, with 90° bends on all their contours.

The keyswitch has been moved to the entrance, mounted in one of many headlight helps with an aluminum “Cus’Tom element” nut.

And to extend the enjoyable, a combo: saddle (assist + foam + leather-based protecting) + tailored “X” stitched leather-based handles in blaze orange colour.