The groundbreaking Suzuki DR 600, first introduced in the mid-1980s, became known as a reliable and versatile dual-sport motorcycle. Equipped with an air-cooled, single-cylinder, kickstart engine, it offered the perfect balance of power and simplicity, making it a favorite among adventure tourers and enduro riders. Its no-nonsense engineering and minimal electronics also made it an ideal candidate for customization and modifications. The DR’s legacy of adaptability and resilience has set the stage for many custom builds, including this impressive transformation of a 1987 Suzuki DR 600 by L’Etabli d’Eddy.
Eddy had already delved into the world of motorcycle customization using a Honda NTV650 as the donor. Using limited resources he poured his heart and soul (and his limited budget) into the build, only to sell it to finance car repairs – a decision he later regretted. Inspired by the motorcycles at the Salon du 2 Roues in Lyon, one of Europe’s premier motorcycle shows, Eddy set himself the goal of crafting a motorcycle worthy of the prestigious event. He realized that vision with his Suzuki DR 600 cafe racer.
Initially, Eddy contemplated modifying his beloved Honda Hornet 600 but later decided against it. Instead, he opted for a Suzuki DR 600 due to its simple construction and affordability. The donor bike for this project came with its own set of quirks. Sporting a rough rattle can paint job and several missing lights, it was not much to look at. And thanks to a nervous late-night stint on the roadside pleading for it to start after taking ownership of it he was left questioning his choices. Thankfully after a rebuild, the thumper lived up to its reputation as a bulletproof powerplant, and with the addition of a Wossner high-compression piston, its performance was more befitting of Eddy’s vision for it.
Eddy’s design concept for the DR was to dispense with the enduro styling in favor of a modern retro aesthetic. He envisioned spoke rims and an inverted fork setup but allowed the rest of the design to evolve organically, taking inspiration from projects he’d seen online. Interestingly, he opted against any renders or sketches throughout the build aside from when the time came to decide on a color scheme.
Comparing Eddy’s bike to a standard DR 600 shows just how comprehensive this rebuild is. He’s retained only the front half of the chassis, engine, and swingarm and has replaced or modified most everything else. The bike now features a modified GSX750 fuel tank with a race-style quick filler. A trimmed-down polycarbonate fairing from an RGV250 surrounds a GSXR750 front end that’s been fitted with a twin-disc CBF1000 spoked wheel.
In the rear sits a hand-formed aluminum cowl into which Eddy’s integrated the rear-end lighting. It sits on a custom subframe that establishes a quintessential cafe racer bone line. A matching spoked rim completes Eddy’s vision for the wheels and he wrapped them in purposeful Michelin Pilot Street Radial rubber. Rear end suspension has also been completely revised and is now sporting a specially tuned mono-shock better suited for aggressive road riding.
Additional custom parts on Eddy’s DR 600 cafe racer include a custom mount for an aftermarket digital gauge, rear set footpegs on custom hangers, clip-on handlebars and bar end signals and mirrors, and quilted rubber grips. Eddy’s also upholstered the seat using timeless quilted leather and finished the bodywork in a race-inspired silver/black/blue scheme. He tells us of all the work completed, the most formidable challenge was the exhaust system. Competing with space for the Kickstarter he had to adopt both ingenuity and patience to find the right path for the pie-cut system. Thankfully his hard work has paid off and resulted in an exhaust that’s sure to impress the fastidious crowds at Salon du 2 Roues.
Post-modification, Eddy’s Suzuki DR 600 is no longer off-road capable, but it is 20kg lighter than its former self. Though its power remains untested, Eddy assures the modifications have greatly redefined the road riding experience. Eddy’s 1987 Suzuki DR 600 is a narrative of persistence, innovation, and a love for the craft. It stands as a symbol of what can be achieved with vision, dedication, and commitment to personal goals.
Photography by Ed Spotted
