Li'll Dom
Based on a 2006 Honda NX400.
Purchased a while back specifically with a project in mind, this little electric start Honda proved to be the perfect donor for this retro scrambler build. The motor is basically an XR400 with electric start and super strong and that was a clincher when purchasing. No kicking just hit the button, and when you've dumped it on a muddy green lane and refuses to start, you'll be thankful it wasn't a 'kicker'.
Once on the bench, all the plastic bodywork and superfluous parts not required were boxed up and we could then see the bare bones and get to work with the transformation. This model has a rather peculiar, and ugly, remote oil tank which is mounted to the side of the headstock shrouded in plastic as opposed to its bigger brothers (NX650 Doninator) oil in frame design so this had to go and a new cylindrical one fabricated which now sits centrally where the old airbox used to be.
New braided stainless hoses connect it up to the motor. Just above it, an alloy tray was made which contains the electrics and new lightweight but powerful Antigravity lithium Iron battery. While still in fabrication mode, the rear of the frame was chopped off and a new squared off loop made with mounts for the new polished alloy mudguard and freshly fabricated seat base. We already had a new but slightly 'shop soiled' smaller steel fuel tank in stock and was the perfect look for this project so it was stripped of its primer back to bare metal and sent off to our pal Steve at Phoenix Metal Finishers who mirror polished it before it was given several layers of hard clear coat laquer and a classic Honda logo. The late '60's, early '70's scramblers had quite 'blocky' seats which is what we wanted so the alloy seat base was foamed up, shaped and then sent to off our 'go to' upholsterer Glenn Moger who covered it in black leather with a longitudinal ribbed design on the top.
Up front, a stainless brace was fabbed up to mount the new polished alloy high level mudguard and with the old clocks gone a new, small Daytona speedo was mounted along with new alloy braced handlebars. Both wheels were rebuilt with new chrome rims, stainless spokes and the front diameter downsized to a 19" from the original 21" for a chunkier look and wrapped in purposeful Mitas Enduro rubber.
With all the suspension front and rear refreshed, it was time to turn our attention to the motor. As it was a low mileage motor and running sweet as a nut there was no need for a complete teardown, just a good service and a cosmetic makeover. The main block, cylinder and head were Ceracoated in black with the outer cases done in gunmetal grey for a nice contrast. The frame also had a colour change from silver to satin black for a more period look.
The original carb was a complicated, emmissions driven thing so a nice simple Mikuni carb with a Ramair filter takes its place and gives a nice smooth, progressive throttle pickup.
One of the last jobs to do was the exhaust. The headers were staying but the rest was going. A call to Darren at Armour Motorcycle products produced one of their classic twin outlet stainless competition silencers which was duly mated up to a new stainless link pipe then all Ceracoated in matt black for a hard protective finish.
To add the finishing touches, new polished stainless exhaust shields, sump guard and chainguard were fabbed up and fitted along with alloy competition number plates finished with yellow inlays.
It's great fun to ride, light with a punchy motor and if you fancy getting down and dirty, it'll happily oblige.
Side Rock Cycles