Replica Build

[GB.]

I know this has been done by many others before but I’m not bothered by that. I love my PD but I want to build a 1980’s Dakar replica. The question is which model would be the best base to start with? I want twin shocks and double sided swing arm. So I presume a monolever would be the right choice to keep it period?

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[Gee-]

I would buy that, very nice.

 

[mikeyboy]

Why start with a mono?
Wrong final drive,no spoke rear wheel
You need a twin shock bike.

 

[mikeyboy]

I’d start with something like this,100s
Ok so this one has snowflake wheels but it’s a straight swap to fit a spoked hub

 

[Mad Hatter]

I'm in...

 

[Bubb]

I hope you have deep pockets…..
I’m sure you will get lots of advice from those here who have done similar…ie: mikeyboy, Nin, etc etc.

Keep us all updated, we love a build thread…..
And not just the good stuff either…. All the niggles, problems, setbacks etc, as that way we can learn from your mistakes.
( my mistake would be starting a project this big !)

 

[mikeyboy]

Maybe a helpful pointer,
The DRZ 400 fork is one of the easiest swaps,
Useful amount of offset on the Suzuki yokes so it won’t behave like a shopping trolley wheel.
Also retains a reasonable lock,the standard lock stops are pretty much in the right place.
Off the shelf headrace bearings are available .
And iirc a 15mm spacer on top of the top headrace bearing will see the yokes fitted without modifications to the steering stem.

 

[mikeyboy]

I’d start with something like this,100sView attachment 484246View attachment 484247
Ok so this one has snowflake wheels but it’s a straight swap to fit a spoked hub

Could be tempted to part with this,it’s a 79 so points in bean can model( no drama to fit electronic ign)

 

[mikeyboy]

I’ve also got an r80 mono if that’s what you really want a a starting point

 

[GB.]

This advice is really helpful. I’ve been riding for over 40 years but haven’t built a bike since the eighties and that was an old 500 Honda single so everything is a bit daunting. Just want to make sure I get the right foundation to build on. There are people out there, like Mikey who have built bikes beyond my dreams so I will listen to anyone advice. I have seen the original Gaston bike in the flesh but it needs to be my take on it than an exact replica.


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[Nin]

Just my experience…

If you’re building it for the joy of building it, then set aside £25k, make friends with mikeyboy, Richard Moore, Motorworks, SWT, etc and go for it. You’ll recoup about 50% of your investment when you sell.

If you’re building it to get a bike to ride, you’d save a load of cash buying one already made. And they’re not that great/easy to ride compare to what you can pick up for under £8k.

 

[GB.]

I have been looking at finished bikes that I can mould into something I want, it will mean me selling my PD regardless of which route I take, which will be a massive wrench is it is the bike that made me fall in love with airheads.


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[GB.]

Just my experience…

If you’re building it for the joy of building it, then set aside £25k, make friends with mikeyboy, Richard Moore, Motorworks, SWT, etc and go for it. You’ll recoup about 50% of your investment when you sell.

If you’re building it to get a bike to ride, you’d save a load of cash buying one already made. And they’re not that great/easy to ride compare to what you can pick up for under £8k.

Is that bike currently for sale at 8k?


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[Nin]

I sold it a couple of years ago to a guy up in northern Scotland - not seen that it’s up for sale.

 

[Garry H]

Food for thought i have thought about selling mine
But have changed my mind a few times in the past ( would be so hard to replace ) but you never know

 

[mikeyboy]

I’ve also got this,

 

[GB.]

Food for thought i have thought about selling mine
But have changed my mind a few times in the past ( would be so hard to replace ) but you never know
View attachment 484620View attachment 484621

Well Garry you know me and you have my number.


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[JohnnyBoxer]

Just my experience…

If you’re building it for the joy of building it, then set aside £25k, make friends with mikeyboy, Richard Moore, Motorworks, SWT, etc and go for it. You’ll recoup about 50% of your investment when you sell.

If you’re building it to get a bike to ride, you’d save a load of cash buying one already made. And they’re not that great/easy to ride compare to what you can pick up for under £8k.

Very true
I did that - but bought a ‘done one’
It was ok - sold it and bought a new XChallenge in 2007
The G650 pissed it on road and offroad

 

[GB.]

I had an Xchallenge for a while. Bought it after they removed/replaced my shoulder as the GS was too heavy for me to move about. Did a fair bit on it but always wanted another boxer engine. I won’t be doing nothing too knarly on whatever I have.


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[GB.]

U Turn

Well after riding the LC and the PD the weekend, and looking at the cost to build something like this, I’ve decided to take a different route.

I can’t bring myself to sell the PD and the wife prefers the LC for two up touring in Europe.

So I think I’m going to build a road going airhead, not one of these stupid bobber things, something in the restomod line, clean lines with modernish running gear.

Again not sure of the donor bike, but I fancy twin shocks.


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