It’s a tracker, it’s a cafe racer, it’s both!
The Suzuki DR650 has been in production for nearly 30 years, earning a reputation as one of the most rugged, versatile thumpers on the planet. However, it took the rare vision of Munich’s Diamond Atelier to see the potential in this utilitarian big single as a platform for high-level customization. Over the years, they’ve used their DR as a test bed for many different projects:
“Whenever we have a crazy idea that by common sense should leave our minds immediately, we can’t help but look at our beloved Suzuki DR650.”
In most iterations, the bike has been a cafe racer of sorts, featuring slick tires and clip-ons, such as how it appeared on Bike EXIF back in 2015. However, after a months-long stint of silence, Diamond Atelier is back with two new projects, one of them their beloved DR650.
“After 10 months of silence we are back on the surface new ideas, new bikes and most importantly – a reconsidered take on our business.”
That reconsidered business model will have them return from manufacturing to creation, downsizing their production output and commissions in order to bring more time, attention, and creativity to their projects.
The first project in this new mode was their BMW R100GS “Icon” we featured last week, while the second new project is the latest, and perhaps ultimate evolution of their beloved DR650. Says headman Tom Konecny:
“This bike – nicknamed DA#5 – has gone through tons of mechanical & visual surgery over the years. But with its latest evolution, we think we’ve finally hit the ceiling of what is possible.”
Now, they have achieved what might be their craziest, most interesting idea yet: a modular custom bike that can be easily transformed from a cafe racer to a street tracker:
“‘Modular TR/CR Prototype’ stands for the first ever custom bike, which cannot be categorized as either a Tracker (TR) or Cafe Racer (CR). Why? – Because it is both.”
According to DA, the entire front end is modular, allowing the bike to be switched from risers and tracker bars to cafe racer clip-ons in less than 90s minutes:
“No mechanical skills required, all needed parts and materials supplied.”
Below, we get a video of the build, as well as the full rundown of the bike’s build sheet and specifications.
Build Video: Diamond Atelier Suzuki DR650
Build Sheet: DR650 Modular TR/CR Prototype
BASE BIKE
– Make / Model: SUZUKI DR650 SP44B – Year of production: 1992
– Original owners: 2
– Original kilometers: 30.000 km
– Year of customization: 2017 – 2019 – Kilometers since customization: 20
ENGINE & CARBURETORS
– Type: Single cylinder – Capacity: 650cc
– Fully built block
– K&N open air filter
– Custom header with adjustable Supertrapp exhaust – Re-jetted Mikuni carburetors
– Custom Choke grip
CHASSIS
– Heavily modified main frame with completely hand built bolt-on rear frame
– 41mm Marzocchi racing forks with CNC-machined upper triple clamps
– 3,5”x17” Supermoto front rim laced onto stock refurbished front hubs with 4mm stainless spokes
– 5,5”x17” Supermoto rear rim laced onto stock refurbished rear hub with 4mm stainless spokes
– Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa II semi-slick tires
– Custom-built Wilbers rear shock
– 320mm wave front brake disk
– 200mm wave rear brake disk
– ABM steel braided hoses
– Yamaha R1 clutch control arm
– Suzuki GSX-R brake pump
– ABM custom rear sets
– ABM Syntho levers
– ABM grips
– LSL Tracker bars with machined bar mounts OR ABM Multiclip adjustable clip-ons
BODY
– Honda 50 gas tank, fully refurbished inside & out – Hand-built front mask
– Hand-built rear seat cowling
– Genuine cowhide leather seat
ELECTRONICS
– Entirely new electrical harness with eliminated battery (kick-start only) – Kellerman R3 control unit
– Motogadget M-Blaze front indicators
– Motogadget Pin rear indicators
– Hand-painted stripes & details
– Motogadget Tiny speedometer
Follow the Builder
- Web: www.diamond-atelier.com
- Instagram: @tomboyski
