Alexandre Bonaccorso’s Water-cooled Weapon…
Introduced in 1985, the Suzuki GSX-R750 would come to be known as one of the most uncompromising, aggressive sport bikes on the market — a street-legal replica racer that proved itself time and again on the track, taking home countless championships at the club, national, and world level.
In 1992, the GSX-R750W (W for Water-Cooling) appeared, featuring a new liquid-cooled engine along with a revised chassis, bodywork, and suspension. With the new 118-bhp engine, the GSX-R could blast through the 1/4-mile in a blistering 10.7 seconds and top out at 160 mph — while being more compact and reliable than its predecessor:
“The invaluable seven years of oil-cooling experience was not abandoned completely and the new engine featured the best of both worlds: oil injection piston cooling and water-cooled oil-cooler were among the features incorporated into the new engine to achieve compactness and reliability, enabling cylinder pitch reduction by 10mm and crankcase width by 57mm.” –Cycle World, 1992
However, the W models were slipping against the competition. While other Japanese sporting weapons were switching to beam frames, the Gen-3 GSX-R stayed true to its original cradle frame, making these 750 Gixxers heavier than the rest:
“Despite the motor still remaining a revvy hoodlum that needed constant stoking and attention in true racer style, the bike’s weight against the competition meant it was becoming the softer choice for the road in the class. What was happening?” –Visordown
No matter, our new friend Alexandre Bonaccorso has shaved quite some bulk and weight from his GSX-R750W! Alexandre has been passionate about motorcycles for as along as he can remember, and he’s been dreaming of such a build since he was in high school:
“What motivated the construction of this motorcycle is very personal. When I was a teenager, a neighbor had a 1988 GSX-R streetbike and it made me dream.”
Living near the German border, Alexandre was also introduced to the strong Teutonic streetfighter scene, and this “one of one” build incorporates cues from several sources of inspiration:
“The influences of this project are a mixture of everything that I have always loved. The streetbikes from the 90s-2000s, the German streetfighters that I saw (living on the German border), and all of it mixed with a bit of kustom culture.”
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Alexandre says there’s nothing on the bike that hasn’t been replaced, modified, or polished — and we believe it. What’s more, he did the work himself:
“I learned everything building this bike — I have no mechanical training and learned almost everything on my own.”
Alexandre polished the frame, swingarm, forks, cases, and more. The bike is sitting on Wilber’s springs up front and a WP Suspension shock in the rear, as well as specially machined three-piece wheels. The tail is from a Ducati Panigale, the headlight cover is a modified Harley-Davidson piece, and the front fender is a carbon fiber unit from a Ducati Monster 1100.
Instead of simply drilling the top yoke for risers, Alexandre opted for a much more secure LSL top triple with built-in risers, and the bike sings through a Termignoni manifold and Yoshimura R-11 silencer. The bike is littered with trick CNC components, LED lighting, and carbon touches.
Nicknamed “The One Motorcycle,” this one-of-one GSX-R looks amazing, making a killer complement to Alexandre’s ’91 GSX-R750 Slingshot, and he says the ride is even better:
“Riding a motorcycle that you have entirely designed and built is an indescribable sensation.”
Below, we talk to Alexandre for the full story on the build.
Suzuki GSX-R750 Streetfighter: Builder Interview
• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.
My name is Alexander, I am 37 years old. Passionate about motorcycles since the youngest age, As far back as I can remember, I have always tinkered with or modified everything I could get my hands on.
• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?
The model that served as the basis for this project is a 1993 Suzuki GSX-R750W.
• Why was this bike built?
What motivated the construction of this motorcycle is very personal. When I was a teenager, a neighbor had a 1988 GSX-R streetbike and it made me dream.
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
The influences of this project are a mixture of everything that I have always loved. The streetbikes from the 90s-2000s, the German streetfighters that I saw (living on the German border), and all of it mixed with a bit of kustom culture.
• What custom work was done to the bike?
On this bike there is nothing that has not been modified, polished, or replaced, I think.
THE CYCLE PART:
- COMPLETE POLISHING OF THE FRAME, SWINGARM, FORK LEGS, REAR BRAKE CALIPER SUPPORT, FORK TEES.
- WP SUSPENSION REAR SHOCK ABSORBER
- WILBER’S FORK SPRINGS
- DRAGBAR LSL UPPER FORK AND HANDLEBAR
- TURBO FACTORY RIMS IN 3 PARTS CNC MACHINED IN 17” AT THE FRONT AND 18” AT THE REAR SPECIALLY FOR THIS PROJECT
- METZELER M7RR 120/70/17 AND CRUISETECH 180/50/18 TIRES
- RRT REARSETS
- MOTOMASTER BRAKE DISCS
- FRONT AND REAR AVIATION BRAKE HOSES
ENGINE
- SATIN BLACK ENGINE BLOCK PAINT
- POLISHING OF ALL CRANKCASES, CARBURETTORS, ALTERNATOR, STARTER
- HOMEMADE RADIATOR GRILLES
- BMC AIR FILTERS AND BMC OIL BREATHER
- TERMIGNONI EXHAUST MANIFOLD
- GP LASER MUFFLER AND NOW YOSHIMURA R-11 (LESS NOISE AND MORE PERFORMANCE)
- COOLANT EXPANSION TANK IN POLYCARBONATE AND ALUMINUM
- PINGEL FUEL TAP
BODYWORK
- ORIGINAL TANK
- COMPLETE REAR OF DUCATI 899 PANIGALE
- LED HEADLIGHT FOR HARLEY DAVIDSON V-ROD
- HARLEY-DAVIDSON HEADLIGHT COVER MODIFIED BY ME
- DUCATI MONSTER 1100 CARBON FRONT FENDER
- CARBON SEAT BACKREST
MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT
- ACEWELL METER WITH CUSTOM CNC CLADDING
- ALUMINUM SWITCHES
- DOMINO THROTTLE HANDLE
- PUIG GRIPS
- KELLERMANN HANDLEBAR END INDICATORS
- CNC SUPPORTS AND ALUMINUM MIRRORS
- CNC TANK CAP
- CNC ALTERNATOR HOUSING
- CARBON FORK TUBE COVERS
- LED REAR LIGHT WITH INTEGRATED INDICATORS
- DUCATI PANIGALE LICENSE PLATE HOLDER (LIGHTECH)
- FULLY MODIFIED WIRING HARNESS
• Does the bike have a nickname?
Yes, I have created a Facebook and Instagram page called The One Motorcycle. Because this project is the One of One.
• Any idea of horsepower, weight, and/or performance numbers?
Power was not a priority on this project — it’s a little over 100hp.
• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?
Riding a motorcycle that you have entirely designed and built is an indescribable sensation.
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
Yes, I’m proud of everything because I learned everything building this bike — I have no mechanical training and learned almost everything on my own.
• Is there anyone you’d like to thank?
Yes, my friends for their help and Seedz Motorsport for the carb tuning.
Follow the Builder
Facebook: The One Motorcycle
Instagram: @the_one_motorcycle
Builder Interview: En Français
• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.
Je m’appelle Alexandre, j’ai 37ans. Passionné de moto depuis mon plus jeune âge,
D’aussi loin que je m’en rappelle j’ai toujours bricolé ou modifié tout ce que j’ai pu avoir entre les mains.
• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?
Le modèle qui a servi de base à ce projet est une GSXR-750w de 1993.
• Why was this bike built?
Ce qui a motivé la construction de cette moto est très personnel. À mon adolescence un voisin avais une GSX-R de 1988 en streetbike et elle me faisait rêver.
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
Les influences de ce projet sont un mélange de tout ce que j’ai toujours aimé. Les streetbikes des année 90-2000, les streetfighters allemands que j’ai pu voir ( habitant à la frontière allemande) et le tout mixé avec un peu de kustom culture.
• What custom work was done to the bike?
Sur cette moto il n’y as rien qui n’ai pas été modifié, poli ou remplacé je pense.
Pour la partie cycle
-POLISSAGE COMPLET DU CADRE, BRAS OSCILLANT, PIEDS DE FOURCHE, SUPPORT ÉTRIER DE FREIN ARRIÈRE, TES DE FOURCHE.
-AMORTISSEUR ARRIÈRE WP SUSPENSIONS
-RESSORTS DE FOURCHE WILBER’S
-TE DE FOURCHE SUPÉRIEUR ET GUIDON DRAGBAR LSL
-JANTES TURBO FACTORY EN 3 PARTIES USINÉES CNC EN 17” À L’ AVANT ET 18” À L’ ARRIÈRE SPÉCIALEMENT POUR CE PROJET
-PNEUS METZELER M7RR 120/70/17 ET CRUISETECH 180/50/18
-COMMANDES RECULÉES RRT
DISQUES DE FREINS MOTOMASTER
-DURITES DE FREINS AVIATION AVANT ET ARRIÈRE
MOTEUR
-PEINTURE NOIRE SATINÉE DU BLOC MOTEUR
-POLISSAGE DE TOUT LES CARTERS, CUVES DE CARBURATEURS, ALTERNATEUR, DEMARREUR
-GRILLLES DE RADIATEUR FAIT MAISON
-FILTRES À AIR BMC ET RENIFLARDS D’HUILE BMC
-COLLECTEUR D’ÉCHAPPEMENT TERMIGNONI
-SILENCIEUX LASER GP ET MAINTENANT YOSHIMURA R-11
(MOINS DE BRUIT ET PLUS PERFORMANT)
-VASE D’EXPANSION DE LIQUIDE DE REFROIDISSEMENT EN POLYCARBONATE ET ALUMINIUM
-ROBINET D’ESSENCE PINGEL
CAROSSERIE
-RÉSERVOIR D’ORIGINE
-ARRIÈRE COMPLET DE DUCATI 899 PANIGALE
-PHARE AVANT LED POUR HARLEY DAVIDSON V-ROD
-CACHE PHARE HARLEY DAVIDSON MODIFIÉ PAR MES SOINS
-GARDE BOUE AVANT CARBONE DUCATI MONSTER 1100
-DOSSERET DE SELLE CARBONE
ÉQUIPEMENT DIVERS
-COMPTEUR ACEWELL AVEC HABILLAGE CNC SUR MESURE
-COMMODOS ALUMINIUM
POIGNÉE DE GAZ DOMINO
-GRIPS PUIG
-BOCALQ DE FREINS AVANT ET ARRIÈRE CNC
-CLIGNOTANTS BOUT DE GUIDON KELLERMANN
-SUPPORTS CNC ET RETROVISEURS ALUMINIUM
-BOUCHON DE RÉSERVOIR CNC
-CARTER D’ALTERNATEUR CNC
-CACHES TUBES DE FOURCHE EN CARBONE
-FEU ARRIÈRE LED AVEC CLIGNOTANTS INTÉGRÉS
-SUPPORT DE PLAQUE D’IMMATRICULATION LIGHTECH DUCATI PANIGALE
-FAISCEAU ÉLECTRIQUE ENTIÈREMENT MODIFIÉ
• Does the bike have a nickname?
OUI J’AI CRÉE UNE PAGE FACEBOOK ET INSTAGRAM QUI S’APPELLE THE ONE MOTORCYCLE. ET CE PROJET EST LE ONE OF ONE.
• Any idea of horsepower, weight, and/or performance numbers?
LA PUISSANCE N’ÉTAIT PAS UNE PRIORITÉ SUR CE PROJET ELLE FAITUN PEU PLUS DE 100CV.
• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?
RIDER UNE MOTO QU’ON AS ENTIÈREMENT PENSÉE ET CONSTRUITE EST UNE SENSATION INDESCRIPTIBLE.
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
Oui, je suis fier de tout car j’ai tout appris en construisant cette moto, je n’ai aucune formation en mécanique et ai quasiment tout appris seul.
• Is there anyone you’d like to thank?
Oui, mes amis pour leur aide et Seedz Motorsport pour la mise au point de la carburation.
Follow the Builder
Facebook: The One Motorcycle
Instagram: @the_one_motorcycle
Superbe moto, en français.
Magnifique! The tail, tank, front fairing, and fender are all very different style but somehow look great together! Don’t like the look of the Yoshimura muffler, the GP Laser twin mufflers looks dope, but I get that if this is a frequently ridden streetbike then the sound level is important. The wheels are very cool. They are mega complicated and overdone but somehow blend in and don’t overpower the rest of the bike. Basically, this thing is composed of a bunch of things that shouldn’t work with each other, but somehow the end result is pleasing in every aspect. Good job Alexandre!