Sahara Sled: “Desert Song” Adventure Scrambler

Monduke Moto #M03, inspired by the ’71 Husqvarna 400 Cross…

Introduced in 2019, the DAB LM-S was the first Euro4-certified custom motorcycle, meaning it could be sold through dealers and European owners wouldn’t have to worry about the bike failing inspection, etc. The bike was the brainchild of Simon Dabadie of France’s DAB Motors, whose Honda NX650-based “LM-0” and CR500 supermoto we’ve featured.

In the case of the LM-S, the base was a 55-hp SWM / Husqvarna 510 single-cylinder engine and chassis, along with a custom aluminum swingarm, 17-inch supermoto wheels, off-road or street tires, and the futuristic, minimalist design for which DAB Motors is known.

Nicknamed “Desert Song,” the bike you see here has come along way from its original Dab LM-S form. It’s from Spanish workshop Monduke Moto, well known as organizers of adventure rallies like La Ruta Fun and La Ruta Iberica.

Founder Dani Rodriguez discovered his love of desert riding 20 years ago, when he and six friends rode 1200+ miles across Africa’s Atlas and Sahara Deserts. Today, he not only organizes these African and Iberian routes, but also builds bikes to ride them.

“This motorcycle was bought by my partner at La Nabab project to customize and prepare it for the trip we were organizing to the Sahara for 2020.”

While the 275-lb Dab LM-S was a supermoto weapon in stock form, it was no adventure bike with a 7L (1.8 gallon) tank, small 17-inch wheels, street-tuned suspension, and minimal fenders. To make it desert-ready, Dani and the Monduke crew had their work cut out for them:

“We wanted to bring it back to its Husqvarna origins and we were inspired by Steve McQueen’s old 1971 Cross, but we had to prepare it for a trip through the desert with daily distances of 250 km per track. We had to turn it into an adventure bike with a vintage touch.”

Most important was better range, so they adapted an old Moto Guzzi tank with the help of MamPaint, boosting fuel capacity from 7 to 20 liters (1.8 to 5.3 gallons). Next up was a proper undercarriage; Dani and team ditched the 17-inch supermoto wheels and laced a set of 21/18″ Excel Takasago rims to the stock hubs, fitting them with Michelin Desert Race rubber and ultra-reinforced tubes.

Barcelona’s TNT Suspensions outfitted the bike with their products, tuning the suspension for the rider’s weight and intended riding. A much more comfortable seat was shaped and trimmed for long desert days in the saddle, and the fenders come straight from a ’71 Husqvarna 400 Cross — the main inspiration for the build.

Dani says the bike is a joy off-road, and looks killer too:

“Very precise response in fast direction changes, and fantastic behavior and poise at high speeds, with very good traction. And she’s so sexy!”

Below, we talk to Dani Rodriguez of Monduke Moto for the full details on the build, and share more photos from Manuel Portugal and Götz Göppert.

510 Adventure Scrambler: Builder Interview

• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?

DAB LM-S 501 year 2020.

• Why was this bike built?

This motorcycle was bought by my partner at La Nabab project to customize and prepare it for the trip we were organizing to the Sahara for 2020.

• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?

The owner wanted a light but powerful motorcycle, with a vintage look but maintaining the futuristic character of the original DAB. The donor bike on which DAB builds their gasoline bikes is SWM, which have a Husqvarna chassis and engine.

It is a futuristic motorcycle with a neo-scrambler style, but with a supermotard look. Kayaba suspension, 17” wheels and off-road tires. With a short wheelbase, and a weight of only 127 kg, the bike is a high-powered toy with a 510 cc / 55 hp single-cylinder engine that pushes from the moment you open the gas. But it has several concept problems. The tank is only 7L, the steering angle was unbelievably short, and the suspension was set up for street, not off-road.

So, analyzing all of the above, we wanted to bring it back to its Husqvarna origins and we were inspired by Steve McQueen’s old 1971 Cross, but we had to prepare it for a trip through the desert with daily distances of 250 km per track. We had to turn it into an adventure bike with a vintage touch.

We adapted the tank from an old Guzzi to gain autonomy, from the original 7L to 20L capacity. Then we mounted Excel Takasago chrome 21″ and 18″ rims and a new bespoke seat, longer and wider in the back for comfortable long riding on sand.

Front and rear fenders are the original Husqvarna 400 Cross, 1971 model. The tank design was a personal choice of the owner. The rest of the bike combines the yellows of the Husqvarna Cross in contrast with Alpine white on elements such as radiators, fork protectors, and side panels.

The final look takes the vintage aesthetics of the original 1971 400 Cross model but maintaining the futuristic character of the original DAB.

• What custom work was done to the bike?

The setup features:

Vintage Moto Guzzi tank 20L
Monza cap
Husqvarna 400 Cross (1971) aluminium front and rear fenders
Montesa Cota 247 license plate holder with trial pilot
Bespoke seat in viscoelastic and gel
Upholstered in Alcantara
Open exhaust
Silver Excel Takasago rims + OEM hubs 21” front, 18” rear
Michelin Desert Race tires
Ultra-reinforced Michelin tubes
Motorcycle paint by MamPaint Barcelona
TNT Suspension from Barcelona

• Does the bike have a nickname?

Owner Choice: “Desert Song.”

• Any idea of horsepower, weight, and/or performance numbers?

Husqvarna engine: 501 cc, 55hp, and 127 kg.

• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?

Desert Song is a very fun and light bike. The good work on the suspension and chassis achieve a very precise response in fast direction changes, and fantastic behavior and poise at high speeds, with very good traction. And she’s so sexy!

• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?

The work that Mam Paint did on the tank was the biggest challenge. The Guzzi’s tank was 25L and too long. That work was very laborious but the end result and the paint is spectacular.