Baby Buffalo: Kawasaki Meguro 650 Scrambler

Meguro 650 Scrambler

Meguro 650 Scrambler from Rocket Fantasy Garage… 

Founded in 1937, Meguro was one of the first Japanese motorcycle manufacturers, a “prestige brand” that supplied police and military motorbikes to the government and raced alongside Honda. In the 1950s, they produced the Meguro K-series “Stamina,” a BSA A7 copy said to be superior in engineering and build quality to its British-built equivalent. None other than Edward Turner himself reportedly called the bike “too good to be true.”

Meguro 650 Scrambler
Meguro MR twin cutaway

In 1960, Kawasaki Aircraft Company acquired an interest in Meguro, which was struggling financially. Three years later, Kawasaki bought full ownership of the company, and for several years, the bikes were badged as Kawasaki Meguro.

Meguro 650 Scrambler
Kawasaki-Meguro Logo (1961-67)

In 1965, the famed Kawasaki W1 emerged, based largely on the Meguro X-650 prototype, an enlarged version of the Meguro K / BSA A7 design. The W series would face stiff competition from new unit construction twins like the BSA Spitfire and Triumph T120 Bonneville, as well as the Yamaha XS650 that appeared in 1969. However, it remains one of the most charming machines of the era, a British-style Japanese twin oozing with class and history.

Recently, we got in touch with Deddy Indra — aka “Daddy RFG” — the headman of Rocket Fantasy Garage in Sidoarjo, Jawa Timur, Indonesia. He had a client with a 1967 Kawasaki Meguro 650, who wanted to transform the bike into more of a vintage scrambler / desert sled akin to a Triumph or BSA of the same era.

Meguro 650 Scrambler

To make things a bit more difficult, the owner did not want any modification done to the original frame, meaning all changes would be reversible. Highlights include a custom tank, rear fender, seat, exhaust, fork covers, 4LS front brake, and more.

Meguro 650 Scrambler

Given the limitations, the RFG crew is especially proud of what they did with the bike:

“Without modifying the frame, we were able to turn this bike into a machine which is certainly beautiful to look at.”

Meguro 650 Scrambler

Here in the States, with our long history and culture of horsemanship, our most popular metaphor for the metaphor for the motorcycle has to be the (iron) horse. In Southeast Asia, however, we tend to hear more folks comparing their motorcycles to baby elephants or water buffalo, so it’s apt that RFG nicknamed this bike “Gudel,” or buffalo child.

Meguro 650 Scrambler

“Gudel” took home Runner-up in the Scrambler class at Kustom Fest, the most prestigious annual custom show in the country — congrats! Below, we talk to “Daddy RFG” himself for more details.

Kawasaki-Meguro Scrambler: Builder Interview

Meguro 650 Scrambler

• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.

My name is Doni Dwi Saputro (aka Daddy RFG), and my workshop is Rocket Fantasy Garage located in Sidoarjo, Jawa Timur, Indonesia.

Meguro 650 Scrambler

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

Kawasaki Meguro, manufactured in 1967.

Meguro 650 Scrambler

• Why was this bike built?

Built for a customer who was bored with the original appearance of the Kawasaki Meguro and wanted to transform it into a scrambler.

Meguro 650 Scrambler

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

The design concept was vintage scrambler, retaining the original frame.

• What custom work was done to the bike?

Highlights include:

  • Custom gas tank and rear fender made from 1.2mm thick metal plate.
  • Custom exhaust made of 48mm diameter pipe (2mm thick).
  • Front fork covers made of 1.5mm thick pipe.
  • Custom seat.
• Does the bike have a nickname?

“Gudel.” (Buffalo Child.)

Meguro 650 Scrambler

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

Yes, without modifying the frame, we were able to turn this bike into a machine which is certainly beautiful to look at.

Meguro 650 Scrambler

Build Video

Follow the Builder

Builder: @rocketfantasygarage
Paint: @dnspaint
Owner: @bayuwidinugroho
Photos: @donidwisaputro

12 Comments

  1. Love the old school vibe..I personally would prefer xhaust similar to the BSA hornet of the late 1960 era..those crossover pipes are sceptable to damage…as is the riders leg..HOTr n hell in a fall

  2. BRAVO!! Beautifully done vintage style scrambler. This is the first time I have heard of the MEGURO brand. I love the BSA style crankcase. Does it leak oil? The ventilated double leading drum brakes are sweet wrapped around by spoked rims! All in all one of the most proportional and symetrical vintage bikes I have seen on BIKEBOUND!

  3. Rick Carlson

    Sweet, I was not aware of the Meguro history or this particular model. Great build, clean, uncluttered lines and very impressive build!
    Thank you for sharing!

  4. MY GOODNESS!!! Fantastic! Just put some sort of front fender on it please…to prevent any road debris damage from the bike!!!

  5. My first motorcycle job was a parts person for a Kawasaki dealer in San Diego. I remember seeing the microfiche of this bike, but never got to see one in person. I would absolutely love to find one of these and build it into a “old school” 60s style chopper. The engine looks so BSA like, it would be very cool to ride up and have people go nuts when they saw the Kawi logo on the cases. Somebody PLEASE find me one of these!!!!

  6. Here in Australia, Kawasaki W650s were brought into the country in fairly medium numbers for the Victorian police department in the mid-60s, this was of course before Honda’s white 750/4s versions. The W and W1 650s we’re also in civilian version with the bikes being fairly reliable and oil tight. You will see odd ones on the market and there are a couple of collectors so there not forgotten here in Australia.

  7. Dismiss any bike without a front mudguard! – not rideable. ( tryed it !) Either a show bike or for posing !

  8. Fantastic build, one of the best I’ve seen on this site. Thanks for posting it BikeBound!

  9. I would add a front fender, but the bike is a very nice, clean example of “form follows function” — nothing on it that doesn’t need to be there.

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