Suzuki 400 Bobber from Poland’s JasinTom Motorcycles…
Introduced in 1980, the Suzuki GN400 was the 396cc version of the company’s SOHC single-cylinder streetbike. It’s exactly the kind of bike we love for a custom build: simple, reliable, affordable, and easy to work on.
Cycle World loved the bike for the same reasons when it first appeared 45 years ago.
“Simplicity, light weight, low price and high mileage have their appeal. There are motorcyclists who cannot imagine anyone needing six cylinders and 700 lb. of machine. There are those who don’t want a machine they can’t maintain in their own garage with their own tools… Enter the Suzuki GN400.” –Cycle World, 1980
What’s more, the 400-class engine had been more guts than your typical SOHC two-valve single. All of these attributes came into play for our buddy Tomasz of Poland’s JasinTom Motorcycles, whose Honda CM400 “Speedway Cowboy” we featured back in 2023.
Tom wanted to build another 400 bobber, but a single this time — as light, raw, and minimalist as possible:
“When looking for another base for the project, I wanted something simple, mechanical, with character. From the beginning I knew that I wanted a single-cylinder machine in the style of old singles — light, classic and raw.”
After riding enough big Harleys in tight urban environments, we can tell you a lightweight bobber is the way to go — so much more fun in a city like Tom’s native Warsaw. And Tom completely transformed the original GN into the “Gold Nickel 400” you see here.
“The idea was to create a machine that does not require daily care, charging, checking indicators – just start and go. Equipped with a simple 6V electrical installation, maximally simplified and cleaned of unnecessary elements. The motorcycle practically does not need a battery — all basic functions work after starting with the kick starter. Maintenance-free equipment — there is nothing to break down. Zero relays, unnecessary sensors…”
Then there’s all of the aesthetic work. The tank is from a vintage German Simson SR2, painted in a gorgeous combination of candy gold and blue with heavy flake. The swingarm and frame were also repainted, and Tom outfitted the bike with a wealth of handmade components: custom electrical and battery box, leather-upholstered custom seat, one-off exhaust system, and more.
The result is a lightweight, nimble bobber perfect for the urban jungle…and you can see that Tom knows how to have fun on it! Well done, man!
Below you’ll find our full uncut interview with Tomasz about the build, and photography credits go to Aleksander Jasiński. We look forward to more builds from our Polish pal!
Suzuki 400 Bobber: Builder Interview
• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.
I build, modify motorcycles, out of passion and hobby. I like all motorcycles, I got bitten by the bug from a young age, there’s probably no turning back. The excitement of motorcycles got into my blood.
I had an uncle who assembled motorcycles in a block on the 9th floor, the motorcycles went in a regular elevator. A bathtub full of kerosene, the smell of oil in the air, and pistons on the table next to dinner. I looked at it and it stuck in my mind.
• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?
Suzuki GN 400 1981, stated mileage 3600km. Single cylinder, 1 camshaft, 2 valves per piston, simple unit, that’s why it’s so great, as well as strong and aggressive.
• Why was this bike built?
I built the motorcycle for myself, for my own pleasure.
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
The Suzuki GN 400 turned out to be the perfect choice: solid construction, reliable engine, and simple frame — everything you need to create a minimalist motorcycle in the style of Brat Style with a touch of Japanese Japan Style.
I liked these four hundred, I also have a DR-Z400… The motorcycle was not very attractive in the original, although it is still cool.
On the other hand, the engine is excellent, easy to use, durable, has a lot of power — about 30 HP — is very flexible, and in addition, for two valves, it turns the revolutions quite well, makes beautiful sounds. Shoots from the exhaust pipe.
The motorcycle was built with simplicity, reliability and pure riding pleasure in mind — without unnecessary electronics and complications. The idea was to create a machine that does not require daily care, charging, checking indicators — it just starts and goes.
Equipped with a simple 6V electrical installation, maximally simplified and cleaned of unnecessary elements. The motorcycle practically does not need a battery — all basic functions work after starting with the kick starter. Maintenance-free equipment – nothing breaks down. Zero relays, unnecessary sensors, etc…
• What custom work was done to the bike?
The entire motorcycle was disassembled down to the last screw and reassembled, only by me, I did all the work myself. The fuel tank used is a small, neat unit from a vintage German motorcycle.
Wheels: 18 front, 16 rear, original Suzuki rims.
Front mini lamp, conical filter, electrical and battery box, rear lamp housing, small, elegant seat upholstered in leather, exhaust system, etc., all handmade.
Paint:
Fuel Tank: candy gold, blue, and metal flake.
Swingarm: silver brocade.
Frame: black pearl.
In real life it looks like a shiny candy.
• Does the bike have a nickname?
Suzuki GN “Gold Nickel 400.”
• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?
This Suzuki rides great, 30 HP. With a light weight it’s a lot of fun to ride. Thanks to the handmade exhaust system, with a non-standard double-pipe end, it breathes well and gives power. It is a fast (150 km/h), easy to ride, balanced machine. You can ride on one wheel, you can turn on one leg. It’s a full pleasure.
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
I am proud of the entire vehicle, I am impressed by the ease of use, minimized by me. Also I am very pleased with the choice of color, type and good workmanship of the paint. I like all the equipment.
Follow the Builder
Instagram: @jasintom_motorcycles
YouTube: @jasintommotorcycles2812
Photo credit: Aleksander Jasiński
“Simplify… then add lightness”- Colin Chapman