Black Ops Runner: Honda Dominator 650 Adventure Bike

“NX650RX” from BCK Motorcycles…  

Introduced all the way back in 1988, the Honda Dominator 650 (NX650) placed an electric-start RFVC single-cylinder engine into a light adventure package with bikini fairing, plastic bodywork, heavy-duty sump guard, and 21″ / 17″ wheels. While we only received the bike in the States for the first two years, the Dominator remained in production until 2000 — a highly popular model for the European market. 

These built-tough 644cc engines have been known to go 100,000 miles, and these bikes continue to make great runabouts and custom build donors.

“The Honda Dominator 650 (code name Honda NX650 Dominator) is the motorcycle that defined the ‘urban trailie’ craze of the Nineties. Beloved by town-bound motorcycle couriers and B-road hackers thanks to its punchy delivery, rufty-tufty build quality and commanding riding position the Honda Dominator still makes its mark as a value-for-money commuting motorcycle.” –MCN

While we often see these machines stripped down into scramblers, it’s rarer to see them transformed into actual trail-worthy adventure bikes. That’s where our old buddy Yann of BCK Motorcycles comes in.  Since the pandemic, the former World Superbike race mechanic and team manager has turned to building off-road-oriented bikes exclusively, working out of his shop in the U.S.A. (United States of Armorica) near Gourin, France, the historic capital of French emigration to the US — they even have their own statue of liberty!

“All riders don’t want to spend over $30k to get the latest overweight GS with full accessories and prefer to save money for the fuel to travel.” -Yann

The “Black Ops Runner” you see here was built for a client, François, who wanted to turn his late-model ’99 RD08 Dominator from a slightly overweight rally-raider into a lighter commando-style machine that looked like it could be “parachuted at night time onto some operational terrain”…and would have the true off-road chops to back up the aesthetics.

Yann stripped the bike down to the last bolt, as he does with all his builds. This Dominator now sports a complete CRF450R front end, which Yann was able to install without machining a new steering stem due to deep research of available aftermarket bearings. 

The frame, swingarm, and wheels were sandblasted and powder-coated, and Yann fabricated a modular front headlight plate, chainguard, rear disc cover, luggage rack, and more. Nikau from NCW Workshop created a higher, narrower seat with nonslip sides to aid in bike control during stand-up riding, and Yann opted for a full set of luggage from one of the best companies in the industry, Mosko Moto out of Washington State.

Yann christens all his bikes with a “Runner” moniker; in this case, “Black Ops Runner” seemed the perfect name given the purpose-built, matte-black military look. We wish François a lot of fun on both tarmac and trail with his new build!

Honda NX650 ADV: Builder Interview

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

Yann from Quimper, a small town in the U.S.A. (United States of Armorica) near Gourin, the historic capital of French immigration to the U.S. back in the days. Nearby, we even have a Statue of Liberty to commemorate this!

I got back to Brittany in 2010, after some – let’s say – successful years in motorcycle racing from being a mechanic to team manager. Last October 2nd was our 2005 World SBK Championships rider-manufacturer anniversary. Back in France, I opened a motorcycle workshop which has now released about 70 projects over the last 15 years. That’s a nice result I think for a one-man business.

Baja Runner: Suzuki DR650

We all know now that the 2020 lock-up redefined for many the way we use our bikes. Adventure touring has now taken the lead of all motorcycle activities, pushing the industry to always create new models and accessories to face that huge customer demand. In that new market, it’s also evidence that all riders don’t want to spend over $30k to get the latest overweight GS with full accessories and prefer to save money for the fuel to travel. Basic.

Dezert Runner: BMW F650 GS Funduro by BCKustoms

So over the last few years, starting with my pandemic-built F650 Dezert Runner, I’ve released only off-road machines, mid 80s-90s based, to go out and conquer the world through the single tracks and the deserts.

That last project was in my mind when I bought myself an older RD02 Dominator thinking it could end up like this. François asked me to build this one and all my recorded ideas and wishes have been released.

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

The bike is a famous Honda NX650 Dominator, VIN Code RD08, in its latest serial numbers as this one is a 2001 registered, so a late 1999 model sold with a bit of a delay.

• Why was this bike built? 

François is a big fan of his bike and had already put some nice accessories to turn it into a rally raid-looking tool with instrument tower, big lights, and luggage. Then came the idea to get rid of all the extra weight and turn the bike into some kind of purpose-built military machine with strong accessories.

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

There’s a Swedish reference worldwide if you wanna build a Dominator this way. An old military man converted into a photographer has opened a path for Dominator builds to take on serious off-roading with all the right equipment. So that inspiration was on the bucket list François told me.

Over that true off-road conversion, I thought there would be some place in the budget to get a nice bike, low visibility, but with a first impression that inspires respect. That main line completed with homemade specific equipment would give that Dominator a true character for hard adventure.

• What custom work was done to the bike?

As all bikes I’ve been taking care about, this Domi has been stripped down to the last bolt then rebuilt like a true restoration. Powder-coated frame, swingarm, and wheels for longer lasting benefits. The bike received a complete CRF450R front end, wheel included.

The sandblasting prior to the coating must be the source of all attention when you’re getting it back. Make sure to check, clean, and re-clean the in-frame oil tank if you don’t want to sandblast and kill your engine… I use an endoscopic lighted cam to get into the frame to secure that result. No joke was accepted there.

Engine was just out of full maintenance when I got it, so I just gave a look at essential points to make sure there won’t be any bad surprises at the last moment. Only trouble found was that the original intake pipe cracked after 24 years of heating with no air behind the engine. Funniest part then has been to consider this must be a common RD08 problem as no replacement parts were available. After a strange struggling moment, I finally found a guy in southern France who released a new batch of those precious parts. As you can imagine, he’s selling worldwide.

After using all the local stock of matte black paint (joke), I had to create several accessories which would complete that multitask military aspect. I started with the front headlight plate, which is Ride Gravitas-inspired and allows multiple configurations. I redesigned the chain guard, rear brake disc cover, and created a top bar support and new rear luggage rack. After thinking this would go matte black too, I decided to leave them brushed finished like the OEM bash plate, which has been restored.

I have a really good craftman for upholstery around, Nikau, and he created the perfect piece for that build. After some top-level discussion, he did a perfect job delivering a seat like no other, which will now influence my next projects. The reshaped foam, made to get a little higher and narrower in between legs, has been covered on sides by friction material to allow better control of the bike between legs. NCW Workshop is really a guy who takes care of your ass! LOL!

Final point was the need for storage of goods for longer trips. For that specific point, there’s no discussion. Since they agreed to give me a set of Reckless 10 pannier system on my first Funduro, I’ve been following Mosko Moto.

Once you have seen and used their luggage, listen to CEO Pete Day about the brand philosophy and product development, understand all the transparency, life warranty, and true wish not to leave you with a problem once you crash… You’re not searching anymore what’s the best option you have. Many other companies would like to step on their toes and copy them but you cannot match those products. So, once again, my choice was made into the EU website of that White Salmon WA company based company. Tough gear for hard travel is their credo. That’s it.

So I took the bestseller full option combo with a Reckless 40 system with a pair of additional 4L aux pox and a Stinger 8L tail bag with a pair of moto-straps to add material and a small MOLLE pouch to go next to the LED front spotlights. Riding myself with this combo, I know it’s perfect and plenty enough for long trips, knowing there’s a double size version, the Reckless 80 for even longer travels.

• Does the bike have a nickname?

Of course! As the whole bike is matte black, it could have been the “Stealth Runner,” as all my off-road builds are nicknamed Runners. But that one is already booked for a next F650 Funduro-based project. But keeping in mind that off-road motorcycles must remain a source of fun, as a video game can be, “Black Ops Runner” sounded right for a commando-style bike which could be parachuted at night time on some operational terrain.

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

Once you’ve ridden the OEM bike as I have the RD02, I already can measure the progress made with this RD08 with all adventure equipment François had added. Getting rid of all that, going as lightweight as much as possible, the bike really turns into a true off-road weapon with the (reduced) sound of an M1 Abrams progressing through a nighttime forest. The bike really looks more narrow despite the big crash bars and handles even more precisely. I guess also that, like most ADV motorcycles fully loaded at the back, the front end will look up to the sky when the big mono raises RPMs!!

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

One point made me smile. While most builders opt to machine a new steering tube to adapt the CRF triple clamps to the RD08 frame, I got a close look at all the bearing catalogs online to find the right elements to make the conversion. I saved a lot of time and therefore money on the customer’s budget so he can use it elsewhere.

Second point of pride was shaping some front fuel tank extensions to better integrate the large Acerbis unit to the project. I did it a few times with quite some success starting with my old DR650RS Baja Runner released in 2022. Those extensions give those aggressive lines to the bike along with the matte black color.

Third point, like most of my bikes, was the “tubing session” to create a Y connector in a narrow space to keep only one muffler to save weight. Later on, the owner will be free to add an extra fuel bottle in the large space left by the missing OEM silencer.

Last but not least, supporting local craftsmen is important, but I noticed through my web searches that Ukraine offers a lot of parts to be considered. In addition to the Supersprox transmission and stealth sprocket I use as often as possible, I ordered a complete set of crash bars for the RD08 at Recraft Moto Ukraine. Amazing parts, big tubing, not the lightest but surely made of the best steel.

• Is there anyone you’d like to thank?

Special Thanks to all locals helpers and craftsmen who responded really quick to my request:

Engine carb adjustment by Master Gougou, IOMTT racing bike wizard
Upholstery by Nikau at @NCW_Workshop
3D printing by @recreaju
Stainless welding Master @jefracfrac at @t2xc.creation
Sandblasting and powdercoating by Patrick at SARL LE PAGE

And big thanks to the companies who helped me to give that project a go:
Best motorcycle luggage from @moskomoto
All lubricants by @iponelube
Restoration products issued by @wd40_france
All finishing products from @noline.france

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