KAWASAKI W650 SCRAMBLER

KAWASASKI W650 (1999)

Triumphant Scrambler

What immediately catches your eye when you see a Kawasaki W650 is the oldschool shape and architecture in the spirit of the Triumph Bonneville. Starting with its superb vertical twin and 360° crankshaft (both pistons go up and down at the same time), eight overhead camshaft valves driven by an exterior shaft design. Mixed to a light steel double cradle frame, a refined bodywork, the evocations of the "British" mechanical tradition are really there. . . And, I love it!

The W650 we found was driving every day in Paris. Its general appearance was so-so… but the bike was regularly maintained and perfectly sound mechanically. At the same time, we had the opportunity to recover an original exhaust from the latest Triumph Street Scrambler. . . In a cross look with Patrick, the destiny of this W was sealed and the project launched. . .

 Not surprisingly, it was this adaptation of Triumph's high silencer – a guiding threadthrough this transformation - to the engine and the W650's frame that required the most work. Patrick started manufacturing new manifolds which required him three days of work, without counting the modification of the side panel or the realization of a specific heat protection.

 Once the exhaust was adapted, we attacked the tank by first removing the original rubber side guards before painting it. A two-tone "gold & white" painting created by 1PEC in the spirit of Bonneville, keeping the original Kawasaki logo, itself inspired by the one of the mythical English bike. In its continuity, a beautiful work was also carried out on the seat. An expert eye will immediately notice that the seat foam has been resized, refined and above all covered with full grain leather under the hand of our master saddler Vincent Bouffort.

 For the rest, we respected the gender codes: raised fork and shock absorbers, front mudguards with old-fashioned metal support, TY style taillight, off-road handlebar, small chrome headlight with a protective grid, turn signals are replaced by Motogadget elements at the ends of the handlebar, small digital counter of the same brand that clear the front end, neiman moves under the seat, and finally trail tyres to widen its field of action.

 A modern machine with a vintage look, at ease everywhere, which sometimes makes you want to leave the asphalt to explore the trails. . . with class!