Project · Motor Bike Expo Verona · with Muzi Meccanica
Dakhla
Honda NX650 Dominator. An all-aluminium desert bike with urban proportions. After all, who actually goes to the desert?
ScrollChapter 01 — The opportunity
Not yet another
scrambler
- Base
- Honda NX650 Dominator
- Occasion
- Motor Bike Expo, Verona
- Mechanics
- Muzi Meccanica
- Award
- German Design Award 2021
Last year this Honda Dominator came our way, so my mechanic Muzi Meccanica and I took it, with the idea of doing something together.
With January, and therefore the Motor Bike Expo in Verona, approaching, it seemed the right time to do something that looked rather unlikely given how busy we both were.
Dominators have already been done every which way and I did not want to fall into the obvious and come up with yet another scrambler.
Chapter 02 — The shape
Guide lines
that become shape
I started drawing guide lines on the computer and from there came the idea… What if they were not guide lines but the actual shape?
So I started working on cuts, square edges and geometric forms, creating a contrast between rising and falling lines.
In the end I wanted to create a Desert Bike, but with urban proportions (after all, who actually goes to the desert?).
Chapter 03 — The aluminium
Put like that
it sounds easy
This time the main element was aluminium. I had never done an all-aluminium job, and such a large, complex structure lent itself perfectly.
First I made the whole monocoque in cardboard, then laser cut every single piece from 3 mm sheet and welded everything together. Of course, put like that it sounds easy.
The small visor, the front fender and the cases are also in aluminium.
Chapter 04 — Light and passenger
Two screws
and it comes off
The rear light is an LED strip combining light and indicators, protected by a grooved methacrylate gem made by hand that amplifies and diffuses the light.
All mounted on an original frame, with two screws to remove the bodywork.
The second seat fits onto the small rack behind the saddle and, once the footpegs are fitted, carries a passenger in full comfort. The exhaust becomes a 2 into 1 with a handmade header.
Chapter 05 — The colour
Desert
sand
The paint is a Moroccan desert sand colour with a matt finish.
Chapter 06 — Mechanics
Almost 6 hp
more
Once the aluminium bodywork and the painting of frame and engine were done, the bike passed into the hands of Gabriele, who fitted Marzocchi upside-down forks and a Beringer braking system on a custom-made 320 disc.
Muzi also worked on the engine, fitting a Wiseco high compression piston, a lower head gasket, intake head porting, an exhaust and reprofiled camshafts.
Work that adds almost 6 hp but, more importantly, makes the most of every horsepower the bike has.
Fork
Marzocchi upside-down
Brakes
Beringer · 320 disc
Motor
Almost +6 hp
Chapter 07 — The name
A semi-desert
region
The bike certainly has character: handling is guaranteed by the original chassis and the engine's pull is exhilarating.
Dakhla (a semi-desert region of Morocco) is the ideal bike for total mobility in town and out of town, with good fuel range and space.
Award
1st Prize, FMI Iron Touring Contest at the Motor Bike Expo in Verona
A desert bike, but with urban proportions. After all, who actually goes to the desert?
Specifications
See the other bikes- Model
- Honda NX650 Dominator
- Bodywork
- 3 mm aluminium monocoque, laser cut and welded
- Visor, fender, cases
- Aluminium
- Brake light and indicators
- LED strip with handmade methacrylate gem
- Frame
- Original, bodywork removable with two screws
- Passenger
- Second seat on the rack
- Exhaust
- 2 into 1, handmade header
- Fork
- Marzocchi upside-down forks
- Brakes
- Beringer, custom-made 320 mm disc
- Motor
- Wiseco high compression piston, lower head gasket, intake head porting, reprofiled camshafts
- Colour
- Desert sand, matt finish
- Awards
- German Design Award 2021 · 1st Prize FMI Iron Touring Contest, Motor Bike Expo Verona