Project · Suzuki GS550 · café racer
Race Cream
Suzuki GS550. Elegant and gritty, made of shaped metal, leather and contrasts.
ScrollChapter 01 — The second
Three old
ladies
- Base
- Suzuki GS550, 1979
- Year
- 2013
- Style
- Café racer
- Tyres
- Firestone Deluxe
Race Cream is the second Matteucci Garage creation, born from a 1979 Suzuki GS 550 and from the urge to push myself a little further in this new adventure.
In the summer of 2013 I fell in love with three old ladies: a 1981 Moto Guzzi V35 Imola, a 1979 Suzuki GS 550 and a 1983 Yamaha XJ 550.
Until then I had pursued my passion for two wheels without ever doing so much as an oil change myself. But I was itching to get my hands on them.
Chapter 02 — More ambitious
Starting again
from scratch
After bringing the first one to life, Black Boot, it was the Suzuki's turn. This time I wanted something more ambitious, a Café Racer full of details, to which I could devote all the time it needed, starting from scratch once again.
I took the old GS apart completely, restoring its mechanics and rebuilding it with new components and a new look.
Chapter 03 — Tank and seat
Shaped by
hammer
The tank was patiently worked with a hammer, shaping two knee recesses into the sheet metal, then covered in leather contrasting with the paint.
The same fine leather was used for the racing seat, finished with elegant contrast stitching.
Chapter 04 — The line
Sleek
and sporty
I chose to shorten the rear of the frame considerably and shape a metal tail by hand, adapting it to the new structure to give the Suzuki back that sleek, sporty line typical of the old Café Racers.
For the instruments and accessories, on the other hand, I chose not to chase miniaturisation at all costs, keeping the proportions and charm of a period bike. At the front there are two round gauges with chrome bezels, while the only concession to modernity is the small LED indicators fitted on the fork yoke, giving the rider a little more information.
Chapter 05 — Retro
A little
racer
The original light alloy wheels were powder coated in matt black and paired with classic Firestone Deluxe tyres, completing the retro character of this little racer.
That is how Race Cream was born, an elegant and gritty Suzuki, made of shaped metal, leather, contrasts and many small details to which I devoted almost obsessive care.
Specifications
See the other bikes- Model
- Suzuki GS550 · 1979
- Mechanics
- Restored, new components
- Tank
- Hammer formed, leather covered knee recesses
- Seat
- Racing seat in fine leather, contrast stitching
- Frame
- Shortened rear, metal tail shaped by hand
- Instruments
- Two round chrome gauges, LED indicators on the yoke
- Wheels and tyres
- Original alloys, matt black powder coat, Firestone Deluxe