Old Soul, New Tech…Suzuki GN Scrambler from the Gold Coast
Tom Gilroy, founder of Australia’s Purpose Built Moto, is on a roll. Not only has his Gold Coast shop been turning out a stable’s worth of custom bikes, but he’s been manufacturing a veritable arsenal of custom parts, including LED Lights, Headlights, CNC triple clamps, custom mufflers, and more. More and more often, we’re seeing PBM parts turn up on the customs bikes we feature throughout the world, particularly their stainless steel mufflers.
Now Purpose Built Moto is back with their first build of 2018, and it’s a special one. The owner, Drew, was one of the very first people to work through the shop doors when Purpose Built Moto opened in 2015. He had a GN250 itching for the PBM’s signature scrambler treatment. Below, we get the full story on this street and trail ripper!
Suzuki GN250 Brat Tracker / Scrambler: Builder Interview
• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.
I’m a Parts Designer and Manufacturer of LED Lights, Handlebar switches and Other electronics as well as mufflers. Purpose Built Moto has really been gaining steam in both our custom builds and parts manufacture. Here’s our first offering for 2018!
• What’s the make, model, and year of the bike?
1993 Suzuki GN250
• Why was this bike built?
Drew was one of the first guys through my door when I started PBM in 2015. He always wanted a scrambler kit-out on his beloved GN250 but it took us 2 years to get it into my garage when the timing just lined up right!
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
Admittedly this bike will be mostly on-road. I wanted to build him something that not only looked the part, but if he felt the itch to thrash up a dirt track the bike was right there ready and capable.
• What custom work was done to the bike?
The GN received a suspension lift, custom fabricated muffler and subframe with a whiskey brown seat. As per usual the little scrambler was hit with the full Purpose Built Moto treatment of LED lighting and electronics.
When the fabrication was complete and the bike stripped for paint and polish, the fresh gloss black wheels were hit with some beastly Heidenau K60 Scout tyres. The colour scheme was a little point of contention, I was adamant that the bike needed to be a metallic teal colour offset with the black and deep silver. The rider was a little skeptical at first but now I think he’s glad he trusted me!
The final piece during assembly was the custom battery box/electrics tray and hand made side covers. Backed with a colour matched teal mesh.
• Please include a list of the changes made/parts used.
Purpose Built Moto Parts:
-V2 Black Box control module
-LED turn signals
-Flashpoint 5.75” LED headlight
– Highball scrambler muffler
– Custom fabricated Brat seat
Other Parts:
– Heidenau K60 Scout tyres
– 360mm rear shocks
– Hand made Aluminium side covers
– Pro-taper Contour bars
• How would you classify this bike?
I’m beginning to find my own style with the scramblers I build. There’s definitely an intentional nod the the classic off-roaders, but being surrounded by modern tech I also have influence there. Old soul, new tech is what I would call it.
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
Usually I would say the best part of the bike is the outside the box colour scheme that I think works really well. However on this bike, the thing I’m most proud of is that Drew (the owner) and I met over 2 years ago, during that time he could have gone anywhere else to get his bike customized but he waited it out to come to my shop and have me do the work. As a customizer and builder that puts a lot of myself into the work I do, that to me is something really special.
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