DA#5 Suzuki DR650

The Suzuki DR650 cafe racer DA#5 by Diamond Atelier is the Munich studio's most technically ambitious build: a 1990s single-cylinder dirt bike reborn as a track-inflected street machine, proving that the most radical transformation is not always the most obvious starting point.

The Concept

Diamond Atelier co-founders Tom and Pablo had built their reputation on BMW Boxer Airheads, a logical choice for a Munich custom house. But by the time DA#5 entered their workshop, they were tired of watching builders reach for the same donor bikes. They chose the Suzuki DR650 deliberately: a hard-working enduro machine from the early 1990s, the least glamorous starting point imaginable for a cafe racer. The challenge was not just aesthetic but structural. To achieve the low, forward stance of a proper cafe build from a tall, upright dirt bike frame required a complete redesign of the chassis. DA#5 remains the studio's most advanced build and functions as a demonstration that no donor is beyond transformation if the ambition is sufficient.

The Build

Diamond Atelier modified the main frame heavily and built an entirely new rear frame from scratch to achieve the correct geometry. The 41mm telescopic fork was rebuilt with new internals and CNC machined upper triple clamps. A custom Wilbers rear shock handles suspension duties at the back. Racing intent is confirmed by the wheel specification: re-spoked 17-inch racing rims on original DR650 hubs, wrapped in Metzeler Racetec RR racing slicks. Braking is upgraded with 320mm wave disc up front and 200mm wave disc at the rear, connected via ABM stainless steel hoses, a Yamaha YZR-1 clutch control, and a Suzuki GSX-R brake pump. ABM Multiclip clip-ons and customised ABM rear sets set the aggressive rider triangle. The engine was fully rebuilt and re-sealed, the carburettors re-jetted, a scratch-built header installed, and a Supertrapp sport muffler chosen for its tuneability. The bodywork is equally considered: a vintage 1970s gas tank sets the visual tone, matched by hand-formed sheet-metal front mask and seat cowling (each in 1mm steel), and a genuine cowhide seat. The entire paint scheme was applied by hand in-house. Battery-less kick-start-only operation strips the electrical system to its minimum; a Kellermann R3 flasher unit and Motogadget indicators and speedo handle what remains.

Specifications

• Builder: Diamond Atelier, Munich
• Base motorcycle: Suzuki DR650 SP44B
• Engine displacement: 650cc
• Engine power: 50 hp
• Original mileage: 30,000 km (18,645 miles)
• Mileage after rebuild: 10 km (6.2 miles)
• Frame: Heavily modified main frame, scratch-built rear frame
• Front fork: 41mm telescopic, rebuilt internals, CNC machined upper triple clamps
• Rear shock: Custom Wilbers unit
• Wheels: Re-spoked 17-inch racing rims on DR650 hubs
• Tyres: Metzeler Racetec RR racing slicks
• Front brake: 320mm wave disc
• Rear brake: 200mm wave disc
• Brake hoses: ABM stainless steel
• Clutch control: Customised Yamaha YZR-1
• Brake pump: Customised Suzuki GSX-R
• Handlebars: ABM Multiclip clip-ons
• Levers: ABM Syntho
• Grips: ABM
• Rear sets: Customised ABM
• Engine work: Fully rebuilt and re-sealed, re-jetted carbs, K&N air filter
• Header: Scratch-built
• Exhaust: Supertrapp sport muffler
• Oils: Castrol
• Tank: Vintage 1970s gas tank
• Front mask: Hand-built, 1mm sheet metal
• Seat cowling: Hand-built, 1mm sheet metal
• Seat: Genuine cowhide
• Paint: Hand-applied in-house
• Electrics: Fully rewired, battery eliminated (kick-start only)
• Flasher unit: Kellermann R3
• Indicators: Motogadget bar-end (front), Motogadget (rear)
• Speedometer: Motogadget

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