Written by Steve Cooper, this feature looks at Tim Hart’s Suzuki-based street scrambler, inspired by the Stinger 125 and built using a GT500 engine and custom high-level expansion chambers. Constructed from used parts and developed over a ten-week build, the machine blends period styling with performance upgrades.
Many have pondered as to why Suzuki never developed a whole range of machines based around the layout of the iconic Stinger. Well, someone has done just that. For the full inside line, enter stage left, owner and builder Tim Hart.
“I’ve always been a fan of the bright coloured chromed high pipe street scramblers that were offered in the US and some other countries,” says Tim. “I’ve always been a Suzuki fan and love the Stinger 125. When I built my original T500 I also had a Honda CL450 and thought about building a bike that Suzuki would have built to compete with it. Fortunately, I had had T and GT 500s in various states that I’d bought from a local bike breaker in Kent.
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“With an idea in my head of what I wanted, I set about selecting the best bits. I chose the later GT engine for the CDI ignition and forks with a front disc. Everything was rebuilt/refurbed with the engine benefitting from a lightened and balanced crank, new bearings seals and rods, rebore, new pistons and a mild porting job. The frame’s rear loop was modified and powder coated in a metallic grey. A custom-made alloy oil tank replaced the original standard GT500 wheels with powder coated satin black rims and stainless spokes by PW Wheels (Herne Bay) and Mitas E07 tyres. The mudguards are alloy Wassell items with custom-made mounts and the speedo is a new/old stock Suzuki B120 unit that is accuracy tested by GPS and reads to 100 mph. The bike will reach this as verified by some mates at Chimay last year! The headlight is stock T500 and rear light is B120 Suzuki. On the road it feels like a very quick 250.
“The paintwork is in the style of a 1972 model and is actually a Seat car colour through AB Crush Body Shop near to Lydden Hill. The seat was custom-made and trimmed by Browns Trimmings in Broadstairs.
“The centre piece of the bike is the high-level stainless steel expansion chambers that are my own design and fabrication. These were the lengthiest part of the ten-week build of the bike. The headers were made from sections cut welded filed and polished to look like one piece. It’s now been in its current form as a street scrambler since 2015 and covered thousands of fun miles including visits to many bike events in the Isle of Man, Chimay in Belgium, France and now in its new home in Austria. Hopefully I will get to many more events in the following years. It’ll remain in its current hot rod scrambler format, but I am toying with building another to look like it was a Suzuki production model complete with drum front brake.
“All in all, it’s the most fun bike I’ve owned out of the 120+ I’ve had. Of the 161 currently owned, if I had to keep only one, this would be it. I never get off it after a ride and think it’s slow. It’s very lively, will crack the ton, but is still very torquey and will happily potter along in top gear at 30. It’s a lively thing that never fails to put a big grin on my face, and after all, if a bike doesn’t make you feel like that, then you’re on the wrong machine. I love my Big Stinger!”
Constructed from a stock of used parts, built to look and feel different, Tim’s street scrambler demonstrates just what’s possible with some nous and dedication. Not every classic Japanese motorcycle has to be a show bike – or even standard!
Original article by Steve Cooper appeared in Old Bike Mart. To subscribe, click here: https://www.classicmagazines.co.uk/old-bike-mart
