Photo: Slipstream Creations
Known in the custom bike world as Slipstream Creations, James Fawcett made a name for himself modifying classic small-displacement bikes from Honda. He’s not the type of guy to shy away from experimentation, though, and we had a feeling that it was only a matter of time before he went on to tackle other motorcycle marques. Recently, our assumption was proven correct by his first Suzuki build.
This adorably imposing scrambler was commissioned by a client from Florida, with a 2018 Suzuki VanVan 200 acting as the starting point. It all came with a twist, though, as the project had to be a bolt-on affair and every custom part was to get a duplicate. The customer wanted to build an identical machine out of his home garage and then gift it to his daughter, but with black fuel tank paint instead of red.
With plans drawn up and the VanVan on his workbench, James dug straight in. He got rid of its front 18-inch wheel, replacing it with a wider 14-inch hoop similar to the stock unit at the back. It’s laced to the powder-coated hub by means of stainless-steel spokes from Buchanan’s, and both rims are shod in fat Bridgestone rubber perfect for cruising down the beach in the Sunshine State.
Sourcing two identical fuel tanks for this endeavor was pretty straightforward, because a pair of Honda CB360 modules just so happened to be in Slipstream’s parts bin. They attach to the framework by way of bolt-on brackets in accordance with the client’s primary request. Behind the tank is a custom subframe that bolts to the standard mounting points and it, too, has been replicated for future use.
The subframe tubing supports a steel seat pan topped with comfy padding and black vinyl upholstery. Handmade side panels flank the saddle to enclose the subframe triangle, while a svelte rear fender can be spotted at the back. It carries a small, yet potent taillight up top and LED turn signals on the sides, but the lighting arrangement at twelve o’clock is what really makes this restyled VanVan stand out.
It employs twin LED headlamps with grilled lenses, encircled and held in place by a chunky tubular bracket sporting Motogadget blinkers on the flanks. Take a look at the cockpit area, and you’ll come across a replacement handlebar fronted by digital Trail Tech Vapor instrumentation.
Interestingly enough, James decided to keep the factory exhaust, as it was a great match for the scrambled VanVan's new appearance. He simply treated the engine to a refreshing top-end rebuild for good measure, but has otherwise kept all the powertrain componentry stock. As it turns out, Sir Fawcett is just as proficient at customizing a newer Suzuki as he is a vintage Honda!
With plans drawn up and the VanVan on his workbench, James dug straight in. He got rid of its front 18-inch wheel, replacing it with a wider 14-inch hoop similar to the stock unit at the back. It’s laced to the powder-coated hub by means of stainless-steel spokes from Buchanan’s, and both rims are shod in fat Bridgestone rubber perfect for cruising down the beach in the Sunshine State.
Sourcing two identical fuel tanks for this endeavor was pretty straightforward, because a pair of Honda CB360 modules just so happened to be in Slipstream’s parts bin. They attach to the framework by way of bolt-on brackets in accordance with the client’s primary request. Behind the tank is a custom subframe that bolts to the standard mounting points and it, too, has been replicated for future use.
The subframe tubing supports a steel seat pan topped with comfy padding and black vinyl upholstery. Handmade side panels flank the saddle to enclose the subframe triangle, while a svelte rear fender can be spotted at the back. It carries a small, yet potent taillight up top and LED turn signals on the sides, but the lighting arrangement at twelve o’clock is what really makes this restyled VanVan stand out.
It employs twin LED headlamps with grilled lenses, encircled and held in place by a chunky tubular bracket sporting Motogadget blinkers on the flanks. Take a look at the cockpit area, and you’ll come across a replacement handlebar fronted by digital Trail Tech Vapor instrumentation.
Interestingly enough, James decided to keep the factory exhaust, as it was a great match for the scrambled VanVan's new appearance. He simply treated the engine to a refreshing top-end rebuild for good measure, but has otherwise kept all the powertrain componentry stock. As it turns out, Sir Fawcett is just as proficient at customizing a newer Suzuki as he is a vintage Honda!
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