Suzuki GSX 750 ES Fenix Combines Modern With Retro in a Thrilling Custom Package

For the husband-and-wife team at Rusty Wrench Motorcycles, the phoenix became a symbol of their reborn Suzuki GSX 750 ES. It’s not hard to see why; a neglected ride that’s been rescued can easily be likened to a phoenix rising from the ashes, and the parallels are rather striking if you think about it. Francisco and Vera Correia certainly thought so when they nicknamed this creature Fenix.

The two founded Rusty Wrench Motorcycles (or RWM for short) back in 2017, and their venture grew considerably in the years since. What started as a custom bike workshop and wearables outlet is now also a cafe bar, tattoo studio, and barber shop all at once. The firm is based in Loule, Portugal – down in the coastal southern region of Algarve.

With its twisty roads, warm Mediterranean climate, and pristine coastline, this place is what you might refer to as a rider’s paradise. Fenix seems like an excellent machine for tackling the twisties and enjoying the scenic routes around Algarve, but RWM didn’t have an easy time getting to this stage. As we implied earlier on, the 1987 GSX 750 ES was in a pitiful state upon arrival at their shop, with a good chunk of its original hardware being damaged beyond repair.

This included the front and rear suspension, all the stock bodywork, and both wheels, as well as the Suzuki’s ancient electrical items. We obviously have a lot to talk about here, so let’s dive straight in without further ado. Finding replacements for the motorcycle’s factory garments was the first task on RWM’s checklist, and you shouldn’t have such a hard time noticing where they got that new fuel tank from.

It’s the repurposed module of a Honda CB750K, cleverly tweaked in order to fit atop the GSX 750’s framework like a glove. We never thought a second-gen CB750’s gas tank could suit a GSX so well, but it seems Rusty Wrench made it work without too much hassle. At the rear, there’s a bespoke subframe manufactured from scratch, supporting an aftermarket tail section and a solo seat.

The new saddle is upholstered in a mixture of standard and perforated black leather, while the tail’s rearmost portion features a flush-mounted LED taillight. An unobtrusive license plate holder can be spotted underneath, but Fenix becomes even more interesting when you look up front. There you’ll see a bolt-on retro fairing somewhat similar to that of an early Ducati 750SS, and it’s secured in place via custom brackets.

A sizeable, offset LED headlamp keeps the way ahead nice and lit, accompanied by an additional projector light to its left just for good measure. Motogadget bar-end turn signals complete the lighting arrangement up north, while the rear blinkers are integrated into the taillight itself. Up in the cockpit area, Fenix bears a vintage-looking speedometer, clip-on handlebars, and a fresh top clamp, but new grips and switches also make an appearance.

Furthermore, Motogadget also supplied an RFID keyless ignition setup and the tried-and-true m.Unit control module, while most electronics have been stashed in a handmade tray beneath the seat. Rusty Wrench spared no expense when it came to the running gear, transplanting a Yamaha R1’s inverted forks and twin disc brakes at the front.

On the other hand, the swingarm, monoshock, and rear brake were all taken from a Honda CBR600 and subsequently revised to work with the GSX 750 ES. The footwear department is home to laced aftermarket hoops sporting Avon rubber up north and a Dunlop tire at six o’clock. Surprisingly, Francisco and Vera found the donor’s engine to be in pretty good condition, so they only gave it a quick service to make sure it’ll perform like charm for many more years.

Premium pod filters made their way onto the stock Mikuni carburetors, and the exhaust headers were heat-wrapped before receiving a pair of aftermarket silencers. To complete the ergonomic package for Fenix, RWM installed youthful rearsets complete with drilled heel guards. Then, it came time for them to address the paintwork, which was the final thing they needed to get done on this mesmerizing one-off.

The primary finish employed here is gloss-black, and deep orange highlights accompany this base on the fuel tank, tail section, and rear brake caliper. Tank graphics showcasing the bike’s nickname have also been added, while the two main hues worn by this thing are separated by white pinstripes. Once the paint job was out of the way, the pros at Rusty Wrench could finally sit back, relax, and admire the fruit of their labor.