From the Dales to Dubai
By Ross Sharp - 24 Oct 18
There are some builders we don't hear from so much these days - their order books are busy enough not to need a constant stream of features and social media exposure. Dust Motorcycles are one such outfit who've been satisfying customers across the globe with predominately BMW based builds for a few years now from their shed in the Yorkshire Dales and this recent commission for a chap living in Dubai looks like it will actually make the most of its off-road pretensions.
The donor is a 1992 R80 monolever converted to take twin Öhlins shocks and the gearing is altered by fitting an R65 bevel drive. A pre-1996 Suzuki DR650 front end with slightly shortened fork internals and Progressive Springs add ground clearance while Pirelli MT43s should make the most of the local desert playground. The engine is stock, but overhauled, and rather than sand ingesting pods relies on a pre-'81 airbox for filtration. The carbs have been swapped from left to right to expose the mechanisms and linkages, further satisfying the customer Rami's demand for an industrial feel.
Stainless sled style pipes have three baffle options, from moderately loud to offensive! Braced alloy mudguards and a rugged looking luggage rack (pannier racks will follow) add to the scrambler vibe while the drilled number board and mesh covered projector headlights offer a whiff of Mad Max - the recent version. Off-road pegs were welded to original hangers and an aluminium guard protects the low-slung sump.
Braced Carroll Resweber flat track bars with Motogadget M-unit system, speedo, keyless ignition and Moto Guzzi controls make for a super clean cockpit, ready for Rami's dune bashing adventures.
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Images by Macleod Photography