#03 Retro-Tracker

After finishing another Suzuki DR650 build, I decided to change things up and build a Honda to add to the stable. The design concept was a street legal Honda tracker inspired by the legendary Honda RS750 flat track bike. With such an iconic design and success behind its name, I knew I had to build a road worthy Honda tracker to give praise to the RS and do it right. When searching for the donor bike, I knew I’ve always wanted to build a XR650R. Being one of the best dual sport motorcycles ever built, I knew it would be perfect for this build. Finding one proved difficult but after a month of searching, I picked one up a state away and the build soon started. 

Going into the build I had much of the design already done because its been in my head for years now. Red, white, and blue tracker with high pipe exhaust was the gist. When the build started, I stripped the bike to only the necessary items. First order of business was the tank. With a 2” square backbone, I knew I would either have to build a tank or find one that fits. I purchased a 74 Elsinore tank just to see if it would fit, and with slight mods, it fit like a glove. To get the proper stance, suspension was next. I swapped the stock forks for CRF Showa forks that I rebuilt with Racetech goodies and lowered. The rear shock uses the stock shock rebuilt and lowered. With the proper stance, I started on the subframe. The subframe had to include an integrated electronics box, license plate holder, keyed ignition and the rear needed to be angled higher so motorists could see the integrated LED brake lights. Next was the exhaust which needed to compliment the look of the classic flat track vibe. A left side dual exhaust was made with SuperTrapp mufflers to add some flavor.  I then started on the seat/tail section which was made to sit flush with the gas tank and include a small number plate as well. With all the main parts made, it was off to paint.

The most important part of this bike was the paint. It needed to compliment the look of the RS750 but also be different. I wanted to the paint to flow front to back instead of having the design stop at the tank and tail section. I knew the red, white, and blue was going to be bold, but this bike needed it. Once I got everything back from paint, the newly rebuilt motor was installed in the red frame immediately. Soon the bike was sitting on the 19” Dubya Excel wheels wrapped in Mitas H-18 tires. Soon everything came together including the subframe, dual left side exhaust, and tank. To compliment the dual LED brake/running/ and turn signals in the rear, I added LED strips in the radiator guards for the running lights and turns in the front. They are bright and work great! For the carb, I chose the Lectron based on reviews and reliability, works flawlessly! Some other electronic items added was a Baja Designs S2 Pro for the headlight, a Motogadget Motoscope mini was used for the speedo and mounted to the tank is the TrailTech temp gauge. Push buttons on the handlebars controls all the functions of the bike. For the seat, I wanted it to have a little flare but subtle. I decided to have the seat wrapped in black vinyl on the sides and Alcantara in the middle. For the brakes, they were rebuilt and Galfer rotors help stop the pig. The XRR does not come with a key, so a keyed ignition is integrated into the electronics box. After 8 months of building this bike, its now complete and coined the Retro-Tracker!