By the late 1990s, Suzuki was winding down its legendary oil-cooled era, but not before slipping one last treat into the lineup. The 750 Inazuma borrowed proven GSX-R mechanicals and wrapped them in a classic roadster package that looked as though it had wandered in from another decade. Twin shocks, a broad fuel tank and a torquey inline-four made it a capable all-rounder, but it arrived at a time when fully faired sports bikes were grabbing all the attention. As a result, the Inazuma became one of Hamamatsu’s forgotten machines, but in the hands of Jerem Motorcycles, it’s back to the future with a vengeance.
These forgotten gems are so often the sort of motorcycle that catches the attention of French builder Jérémie Duchampt. Through Jerem Motorcycles, he’s built a reputation for taking unlikely donors and refining them with a level of finish and renewed spark that makes them highly sought after. For this project, the brief was simple: retain the Inazuma’s mechanical honesty while bringing every aspect of its chassis, performance and appearance into the modern era.
The biggest visual change comes from the bike’s stance. The original front end has been discarded in favour of a new Öhlins Yamaha R1 fork setup, transforming both the look and capability of the Suzuki. To match the upgraded suspension, Beringer supplies a complete braking system, while custom aluminium triple clamps, headlight mounts and clip-on straps from IMA tie the whole front end together. A handcrafted aluminium front mudguard keeps things clean without distracting from the bike’s sharp profile.
At the opposite end, Duchampt modified the frame to accommodate a bespoke café racer tail section that dramatically tightens the rear of the bike. The new seat unit sits low over the chassis, helping reduce the visual bulk of the original machine without losing its muscular character. A pair of Shock Factory rear shocks control the back end, while rearsets and custom black braided brake lines ensure the riding experience is as purposeful as the appearance suggests.
The rolling stock leaves little doubt that this Inazuma was built to be ridden hard. Ultra-lightweight Rotobox carbon wheels massively reduce unsprung mass and are wrapped in Dunlop Mutant tyres, a choice that combines contemporary grip with everyday usability. Details such as the custom rear plate holder, aluminium chain guard and carbon rear mudguard further demonstrate the level of attention paid to every area of the build.
Electronics have received an equally comprehensive overhaul. The factory wiring has been replaced with an M-Unit-based system, paired with Motogadget instrumentation and lighting throughout. Compact BXP switchgear keeps the controls uncluttered, while a thin, but round, LED headlight mounted on custom aluminium brackets gives the bike a face that suits its blend of old and new. The result is a machine that looks classic at a glance but functions entirely by modern standards.
Suzuki’s 750cc inline-four remains at the heart of the project, but it hasn’t escaped the workshop untouched, and the finish on the cases is good enough to eat off. The airbox has been removed in favour of DNA filters, allowing the engine to breathe through a far cleaner setup.
Feeding into a hand-built stainless-steel 4-into-1 exhaust capped with a carbon silencer, the package is completed by a full carburettor and engine tune. A Translogic quickshifter adds one final contemporary touch, bringing clutchless upshifts to a platform that predates the technology by a long way.
Finished in Harley-Davidson’s Green Gold paint, the bodywork shifts character depending on the light, alternating between military olive and rich metallic bronze. Combined with the exposed alloy chassis, carbon fibre details and restrained graphics, it gives the bike a presence that’s difficult to ignore without resorting to excess. More importantly, it demonstrates what can happen when a builder looks beyond the usual donor choices.
The Suzuki Inazuma may have spent years in the shadows, but Jérémie Duchampt has given it a very convincing reason to step back into the spotlight. And now for sale at €15,000, it really is bargain custom biking at its best, you could barely buy the parts for that kind of money!
