You try and avoid saying the c-word these days, but one of the true silver linings of COVID-19 was the sheer number of incredible bikes built during those rolling lockdowns. We had our own COVID Custom Motorcycle Show here at Pipeburn, and Roland Sands Design held one too. In fact, so popular did these online build-offs prove to be, that Roland held another called the ‘Dream Build Off’, and with all of these cool bikes being built at the time, we just never had a chance to feature them all. So, today we rectify that with a true sleeper that flew below the radar, partly because so many people don’t know exactly what it is. From Canada, Matt Wieckowski of Big Dream Motorcycles has made many do a double take, as he’s paired up a modern Suzuki DRZ400 with a vintage TS250, to create a classically styled two-stroke super sled.
Matt takes us back to when the world was on pause with the pandemic. “So, it all started when I picked up a clapped-out 2001 Suzuki DRZ400. Around the same time, I noticed that Roland Sands Design was holding the second edition of their ‘Dream Build Off’ contest. I just happened to have a 1972 Suzuki TS250, that was a little too incomplete and rough to restore, so I came up with the idea of merging them to make a resto-mod version of the TS250.” Now, most people who tackle this sort of project give a modern bike a classic styling makeover. But not Matt; he was prepared to go the extra mile, and if any engine deserves a modern frame, it’s one of those sweet smokers from the ’70s.
What pushed him to go to the next level was seeing other bikes being prepared for the contest, and noticing that retro makeovers were popular, but not the engine swaps like you might see in the car world. “I decided to take the extra step and install the TS engine. Go big or go home, right!” Matt laughs. And so, the DRZ would provide all of the modern frame, suspension and chassis components, while the classic look of the original TS would influence the visuals and he’d find a way to slot the TS engine into the DRZ frame. And that’s clearly not a bolt-in conversion, which wasn’t a problem for Matt, who spends his days spinning spanners on classic bikes.
Thinking his way through the challenge, he began customising the 2001 dual sport frame so that it would allow the single-cylinder two-stroke to bolt in. As he worked away on things like engine mounts, he had a moment of genius. “I decided to use the dry sump oil setup (oil tank in the frame) for the DRZ as the oil tank for the 2-stroke oil injection system for the TS.” It’s not that there isn’t room for an oil tank, but this would deliver a far cleaner result and make the most of what the DRZ frame offered. The next change to the DRZ chassis was to cut the subframe off the old TS frame and then make it fit. Then it was all sent out for a hit of black powder coat by Sam at SHQE Manufacturing and Powder Coating.
The freshly blacked-out frame went up on the bench and it was now time to turn the DRZ foundation into a TS sensation. To get that look started, Matt sourced a set of Preston Petty fenders that came in an orange hue, which was very similar to the original TS colour. The stock tank is now straight as an arrow and looks right at home on the modern backbone, with clever mounts keeping the underside parallel to the ground. Then, to get it all in the right colour, Matt supplied an original TS photo and Mike Murray provided the gorgeous paint job in that classic two-tone colour scheme. Even the original TS seat goes on to match, and it really adds to the ’70s vibe.
The TS250 engine looks right at home, but before it was bolted in with the new mounts, it underwent a full rebuild. The entire engine has been vapour blasted by Tanner at Sib’s Performance Machine, who also took on the job of freshly boring the cylinder and rebuilding the crank. Matt wanted to keep it all looking as original as possible, but to add some extra performance and throttle response, he fitted up a Mikuni TM34 flat slide carb with a Uni Filter. And then he showed off his fabrication skills by building the full exhaust system, including the new expansion chamber, which finished in black and suits the build to a tee.
Now for some serious elbow grease, as Matt decided the best finish for the DRZ parts that were to be bolted on would be a hand-polished look. That includes the front forks and rear shock, which really give it its modern handling prowess, as well as the full 2001 braking system for superior stopping power. “I also wanted to use the original rim sizes of the TS, which were a 19″ front and 18″ rear, so I ordered some Excel rims from Buchanan’s and they also provided the spokes that were made to fit the original DRZ wheel hubs. I decided on Michelin Anakee Wilds for the tyres as they came in the right sizes I was after and also have a cool off-road pattern.”
To keep the TS illusion alive, a host of the old ’70s parts were refurbished and refreshed before being bolted onto the build. Things like the gauges and turn signals, as well as that rear tail light assembly. Even the key switch is period correct, as are the mirrors and the controls. Matt then fabricated a rear rack for that real go-anywhere feel and his dream build was complete. “My build style is definitely a little more subtle than most, so when I take this bike around to shows and events I get a kick out of people doing double or even triple takes to see exactly what they’re looking at.” It’s a true two-stroke transformer, and Matt is grateful to everyone in the London, Ontario bike scene, like the guys at Diablo Cycles, for helping him complete the build, even in challenging times.
