Stealth operative: A Honda Dominator scrambler from France

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There’s a plethora of causes to select the Honda Dominator as a donor for a {custom} construct. However for the crew at Morex Customs in France, it was one specific attribute that sealed the deal; its reliability. Honda thumpers are notoriously bulletproof, and the fellows wished to construct a {custom} scrambler that will not solely look nice, however run ceaselessly.

Primarily based in Vezin-le-Coquet, a commune in Brittany within the northwestern area of France, the Morex workshop is run by brothers Joan and Kévin Morel, with their pal, Valentin Pointeau. Since all three are motocross riders, they wished to imbue the Dominator with just a little fashionable off-road racing fashion.

“The thought was daring,” Kévin tells us. “We wished to take the strong and dependable coronary heart of a legendary motorcycle, and rethink the operating gear with high-performance elements. The end result is an ideal mix of eras—a motorbike with character and fashionable strains.”

Reworking the bike from a bone inventory Honda NX650 Dominator into the sharp avenue scrambler you see right here took the trio nearly a yr. They employed a variety of methods too—from 3D design, to good old style mechanical work.

Since reliability was high of the listing, and for the reason that donor bike was in a shoddy situation, Morex determined to separate the engine open and rebuild it. The cylinder went off to Revaltec to be honed, at first was put again along with a brand new piston and a full complement of gaskets, seals and bearings. The transmission is manufacturing unit contemporary, too.

On the skin, the whole lot was cleaned up and vapor-blasted to the purpose that it’s not recognizable. A BMC air filter was put in to exchange the airbox, earlier than Kévin fabricated an all-new two-into-one exhaust system.

Many of the Honda’s operating gear is new too. Morex re-laced the Honda hubs to 18” Excel rims with new spokes, then wrapped them in Continental TKC80 rubber. The unique brake calipers had been refurbished, however the entrance now grips an outsized disc from Braking, with a custom-made provider to verify the whole lot strains up.

Additionally fitted up entrance are the yokes and upside-down forks from a Yamaha WRF450, shortened to go well with a supermoto stance and driving fashion. A YSS shock does obligation on the again.

The Dominator’s new bodywork is remarkably svelte. The set features a repurposed Yamaha 125 DTMX gasoline tank, modified to suit the Honda. Behind it, Morex redesigned the subframe to create a stepped profile.

The supermoto-inspired headlight nacelle and entrance fender, and the tapered rear cowl, had been designed utilizing CAD software program. The ultimate elements had been then 3D printed in a strong nylon materials, and completed in gloss black. LED lights are embedded at each ends.

The work is extremely tidy, and loaded with neat particulars. Morex’s brand is embossed into every 3D-printed half, and the again finish is completed off with a honeycomb grill over the taillight, and a discreet inside fender decrease down. A blank-off plate underneath the seat hides the wiring, which has been redone round a Motogadget controller.

Equal consideration went into the super-sparse cockpit. Neken motocross handlebars sit entrance and middle, fitted with new grips and Beringer clutch and brake controls. There’s even a single mirror perch on the left aspect, for if you’re driving the bike as an alternative of taking photographs of it.

The push button switchgear, and the tiny digital speedo, come from Motogadget. The latter is mounted on a intelligent little bracket that clamps on to the handlebars, together with a discreet warning gentle array.

Completed in gloss black with {custom} Morex badges on the tank, the Dominator now goes by the apt nickname, ‘Phantom.’ Kévin can be comfortable to report that it rides simply nearly as good because it appears.