Gull Craft Suzuki Goose Cafe Racer

“It’s based on a 250cc motorcycle” is about the only thing I can say about this Cafe Racer that isn’t all that exciting.  Japanese custom builder Gull Craft debuted this Suzuki Goose 250-based Cafe Racer at the 2011 Yokohama Mooneyes Hot Rod and Custom Show and she’s a real looker!

“What the hell is a Suzuki Goose!?” Well, I’m glad you asked. Suzuki unleashed the Goose on the Japanese automotive market in 1992. Originally the motorcycle was a 350cc but for some crazy reason they decided a 250cc version was also required. In standard guise the Gooses air cooled, 4-stroke single-cylinder engine produces about 30bhp and has a top speed just shy of the ton. In its standard dress the Goose isn’t a pretty bike (bet the name had you fooled though), it’s a bare-bones, entry-level, naked bike with similar styling to the Suzuki Hornet. So as you can imagine Gull Craft had a fair bit of work to do to get this Suzuki looking this good.

First off though the engine needed more power so a Yoshimura piston and Cam were installed and the capacity increased to 376cc. To feed the now much thirstier thumper a Keihin FCR 39mm Carb with a Gull Craft carbon fibre velocity stack was tucked up inside the frame. Gases are expelled via a custom stainless exhaust which when combined with the other performance upgrades takes this Goose into Ton Up territory.

Handling has also received an upgrade with Yoshimura forks and an Ohlin shock on the rear. A lighter Over Racing swingarm and Bito Magtan rims have replaced the factory units and stopping power now comes from a Lockheed (front)/Brembo (rear) combination. Gull Craft specialise in custom fairings and body panels so all of the original Suzuki fairings were handed to the gods of garbage. The Type R Gull bikini fairing and the one-off tank and tail section were all built in-house. The Gull team also fabricated a large list of parts fitted to the Suzuki including the mirror, rear sets, carbon fender, fender gooseneck mounts, speedo surround and filler cap.

With small engine capacities, weight reduction is a no-brainer. The new bodywork was a good start but it wasn’t enough so the engine covers were cut, drilled, smoothed and polished, exposing usually hidden sprockets and chain. Polished aluminium parts now reside where heavier Suzuki components once lived and the frame was simplified and cleaned.

Finally, the paint was all done in-house at Gull Craft. The colour scheme took its lead from the finish of the new suspension and wheels. It’s a very royal-looking colour combination of gold against polished silver with a splash of vibrant green. If this Goose laid eggs they’d probably be gold.

GULLCRAFT