A Very cool 400 Commuter Thumper

Osprey1Osprey2Osprey3Youngsters in the business of custom building need cheap donor motorcycles. First to be able to auto finance their builds, second to find clients their age who can afford to buy their makeovers. A plethora of little unloved bikes are available for this purpose, especially in the category of low cc commuter bikes of the 80’s. Like this salvageable 1980 Suzuki GN400 that you could buy today for about $300 to turn it in a very short time into a fun and very economical bike to roam your city streets. In 1980, the GN400 listed for $1499 and for this price was giving you a 190 mile range at , 72 mpg. Numbers still very attractive today. Just add a more refined look and this little bike is very desirable, for both young blue collars to hipsters.

Osprey4Osprey5In this transformation “Osprey” keeps the spirit of what was its original factory inspiration, the SP Enduro motorcycle, with a very flat seat and short handlebars. The original 400 single engine was spruce up, “rescotching” the cases and blacking out the barrel and head. Carburetor was blasted and given a K&N air filter for better and deeper breathing.

Osprey6Osprey7To preserve practicality, the rear suspension was kept in its factory standard setup, but the front end is significantly lowered to achieve a far more aggressive and flowing stance. The gas tank tunnel was reworked for a much lower and forward reservoir position. Both wheels are now in size 18” and wrapped in Dunlop KTT tires whose tread is a somewhat good compromise between street and dirt..

Osprey8Osprey9Yoke was modified to accept a custom set of bars, to house a warning lights gauge and to mount an integral headlight. For aesthetic reasons, the original front guard was also trimmed down but keeps its functionality. In the rear a cowling was fabricated and integrates the LED brake light indicators. Dual tool rolls which are completely removable tie in beautifully with the hand dyed seat and leather wrapped grips. Under the custom seat the new Shorai lithium battery sits along with the new electrical harness. A very cool single 400 thumper. Osprey built by Old Empire Motorcycles To Support ODFU UK, a Limited Edition Clothing brand..

Osprey15

Customized frame
Customized tank
Electronic speedo
K and N Air filter
Custom exhaust w/wrap
Dunlop K70 tyres
Engine stripped/repainted/scotched
Full service, oils, filters etc
Custom wiring loom
Mini bates headlight w/shroud
LED warning lights
LED taillight
Custom handlebars
Custom leather seat unit and tool satchels
Custom painted frame, tank and guard
Full strip down, paint, polish, plating
Full rebuild

16 Responses to “A Very cool 400 Commuter Thumper”


  1. 1 David King Aug 17th, 2015 at 8:22 am

    Well done. Affordable. What’s not to like?

  2. 2 Chris Cope Aug 17th, 2015 at 9:01 am

    What’s the definition of “affordable” here? I’ll bet Old Empire’s idea of what a person can afford isn’t very close to mine. It may be a 1980s bike, but I guarantee it’s not being sold at 1980s prices.

  3. 3 Rodent Aug 17th, 2015 at 9:29 am

    Nice looking ride

  4. 4 James Bodie Aug 17th, 2015 at 10:27 am

    Very cool scoot.

  5. 5 Dyno Aug 17th, 2015 at 10:29 am

    Much better looking than the HD Street. Probably much more expensive.

  6. 6 nicker Aug 17th, 2015 at 12:21 pm

    Very nicely done.
    Love the “tool-bag” side covers.
    And when the enviro-idiots push gas prices up to $10 a gallon this will be the “New World Order.”

    -nicker-

  7. 7 TJ Martin Aug 17th, 2015 at 12:37 pm

    This bike is a stunner from nose to tail and the very epitome of making a silk purse out of a sows ear not to mention being the very essence of hot rodding and custom bikes . Taking something cheap and unloved turning it into a serious head turned anyone would be proud to be seen riding upon

  8. 8 B. D. Aug 17th, 2015 at 3:33 pm

    Again with the knobbies…

  9. 9 Blackmax Aug 17th, 2015 at 4:39 pm

    Cool for the kids !!!
    Will eat a Sportster for breakfast, lunch & dinner

  10. 10 Blackmax Aug 17th, 2015 at 4:40 pm

    Ooops! Wrong article, sorry …

  11. 11 U think U know me Aug 17th, 2015 at 5:00 pm

    WOW. Not only is that bike badass, TJ approves. Mark this date on your calendar, I’m sure Mr. Negative will be back soon.

  12. 12 Iron Horse Aug 17th, 2015 at 5:56 pm

    Cool looking scoot and doesn’t look like something that anyone with a few skills couldn’t take some cues from and make their own rendition.

    I rode a friends a few times back in the day…lots of low end torque, but my hands and feet went numb after less than an hour.

    Still brings back happy memories though.

  13. 13 domino Aug 17th, 2015 at 11:05 pm

    Aaahhhhhh … to be young again … chopping and custom whatever we could get our hands on.

    Domino Dave

  14. 14 boatmaxmarine1@gmail.com Aug 18th, 2015 at 6:22 am

    Anyway you look at it, is probably at least $6,000 ? Right?

  15. 15 tundra Aug 18th, 2015 at 10:21 am

    Had a GN400 as my first bike. It was a fun bike and served me well in my high school and college years.

    I’ve been looking on and off for one for just this type of project for my kid. Didn’t see any close to $300, however – the ones I found were usually up over a grand in the WI area.

  16. 16 Eighteen Bravo Aug 18th, 2015 at 6:14 pm

    I’ve purchased TWO Honda CB 500Ts in Washington state, each for $300. Great deals are still out there. Very nice ride by the way.

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Cyril Huze