Kawasaki W650 Desert Sled - Custom Scrambler Build

In this video our friend Rick Hannah gives us the full low down on his custom Kawasaki W650 Desert Sled build. Rick's Desert Sled is a ground up full custom scrambler build which he completed within around 12 months.

CHAPTERS
0:00 Introduction
3:25 Engine
4:53 Exhaust
5:29 Frame
6:24 Swingarm
6:49 Rear shocks
7:02 Front end
7:24 Forks
7:46 Triple clamps
8:03 Headlight
8:31 Front brake
9:36 Kickstarter
9:59 Engine protector and engine bars
10:08 Tank
11:10 Bars
11:34 Indicators and brake light
11:52 Seat
12:13 Wheels and tyres
13:04 Build time
13:28 How it rides
13:50 Realities of building a custom motorcycle
14:39 Advice to someone thinking of building a custom desert sled

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// A BIG THANK YOU TO
- Rick Hannah for taking the time out of his day to film with us.
Rick's brand is Dirty Dick's Motos and he's based in London.
- Michael Jershov for the stunning photos of Rick's Desert Sled and Lilly's cafe racer.
- Metisse Motorcycles for their photos.
- Lilly Scmid for the photo of her Kawasaki W650 cafe racer.
- Bill Wheeler from Wheelhouse Garage for his photos of the Rickman Métisse Weslake 500.

// OTHER INFORMATION
In the video Rick references his friends at P&D custom designs.

// ABOUT THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE CHANNEL
The Classic Motorcycle Channel is for people who love classic, vintage and antique motorcycles. We are passionate about classic motorcycles and produce high quality motorcycle profile videos, restoration videos, restorer profile videos and also anything that takes our interest.

This video was produced by The Classic Motorcycle Channel and Talk To Camera.

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// OTHER PHOTO CREDITS
- BSA A7 Shooting Star SS (1955) photo
Source: Wikipedia
Photographer: Steve Glover (SG2012)
Licence: CC BY 2.0
- 1967 Kawasaki W1SS photo
Source: Wikipedia
Photographer: Chuck Schultz
- 1968 Kawasaki W2TT photo
Source: Wikipedia
Photographer: Thesupermat

[douglasfrantzen]

Really nice video, enjoyed watching this.

[witofthestaircase]

A very authentic voice. 12 months of devotion, many hours, many thousands of pounds and all apparent in the outcome.

[BlueMarbleRider]

Beautiful, Rick. Used to have a W650 - I've missed it every day since, which is rare for me, no matter how much I love a bike. You've inspired me. Time to start looking for a W650 project bike. Thanks.

[bearcatracing]

Finally someone with the correct history. Great bike, sounds fantastic.

[Yippeedee]

That's an extremely beautiful build.

[robertfarns]

Great advise at the end of the video about taking a build one piece at a time. So true, you eat a meal one bite at a time, not all at once. Thanks for the video.

[philmorrow]

Stunning. A REAL motorcycle. If I had the cash, I would be knocking on your door!! Superb.

[robertodebeers]

These Kawasakis remind me of the TR6C I rode for years. Of the many motorcycles I've owned since the Sixties, the TR6C was the most fun to ride in non-expressway conditions. I love the new Kawasaki W800s, although at my age, I'll probably never own one. Cheers, really enjoy your great work.

[Pete-ze]

Knobblys in the rain, a short but happy life.

[HarryRenner-hq]

I really like that bike I especially like the stance of the bike. where it has a little additional suspension travel. I also like how the rack works with the rear fender. and how the tank is reminiscent to Triumph. and I really like the aggressiveness of the tires. and the swingarm looks light but strong. and I like how the adjusters are inside the cavity for less chance of damaging them. this is the best Job I've seen restoring a Japanese bike to resemble a British bike. fantastic job.

[vajracitta]

real nice bike, nearly bought a w650 recently, after seeing this video i wish i had not let that one get away

[caferacer]

Very cool bike, I've often thought the kawasaki would make a great base for a scrambler, really nice build 👏👏👏👏

[rcnelson]

Can't get enough of that vertical twin exhaust note. Kawasaki did it as well as anyone.

[MrAndrew]

Proof that one person can look at an object and see something in it entirely different to everyone else. There should be more dual-purpose bikes with knobbies and big twin engines. I had a 1982 Triumph Tiger Trail 750 with tall gearing that climbed like a mountain goat.

[tommontgomery]

The W650 is most often compared to the Triumph twin but the engine has always reminded me of the mid 50's Jawa bevel drive OHC 500 twin street bike. A very overlooked model that was a real beauty.

[michaelwilliams]

This was my favourite video so far. Well done!

[martinsowkowski]

WHAT A BIKE, WHAT A VIDEO, I bloody love this machine, and its something I would have never even considered, im now on ebay lol

[quaisarsyed]

Aah brother you have really worked hard on this bike and you have tried to put English theme on it. I can say it’s a wolf in a sheep’s cloth great job 👍

[cedre]

La vidéo est passionnante à suivre, le Rick a l'air "so cool" et la machine est magnifique. Quel travail. On est sûr que Steve Mc Queen aurait adoré.

[MajorHazzard]

Everyone previously said it all, the only thing I will add is it sound's terrific, takes me back to my teens in the 60's