Suzuki Street-Traciker

SUZUKI STREET-TRACIKER

ANY GEARHEAD WORTH HIS 20w50 knows that racing improves the breed. For flat-track fanatic Mark Anderson, it also creates a need. The ex-racer is one-half of the duo responsible for the Yamaha XS650-based AR Streetracker (CW, October, 1998). His latest solo creation, however, is a road-going tribute to the F&S Suzuki TL1000 ridden by Steve Morehead in last year's AMA SuperTrackers Series.

"F&S's Dennis Towne and Gary Stolzenburg laid the groundwork," Anderson says,

modestly. “I just had to figure out the street stuff-lights, horn, sidestand, suspension setup, brakes and where to mount the battery.”

Anderson started with a C&J frame, to which he fitted a conventional 43mm Showa fork and a Penske shock. Performance Machine provided the 320mm front brake rotors, which are squeezed by Brembo GP-spec four-piston calipers; a 267mmdisc/twin-piston combo runs out back. PM also supplied the 19inch wheels, which are shod with Goodyear racing rubber.

The liquid-cooled, dohc,

996cc Suzuki V-Twin is fundamentally stock. Just like Morehead’s racebike, though, it wears enormous 45mm Mikunis in place of the stock fuel injection. “The F&S guys needed to get the bike on the track,” Anderson explained, “so they skipped the EFI learning curve.” Ditto the trusted dual Accufires, which replace the stock ignition.

Appearance-wise, Anderson maintained a minimalist look, grafting on an Acerbis headlight and tiny Japanese-market turnsignals. DR350 switchgear rides on a wide handlebar, complementing the only gauge-a water-temp indicator. The metalwork is all either billet-aluminum or stainless steel. Other niceties? How ’bout the electric starter? Rather than doing the Harley XR-750 run-and-bump routine, Anderson just pushes the button and smiles.

The finished product, Anderson claims, weighs 340 pounds dry and makes 115 horsepower at the rear wheel. Should you feel the need, Norsman Motor Company (22 Lincolnshire Rd., Webster, NY 14580; 716/265-4498), will build you a copy, ready to roll for $24,800. Nick Ienatsch