Source: BikeEXIF –
As Taiwan’s relatively young custom scene continues to flourish, we have the privilege of watching plucky startups become established players. Take Twentytwo Custom; this custom Suzuki TU250 Grasstracker is only their seventh build, but it perfectly showcases their skill at turning lightweight commuters into spicy little scramblers.
Twentytwo is the custom arm of the Taiwanese moto culture and apparel brand, Persist Motorcycle Company. Working in collaboration with the custom workshop Tough Tracker, the crew’s forte is customizing sub-500 cc UJMs with a deft mix of modern and vintage flair. And this Suzuki is one of their spunkiest creations yet.
In stock form, the Suzuki TU250 Grasstracker Big Boy (that’s its full name) is a mild-mannered, practical, and somewhat adorable single-cylinder runabout. It sold in bigger numbers in Asia than anywhere else, so if you’re from another part of the world you might be more familiar with its cousins—the Suzuki VanVan and Volty.
The bones of this particular Grasstracker were picked up five years ago, but soon found themselves relegated to the corner of Twentytwo’s workshop. Their number finally came up when the crew wrapped up their sixth build. Keen to jump straight onto their seventh, Twentytwo and Tough Tracker dragged the Grasstracker parts out and set to work turning them into a functional motorcycle.
With little more than a frame and motor, the Grasstracker was the blankest of canvases. Taking inspiration from vintage motocross bikes and old British sleds, Twentytwo envisioned a utilitarian scrambler with a tiny bit of panache.
To kick things off, the Grasstracker’s chassis was brought up to par with a handful of repurposed Japanese parts. The forks, yokes, and front drum brake hub all come from a Yamaha SR400, and the bike rolls on fresh 19F/28R wheels. They’re shod with vintage-style Firestone ANS tires.
The swingarm is stock, but the shock mounts have been moved to tweak the Suzuki’s geometry. Fully adjustable shocks from the Taiwanese company MJP prop up the rear. Higher up, the frame’s been cut and shut, with a tidy kicked-up loop to finish it off.
The tail end’s design is straight out of the vintage Brit bike playbook. A super-clean ribbed fender flows out from under the frame loop, capped off with a Bates-style taillight. There’s no front fender—but there is a swanky fork brace from Wedge Motorcycle in Japan.
Moving to the bodywork, Twentytwo and Tough Tracker sourced a 1970s Yamaha DT2 fuel tank, and then fabricated new mounting tabs to accommodate it. The custom seat follows the style of vintage Bates units, with a deliberate gap under its ‘nose’ to emulate the style of the time.
An alloy number board on the right-hand side hides a custom-made electronics box. The bike’s been rewired and fitted with a Lithium-ion battery, courtesy of 2LOUD Custom.
The left-hand view is dominated by a gorgeous twin exhaust system. Fabricated by another collaborator, Banai, it runs high and exits in a pair of reverse cone mufflers. A one-piece heat shield offers some heat protection.
The Suzuki TU250 engine was refreshed on the inside and outside, and upgraded with a Yoshimura ‘redhead’ carb.
Finally, Twentytwo dressed the cockpit with a set of wide tracker bars from their own product catalog. They’re fitted with a Domino quick-throttle, micro-switches, new grips, and a single rear-view mirror. A small Bates-style headlight lights the way, mirroring the design of the taillight.
The Grasstracker’s finishes are as minimalist and delightful as the bike itself. It’s a simple juxtaposition of black and silver, complemented by raw metal textures. Look closely, and you’ll spot a few bits of preserved patina—like the pitting on the chrome gas cap.
Like everything else we’ve seen from Twentytwo, this custom Suzuki TU250 Grasstracker is perfectly proportioned and tastefully prepared. If this is only their seventh build, we can’t wait to see their 70th.
TwentyTwo Custom | Persist Motorcycle Company”}]]
