Most so-called Scrambler builds stray away from the original meaning of the term with even factory “Scrambler” offerings not really being designed for any off-road use (the Ducati Desert Sled being one of the few exceptions) so while most custom scramblers simply throw on a high front fender, flat seat and some knobby tires, this custom Scrambler example has actually been designed for some off-roading, and at the same time it happens to look pretty damn cool.
It’s not too often that you come across dirtbikes, dual-sports, and enduros that have been completely transformed like this 2009 Honda XR650L built by Gold Ghost as their premier build. This bike encapsulates everything I appreciate about professional custom builds: it’s creative, shows a great craftsmanship and attention to detail, and looks amazing. So it’s unsurprising that this custom 650 was featured at the renowned Handbuilt Motorcycle Show as well as on DropMoto’s Instagram.
At first glance it’s abundantly clear that this machine experienced a complete rebuild from the ground up. A custom sub-frame was fabricated for the new seat and rear-rack, while the alloy fenders, skid plate, license-plate mount, and battery box were all hand-formed. A ’77 Yamaha DT175 fuel tank has been fitted with a flush-mounted Motogadget mini gauge and flush-mount pop-up fuel-cap. Other bells and whistles include Motogadget handlebar integrated turn signals and custom mounted Black Magic Hella spotlight, a handmade custom grey leather seat with horizontal stitching. The aforementioned hand-formed battery box houses all the electronics that include a trick electronic lock out and one push button start.
The engine was cleaned and rebuilt, receiving several performance upgrades such as Kibblewhite valves and a Wiseco piston. A K&N filter sucks air into a Keihn FCR flat slide carb, while the engine exhales through modified FMF headers routed through a loop around the bike’s frame is a one-off handmade stainless-steel exhaust capped with a Cone Engineering muffler. The stock suspension upfront was tossed aside in favor of a fork installed with custom tuned Race Tech Gold Valve emulators inside a front end that has been shortened by 4-inches, all sitting on 19″/18″ Excel rims laced to Rad hubs with Buchanan stainless spokes.
This one-off Gold Ghost built 2009 XR650L Scrambler is registered and plated in NY state, but you can find it for sale here on Craigslist in Redondo Beach, Califonia with a price of $9,999.