The Honda DJ-1 was introduced in 1985 as Honda's competitor to Yamaha’s successful Jog. Unlike the Tact, which had a more traditional design, the DJ-1 featured a compact, aerodynamic shape inspired by sport motorcycles at the time. Although the DJ1 contains a lot of the same parts as a tact, the styling is different. This styling, marketed as the "Dolphin Jump Line," helped establish the DJ-1 as a youth-oriented scooter that geared teenagers to build this in the late 80s and 90s.
Common Modifications
Most builders get a fiberglass cowl for bodywork from brands like 3Peace or from sellers on Yahoo Auctions. You can also get OEM DJ-1R and DJ-1RR cowls, which have aggressive aero-style shapes that match the liveries of those models. They're about the same price as fiberglass cowls, but they're a lot shorter, so don't expect to scrape on 10-inch wheels.
If you want to scrape the cowl, you need DJ-1 8-inch wheels.
The DJ-1R and DJ-1RR came with two of Honda's best factory wheel options if you don't like 8-inch wheels. The DJ-1R had the popular Shuriken wheels, and the DJ-1RR had Cool Irons (drum brakes). You won't be able to go super low with 10-inch wheels without rubbing the front fairing. The DJ-1R fork covers are a small but nice touch that makes the bike look more sporty, in my opinion.
The DJ-1RR headlight turn signals are another important OEM part that you should look for. They came with clear lenses instead of the usual orange ones. If you can't find OEM, you can also get a set of Kuroki DJ-1 clears.
The DJ-1 isn't the best option for heavy venting because of its sleek body shape, but it still is a decent candidate. With the front panel, you can vent the lower part and make a few cutouts to connect everything, and moving to the rear, there is some room for a few vents and cutouts under the seat. There have been big sandan or aero builds, but they aren't very common for this base.
The DJ-1 can take many forms, some lean toward race-inspired liveries, a few stay close to OEM+, and others go all out with a rocket cowl up front. You can really build it however you like.
-
Chamber exhaust
Loud scooter = cool scooter Chamber should be where half of your scooter build buget should go -
Remove springs
Pull the springs and get low to the ground. Run true nosus or throw a skateboard bushing in, either will improve handling! -
Custom bodywork
Cut vents into the bodywork and cutouts into the fender and under the seat for a unique, stylized look. This is way harder than it looks. -
Clear Turn Signals
The DJ-1RR used clear turn signal lenses instead of orange ones. Kuroki DJ-1 clear lenses are a strong alternative and better than the originals. -
Tail cowl
Remove rear rack and fit a tail cowl (wing), often paired with undercowl and headlight cowl. There are wings in evey single length, shape and angle! -
8-Inch Wheels
If you want the cowl to scrape, you must run DJ-1 8-inch wheels. They give you the height you need to get low enough.
The DJ1 had several variations, some rarer and more expensive than others. This covers the main ones you will run into:
DJ-1
The base model with an 8-inch wheel setup, short stubby fork covers, black, less-cool OEM exhaust, and an 8-inch version of the tail lenses, which are smoothed over compared to the 10-inch versions. The original DJ-1 came in many colors, including blue, yellow, white, white+blue, black+yellow, red+white, and the 1985 DJ-1 Wing Special Edition, which came in white+blue, pearl pink, and red with special decals and an inner cubby glove box.
DJ-1R
A sportier version with 10-inch shuriken wheels. It featured a chamber-type muffler with a silencer and a more aggressive design. This version also contains a factory undercowl, racing-inspired colours, and designs including painted shocks, aggressive fork coversand an aggressive rear tail light that sticks past the rear turn signals.
There was also a limited run of 2,000 units as a collab with the fashion brand Viva You, which was extremely popular among young women. The entire body was unified in two colors, white and black, with white polka dots on the front and black stripes on the rear sporting shuriken wheels.
DJ-1RR
This update comes with 10-inch cool iron wheels. Has the same chamber-type muffler with a silencer as the 86. The update brought clear lenses, foot “pegs” to be in a racing stance, a more aggressive seat, really aggressive foot pegs and colored grips.
DJ-1RR
The highest-performance model in the lineup, it introduced a telescopic front fork, a larger 95mm front drum brake with Cool Irons, rare dual headlights, and aerodynamic air ducts around the panels. The "RR" (pronounced "Double R") branding was inspired by Honda’s high-performance motorcycle lineup.
Why People Choose This Base
The DJ-1 offers a variety of color options and is easily found in North America as a 1987 Elite, which can be swapped to Japanese spec. It comes with multiple wheel combinations and a performance-oriented look. Tact engine parts, like chambers, bolt right up, and it has a factory undercowl, making it a great choice for a first build.
The Downsides
The Unifender design isn’t for everyone, and standing out often requires custom fiberglass or bodywork. Larger, extravagant aero can be difficult to integrate into the design. Models with 8-inch wheels have a lower top speed, and with so many different versions released, tracking down specific parts from a particular model can be challenging, such as the DJ1RR duel headlight, for example.
So Why Should You Buy One???
The Honda DJ-1 line is an excellent choice for a clean, period-correct build. Its sleek, sport-inspired design and availability of modifications make it easy to create a stylish, performance-oriented scooter. If you prefer a simple build, go for a lowered stance with 8-inch wheels, a fiberglass or OEM cowl, and a crushed velvet seat. However, if you’re aiming for extravagant aero or heavy body modifications or vents, this may not be the best base, but still possible if you want a challenge. Overall, the DJ-1 offers a solid platform for a solid custom scooter, though some rarer parts can be harder to find for a reasonable price.
🌟Mr Kuroki's Favorite Builds🌟
@40kuzi
@Unknown
@xavuhh