OLD GOLD ‘78 Honda CB750 SuperSport

This Bike was featured at Pipeburn.com (Click here to view) - Written by Martin Hodgson.

For any artist there is a fine line between allowing yourself enough creative space to fulfil your passion and doing the work that puts food on the table. For Dustin Kott that involves the delicate balancing act of working at the major Hollywood studios while still giving time to his artistic endeavour, Kott Motorcycles. There is also the small fact that he’s a perfectionist, a time-consuming trait. But that hasn’t stopped him from proving you can in fact improve on perfection; four years since the completion of a Honda he called Ruby Red, Dustin’s back with an homage that raises the bar to all new heights. An elite level cafe racer, Ruby Gold is a 1978 Honda CB750 Super Sport that’s flawless in fit and finish.

“It’s a rare one for me to work on in that it is a 1978 Super Sport 750. I’ve historically avoided this particular year due to its ever-increasing stylistic queues harkening toward the 80’s era of motorcycles. With its stock Mag wheels, less attractive front end and tune proof carbs I usually pass on taking on this bike,” explains Kott. But with the bike shipped down to So Cal by its owner in Oregon, Dustin saw a unique challenge to build a sister bike to the previous 750 SS and show himself and the world how his building skills have evolved.

Like all Kott bikes this is a frame off affair with every nut and bolt inspected or replaced and nothing left to chance. While many builders add to their creations, so much of what Dustin does is about refining a motorcycle to its bare necessities and ensuring each component is perfect. It’s here that his metalworking skills take centre stage, the often maligned Super Sport tank now the focal point of this incredible machine. “While maintaining the original deep red hue of the original fuel tank, the inspiration was to carry the colour throughout the machine.”

As well as that flawless red paint flowing over the ‘bread loaf’ tank design it also finds a home on Kott’s signature tail-piece. The minimalist hump meticulously hand crafted out of metal in his shop, the lines are flawless from every angle. But it is perhaps the rear view that gives the best illustration of the way the tanks central hump has been complimented with a centre crease in the tail that gives you an idea of just how seriously Dustin takes his craft. “A replication of the original tank decal was introduced into the seat pan and oil tank for a very 70’s stock feel.”

That oil tank is a sight to behold, the external unit no distraction from the negative space that many seek to see evident in the void below the seat, but an incredible addition. Seeming to almost float in its location, each line matches with parallel perfection to the corresponding line on the frame. A machined filler cap, braided hoses and high ended automotive fittings ensure the piece isn’t let down in any way. The last of the paint work is reserved for the bucket of the classic headlight that wears a chrome bezel. While the seats dark chocolate-brown leather is stitched together with gold thread for the final touch of continuity.

But having gone to such lengths to make the visuals of the bike appeal, Dustin’s dislike for the stock wheels meant a change was a must. The switch from mag wheels to spoked items is no easy task, especially factoring in the rear normally supports a disc brake. The conversion got off to a good start with a 1975 K model rear hub located in the shops rafters. Then it was over to the lathe to make spacers and find a way to make the disc fit. The finished result looks like it was always meant to be with the wave pattern drilled rotors giving a distinctive custom touch.

Activating the new assembly is one of Kott’s favourite aspects of the build and a true amalgamation of old and new. “Even though the fitment of the Brembo master cylinder and associated linkages looks simple, the thought, balance, operation and simplicity required took quite a bit of thought.” Replicated on the left side for gear shifting, the Honda has a retro tech appeal with high-end function meeting classic looks. The rear suspension is given a quality upgrade with progressive rate spring over shocks, while modern Michelin rubber gives superb road holding wrapped around the gold colour matched rims.

By 1978 the single cam 750cc Honda four cylinder was in its last days but to keep the American market happy the Japanese engineers had made some special tweaks. And Dustin doesn’t let them down by giving the motor some extra hop and a factory fresh finish. A mix of black cases, metal finished barrels and chrome covers gives the engine the hot rod feel. While a set of Keihin CR carbs give it the fuelling it needs to give it the go. The headers are heat coated to match and finish out the back with a bark thanks to a raw steel reverse cone muffler.

A set of clip-on bars with twin cable throttle mechanism controls the power and things are kept clean and simple up front. A new set of levers, old school grips and braided lines get the job done without any fuss. The finished cafe racer is everything that was great about Ruby Red with the addition of four more years of Dustin’s evolution as a builder. “I like the concept of seeing two machines side by side from different eras of personal development. It gives one the opportunity to notice improvements and refinements amidst such similar outcomes.” It’s hard to see how things can get any better from here, but one thing about Kott Motorcycles is that when Hollywood isn’t calling, Dustin is constantly on the quest to go to an all new level.

1977 BMW R100/7

In the last year or so I have intentionally rolled back the pace at which custom projects leave the shop. I always hope to recognize the opportunity to place creative perspective back in the fore of my approach toward my custom builds. The proficiency of specializing in a particular brand of vintage machines is not only helpful, as a mostly one man shop, but also imperative if one is to keep ahead of the work load. The time for research and development is usually shelved in order to fulfill custom orders versus the alternative of maintaining a pace of less then controlled chaos. Having taken a proactive stance on minimizing output naturally created the opportunity and time to tackle my first BMW custom build.

The project started out as a stock 1977 BMW R100/7. With an unreasonably boring stance, color and seating arrangement, there was great certainty in needing to make a multitude of irreversible changes. The real inspiration came even before the bike was shipped to the shop. In the process of answering emails the request came through for a custom BMW build. I reminded the potential client that this was not only a machine which I had never built before but also had little to no knowledge of how to even approach or price this project. One short phone call later the customer simply stated that based on the gallery of bikes on the Kott Motorcycles website and some of the videos he had watched about the shop, that he implicitly trusted our capabilities and that we should move forward with the undertaking of the build. After an agreement was reached I was reminded that not unlike friends, motorcycles too were once strangers until you shake proverbial hands with them. Apart from the inspirational confidence that the client placed in the shops capability, inspiration came from the thought that our trademark stylistic approach would work just as well on the BMW as it had on any other brand or manufacturer we had customized before. Confidence, ultimately, turns out to be a cornerstone of inspiration.

We were not only commissioned for the build but also had the task of locating a donor machine for the client. The ever increasing scarcity of vintage bikes in general, due to higher demand and shortage of supply is occasionally staggering, especially when values are easily determined based upon potential and not actual condition. The first BMW donor that I found I felt a little lucky until literally, with cash in hand, the owner simply stated that it was no longer for sale. Thankfully the client was searching for a machine as well. The search was finally over once the 1977 model was located and shipped to the shop in fairly decent condition.

As with every machine that comes into the shop we approach the motor and fuel delivery systems first. The BMW motor was disassembled and quickly outfitted with new exhaust valves, rings, charging circuit and rotor. The original starter motor, which is about the same size as the one on my 1966 Ford pickup, was replaced by a new lightweight version that could still be cranked over by a battery that is literally a quarter of the size of the stock unit. We wired the bike from scratch and with the new high output stator and Reg/Rec unit, we were able to resolve the underperforming charging system in order to make this a much more user friendly machine. The next task was to improve ride quality and position. The stock front end was removed and replaced with a GSXR cartridge style inverted fork. The custom triple clamps, steering stem and front hub, all from the experts at Cognito Moto, were the absolute foundation for the ease of this retrofit. Custom hand cut rearset plates were fabricated to fit seamlessly around the swingarm mount to make them look as period factory as possible if there were such a thing. The tank choice, which came from a mid 90's Yamaha XJR, seemed extremely unlikely until its fitment solved all types of aesthetic and component placement issues. The sheer size of the tank matches the exaggerated proportions of the motor very well and also complemented the hand fabricated seat in a way that is appreciated from nearly every viewed angle of the bike. A fortunate find for the project was a rear spoked hub/differential. Some people may enjoy the look of the stock mag style wheels that the bike had upon entering the shop, but I am not one of those people. The spoked wheels gave the machine just the right amount of vintage styling to offset some of the more modern components used on the project.

Each custom build offers varying levels of resistance to effort. The most complicated aspects of the build allowed me to reach out to some very talented shops in order to achieve the best solutions. The custom rear subframe was an absolute necessity in establishing the narrow and nimble seat design. With tons of variables to consider like shock mounting location, correct suspension alignment and overall strength, I needed another set of eyes and hands for the creation of the custom subframe. Metal Lab Fab knocked out the professional jig and finished product in no time, allowing for improved style and sleekness of overall design. The next, and what felt like an insurmountable challenge, was placed in the more than capable hands of Cognitio Moto. The more research that I did in regards to the front end swap and upgrade, I realized that not only had these guys pretty much beat everyone to the punch, they had perfected their proprietary front hub design and triple clamp  assembly which the bike now proudly showcases.

My favorite aspect of this build, other then the fact that it turned out as good or better then how I had originally envisioned it, is the fact that there is now an established community of builders and shop owners that collectively, can build a machine that in its finished state, is truly unique.  There seem to be pockets of increasing interest that allow any builder, regardless of present skill level or amount of tools or equipment, to be able to allow a design to reach a certain level of fruition that otherwise may never have been realized. I think we can all see shifts in the stylistic appropriation and donor machine choice that not long ago may have been overlooked based on the fact that others hadn't made it through the wall yet or had any access to the support system of an ever increasing number of skilled craftsmen to help when needed.

I usually leave the name of my projects up to the client once delivery of the machine is finalized.

This particular project definitely falls under the category of what most would consider to be a traditional café racer.

Prusa 350

With the ever increasing popularity of the cb350 platform lending itself to the culture of simplicity, this 350 I believe is our best simplified version yet. I have said before and still maintain a belief that riding a small and relatively underpowered motorcycle as hard and as fast as possible is often the most noteworthy and memorable two wheeled experience that one can have. 

The stance of this machine is predominantly defined by the use of the under appreciatedCB350 four fuel tank. As a proprietary approach, a custom seat was then fabricated to match and complement the fuel tank selection. The pressed steel frame of the cb350 can present some fitment challenges when taking a custom approach but the hand made nickel plated rearsets fit directly into the original passenger peg plate location, got lucky with that one! Polished aluminum Excel wheels and stainless spokes brought a much needed aesthetic fullness to the bottom half of this petite machine. Suspended with the original front exposed springs and custom Works rear shocks this bike handles as great as it looks! With a timeless gloss black paint scheme and custom ivory white striping, immaculate Mikuni carbs and a completely electronic ignition unit I believe that a new plateau has been reached with the café inspiration of this little buzz box. So much fun to ride! That is what this is all about.

U.K. 550

It is encouraging to know that several of our custom builds have made it across the pond to the birthplace of the Cafe Racer. In order to celebrate the proportions of the vintage racing influence that English bikes have always possessed, I decided to use a GS 650 fuel tank for this build. It's overwhelming proportions, especially in contrast with the seat design, gave the bike the impression of forward momentum. To bring some American influence to the bike I modified the muffler into a shortened slash cut style. I was able to install a custom baffle in order to adhere to UK noise standards but still give the machine a menacing exhaust note. This bike features a new proprietary speedometer mounting system that incorporates the gauge itself and neutral/ flasher indication lights. The Excel shouldered wheels, Avon venom tires and classic maple maroon leather gave this bike an identity all its own. Upon receiving the finished build, the owner remarked that not only had we met his standards of quality but we exceeded it greatly. This is and continues to be the goal of Kott Motorcycles.

Falcon 550

I saw the color for this bike on an a 64 Ford Falcon. I immediately fell in love! Every build starts with a multitude of features and focal points. Sometimes you can build an entire machine around just one special feature. This bike really started to take shape after arranging the color scheme, front drum brake, and Italian slip on muffler. During the design process you find yourself wanting to implement these special features so as to create the machine around them. As with all Kott builds the motor was immediately disassembled for an overhaul. The next phase of the build included the fabrication of new fuel tank mounts for the 750SS tank. The seat was then constructed to neatly tuck the downsized battery and redesigned wiring and charging system underneath it. The pipe offered some challenges when trying to establish an aggressive angularity. The custom rearsets were repositioned to allow for the new muffler angle. In using the original stock headlight bucket we were able to tuck the headlight assembly tightly into place. And with the use of our custom altered headlight brackets, any unwanted vacancy in design was avoided. The front drum brake was from a CB 350 model and really brought a simplicity to the machine. With the use of a fork brace, any deviation in handling was addressed. The final touch was the classic mid sixties silver/ blue paint scheme against a red/brown leather upholstery for the seat. I really love the overall look and feel of this machine that became known as Falcon blue.

MJR (Ink Blue)

After a simple tweet from Lance Armstrong the shop was approached by several curious perspective future owners of our custom built Kott Motorcycles. MJR was just such a client. As a competitive cyclist in years past his curiosity peaked when Armstrong was photographed in the archetypal ergonomic seating position that cafe racers offer, so very similar to competition bicycles. He had to have one of his own!
This bike was another of the CB family to be finished in our cult classic Ink Blue paint scheme. With a growing number of requests for our new exposed front spring design on our 750 models, this project took on a character all its own with the paired dual rotor accompaniment up front. The fuel tank selection allowed for yet another non-stock future option for Cb750 modifications. This GS 650 tank and handmade seat cowl offered a new aggressiveness and angularity to the ever versatile CB 750 platform. With a custom stainless exhaust tip coupled with polished stainless rearsets, the finish of this machine was as organic as it was purposeful. Fitted with a speedo, mirror, and functioning indicators this machine allowed us to really explore tasteful and subtle solutions to improved utilitarianism and street legality. The use of progressive suspension in the rear promoted a handling dynamic that allows a vintage motorcycle to handle with an ease that simply was not available forty years ago!

Naked speed 750

It is not often that I am afforded the opportunity to build a motorcycle for myself. As much as I promote and endorse my clients participation in the conception of there own machine, it is refreshing to execute on ideas that can lay dormant in your minds eye. Ideas can flourish in an environment that is not constrained with monetary parameters, which I feel was exactly the state of affairs that were present during the infantile stages of this project.
Starting with the dedication to the elimination of any type of mid frame oil tank that the dry sump 750 engine requires was first on the list. The aluminum seat cowl was constructed to not only support riding position but to allow a sufficient volume for an oil supply. The leather upholstery was then stitched to a removable steel pan that allowed for access to the fuel tank rear mount. Neatly arranged underneath the custom fitted GS 750 fuel tank is where all of the required electronics found there final positioning. The battery, regulator/rectifier unit, starter switch and terminal connector block were all able to fit beneath the cavernous tunnel of this eclectic tank fitment. One of the biggest challenges was the fitment of a Triumph T-120R conical drum brake hub into a stock Honda front end, that also featured our new exposed front spring design. With the machining of stainless split-lock wheel spacers the concept soon became a reality and added a rich and unique aesthetic dynamic to the front end assembly. The selection of shouldered aluminum wheels and stainless spokes along with Avon tires continued to pay homage to English styling and influence. With final finish options including a timeless classic silver paint with hand pinstriped maroon accents along with matching oxblood leather this bike became an immediate hit with shop patrons. After being featured on Velocity channels Naked Speed premier, it quickly transferred hands to a client who now owns several Kott custom Builds!

Black and Copper 550

The 1977 and 1978 single overhead cam CB’s incorporated several changes to the earlier models. Not all of these changes were well received but some of those changes can be enhanced to make the best machine possible. The later model frames and swingarms were slightly longer than the earlier models and elongated the wheel base of these machines. Garrett at Relic Motorcycles fabricated an exended swingarm that enhanced the already additional length and gave this bike a menacing drag bike look. A look that lent itself well to the dark overtones of the black paint scheme and the timelessness of   subtly placed copper and distressed brown leather. I feel that the headlight placement of this bike was also ideal. On a number of my past builds I have often been haunted by the inevitable void that is created with the elimination of the original bulky speedo and tach arrangement. The intentionality of shortening the headlight brackets and using a smaller headlight bucket gave this bike a tidy and well packaged look. An additional experiment with the truncated seat length proved in my opinion to give the bike a sense of animated proportions that offered the machine the look of an almost floating tank and seat combination once again harkening to the vintage drag stance.

Green and Brass

The temptation often arises at the shop to experiment with a multitude of color arrangements that have not been implemented on past builds. As a dedication to never duplicating any past builds, this bike forced us to delve into a new direction for finish options. The Brit racing green inspiration for the build was an obvious go to once the bike started to take shape. The next obvious choice was the use of subtle brass highlights and tan leather to give the bike a prestigious character. The handling on this 550 was considered with the implementation of a three rotor braking design. One can see the sanitary arrangement and tight clearances of the rear master cylinder and remote reservoir used to make the modification possible. The fullness of the super sport 550 fuel tank continues to prove itself as a viable and versatile tank option to define the prominent stance of any custom build. Our proprietary rearset design fits snugly and effortlessly in the SS frame rail arrangement and the slash cut pipe gave a look and exhaust tone that is succinct and original. All in all this machine became a nimble and responsive motorcycle that is a thrill to ride!

The Patina

Tremendous efforts were put into this second-to-none collaborative build. Winner of the "Best Cafe" award at the 2012 5th Annual VVMC Motorcycle Event. This bike has caught the attention of Pipeburn.com, a renowned motorcycle blog, and is still capturing the attention of onlookers who appreciate the blending of old and new technologies. The bike has earned its name due to its copper finishes which have been left to the elements.

Charcoal / Brown 750

The Charcoal/Brown 750 is representative of our moderately customized 2014 version of the infamous cb750. With the intention of essentially creating a ”brand new” forty year old motorcycle every aspect of this build, and every Kott build for that matter, is carefully scrutinized. The process of the build starts at the stripped down, modified, and powder coated frame. Fitted with relaced wheels and new tires, hand made seat and rearsets. New electrical wiring, nanophosphate battery and solid state components. Complete engine tune and carb rebuild along with a aluminum oil tank. A charcoal gray paint scheme and vintage chestnut leather allowed this bike to represent a timeless and classic approach toward a re-purposed and re-imagined standard motorcycle.

Exec 550

The frame was modified in order to receive a 1976 750 SS fuel tank. The seat is a signature Kott hand built tail piece fabricated from round bar and sheet steel to pair well with the fuel tank. The modified frame was stripped to raw steel and powder coated with a gloss clear. The result was a golden gray appearance that was carried through the build with monochromatic intention. Brass highlights are tastefully presented throughout the build to add an antiquated and timeless appeal, carried into the rear hub and back of the seat by means of plated mesh steel. The motor is rebuilt to stock displacement and the carbs have been fully disassembled and restored with jetting accommodations for velocity stacks. A stainless steel four into one header was used to enhance performance.The rearsets incorporate the original Honda  brake and shift levers welded to a Standoff  per side in order to maintain a vintage appeal. The rearset plates are all cut by hand and fit only the bike for which they are intended. Braking power was considered and optimized with the addition of a second 3/8 drilled rotor with dual trailing calipers per side of the reversed fork tubes. A new feature of the build included a removable splash guard placed neatly between the frame rails to  protect the intake velocity stacks. The headlight heralds from the 60s era pressed steel Honda design normally fitted to the SL 350s of the time. With shapely cut outs and modified headlight brackets the headlamp tied the triple clamp and fuel tank lines together tightly. Relaced with stainless spokes the Excel shouldered aluminum wheels and Avon tires gave the bottom half of the motorcycle a stout and sturdy look. A four cell battery is neatly tucked away under the seat cowl along with brand new solid state electronic components, fresh wiring and an L.E.D. Tail light. This bike was showcased at the annual Quail gathering m.c. show, was featured on BikeEXIF.com, and took best custom motorcycle at the annual Friends of Steve McQueen show.

Ink Blue 550

During the build process there are influences that are often requested which we may have been used on other creations in the past. The policy at the shop continues to be one of originality for each and every machine. To incorporate a balance between innovative and historic ideas we have made an allowance for certain influences to permeate into an entirely new build.This particular 550,  named ”Ink Blue 550” resonates with this philosophy.
Having already used this particular color on a well received cb350 platform, the decision was made to translate the same deep black and blue finish onto the 550 donor. The color was cleverly appropriated into the raw steel headers that have a rich blue hue from the exhaust exiting the freshly built 544cc engine. A standard rearset plate for the ”Iron Glimmer” powdercoated 550 frame continues to be a staple signature piece that facilitates the original triangulated frame rail for optimal ride position. As with all Kott builds a hand built seat cowl not only houses the brand new electrical system and battery but introduces a seamless line throughout the build and creates an ergonomically ideal seating arrangement. Knee indentations and handlebar cutouts have been carefully positioned to maximize the machines steering radius and to make an allowance for additional rider comfort.  Along with the color and chassis features of this bike, black leather and minimal chrome accents have created an understated and classy appearance for another one of a kind motorcycle.
    This build currently resides in Indiana and was shown in issue fourteen of Iron and Air magazine.

Red Pearl

What I feel is most important about any finished bike, with this bike being no exception, are the components that are unseen. For instance, it is often taken for granted the neatly arranged and redundantly reliable custom wiring harness. This bike was fitted with a replaced electrical system designed for this machine only.

Ride quality is optimized only when each and every component is carefully selected to work in unison with the others. When these great lengths are taken, one can always expect excellent performance. I would describe the performance of this build as crisp and immediate. The ride quality is sturdy and the machine has an eagerness about it that is succinct and addictive.

This particular bike was showcased at the invitation-only 5th Annual ‘One’ show in Portland, Oregon. The most encouraging compliments were the ones that touted the timelessly classy stance of the build and the all-business approach toward balance, performance, and simplicity.

RHCB820

This particular bike started as a 1971 CB750 in very bad shape and in desperate need of a second chance and complete transformation. Due to the fact that the only usable components of the donor bike were the frame and the bottom case of the motor, the opportunity arose for the shop to implement some performance and aesthetic enhancements that had not been utilized prior. With an increasing interest toward vintage Japanese motorcycles and an appreciation for the cost that it takes to really make something that outperforms its previous potential, we are reaching an unprecedented congruence between value and price tag.

The original 736cc motor was punched to an 820cc engine with a brand new moderately aggressive camshaft. The motor was fitted with reconditioned and re-jetted carburetors and velocity stacks. Brand new Excel shouldered aluminum wheels re-laced with custom cut stainless spokes paired well with the triple rotored brake design. The front brake incorporates a custom fit dual banjo manifold while the rear brake was specifically designed with a modern rear master cylinder and remote brake reservoir—all fitted neatly into the brake side rear set. The shortened and lowered front fender is held externally by hand-formed electroplated aluminum braces. The copper electroplating was carried throughout the build and is prominently featured in the rare Italian headlamp. The headlight was the perfect accompaniment to the aesthetic fullness of the XS1100 fuel tank. The hand-formed signature seat brought just the right length of color and balance to the overall wheelbase of the machine. The paint color was inspired by the 1963 Ford Galaxy’s paint swatch code called ‘Wimbledon White’. Between the paint selection and copper highlights, our very own aluminum oil tank, the cast iron finish of the motor against the walnut brown leather seat, and tasteful chrome highlights, there is nothing that I would have done differently on this build.

The RHCB820 was featured at The 5th annual invitation only ‘One Show’ in Portland, Oregon in February 2014 and will ultimately find its home in Denver, Colorado. If timing permits, this bike could be featured at one last invitational bike show.

'13

Every year there is an arbitrary attempt to revisit builds that have been done in the past.  The intention is to use similar aesthetics combined with new ideas or improvements to create a continually refined machine. We then have the opportunity to review two similar builds side by side to showcase improvements that have been made and also to reveal where refinements are necessary.

This particular build is the successor of several classic gloss black 500’s/550’s done in the not so recent past. The rapidity of new and improved concepts concerning handling, performance, comfort and aesthetics has led the shop to new opportunity and success. The dual rotor assembly led to a stout aesthetic fullness and vastly improved braking capability, coupled with a nickel plated rearset  assembly for efficient rear drum actuation. The seat cowling was designed to create the necessary rider positioning but also to create space for a single regulator/rectifier unit and lithium iron battery. As design features flow from front to back, continuity should develop and repeat throughout the build. Hand and knee indentations were added for rider comfort and continued into the seat design. The nickel plating was used sparingly on this build in order to create a subtle touch that did not over power the simplicity of the build concept.  The majority of the hardware used for the build was black zinc plating and stainless steel.

The Burnt Nickel II

The name of this bike is indicative of the heat-treated steel that has been clear-coated to create a unique and raw finish. Several components from front to back and bottom to top have been given the warmth of nickel electroplating. Lastly, this is the second motorcycle on which Kott has showcased this aesthetic marbleized effect. The retrofitted front drum brake, the sweeping valance header pipe stemming from the freshly rebuilt 400 F motor, the infamously sought after 400 F tank, the handmade steel seat coupled with brown leather upholstery, and the stainless wheel spokes all create a series of warm finishes that give this bike an extremely unique appeal. As the original Burnt Nickel currently resides in Australia, the Burnt Nickel II is destined for Vancouver, Canada--both examples of Kott Motorcycles' world-wide presence.

The Jade Green 350

This particular 350 came in the shop as a challenge to incorporate influences apart from the normal inspirations. The most important factors that define the stance are the upswept British handlebars, the custom flat two-seater style seat pan, and a generally revised stock look. In order to maintain an antiquated aesthetic, custom paint color was inspired by the original 1970's Honda paint code, and a well-worn walnut brown leather was used to handcraft the upholstery. The blacked-out rolling chassis brought an aggressive personality to a fairly docile small-capacity Honda twin. Even though the inspiration for this build was not based in the typical café form, the outcome of this build proved that we were able to take on new challenges and translate the skills of Kott Motorcycles onto a well-thought out, multi-purpose, dual rider.

The Veritas

Definition: ve·ri·tas English ver-i-tas, -tahs] noun Latin.  Truth.

“Even in literature and art, no man who bothers about originality will ever be original: whereas if you simply try to tell the truth (without caring two-pence how often it has been told before) you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed It”.

C. S. Lewis

This quote caught our eye because C.S. Lewis heralds from The United Kingdom—the birthplace of the café racer culture. Even though he is not referring to the eclectic café racer scene he most certainly has a point. There appears to be no doubt that the stance and approach of the café style and functionality is permeating the mainstream motorcycle movement in terms of design and philosophy. It is extremely important to match the integrity of a custom build not only with what is visible but the quality of the components that are not seen.  On this particular build the motor has been completely rebuilt. The ignition system was considered and optimized with the use of brand new Dyna coils and magnetic pick-up base plate.  The internals of the carburetors have been carefully selected to work not only with the four into two header pipes but also with the custom velocity stacks. Neatly arranged under the seat cowl are brand new electronic components and a one-off heat shrunk wiring harness using all OEM connectors anchored to a riveted aluminum relocation table. As with all builds, the rear set plates were hand-crafted and thoughtfully positioned for ergonomic efficiency working in tandem with the hand-crafted steel seat pan and cowl for optimal rider position. Original Suzuki re-chromed wheels were re-laced with stainless custom cut spokes. The oil tank is of a parallelogram design that replicates the 55° and 125° triangulation of the Honda frame rails. Stainless steel feed and return hose was used in unison with leak-free A.N. fittings welded into the custom steel tank. In order to achieve a refined and elegant stance, this particular build incorporated the always useful 750 Supersport fuel tank complete with hand and knee indentations. The seat was made to just the right length for a continuous flow of color against the wheel base and overall length of the machine. Indentations were added to the seat to maintain a steady and comfortable aesthetic that paired well with the BMW charcoal gray paint selection. As a visual highlight, electroplated brass was incorporated sparingly to create a warm and antique finish and complements the RK gold O-ring high-performance drive chain and 17 tooth counter sprocket.

As with all builds done under the roof of Kott Motorcycles, a commitment to honest work that is well executed is a constant theme with every completed machine.

Often times the inspiration for a build can revolve around one single component. In the case of this 1976 CB 750, the rare and valuable four shoe front drum hub of the Suzuki Triple Two-Stroke Series became that very component.

Scarlet

Scarlet is an example of a classically styled and redundantly simplified archetype of a vintage race-inspired machine. The beauty of this build is in its simplicity. During the build process it seemed at times that this bike was so void of extraneous features, almost as if something were missing. However, as the build reached fruition, it became clear that its clean, unfettered appearance was not lacking anything and another heirloom rolled out of the shop.