mécanicienne

Dime City Cycles Clean Cut CB1100F Resto-Mod

I keep hearing that the "80's are in" and this sleek 1983 CB1100F muscle bike resto-mod from Dime City Cycles just might make believers out of us. The motorcycle was built for the "Race to Rebuild" motorcycle giveaway sponsored by Dairyland Cycle & Motorcycle Classics. It was built in a few months time but as with most things it came together nearing the finish line as the date to pick the winner drew near. This was in no small part due to Herm & Jason's hustle efforts and prowess. 

The great thing about this build is how well it maintains its factory look and integrity. No small task considering what went into building this bike. At twenty feet away the bike looks the part of a mostly stock 1983 CB1100F but take a few steps closer & the differences start jump out at you.

The first thing that might pop out at you is the just left of center profile created by the FXCR replica fairing by Airtech, the custom tail, and the paint scheme (Kevin Bates) that echoes the factory. With a few key tweaks they subtly yet profoundly altered the lines of the bike. The next difference you might notice is the GSXR USD swap. While this has been hot idea for builders to retro-fit modern suspension to vintage bikes it seems to flow with this bikes lines and intention seamlessly. If Honda had that technology in 1983, no doubt it would have been on that bike rolling off the line. The next item might be the exhaust or maybe the Gazi performance suspension fitted to the rear, or possibly the Keihin 31mm CR Roundslide carbs. Every step closer reveals some new twist or detail. 

Congratulations to Joe Adkins, the winner of this beautiful machine! We're sure everyone involved in this build is going to have a tough time giving it the send off. 

However, don't despair just because you didn't win. You're in luck because this bike is making the cross country trek to The One Motorcycle Show in Portland, OR from Feb. 7-9th. It's only a week away so make sure come out and give this and all the other bikes the fine tooth comb!  

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Yamaha TW200: World's Awesomest Motorcycle?

DE BOLEX #2 CB750

Calum is our kind of builder. Young, passionate, self-taught, and making a name for himself by producing competent, quality, desireable – and affordable – customs bikes, out of his own place, and now with his own custom motorcycle brand. Inspired by a popular British compliment, we are proud to present – de Bolex. And this is one of the first bikes to carry Calum’s cheeky brand name on the tank; Sammy’s CB750. …He clearly has balls.

The concept simple; to transform a 1981 Honda Cb750 into a fun, usable, brat-style motorcycle with a finish that would get better with age. Nothing too pretty, the wearing of leather and the rust through the lacquer on the bare metal tank are what this bike is all about.

Sammy, the new owner, is a professional photographer living in London, preferring the freedom of a bike to the hustle of the underground. He wanted something with character that could worm through traffic and that doesn’t need a weekend spent polishing. Although if he’s like most of us, he’ll polish it anyway.

The bike is the MKII, the usual brat style seat but with a slight kick at the back. “Although not an extreme custom, still rocking the original suspension and wheels, we gave extra attention where we could. For example, the rear light recessed into the tube like its always been there, custom brackets hook up the 7” headlight and the ignition barrel relocated under the tank.”

“Up the front we’ve given some Renthal ultra low bars, leather-wrapped grips and we turned-up some neat bar ends. Digital Speedos supplied us with the perfect speedo, small, satin black, and didn’t break the bank. The top end of the engine received an overhaul, replacing timing chains, re shimming the head and while the barrels and head were off they went through a cleaning treatment which brings the aluminium back like new.”

“A clothing company, whose leather is usually used for making shoes, supplied the leather for the seat; this gave the bike that rustic feel we were after. A custom exhaust system wrapped in titanium wrap provides the crack of the Honda 4, All this with a pair of Dunlop duel terrain rubber boots…”

We’re really keen to support new, young, up-and-coming British builders, so while Calum ticks all the boxes, the box we care about most is that he’s built a really cool custom motorcycle that any of us would be proud to ride, and we assume the client, Sammy, is chuffed to bits. Does the bike deserve to wear a tank badge that proclaims it to be The Bollocks? Of course it does. … Great work Calum. Show us what you build next, and we’ll share it with everyone on The Bike Shed.

See more of De Bolex on their posh new Website.