Ruby Red 750 Supersport

When a design concept starts out as being somewhat unclear, I have incorporated a philosophy as a default to mimic or recreate something I feel manufacturers may have done in the ‘70’s. This is the second Supersport built recently with an FZR 600 rear master cylinder. The tank still has the stock paint job and the seat was built to match the aesthetic of the tank including an incorporated decal maintaining the continuity of the lines on the tank. As a unique addition to the upholstery, the seat pan section of the leather contains the cattle brand.

The Marlboro 750

Appropriately called The Marlboro 750, this bike is center stage during the fabrication process of the late 2012 commercial filmed in the shop by Marlboro. Due for release in European countries in 2013, one can observe the transformation process of a forgotten, neglected machine into a finished Kott motorcycle. This bike is not breaking any new ground aesthetically as we have previously done a number of machines with a similar finish, but this is the most accurate and relevant depiction of a 2013 build. The Marlboro 750 will ultimately reside in Ontario, Canada and lends itself to the testament of international acclaim of Kott Motorcycles.

The Saint and Sinner

Nicknamed the "Saint and Sinner" by its owner, this bike entered the shop as clunky and cumbersome as all 750 Supersports do. With a desperate need for weight reduction, lowered center of gravity, and machine manageability the motto for a Honda 750 Supersport is "keep it stock or chop hard". Complete renovation of the rear disc brake was the first task at hand. The incorporation of a modernized rear master cylinder as well as a rear set design that not only maintains a period-correct aesthetic and at the same time capitalizes on present-day functionality, has made this bike an exceptional, enigmatic creation.

The Storm Trooper 550

This late 1970's Supersport 550, aptly named for obvious reasons, included a first-of-its-kind front headlight fairing--a build feature carried into 2013. Notably the overall size and shape of the Supersport fuel tank demands an angularity in the rest of the steel body components. The seat introduced relatively harsh angular lines that fish-mouthed a tightly hidden taillight. The front headlight fairing constructed in the same way as the seat (1/4" steel round bar and sheet steel) also introduced an aesthetic heaviness and height to the machine that filled the obvious void between the prominence of the late-'70's fuel tank and the face of the headlamp. From the rider's position on this bike, one really feels the sense of being connected to the machine. Black oxide and black anodize were used heavily as a finish on this particular bike--something new to the designs of late 2012.

Charcoal/Brown Leather

This is one bike in a series of charcoal gray themed bikes that were built nearly back to back with each other. The differentiating finish on this particular 1975 CB 550 is the contrasting brown leather seat carried into the brown grips that gives this bike an antiquated, warm feel.

The '78

Two late model 550's were built in sequence with each other and contrary to past belief, the late models ('77 and '78) have some distinct advantages over the earlier K-series machines. Through weight reduction and improved seating position, this machine, even with its press-fit pilot jets slightly drilled, and hardly a step up on the main jet, the late model carburetors on this bike offered tremendous performance advantages with only slight modifications. This bike was the second built in a short run of the 2012 black series.

500 Flat Silver SS

The second late model ('77) 550 built. The finish was simple--monochromatic silver, brown leather and grips, and black finishes including the spokes are all highlights of this bike. The curiosity of running a 400F Supersport tank on a 550 frame sets this bike apart as a unique variation of what can be done with the Honda CB series.

The Portland 550

The bike hearkens its name from the hometown where it now resides. This also being part of the charcoal series was given distinguishing marks to set it apart from the others. A couple of these marks include an inline black center stripe from the custom front fender "new in 2012" into the fuel tank and an a uniquely designed custom seat. The uniqueness of the seat design incorporated 3 centered lightening holes to reveal ambient tail-lighting as well as orange stitching on the seat upholstery which introduced a trifecta of color. This bike can be seen featured on the new 2013 Kott Motorcycles t-shirt design.

The Fonz

The first of the black series, appropriately named the Fonz, with implementations of classic and timeless styling. This 1972 CB 500 is a benchmark of simplicity and ever-enduring cool.

The Director 500

This particular 1973 500 has and will continue to hold high regard  as one of the better machines that left Kott Motorcycles in early 2012 and then went on to set the standard for subsequent machines built in the months to follow. This 500, featured in Return of the Cafe Racer as well as in the very first issue of Iron and Air, boasts a flat silver monochromatic finish, a chestnut brown leather seat, and numerous handcrafted components rich with antiquated brass plating. This build was a turning point for both improved aesthetic and mechanical design due to increased innovative ideas as well as a higher price tag which allowed for the then-unprecedented outcome of the finished build.

500 T Four

It is said that necessity is the mother of all invention and this particular bike is no exception. At the time of its construction, there were simply no 500/550 K series fuel tanks available The 500 Twin tank, however, that is currently on this build had sat in the rafters for some time. With slight convincing and moderate frame massaging, this 550 was given a look like none other. The classic silver, black, and chrome finishes make this build one of a kind and it might one day be found traveling the countrysides of England.

The Original Part II

This bike has earned its name from its close replication of "The Original"--my own personal bike. The client referenced "Cafe Cowboy", a short film that was created to showcase my shop and also featured riding segments of myself on "The Original". One of my shop rules is that no bike be exactly replicated so as not to limit creative capabilities. However, being that the client was adamant about his build preferences, I actually embraced building a refined, polished and more well-behaved version of the bike that I have come to love and trust implicitly.