Café racer style customizations, like this Honda CBR600F from Kelpi Custom Motorcyclehave become the usual tone of many of the specialists in this type of projects that we find throughout the planet. The retro fashion continues to be strong among the majority of the biker community. You only have to take a look at the current range of models from the infinite number of brands that we have to offer to confirm this theory.
However, there are some works related to this trend that are positioned directly a step above the majority of those presented. Essentially, because the level of dedication to detail and the quality of their components excites even those detractors of such heresy.
Honda CBR600F by Kelpi Custom Moto in detail
Why do we talk about heresy in a project like the one Kelpi Custom Moto brings us today with Pipe Burn? Basically, because for many, including myself, “deconstructing” an old school icon like a nineties CBR600F should be punishable in some way… except for some exceptions. Within this select list of those amnestied (now that the word is so fashionable) we can include this CBR600F from Kelpi Custom Moto.
Again, you may be wondering why, and the answer is obvious if we take a look at this very special preparation. Jock Houstoncreator of the creature and the man at the helm of Kelpi Custom Moto, had no doubts from the very beginning about how to deal with such a challenge. Even more so when, in 2020, he made the first preparation using this base and subsequently had an accident with it.
So I decided to build something unique again, on the ashes of this very same CBR600F. “The new objective was very similar to the initial one: to use a sports bike from the golden era of high-revving middleweights and go back in time visually, while modernizing the performance.”explains Houston. So we got to work and as a first reform the original front end was replaced with a Triumph Daytona 675R.
Jock comments that: “This allowed us to retain the OEM front wheel, Nissin brake calipers and Brembo rotors from the 675R for the build.”. They then moved on to refurbish the rear end with a 2013 CBR600RR monoshock. Jock then explains that: “We cut the square-shaped subframe away from the lower chassis mounts and began building the upper subframe in a shorter, cleaner style.”
This upgrade line features Goodridge metal hoses and Michelin Power 5 tires, front and rear. To lower the overall weight of the assembly, the center stand was removed and a lithium battery was installed. A Twig TT fairing kit for the TRX850 was also included.
Jock explains: “We used a stock mild steel TRX850 fairing stay with the frame stay cut and remade to fit the CBR600. Once we cut and replaced the fairing stays to clear the turning radius, we were lucky enough to be left with a twin-cylinder front fairing that fits the Screamer’s wider frame.”
But that’s not all, as the guys at Kelpi Custom Moto handcrafted a set of aluminium side covers. The special seat upholstery, made by them, is one of the hallmarks of this project. Jock says: “We got to work on the seat, using ABS plastic so that molding was fairly simple and fitting the upholstery nice and easy.”
Concludes: “Three densities of foam were stacked and then shaped, which helped us keep the profile fairly thin while still allowing us full days in the corners.”. To top it off we have a paint scheme designed to give this Honda CBR600F from Kelpi Custom Moto a mix of glamour, style and character in equal parts. Do you still think it’s heresy or are you convinced of the opposite?… a question of perspective.
