So Memorial Day rolled around and I found myself once again in my garage. Wrenching on my '89 CBR600, I began to drift away into my happy place. The patriotic Hurricane was the first real bike I ever owned. Ultra pristine in it's red, white, & blue HRC livery, she has always had a special place in my heart. Because of this long term relationship, I had vowed to keep the thick lady in her curvaceous stock form. A promise I almost kept...
Me and the CBR at Naval Air Station Moffett Field, California circa 1990...Top Gun dreams
Sometimes the devil, delusions of grandeur, and whiskey drinks get ahold of me... and things end up getting chopped. It's not that I particularly want too, it's just that stock is for suckers. As it so happens, I had a fresh batch of CBR600F4 Hotbodies plastics sitting in the shop. These plastics, all perfect and pink, were destined for an upcoming stunt bike project. Just for shite and giggles, I threw the F4 tail section on the F1. 'Damn', I say out loud, 'that looks pretty fukin good'.
Pink tail always get me excited
So it got me thinking - what other 'minor' modifications could the old girl use? Maybe some six spoke CBR600F2 wheels? F2's ran a 160/17 rear which is respectable when compared to the stock 130/17. Maybe powder coat the wheels in a matte gold finish for a vintage race flavor. Then I could ditch the ratty Vance & Hines pipe in favor of a Leo Vince shorty - my neighbors love open cans first thing in the morning. Of course I'd have to yard the horrid stock suspension - beefy 900RR componentry would make a nice upgrade. Finally I could add some CRG's, red Oury's, fresh Pirelli slicks, Vortex rearsets, and a pair of PIAA 6" burners. With a little work the old Hurricane could look a proper Honda endurance ride. Certainly not your everday custom...
Inspiration 1 - Tons of soul
Inspiration 2 - Fierce old school flavor
By this time I was completely committed. I see the project coming together in my head... and I like it. Something old, something new, something borrowed, something glued. I've had a hard time getting to sleep this week as I work through the myriad of steps in this upcoming build. A build that I didn't particularly want to do, but now can not resist. And at the absolute crux of it all, that's what I love most about motorcycles... the dreams and the endless possibilities. -Kurt
Posts
I <3 Honda
ReplyDelete