The colour black has been a staple of motorbike customization for so long as the artwork kind has existed, but it surely’s typically overused. Whereas it’s tempting to homicide a motorbike out from head to toe, the outcomes can look low-cost and nasty. The trick is so as to add some distinction—like Reier Motors has performed with this Honda CB350 Racer espresso.
Based mostly in Salzburg, Austria, Hedgehog automobiles is a full-service workshop that handles the whole lot from upkeep to full-on {custom} builds. The 1973-model CB350 was booked in by a shopper with a brief listing of requests. “He wished Café Racer styling with black throughout, besides on the engine and exhaust system, and he wished some particular particulars,” explains the store’s founder, Christian Reier.
The shopper by no means specified precisely what these particular particulars had been—solely that he didn’t need a run-of-the-mill classic café racer. It was as much as Christian and his crew to determine the remainder. So that they responded by dragging the CB350’s working gear into the fashionable age.
For starters, the front-end was upgraded with the upside-down Showa forks and twin Brembo disc brakes from a Ducati 848. New aluminum yokes had been machined to simply accept the forks, and an Excel rim was laced to a KTM hub to finish the package deal.
Reier specced the alternative finish of the bike with Hyperpro shocks, matched to the swingarm from a Honda Dominator—a considerable improve over the CB350’s spindly inventory unit. The rear wheel makes use of the Dominator’s hub and disc brake, together with one other Excel rim. 17” Bridgestone Battlax BT-023 tires provide good grip for day-to-day using.
Going deeper, Reier rebuilt the engine and carried out a needle bearing conversion on the camshaft. The dual cylinder motor breathes in by Mikuni carbs with Okay&N pod filters, and out by way of a home made twin exhaust system.
Reier additionally scrapped the Honda’s 50-year-old wiring, opting to construct a contemporary loom round a Motogadget mo.unit as a substitute. Different upgrades embody an digital ignition and 12-volt alternator, and a brand new battery that’s housed in a custom-built tray.
The group modernized the cockpit too, becoming it with a Motogadget speedo, buttons, turn-signals, and mirrors. The clip-ons and LED headlight are LSL elements, and the brake grasp cylinder is a Brembo merchandise. Tomaselli rear-sets do responsibility decrease down.
With the airbox gone and the wiring simplified, Reier set to work cleansing up the realm beneath the seat. Christian de-tabbed the body and fabricated a brand new rear part, earlier than hammering a humped tailpiece out of metal. A slim LED taillight, and a custom-made license plate mount with LED flip alerts, end off the rear.
Ending touches embody black leather-based upholstery on the seat and 3D-printed Reier Motors tank badges. The CB350 is sprinkled with different delicate particulars—just like the elegant exhaust hangers and entrance fender braces.
Between its compact proportions and its matte black paint, this Honda CB350 café racer doesn’t scream for consideration. However the nearer you get to it, the extra containers it ticks. Bravo, Christian!
Hedgehog automobiles | Fb | Instagram | Pictures by Jean-Sébastien Philippe
