Implying that they were just a bunch of hipsters from Seattle looking to make a statement on national television, Café Racer Magazine’s Mike Seate said this “Franken-bike” project by Twinline Motorcycles would never work.
If marrying a Honda and a Kawasaki wasn’t tough enough, Twinline also took on new challenges that they’ve never tried before, like building a custom gas tank, rebuilding an unfamiliar engine and manipulating and strengthening a frame for a powerhouse that it was never intended to house.
Although it was ambitious and took a bit longer than anticipated, Twinline, led by a group of young craftsman and artists, proved that mixed technology and generations can work. Yes, the future of custom bikes is good.
Bike: “The Thorn” 1977 Honda CB550 and 1990 Kawasaki EX500
SPECIFICATIONS
Frame: 1977 Honda CB550, strengthened & gusseted
Subrame: Modified stock, gusseted
Engine: Rebuilt 1990 Kawasaki EX500, Bored to 600cc with Engine Dynamics kit, Webcam 245 cams, Barnett clutch, heavyweight springs
Carburetion or FI System: Keihin CR33, 70mm velocity stacks
Rear Swing Arm: Modified stock
Rear Wheel (Size): 2.15” x 18” Warp 9 rim, stainless spokes, KDX200 hub
Front Wheel (Size): 2.15” x 18” Warp 9 rim, stainless spokes, Warp 9 KTM hub
Clip-Ons or Bars: Woodcraft 35mm clip-ons
Seat: Custom one-off seat and upholstery
Tank: Modified CB550ss tank, Pingel high flow petcock
Rear Sets: Motobits pegs, levers, linkage, Moto-R bracket
Tires (Sizes): Front: Avon AM22 110/80-18, Rear: Avon AM23 130/65-18
Exhaust : Modified stock headers, hand made cones
Paint: Frame: 20% powder-coat, Bodywork: none, raw mild steel
Headlight: CB350 bucket, H4 bulb, handmade mounts
Front Brake: Nissin 14mm master cylinder, stainless braided line, Brembo dual pot caliper
Rear Brake: Nissin CBR master cylinder, stainless braided line, Nissin caliper
Top Steering Clamp/Triple Tree: Modified stock, steering damper
Electronics: Trail Tech Vapor gauge, Shorai battery, stock CDI, customized wiring harness
Twinline Motorcycles
2106 S. Holgate st.
Seattle, Wa 98144
Phone: 206-768-8686
Jeff: tower@twinlinemotorcycles.com
Ian: ian@houseonfire.com
More photos and specs for “The Thorn”
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