When he built his first digger five years ago, that raked-out rapier gained Duane Ballard the kind of notoriety few choppers could match. The most polarizing detail of that first bike was ODB's choice of motor. Honda's venerable CB750 was a staple in death traps from the drug-fueled '70s, but bikes built in the early 21st century almost always boasted big-inch V-twin mills. Not Mr. Ballard's funky retro rocket.
In 2010 Mooneyes invited Duane and both of his Honda-powered show bikes to their big event in Yokohama. To get Funkenstein looking pretty, Duane removed the gas tank for a deep clean. That's when he realized his frame's back bone was broken in half. While ODB and his friend Renato Calderone cut, lugged and slugged the top tube, CB750 guru Dennis Truddelle rebuilt the motor after a paint refresh. The new look is more blingy than ever, and Duane wowed the crowd at Mooneyes with not one but two beautiful machines from The Motherland.
People back home took notice, and when Duane, his Pink Taco and Funkenstein returned to American shores last January, a style-conscious chopper freak two blocks from Duane's home bought the Taco. Now Duane has the time and space he needs to rebuild yet another CB750, this one for his son. Clearly, the nut never falls far from the tree.
See Duane's leathercraft.
Follow Duane's blog.
GregorySeth
motoguru
ZGerman
Motorradfahrer
mjasen10
Diablo
cwheelin
dannyb
rider728
now if only i could afford some of his leatherwork....
jrotten1369
Hooligan80
WayneBallard
No over tightening was done, it's just a flexible frame.
Gardener1
pinpush
WarGhost
alexzen
elTee
deuceskinny
nice fucking honda by the way!!
Josh
Philthy78
Hollingdrake
ZGerman
mmi794939
calicruiser
Riki
mrgreenjeans