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Brian “Fathead″ Kammers CBR

Brian “Fathead_03″ Kammers, of Oroville, WA.
Brian started with a CBR600F3 that he had picked up a year earlier. He said the
project sat on the back burner until the ’09 Build-off got him in gear. Early in
the build-off, Brian started with a new subframe, some tank mods and rough
fiberglass work. The real work, though, didn’t begin until February, at which
point he had settled into a new location and a bigger work area. After some
reflection as to where the CBR was heading, he realised he wasn’t happy with his
original mock-up. He made some deals with other members of the forum, and scored
some suspension upgrades from a late model 600RR.
Forks, swingarm, wheels brakes
were all upgraded to RR pieces. With the bike on the work bench, sparks began to
fly. Factory shock mounts were removed and new ones made to fit the Pro Link
setup. The 600RR swingarm had to be narrowed to fit the F3′s frame rails and the
first adaptation of the subframe was cut away for a new approach.
With the frame rails clean and clear, Brian
started bending up fresh square stock to improve upon his subframe design. Using
what he had at hand, the steel tubes were secured to a large pulley, heated and
bent to shape. The final pieces were cut to length and welded in place, creating
a unique and flowing design to complement the new idea for tail and exhaust
mounts.

The rear of this bike is a hand-formed work of
art that really adds the character to this build. The neo-cafe tail section is
hand made from steel sheet. Brian cut cardboard templates until he had the
desired shape; he tested and re-tested the fit until it was perfect. 1979 Trans
Am dual exhaust tips link back to a modified Two Brothers silencer and exit on
each side through teardrop cutouts.
The body mods continue into the tank. Teardrop
indents were pounded into the front of the tank; its rear edges were extended
with sheet metal to meet the new subframe and cover the factory tank seams. The
rear tank mount was remade to fit the new subframe and clear the under seat
exhaust. Up front, a small bikini fairing was created from sheet metal, to cap
off the SV650 headlight.
With most of the fab work complete, Brian now had
to get the bike running. He still hadn’t heard the engine run. And after sitting
around for almost a year, the old fuel and electrics had to be checked and
cleaned. He cleaned and rebuilt the fuel system, arranging the electrics to fit
the machine’s new layout. A custom electrics box now sits behind the engine and
conforms to the shape of the subframe. It’s a tight squeeze, but the battery,
all the control boxes and relays are stored inside, along with the ignition
switch. Wiring has been shortened and tucked inside the frame. LED arrays are
lined down the back of the frame rails and around the bottom of the exhaust for
tail and brake lights.
With two weeks to go before the deadline, he
pulled the bike apart again for final prep and paint. Brian handled all the
stages of bodywork and color. The candy red and bed liner black was all done
with spray cans. The extra time and detail put into the prep stage made for an
outstanding result. After spending some late nights getting the bike back
together and running. Just before the Buildoff’s deadline, Brian took the CBR
for its maiden voyage to a local car/bike show where it pulled a first place in
the motorcycle class. Within two weeks, the CBR had two awards; that’s a nice
pat on the back for all his hard work and attention to detail.
Source
Customfighters
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