Photo: Alex Martino via Pipeburn
We’ve seen Dustin Kott pull off some incredible feats of bike-modding mastery in the past, and every machine he works on seems to turn into a genuine work of art. The mastermind at Kott Motorcycles deals with Japanese models for the most part, but he’s not afraid to try his hand at customizing bikes from different parts of the world. Take, for instance, the stylish cafe racer pictured here.
It started out as a Triumph Daytona from 1971, which gave Dustin quite a bit of trouble as he was trying to get his head around it. The man still managed to knock it out of the park in the end, but his first task involved making the old British donor roadworthy once again. Once he had it up and running, the awkward ergonomics caught his attention next.
As you probably know, British bikes from that era had reversed controls compared to what has become the standard over time. Dustin wanted a more familiar setup, so he undertook the painstaking task of switching everything around as desired. With that out of the way, the bodywork was the next thing to come into his crosshairs, and all the factory bits got taken out of the equation.
Center-stage, we now find the modified fuel tank of a Yamaha Virago, topped with a flush-mounted filler cap, an oil pressure gauge, and a copper-plated metal strap. The XV fuel cell had a massive tunnel carved into its underside, which allowed Dustin to stash a bespoke oil tank well out of view. Aside from the gas tank, the only other piece of bodywork you’ll find here is a handmade aluminum tail section.
A gorgeous black leather seat is placed in between them, and the shortened subframe that supports it is in turn held up by modern Hagon shocks. On the other hand, the forks were rebuilt inside out, to then have their exteriors embellished with decorative springs. The Daytona’s drum brakes also got a complete overhaul, with the front unit receiving some chrome plating and a copper mesh cover for its vent.
The factory hoops are still present down in the unsprung sector, but they’ve been refurbished and shod in Avon RoadRider tires at both ends. Minimalism is the name of the game in the cockpit area, where most real estate is occupied by clip-on handlebars with bare-bones controls. These new clip-ons are complemented by CNC-machined rearsets, with more copper plating found on the foot pegs.
Dustin brought the parallel-twin engine back to its former glory with an all-encompassing overhaul, and the whole thing will henceforth breathe through fresh Amal carbs. Mesh-covered velocity stacks ensure ample airflow, while a stainless-steel exhaust with reverse megaphone mufflers has also been thrown into the mix. Lastly, the paintwork is a simple, all-black affair, as Kott Motorcycles wanted to let the abundant use of copper do all the talking.
As you probably know, British bikes from that era had reversed controls compared to what has become the standard over time. Dustin wanted a more familiar setup, so he undertook the painstaking task of switching everything around as desired. With that out of the way, the bodywork was the next thing to come into his crosshairs, and all the factory bits got taken out of the equation.
Center-stage, we now find the modified fuel tank of a Yamaha Virago, topped with a flush-mounted filler cap, an oil pressure gauge, and a copper-plated metal strap. The XV fuel cell had a massive tunnel carved into its underside, which allowed Dustin to stash a bespoke oil tank well out of view. Aside from the gas tank, the only other piece of bodywork you’ll find here is a handmade aluminum tail section.
A gorgeous black leather seat is placed in between them, and the shortened subframe that supports it is in turn held up by modern Hagon shocks. On the other hand, the forks were rebuilt inside out, to then have their exteriors embellished with decorative springs. The Daytona’s drum brakes also got a complete overhaul, with the front unit receiving some chrome plating and a copper mesh cover for its vent.
The factory hoops are still present down in the unsprung sector, but they’ve been refurbished and shod in Avon RoadRider tires at both ends. Minimalism is the name of the game in the cockpit area, where most real estate is occupied by clip-on handlebars with bare-bones controls. These new clip-ons are complemented by CNC-machined rearsets, with more copper plating found on the foot pegs.
Dustin brought the parallel-twin engine back to its former glory with an all-encompassing overhaul, and the whole thing will henceforth breathe through fresh Amal carbs. Mesh-covered velocity stacks ensure ample airflow, while a stainless-steel exhaust with reverse megaphone mufflers has also been thrown into the mix. Lastly, the paintwork is a simple, all-black affair, as Kott Motorcycles wanted to let the abundant use of copper do all the talking.
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