Source: Bike Bound
1187cc, Carbon Fiber CB1100R from dB Customs…
Produced from 1980-1983, the Honda CB1100R was the company’s first homologation special, design specifically to win the Castrol 6 Hour race at Amaroo Park, Australia — then the world’s premier endurance race for pure production motorcycles. Legend has it, Soichiro Honda himself drove the project to fruition after both the dual-cam CB900F and six-cylinder CBX failed to take home the trophy.
“Honda-san commissioned a team to literally build a homologation special, a race-ready Honda which would as good as guarantee he would win this elusive, high profile, hugely important race.” –CB1100R.com
The DOHC CB900F engine was bored to 1062cc, producing 115 brake horsepower, and the chassis dimensions came straight from a race-modified CB900F that Honda’s in-house R&D team raced in the 1979 Suzuka 8 Hours. A massive 25-liter aluminum tank allowed for more laps between pit stops, and with the solo seat, uncompromising geometry, and Honda Formula 1 livery, some say it was the world’s first production race replica.
The CB1100R quickly proved itself on the track, winning the Castrol 6 Hour with none other than Wayne Gardner and Australian champion Andrew Johnson at the helm. Only around 4000 CB1100R’s were ever built, and they remain one of the most sought-after, lust-worthy vintage superbikes on the planet.
“The CB1100R was a true classic dinosaur — big, brutal, and, by the standards of the day, monstrously powerful.” -Motorcycle USA
Darren Begg of Canada’s dB Customs is a modern master of the restomod, a man who brings such air-cooled giants into the 21st century with modern technology and running gear. But this ’82 Honda CB1100R(C) would be more than just another build — it would be one of the most meaningful projects of his career. The donor came from his dear friend John Brokalakis, a veteran member of the www.cb1100f.net forums, when John learned he had cancer in 2012.
“John, who went by username cb1100fer, was very passionate about everything and anything that was Honda CB-F/R.”
John entrusted Darren to bring his beloved CB-R back to life in the signature dB style. Over the years, the two men grew close through their correspondence, and the bike began to take shape. The modifications are simply staggering — there’s a full build sheet below — but let’s hit a few of the high points.
As far as undercarriage, the bike is now sitting on Öhlins conventional forks and twin rear shocks with Brembo brakes, a hand-crafted aluminum swingarm from Over Racing, and 17-inch OZ Racing wheels with modern Avon rubber.
The engine boasts 1187cc billet pistons, a balanced crank, ported head, stainless valves, 13-row oil cooler, hydraulic clutch, and much more. It breathes through 37mm Keihin FCR carbs and a BITO R&D hand-bent titanium exhaust.
The frame was powder-coated the factory red, and…wait for it…the bodywork is full carbon fiber (!), sourced from Japan and painted by Sketchs Ink in a palette that pays homage to the original livery. Titanium hardware abounds throughout the build, and Darren says the bike is 91 pounds lighter than stock, just a shade over 400 pounds!
As you might imagine, the big air-cooled brute now brakes and corners like a modern superbike, and the aesthetics are simply to die for — a modern incarnation of one of the most iconic Hondas of the air-cooled era. Even more important is the friendship that sparked this build, and the legacy it embodies.
“My friend big John lost his long battle with cancer in the fall of 2017 but his memory will certainly live on in this bike as a tribute to him.”
What you see is a rolling homage to a lost friend from one of the world’s most masterful builders, executed with the highest level of regard and detail. We have no doubt that John would be proud, and hats off to Darren for honoring his friend in such a powerful way.
CB1100R Restomod: Builder Interview
• Can you tell us a little of the backstory of the build? What was the inspiration/spark/genesis, and to whom is it dedicated?
In 2012 a very active and die-hard member of the www.cb1100f.net forum contacted me asking if I’d be interested in purchasing his beloved 1982 Honda CB1100R(C) that he purchased out of Germany. John, who went by username cb1100fer, was very passionate about everything and anything that was Honda CB-F/R.
He recently learned that he had cancer and was in a fight for his life. It was at that moment John had entrusted me with his beloved CB1100R, knowing that I would bring it back to life in the only way I know how. In the coming years we had become quite close with constant communication, and although we did not visit that much due to the distance between us, through our correspondence we became quite good friends.
My friend big John lost his long battle with cancer in the fall of 2017 but his memory will certainly live on in this bike as a tribute to him.
• The amount of work in this machine is staggering. What was the most challenging aspect?
It is always a challenge to aesthetically balance out the color palette to compliment the build’s original heritage and livery but by using modern components. The hues and placements of all colors was strategically selected to feel that everything works together as opposed to against each other.
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
Nothing in particular, it is always a proud moment to stand in front of the finished product and just admire all the details. Having shaved 91 lbs off of the dry weight is always a big achievement to be proud of.
• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride the completed bike?
The bike is extremely nimble and just drops into the corners effortlessly and brakes like a modern sportbike with its Brembo big brakes and billet calipers.
1982 Honda CB1100R Restomod: Build Sheet
Frame and Electronics
• 1982 Honda CB1100RC (titled in Ontario, Canada) – VIN# SC08-2001757
• Frame powder coated in RAL-3002 Carmine Red (factory color match)
• Brand new “to-spec” wiring harness from Japan with blade style fuse relocation kit
• New genuine Honda starter solenoid
• New voltage regulator
• Custom stainless steel undertail with LED taillight and licence plate tidy
• KOSO LED signals
• Full Spectrum high performance battery with tender
• Bespoke titanium engine frame mounting bolts
• BITO R&D Billet Aluminum Engine Hanger Brackets with Pro-Bolt Titanium Fasteners
• KOSO RX-4 with TFT Digital Display and AFR readout.
Engine and Ignition
• 1982 Honda CB1100RC – Serial# SC05E-2101797, numbers matching to frame
• Vapor blasted engine cases, cylinder block, cylinder head and covers and then coated with Cerakote Glacier Black air cure
• Engine cases modified with pumping loss windows
• Left engine covers finished in OEM matched gold color (NOS stator cover)
• Balanced crank (lightened to 18lbs), piston, and rod assembly
• Big bore sleeves installed in CB1100R block with 74mm Traum Billet 1187cc pistons with nitro coatings
• Morse race spec primary and cam chains
• Vince and Hyde Racing A-chain curved cam chain guide and rear AHM style manual cam chain tensioner
• Stage 2 cylinder head porting, viton seals, Kibble White valve springs, and pulse plasma nitride stainless valves (G&S Valves – UK), by Ray Mancini of Xtreme Motorsports in Tennessee, combustion chambers sized and balanced to 28cc for 11.25:1 CR
• Oversized oil pickup
• Set as close to zero deck height (.002” in the hole) to optimize squish – cometic copper gaskets – block o-ringed
• High strength cam hold down fasteners
• Superfinished slotted cam sprockets and degreed CB1100R cams to 105 ex / 100 in measured @ 0.050” lift
• Superfinished transmission with all new roller bearings installed (high quality bearings from Japan)
• New primary shaft dampers installed
• All new yellow coded genuine Honda rod and crank bearings
• All new genuine Honda oil seals and cover gaskets
• New 13 row oil cooler with Sebtrab -8AN braided lines and fittings
• Hydraulic clutch conversion with limited edition V&H – Zanzani slipper / gripper clutch
• Yamaha R6 starter clutch conversion
• Dyna 2000 Ignition with 2.2 ohm coils, Champion plugs, and Dynatek wires
• Titanium engine cover and mounting bolts (Pro-Bolt)
• New fluids and filter for initial break-in (change oil and filter after initial break-in).
Induction and Exhaust
• BITO R&D Keihin 37mm FCR carbs with billet velocity stacks (with screens) and throttle block and cables)
• New OEM Honda intakes with stainless clamps
• BITO R&D hand bent titanium exhaust system with Bosch O2 sensor installed for AFR.
Suspension, Brakes, and Controls
• OHLINS 43mm conventional 800mm front forks (gold)
• Nitro Racing billet fork brace
• SCULPTURE billet aluminum triple clamps (210mm C-C spacing)
• LSL Multi-Clip adjustable height clip-on handlebars
• Modern left and right switch gear
• OHLINS KA-149 twin rear shocks with compression and rebound dampening (gold)
• Brembo 320mm front brake rotors
• Brembo 220mm rear brake rotor
• Brembo billet brake calipers (front and rear)
• Nitro Racing front and rear caliper mounts – billet aluminum
• Brembo RCS front brake and clutch masters and levers
• Nitro Racing billet aluminum rear sets (black anodized)
• Spiegler brake and clutch lines (stainless – clear coverings)
• OVER Racing handcrafted aluminum swingarm
• Bespoke titanium swingarm pivot bolt.
Wheels, Tires, Sprockets and Chain
• OZ Racing Gass RS-A wheels (race spec – forged and shot peened) – 3.5 x 17 front and 5.5 x 17 rear sizes – gold anodized finish
• AVON Spirit ST tires – 180/55-17 rear and 120/70-17 front
• AHM style billet aluminum front sprocket cover
• High quality 530 sprockets and drive chain.
Bodywork and Paint
• Bespoke CARBON FIBER bodywork (sourced from Japan Artisan)
• Nitro racing carbon fiber front fender
• Professional paint laid down by Sketchs Ink, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
• New CB1100R replacement seat covering
• Carbon fiber mirrors (A-Tech Japan)
• New windscreen with new mounting hardware.
More Detail Photos
Follow the Builder
Web: www.darrenbeggcustoms.com
Facebook: @dBCustomRestoMods
Instagram: @dbcustoms_restomods
Youtube: www.youtube.com/@dbcustoms9707
All photos by Darren Begg.
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