Written by Martin Hodgson
The popularity of certain models in the custom bike industry often makes total sense and at other times boggles the mind. Entire subcultures with a supporting aftermarket can grow around one particular bike while its direct competitors from other manufacturers are all but forgotten. But away from the scene’s strongholds and isolated from peer pressure, Bulgaria’s Ivan Mushev chose a model we’ve only featured twice in Pipeburn’s ten years. Taking a Honda Hornet 600 and turning it into a cafe-fighter that’s a rolling promotion for his newly formed outfit Bull Moto Custom.

Based in Kyustendil, Ivan is part of the opening stanza of custom bike builders in the country as the craze sweeps through Eastern Europe. Drawing inspiration from 2014’s incredible R nineT by Japanese outfit Cherry’s Company, he was on the lookout for a bike that didn’t demand the level of cash the new BMW does. The Hornet 600 is cheap, cheerful and very capable, proving to be an enormous sales success for Honda. Also used in a one-make race series there is considerable aftermarket support and go-fast bits available.
So it’s a wonder more haven’t picked one as the base for their builds, but for Ivan it was perfect for ?Doing something with a smaller budget, but for a larger audience?. Following the theme of his inspiration, it is a fusion of styles that draws on the strengths of the bikes relatively modern components wi...