Written by Andrew Jones
While we’d argue that the Gulf Oil Fords and Porsches from the ?60s and ?70s are amongst the most beautiful racing machines ever made, it’s with a fair amount of trepidation that we click on bike submissions that have anything to do with the brand. The reason" My God, it’s been done to death. It’s been done to death, buried, dug up at midnight and then done some more. But when California?s Dustin Kott dared to have a go on a Honda CB550, he did it with the subtlety and taste you’d expect from one of America?s best customisers.

Despite some oblique references to Hollywood movie work he may or may not be involved in, Kott kicks things off with a quick description of his upcoming custom build. ?It?s a brand new BMW airhead; there?s extensive metal work, including a handmade aluminum fuel tank, a full fairing and a bespoke seat. A custom subframe and unique rearsets will also be incorporated on the build which will be done for the 3rd annual OG Moto Show in Los Angeles.? But enough with the theoretical stuff.
West Coaster Dustin bought this bike from a friend in New York. Ironically, it?s now finished and on its way back to New Jersey. At least it got to see the sights before returning home. ?I?m glad to have a number of custom builds on the East Coast now representing the Kott brand,? he says. Getting down to brass tacks, the donor machine is a 1975 CB550. Kott says it represents the culmination of a decade?s worth...