Motorcycle customizing is all about transformation: better looks, better functionality, or a combination of both. But we don’t often see a transformation as radical as this.
Canada-based KickMoto have taken an innocuous, almost-forgotten street bike, ditched the ungainly cruiser doo-dads, and turned it into a motocross-styled weapon built for urban streets and hardpack dirt.

It?s hard to believe this crisp Honda CM400 is only the third build from the Halifax, Novia Scotia, shop. It’s bristling with interesting concepts and neat details.
Co-founders Jeff (architect) and Jordan (mechanical engineer) launched KickMoto as an after-hours endeavor?a creative outlet for the boys to get their minds right, and their hands dirty.

But after just two commissioned builds, the duo was getting restless. ?We wanted to showcase what we could do when given free rein,? they say. ?We feel at home when we have total control of the design.? So Jeff opened his pocketbook to fund their third official build?a totally client-less affair.

?The idea was to build something light, fun and aggressive. It?s inspired by Jeff’s passion for mountain biking and motocross, but geared towards urban riding and commuting?with the ability to take the back roads when desired.?
After doing their research, KickMoto settled on an unlikely base: a 1980 CM400T. The guys liked its backbone frame design and 400cc parallel twin mill?and saw the gawky styling as a welcome challenge.

A second Ho...