Cobra's special projects division makes custom show bikes to give folks an idea of what you can do to the standard fare rolling out of dealer showrooms, all you need is a bit of imagination and skill. This year, Denny Berg, chief fabricator at Cobra's Special Projects Division, turned out two bikes based on Honda's RS750 Shadow, the RS750 Scrambler and an RS750 Tracker.
The RS750 Scrambler is designed to resemble the old Honda 305 CL77 Scrambler from back in the 60s, and even though this new scrambler is a V-Twin, the finished build grabbed so many of the right cues, you don't see anything wrong and the resemblance is amazing. Even more amazing is how much of the stock bike remains, with careful additions and paintwork, custom exhausts, adding a seam on the top of the tank, crafting a seat to get the right look, some kneepads and old Honda logos, the end result looks like a modern flashback and it's something anyone would be proud to own and ride.
The RS750 Tracker took quite a bit more work. This was designed and painted to evoke the 1980s factory flat-trackers that Ricky Graham and Bubba Shobert rode in the AMA Grand National Series. Berg stripped the bike down to the frame and removed the twin rear shocks. He added bracing, mounted a single Progressive shock and raised the ride height. The fiberglass tail and custom seat give it a lot of the tracker look, custom pipes, smoothed tank and front numberplate all work together to finish it off.
Both of these bikes start with the bargain priced Shadow and end up looking nothing like the bike they began with. Instead of the somewhat plain cruiser look, they have the eye catching look and ergonomics of these retro bikes, and none of the problems of running a 30 or 40+ year old vintage machine. In other words, trouble free fun.
Funny thing is, as far as we know, Honda has no intention of building anything like this and Cobra doesn't seem to have components to enable you to build the same thing yourself. Hmm and hmm. Maybe they just need a little encouragement or maybe they just want to tease everyone and show us what we can't have. Whatever the case, these two bikes continue in the line of recreating and repurposing stock motorcycles into something totally different yet clean and well done, just like so many examples here on The Kneeslider. I guess if no one else will do it, if you like these, you're on your own. Time to brush up on those fabricating skills.
Link: CobraUSA
Video Below:
todd says
I have to admire the amount of work that went into making these. However, I would much rather have the original CL77. They can still be had for a third of what the base Shadow costs in super clean, reliable condition. CL77 (305cc): 29HP, 340 lbs, Shadow (750cc): 39HP, 530 lbs. Bullet-proof bikes. Seems like a relatively easy decision.
I do think the standard Shadow RS (especially in the new R-W-B colors) is the best looking cruiser in the market today.
Nicolas says
Really cool … it’s refreshing to see the “gut” design is still alive and kicking, and cool job changing a cruiser into something much more funnier.
Talking about modifying cruisers into sthg else, I changed an ugly XS special into a “WWII-sortalookalike” bobber, now working on a as ugly as can be Maxim into a KR tracker replica, but damn I wish I had the skills, funding, skills, tools, skills, and time to do as well as this guy here or a Mule … did I mentioned I’d need the skills too ?
my list for Santa : a mig welder, a pipe bender, a lathe, a milling machine, a professional grade air compressor with the rotating tools and the painting stuff too …
Rich says
Berg is known for building things not exactly related to Cobra’s catalog offerings.
These are beautiful builds that induce an emotional reaction in me – much like H-D bikes do for others. I recall seeing a CL77 at the Honda dealer when I was a kid. Amazingly, the Honda dealer was a Schwinn bicycle dealer who added bikes to his inventory.
It might be a brilliant marketing move if Honda were to tap into the collective emotions of that 60s childhood.
OMMAG says
Well … it gives me ideas…………………….
Jack says
I would buy one tomorrow if I could!, I’ve been looking at a Triumph Scrambler and a Moto Guzzi but I would but I would take the Honda if it was available.Andr’
JP says
this gives me ideas for my old Shadow. I was gonna go tracker on it but damned if that scrambler doesn’t appeal. My Dad had a CL77. I remember it slightly. I was about 3 when he sold it. Grandpa had a CB77. I think I’ll try that. Didn’t really care for a cruiser anyhow.
Tinman says
The Scrambler is a nice looking bike, I find the Tracker less so… I do believe the “Scrambler” market exists, but Triumph is the only company building one. I guess the BMW GS bikes are New Age Scramblers but without the Retro Vibe that many of us find appealing.
woolyhead says
Aaaaaaah those were the days…..staccato exhaust note from the 305…….and more fun than a barrel of monkeys……..
Jacquie says
I was at the Long Beach Motorcycle Show this morning.12/18/11. For about a full minute I actually thought it Bubba’s dirt tracker I was looking at. Beautiful bike. Wonderful execution.
tim says
like
like
wait, this isnt farcebook. Yep, I’m a fan.
Marcos Armero says
Anyone thought about doing a cafe racer? I did a “photoshopped” cafe racer some time ago and I think that could be a good idea. http://thetrxproject.blogspot.com/2010/09/playing-with-gimphonda-vt750s-cafe.html
Will13 says
I’m with Marcos Armero, a V-Twin cafe bike would be killer.
These two examples by Cobra are stunning, and I would truly hope that someone at Honda is paying attention, because I think there is a market for both of these bikes today.
Scotduke says
Makes you wonder why Honda can’t put something like this into production – low cost, parts bin special way to make a new model for the company. And for the customers, these designs offer something with a touch of class coupled with proven mechanicals. What’s not to like? Come on Honda, start building them.
Mule says
The tracker looks a lot lot a V-Rod with the 42 degree head angle. I saw both bikes at the Long Beach show Friday night so I’m pretty sure they’re not computer images. They had a big fence around them and packed under a cover, so you could neither sit on them or get a good, clear side view. Nice workmanship though.
Eric says
Both are cool bikes and really well done… in a “tribute” kind of way rather than a “replica” kind of way. I have to disagree when you say that “you don’t see anything wrong and the resemblance is amazing.” The first think my eye is drawn to is the front end geometry, and that gives the game away immediately on both bikes.
Still, both nice bikes, and I’d enjoy owning either one.
Dawg says
Shame about the rear drum which doesn’t look as good as the disc on the original RS750 track racer. A bit hefty for me, but they look well built and finished and they sound great.
Phoebe says
I knew the Shadow RS would make a good project bike, and I was curious if anyone would do anything interested in it. That scrambler is phenomenal. I would totally ride it!
Mule says
I really like the gray motor and gray pipes on the FT! And I agree, this model would make a hell of a great starting point for a project. Need to re-think the radiator size layout though. I like the drum rears on both bikes. Super simple and the rear brake is a semi-ornament anyway.
Rich says
These are some friggin’ awesome looking bikes! My hats off to the guys at Cobra! I would totally buy the tracker.
MG driver says
As a college freshman(40+ years ago) I lusted after a fellow student’s 305 scrambler. Looking at the Cobra Scrambler photos has awakened those long dormant teenage desires.
D Man says
Now that’s the kind of custom building that makes sense. Great work on bikes that actually turn and go and stop and look good all at the same time!
John says
To me Bergs “customs” always look like giant plastic toys where the parts have to be simple to mold.
Nicolas says
” giant plastic toys where the parts have to be simple to mold ” : if I was Mr Berg, I would take that as a compliment, if it’s simple it’s likely well engineered and it looks good.
John S says
My 1967 CL77 didn’t have a tank seam. You also need to junk Honda’s staggered crankshaft. The high frequency vibration on the 305 engine was so intense it would put my arse to sleep in less than a mile.
craigj says
Love the Tracker … might be one of my favorite Denny builds ever! The Scrambler still has too much cruiser DNA visible, and I love the original 305 a lot.
Animedevildog says
I would love to do something with an RS using one of the TRX fairings I saw following the link Marcos posted, some rearsets, a big bore kit, Disk brake conversion in the rear… I do see a lot of potential with the Shadow RS, and these two bikes are excellent examples of what can be done.
Og, the wet weight of the RS is 505lbs, and not 530. And the rake is NOT 42 deg, like someone posted… (actually, it’s the tightest rake ever put on a Shadow, just that I cannot remember exactly what it is, but I think its somewhere around 28 deg)
305 Toad says
Like the retro 305 scrambler. I think the black knee pads need to be more in proportion to the tank size. The pads look too small. Would have been nice to move the pipes to the left side of the bike and the seat design works but would have been more retro without the dip into the side covers. I like the red frame but it’s almost too much red in the swing arm connection area. Also would like to have seen a more 60’s rear fender. All things considered nice job. I wouldn’t turn it away if you gave it to me. Fat chance, right? Then again, why not consider that…….
Regards,
Old 305 Scrambler and Superhawk owner. Loved those bikes………
E.R.Ellquist says
Man, I love that scrambler! Most of my riding is done on secondary roads, two lane blacktop. Evry so often I see a dirt road and wonder where it goes, what there is to see down the lane… I ride an ’04 Thruxton bought new, and have slowly converted it into a custom standard. I’ll be sixty this summer, and the banzai style riding lost some of it’s charm, due to aches and pain. Still love to ride tho’ and I’m leaning toward a dual use bike.
Most of the new dual sports look like they were designed for a Star Wars set. OK if you can dig it, but I want something as retro as I am. The only difference being it needs to be bullet proof reliable, as I damn sure ain’t.
I’d buy the scrambler in a heartbeat.
E.R.Ellquist says
Love the scrambler, would buy it in a heartbeat. Looks like the perfect MC to me. Good for two lane blacktop, or dirt road curiosity. I’m sixty YO, ride an
04 Thruxton, somewhat modified, and the scrambler tickles my retro bone.
Build it Honda, please build it!!!!!
Rojo Martz says
The scrambler is SWEET!! I had a 250 when I got out of the Army in 1973.,Loved that bike,good time man, GOOD TIMES Honda needs to WAKE UP! and put together a Scrambler like they used too, I would buy one For Sure!!!!