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This Custom Honda CBR1000RR Is Infused With a Healthy Dose of Neo-Retro DNA

Futuristic design elements may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but they do look right at home on Honda’s wild range-topper.
Honda CBR1000RR 15 photos
Photo: Clément Gerbaud
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When a guy like Manuel Jouan picks up the wrench and starts doing his thing, you know you’re in for a treat. The craftsman, a motorcycle mechanic by trade, goes about his daily business in Tréméven, a small commune located in the Breton-speaking region of Brittany, northwestern France. He is the sole mastermind behind Sur Les Chapeaux De Roues, a small yet well-equipped moto lab specializing in meticulous cafe racer-style surgery.

Over the years, Jouan’s two-wheeled undertakings were featured at some of the most prestigious events dedicated to custom culture, such as Wheels & Waves, Glemseck 101, and the AMD World Championship. Moreover, Manuel has also been invited to take part in Yamaha’s Yard Built initiative, where he presented a stunning XSR-based tribute to the manufacturer’s classic BW200.

Long story short, this Frenchman won’t be making any compromises when it comes to enkindling a magnificent piece of mechanical artwork, and you’re about to see why we speak so highly of his exploits. In the photo gallery above, you’ll find what we consider to be the epitome of Manuel’s artistic prowess – a bewildering neo-retro jewel that revolves around the brutal CBR1000RR.

Honda CBR1000RR
Photo: Clément Gerbaud
Now, it should go without saying that Honda’s 2007 MY berserker is nothing less than a marvel of Japanese engineering! The beast comes equipped with a liquid-cooled 998cc inline-four juggernaut, which is capable of delivering as much as 170 hp and 84 pound-feet (114 Nm) of unforgiving torque. Upon reaching the ground, this force enables the mighty CBR to complete the quarter-mile sprint in just 10.8 blistering ticks, while top speed is rated at 174 mph (280 kph).

Having seen better days, the donor knocked on Chapeaux De Roues’ door following a crash, and the owner wasn’t sure if he wanted it repaired or modified. Due to its sheer complexity, transforming this predator into a full-blown custom phenom is no walk in the park, so most people would opt for returning the motorcycle to its original state. However, as Manuel Jouan isn’t “most people,” he welcomed the challenge with open arms.

Given its wicked power output figures and top-notch chassis specifications, the four-cylinder rocket felt no need for any sort of performance upgrades. As such, SLCDR’s one-man army decided to focus solely on the aesthetics, and his painstaking efforts have certainly paid off. With the CBR1000RR on his workbench, the expert began by discarding the bike’s stock subframe and the entirety of its factory outfit, except for the gas chamber.

Honda CBR1000RR
Photo: Clément Gerbaud
After he had fabricated a new rear skeleton using steel, Jouan proceeded to manufacture an outlandish selection of aluminum garments, including a sinister front fairing, bespoke side panels, and a narrow tail section with integrated LED lighting. In between the CBR’s standard fuel tank and custom tail, you will spot a solo Alcantara-clad saddle, while a premium pair of Highsider headlamps have been installed up front.

Next, the inverted cartridge forks and engine cases were ceramic-coated from head to toe, but the bodywork is where Manuel’s paint job starts to get really interesting. The simple mixture of white and black is accompanied by a dotted pattern that further enhances the creature’s futuristic vibe. In terms of plumbing, the original exhaust system has been replaced with a pie-cut four-into-one alternative, which sports a top-shelf aftermarket muffler from Akrapovic.

In the cockpit, the spartan houses a Motogadget speedometer and Renthal clip-on handlebars, wearing bar-end turn signals and Beringer levers. Last but not least, the OEM-spec shoes were deleted to make way for carbon fiber Rotobox footwear and high-performance Michelin Power GP tires, thus concluding SLCDR’s venture in style.
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About the author: Silvian Secara
Silvian Secara profile photo

A bit of an artist himself, Silvian sees two- and four-wheeled machines as a form of art, especially restomods and custom rides. Oh, and if you come across a cafe racer article on our website, it’s most likely his doing.
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