thirteen and company’s amber II custom motorcycle born from 1977 honda CB550

thanks to popular demand, thirteen and company has created amber II from a 1977 honda CB550, four years after the first model was built in 2016. the second edition was born from the creator’s – LA-based workshop run by kyle vara – desire to continuously better himself as a builder. the highly sculptural result is both a more precise and polished finished motorcycle.

all images courtesy of thirteen and company

to start with, the engine and transmission of the 1977 honda CB550 was fully refitted for thirteen and company’s amber II custom. once good as new, it was put together with a stock displacement piston kit, new cam shaft, and a set of bearings, seals and gaskets. a stainless steel replacement exhaust wraps under and below towards the rear. here, the rear of the chassis was refabricated alongside the frame and swing arm.

the original fuel tank was adapted, sculpturally reshaped and then extended with a fabricated tail bump. the result creates a smooth, curvaceous line from front to back, only interrupted by the sunken seat upholstered in italian leather. at the front, a single 7-inch headlight stands proudly before the cockpit, which includes imported italian grips, refurbished controls and switches, and motogadget electronics. at the rear, a line of LED taillights lie flush in the subframe structure. the chrome plated motorcycle sits atop overhauled wheels with chromed DID rims and spokes.

project info:

original brand: honda

original model: CB550

original model year: 1977

custom workshop: thirteen and company

custom model: amber II