With anticipation building for their next project, this isn’t the inaugural motorcycle crafted by Caleb Matthiesen and the talented team at Classic Steele. I’ve known Caleb Matthiesen for a very long time – since our seventh-grade days, in fact. Throughout our time together, we consistently worked collaboratively on various projects. Regardless of whether it was bicycles or the occasional soapbox automobile that clogged the streets. After a rigorous winter, Caleb made up his mind to take a break from his web-designing job and embark on an unforgettable adventure to China and Japan. Before returning to Seattle, he had to finalize his collaboration with Classic Steele on the construction project. During the harsh winter of 2014-2015, Caleb took refuge with Classic Steele in Southern Vermont, seeking solace from the region’s biting cold. We devised a restoration strategy and concluded that a vintage Norton Commando would serve as an ideal foundation for our bespoke “Scrambler Type” motorcycle.
We, along with Chris John, co-owner of Classic Steele, stumbled upon the thriving donor bike scene in our local community. The mismatched ’70 engine and ’72 body, coupled with the haphazard non-manufacturer paint job and the bike’s general state of disrepair, collectively conveyed a sense that this motorcycle required a rebirth. As the first flakes started to fall, my companions and I steeled ourselves for the task at hand. With the bike set aside, we initiated the process by condensing the body to create an additional modest seating area, and replaced all the worn-out previous bushings and grommets with a state-of-the-art engine mounting system. Matthew Hyde, our experienced powder coater, took over from here, applying his expertise to the project. A revolutionary discovery was made in the form of a ’76 Honda CB400 4, cleverly repurposed to sit atop the Norton’s iconic backbone frame. The vehicle was subsequently entrusted to painter Pat Desalvo, who determined that its original factory hue should remain a vibrant, enduring shade akin to that found on the iconic Honda CB400 four-cylinder motorcycles. In 1967, a sleek Black Bomber headlight bucket, seamlessly integrated with a vintage-style speedometer, found its perfect perch between the forks – a testament to Classic Steele’s masterful blend of nostalgia and innovation in their elegantly crafted constructs.
With the motor deemed mechanically sound, we refrained from making any modifications and instead reinstalled it into its newly coated shell. With unwavering dedication to perfection, Chris meticulously rewired the entire vehicle, replacing the notorious Lucas system with a cutting-edge, highly reliable custom harness. To amplify its stunning appearance, the vehicle was further enhanced by the addition of Progressive rear shocks and front fork springs, enabling it to navigate rougher terrain with confidence. We also built an exterior oil tank and integrated two pipes that extend above the surface to seamlessly fit with our scrambler-inspired design. With his expertise as the primary upholsterer for most of Classic Steele’s seats, Caleb successfully brought the project to completion, resulting in a final product that surpassed all our initial expectations.
