A renowned custom builder shares exclusive photos of his living room, featuring the showstopping 1971 “Ed” Norton Cafe Racer owned by Kim Boyle – a rare opportunity indeed! In 2006, Kim acquired a Norton Commando with the goal of bringing his unique vision for a Cafe Racer to life. Following his first attempt at the 2007 championship, Kim was understandably disheartened by the result. To create space for new projects, he relocated the bike to a quiet corner of his workshop, where it patiently awaited its next opportunity. In the summer of 2012, a call came in from a member of the Brooklyn Invitational crew, inquiring about Kim’s availability to showcase his motorcycle. This unexpected opportunity provided the perfect pretext for Kim to reunite with Ed Norton once more, this time getting him back on board.
Surprisingly, as Kim continued to collect components, he discovered that he already possessed nearly all the parts needed to finish building his dream bike. With him were packaging boxes of parts, plus a handmade tank, tail, and front fender, hubs refurbished by [name], and a custom shock setup from Works Efficiency. Kim had gone to great lengths prior to this point, meticulously lowering and shaving the forks to optimize performance. However, it was the bike’s stance that truly troubled him. The main issue to address is that the level is too low and too long.
Kim re-adjusted the bike’s fork settings to achieve a precise position, subsequently relocating the rear shock mounts to lift the vehicle’s body and establish a level standing posture. The revised seat was re-sent to Evan Wilcox for final modifications, bringing back memories of the one we worked on together five years ago. Meanwhile, Kiyo, formerly of Storage Co., was tasked with crafting a shorter rear loop to help refine the Norton’s posture and improve its overall stance.
Ginger, a renowned leather-based upholsterer, skillfully stitched together Ed’s new saddle with meticulous precision.
Tony expertly executed all engine and electrical tasks, which entailed the installation and fine-tuning of Twin Keihin flat-slide carburetors, complemented by customized velocity stacks meticulously crafted by Prism Bike Co.’s skilled team. The body went through another thorough cleaning process, removing all extraneous components and preserving the essential features, before being powder-coated in a classic black finish. The triple clamps are a testament to Martin’s craftsmanship, whereas the rear units and accompanying hardware are a collaborative effort with Kim, whose expertise has been instrumental in their successful implementation.
With mere weeks remaining before completion, Kim decided to build an impressive 2-to-1 exhaust system, thermally coating it black to harmonize with the vehicle’s body and ensure that Evan’s tank and seat received the attention they merited. The finishing touches were put in place, including the subtle warmth-defending wrap around the pipes and discrete cable management, just as the Ed Norton espresso machine was filled, allowing us to efficiently pack everything away and depart for the Brooklyn Invitational on schedule. As the festive season has concluded, Kim’s putting a lot of mileage on Ed, which is exactly what we enjoy listening to.
