Scrambling the Rs

Scrambling the RS

Cobra's Concept 2 shows another path

The obvious concept here is pulling of heartstrings, Honda-nostalgia-style. Never mind that the 305 Scrambler that this latter-day concept owes its style to was a parallel-Twin and the Shadow RS is a Vee. Builder Denny Berg describes the process of “scrambling” the RS: “The original 305 Scrambler was pretty small and tidy, so I tucked in the rear shocks and sidecovers 1.5 inches on both sides to slim it down a bit, and added longer skirts on the rear to give the seat a Sixties look. The round Honda wing badges and kneepads on the tank rekindle memories of the old 305 fuel tank. I welded a set of classic Scrambler up-pipes, complete with custom heat shields, to give it a 305 look, but they’re on the right side of this bike (and tuned to make the V-Twin sound more like a 180-degree parallel one). The silver-finished engine, classic air cleaner and cross-head case screws continue the period theme. I found an original early Honda taillight assembly at a local bike graveyard, and bent up a rear grab rail behind the seat.

I welded a cross brace to the stock 1-inch bars, and used the stock controls with vintage Gran Turismo grips. I used a reproduction early headlight and made some 305 replica light mounts. Certain parts on the original 305 Scrambler were iconic, like the pipes, of course, and the tank, headlight mounts, seat and fork boots. And that early Honda red/silver paint job really makes it all come together for me!” John Burns