How about a small introduction of yourself to the readers of Supermoto Central?

Hi, I am jeff (taffymoto) from newport, south wales uk. I am passionate about building bikes and have been doing so for many years now.

How did you get into supermoto and what do you find so great about it?

I got into supermotos about 7 years ago after several driving bans riding my superbike, I have been into motorcross bikes all my life and it seemed the right thing to put some sticky tyres onto one and have some fun under 100 mph.
 

When and how did the idea for this project originated? What was your inspiration?

I got the inspiration for the BLACK PEARL after seeing a nicely modified crf 450 on a belgian supermotard forum,the builders name was timmy bours.

What was the base for your project?

A 2008 Honda CRF 450R

Can you tell us in short how the build went? Did you have any big problems or did it all went smooth?

Can't really say I had many problems with the build apart from an accident I had when i was riding enduro, I severed the nerves to my fingers on my right hand, that added around 6 months to complete the build.

What do you use your bike for? Do you ride it on the street or just take it to the track once in a while?

The BLACK PEARL was built for full on street hooliganism and back wheel fun.

Is this your first supermoto project or did you also build other supermoto bikes? 

I've built many crf/husky motards over the years but the black pearl stands out from the rest.

Do you have any plans for another supermoto project in the future?
Have you got any tips or advice for people that want to start a project like this?

I am in the process of building a CR500AF hybrid/ THE BLACK DIAMOND watch this space. Only advice I can give is have a good think about your plans well before you start the build, try to be as creative and original as you can, triple your budget and order a new chequebook.

Specs

2008 crf 450smr

mtr tuned head

j+s high comp piston

stage three hotcam

boysen waterpump kit

stm slipper clutch

hinson billet clutch casing

powdercoated rocker cover (gloss black)

samco hoses (urban cammo)

five 10 engine plugs (black)

compflow oil filter and billet cover (black)

hammerhead designs rear brake lever (black)

hammerhead designs gear lever (black)

hammerhead designs case saver (black)

k+n filter setup with samco hose (urban cammo)

powdercoated kickstart (satin black)

troy corser oversize race radiators (gold)

powdercoated mainframe (satin black)

powdercoated swingarm (satin black)

powdercoated engine mounts (satin black)

tag triple clamps incorporating honda steering damper (black)

tag oversize handlebars (gold)

protaper bar pad

joker tornado 2 billet throttle (black)

fly racing billet engine kill switch (black)

cycra crm probend handguards/black low profile sheilds

bar mounted hotstart removed and replaced with carb pull switch

ohlins ttx rear shock

ohlins replica forks/revalved re-sprung

beringer bro 10 master cylinder (black)

beringer aerotec six pot calliper (black)

beringer cast front disk (black)

beringer clutch lever (black)


marchesini 17" forged aluminium supermoto wheels (black)

goldspeed ultra tyres

devil sprinter exhaust with dual carbon fibre cans and titanium header pipes

pro carbon fuel cap/gold vent cap

pro carbon fuel tank cover

pro carbon chain guide

pro carbon rear disk guard

lightspeed carbon fibre engine guards

lightspeed carbon fibre ignition cover

lightspeed carbon fibre frame guards

lightspeed carbon fibre sump guard

lightspeed carbon fibre front sprocket cover

sc racing carbon fibre rear shock guard

prairie city supermoto chain stay

t m designs slide+glide chain runner

gold front and rear axle sliders and crash bobbins

ufo footpeg sliders

talon sprockets

did chain

sdg step seat

one off custom graphics