Rekindled Connection: L’Etabli d’Eddy Honda CB600F Hornet

Introduced in 1998, the Honda CB600F Hornet quickly built a strong following thanks to its perfect blend of performance and reliability. Powered by a detuned version of the same inline-four found in the CBR600 sports, the no-fuss naked landed on the market at the perfect time and although there were plenty of attractive rivals, the Hornet never failed to impress.

Eddy Cuccaro is the man behind the French custom moto brand, L’Etabli d’Eddy.  Eddy’s always had a deep connection with Honda’s CB600F Hornet and although it wasn’t his first choice for a custom project, when the opportunity presented itself, he snatched it up.

Eddy and this 2001 CB600F have a story of their own. Initially, Eddy had planned to modify his Hornet but couldn’t bring himself to alter the bike he loved so much. Instead, he sold it and used the proceeds to fund a Suzuki DR600 build. A year after completing that project, he stumbled upon his beloved Hornet up for sale on a classifieds site. To his dismay, it had undergone some questionable customization, but rather than lamenting his past decision, he saw potential. Seeing as someone else had already done what he was hesitant to do, he repurchased the bike, and this time, had no qualms about modifying it himself.

The transformation of Eddy’s Hornet began in late 2021, with the goal of showcasing the finished product at the “Salon du 2 Roues” in Lyon, France, in 2024. Over 3 years, he poured his heart and soul into the build, overcoming several challenges along the way. The most difficult aspect? Crafting the aluminum fairings from scratch which put his hard-earned metal shaping skills to the test.

The build began with modifications to the rear of the frame to tighten the Hornet’s proportions and make way for a Honda VFR800 swingarm. The process involved customizing the shock mount on the swingarm to match the original Hornet setup and machining all the spacers needed to get the chain and sprockets properly aligned. The front forks were swapped out too, using better-performing alternatives from an Aprilia RSV1000. The Aprilia rim still sits within the forks since it looked the part and it came with twin-disc Brembo stoppers.

The original fuel tank has also undergone a transformation. Eddy added an Endurance-style filler, to match the performance-oriented aesthetic of this build. He also handcrafted all of the bike’s aluminum bodywork. These include the tail unit which consists of 2 parts and has the exhaust integrated into its design, and the alien-esque front fairing. The exhaust system is, of course, custom-built too. It features a ‘bread box’ collector that hugs the profile of the rear wheel and muffler-less tips that let the engine sing.

Further customization to Eddy’s CB600F Hornet included retrofitting footrests from a CBR600F4, fitting a custom seat made by Joan Sellerien, and a custom top fork by Frenchy Bike. The bike’s new look has been completed with a paint job inspired by Honda’s latest iteration of the Hornet, the  CB750. It features a gunmetal grey scheme with vibrant yellow highlights and was laid by DP Custom in La Murette, France.

From the outset, Eddy’s intention for the Hornet was always to improve its performance and achieve a unique look that appealed to him. The result is a CB600F that undeniably ticks both of those boxes.

L’ETABLI D’EDDY