Craig Marleau has been a devoted motorcycle enthusiast for as long as he can recall, with his passion igniting at the age of nine when his father surprised him with his first bike, a modest Baja minibike. Over the years, Craig’s interest evolved, leading him into motocross racing before settling into a career at a car restoration shop.
Despite his job, his love for motorcycles endured, eventually leading him to establish his custom bike firm, Kick Start Garage (KSG), in northern California.
The focal point of KSG’s craftsmanship, Hot Rod Alice, originated in 2018 from a 1973 Honda CB750 Four. A remarkable visual homage to Craig’s inaugural professional build, Hot Rod Alice surpasses its predecessor in every aspect.
Notably, Craig commenced the project with meticulous attention to detail, selecting vintage-style Shinko tires for the rear wheel, accented with white sidewall stripes, exuding an authentic charm. Not stopping there, Hot Rod Alice received enhanced braking capability with a Beringer aftermarket disc and a two-piston caliper.
Handcrafted aluminum fork sleeves and an LED headlight further elevate its aesthetic and performance, while custom additions like clip-on handlebars, Tarozzi rear sets, and adjustable aftermarket shock absorbers enhance both style and function.
A testament to Craig’s ingenuity, the subframe was skillfully shortened, looped, and integrated with LED lighting, culminating in a sleek cafe racer tail unit and a bespoke saddle adorned with white leather upholstery and diamond-pattern stitching.
Underneath its striking exterior lies a meticulously reworked powerplant, where Craig bored the original engine to 836cc, accompanied by rejetted Keihin carbs, a four-into-one exhaust, and a Mooneyes oil pressure gauge, all contributing to Hot Rod Alice’s enhanced performance.
Finished with a captivating white and blue color scheme, complemented by satin-black accents, Hot Rod Alice stands as a testament to Craig’s craftsmanship, promising to captivate enthusiasts with its blend of style and power.
