Honda CJ360T by Digital Directiv

Honda CJ360T by Digital Directiv

Most builders dread dealing with the electrics on a bike. But not Joe Tessitore of Portland-based Digital Directiv a mad scientist operation focused on bringing vintage bikes up to date with modern electrical technology.

“Builders don’t usually talk about upgraded electrical systems or modern convenience especially on vintage motorcycles” says Joe. “It’s all about crazy fab work bumped up horsepower or period-correct pieces. That’s not my thing. I do electrical and I do it well.”

For three years Joe was Jay LaRossa’s right-hand man at Lossa Engineering. And the skills he picked up from Jay shine through on this 1976 Honda CJ360T.

“Working with Jay I learned how to build a custom wiring harness with my eyes closed. So I knew this would be a focal point of the build albeit an almost invisible one. But the pièce de résistance is the hidden keyless ignition—a swipe of the RFID key fob in just the right spot and she comes to life.”

Joe’s CJ360T has the attitude of an urban pothole jumper but embodies many of the traits of a Lossa bike: It’s clean without a spot of rust or a speck of dirt and the lines are clean too. “Tabs wires brackets switches anything … if it’s not serving a purpose or complementing the lines of the bike it has to go” says Joe.

No part is untouched. “If you can buy a new part do it. If you can’t refinish it. Seals bearings bolts bulbs nothing is safe.” The bike looks (and works) as well as it did when it rolled off the Honda showroom floor. “Paint powdercoat zinc chrome polish whatever it takes. Even machines destined to be daily riders should leave the shop looking like a show bike.”

Visually it’s not an easy build to pigeonhole and that’s deliberate. Joe believes in ‘building the bike you want to see.’ “Fads come and go while people’s opinions are all over the map” he says. “At the end of the day be true to yourself and your craft and you’ll be respected for it.”

I think he’s earned that respect already. Find Digital Directiv here.

Images by Truen Pence.

1976 Honda CJ360T

Digital Directiv RFID keyless ignition & scratch built wiring harness

Custom CNC’d front brake adapter w/ CBR600 front caliper

CNC’d battery and electronics tray

Lossa Engineering exhaust cone

Motofactory rear brake stay

Leather upholstery by New Church Moto

Cleaned de-tabbed and chopped frame

Re-sealed and re-finished motor

Mikuni VM30 carbs from Sudco