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BikeExif Custom Motorcycles Honda cafe racer Honda CB350 Honda motorcycles Other Motorcycle Blogs Restomod

A Honda CB350 restomod built by a jet aircraft mechanic

1972 Honda CB350 restomod built by Merlin Cycleworks
It’s quite rare for a CB cafe racer to land in the Bike EXIF inbox these days. And we politely turn down most that do.

But this CB350 from New Jersey went straight to the top of the pile: it’s an absolutely state of the art restomod, and so beautifully finished we’d almost be scared to ride it.

1972 Honda CB350 restomod built by Merlin Cycleworks

It comes from Merlin Cycleworks, which is run by 56-year-old Mark Kouri. Mark’s been an aircraft mechanic for over 30 years—repairing jets for United Airlines—and you can see his attention to detail in this amazing build.

When he’s not repairing or replacing jet engines or fixing autopilots, he builds customs in his two-car garage at home. “I’m a one-man shop,” he tells us. “I started the business a few years ago, after finding a 1974 CB450 parked in my neighbor’s back yard.”

1972 Honda CB350 restomod built by Merlin Cycleworks
“He parked it in 1983, and it sat there until I purchased it for $100 and brought it back to life as a brat style/café-type bike. The bike took first place in five out of the six shows I entered it in.” Not surprisingly, word got around and business boomed.

Mark happened across this 1972 CB350 in a Texas barn last year, bought it for $600, and promptly broke it down to the frame. “I like to think of it as a more modern, upgraded version of a 1970s factory racing bike,” he says.

1972 Honda CB350 restomod built by Merlin Cycleworks
“The goal was increased power, better handling, and more reliability. I think we checked every box.”

There’s something reassuring about knowing an aircraft mechanic built a bike, and Mark has done an extremely thorough job. He’s detabbed the frame, heavily reinforced it, and even re-engineered the back half—eliminating the factory pressed steel frame.

1972 Honda CB350 restomod built by Merlin Cycleworks
Slotted into the upgraded frame is a comprehensively rebuilt engine—although it only had 7,000 miles on the clock. It’s now sporting Wiseco oversized 10.5:1 pistons, a custom-ground Megacycle race cam, and Kibblewhite ‘Black Diamond’ valves.

Helping to dial in the race cam was ex-factory racer Frank Giannini of Giannini Racing—a multiple USCRA class champion. Spark comes from a Charlie’s Place ignition, along with a Rick’s Hotshot high output rotor and stator. And there’s an Antigravity 8-cell battery hidden in the rear cowl.

1972 Honda CB350 restomod built by Merlin Cycleworks
Mark’s had the engine cases powdercoated, along with most of the other mechanical parts. The tank, forks and fairings are painted in high-end BASF Glasurit paint, with ceramic coatings and XPEL protective film applied on top.

Mark made the exhaust himself, using back-purged TIG welded steel, and 1.25″ diameter tubing to maintain torque. It’s .060 wall 304 stainless, with a Cone Engineering muffler, and Mark also fabricated the inlets at the head on his lathe.

1972 Honda CB350 restomod built by Merlin Cycleworks
The chunky front end is a rebuilt 2005-spec Suzuki GSX-R750 fitment, held in place by custom triple trees from Cognito Moto, with high performance Gazi shocks bringing up the rear. (The color-coding on the forks is a nod to the Honda practice of painting the fork uppers the same color as the tank.)

To reduce unsprung weight, Mark has installed Excel Takasago aluminum rims, powdercoated black. They’re laced with Buchanan’s stainless steel spokes to rebuilt hubs—a Cognito Moto at the front and a Honda OEM at the rear. The rubber is a mix of Continental’s Road Attack and Classic Attack.

1972 Honda CB350 restomod built by Merlin Cycleworks
The brakes have been rebuilt and powdered, and hooked up to Brembo masters via braided steel lines.

The clip-on bars are Vortex, the levers are from ASV, there’s a Domino quick-action race throttle, and the classy billet switchgear is from our friends at Renard Speed Shop in Estonia. The instrument is a combined GPS speedo/tach from Speedhut.

1972 Honda CB350 restomod built by Merlin Cycleworks
Everything’s hooked up via a new wiring loom, using aircraft-grade connectors—as you might expect, given Mark’s day job. It’s all routed into a Motogadget m.unit, which is hidden under the seat along with the starter solenoid and a central ground bus.

There’s a custom belly pan to shield the exhaust: Mark fabricated this in-house using .060 aluminum, teaching himself how to use an English wheel as he went along.

1972 Honda CB350 restomod built by Merlin Cycleworks
He also built and fabricated the seat unit, which is covered in Alcantara with stitching to match the blue in the gorgeous two-tone paint.

We’re spoilt for choice when it comes to custom Hondas, but this one goes straight into our all-time Top Ten CBs.

Love your work, Mark.

Merlin Cycleworks Instagram | Images by Charles Thorpe

1972 Honda CB350 restomod built by Merlin Cycleworks

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This CB750 cafe racer roams the capital of Pakistan

1977 Honda CB750 Super Sport cafe racer
There are around 2.5 million motorcycles on the road in Pakistan. Which sounds impressive until you learn that the population is over 210 million—and most of those bikes are tiny Chinese- and Japanese-made commuters.

The custom scene is virtually non-existent, because the import duty on motorcycles is a whopping 50%, and there are sales taxes on top. Which also explains why there are only about a dozen Honda CB750s in the whole country.

1977 Honda CB750 Super Sport cafe racer
This is one of those CB750s: a 1977 Super Sport owned by reader Haris Aziz of Islamabad. And it’s the first bike we’ve featured from the world’s sixth most populous country.

“I had no plans to make a cafe racer: I just loved the model as it is,” Haris tells us. “This Super Sport was a runner, but in poor condition. Most of the fittings were either broken or covered in surface rust.”

1977 Honda CB750 Super Sport cafe racer
Haris rode the CB750 for a year and resisted the temptation to mess with it. “I absolutely adore the cafe racer look, but with imports banned, the remaining CB750s are the last of the breed.”

But when he couldn’t delay the repairs any longer, Haris found out that a stock restoration would cost too much—due to the poor rupee-dollar exchange rate. He decided to have it custom built.

1977 Honda CB750 Super Sport cafe racer
“I chose Zeeshan Motorsports in Karachi to do the job,” he says. “They have exquisite attention to detail and experience with big Japanese bikes.” Karachi, by the way, is a 20-hour, 900-mile drive from Haris’ home city.

Haris designed the bodywork (“using my horrible Photoshop skills”) and ZMS beat it out to the exact same proportions. Interestingly, the guys used the Golden Ratio to achieve the perfect balance of tank, seat and cowl.

1977 Honda CB750 Super Sport cafe racer
“A Bike EXIF how-to-article also inspired me: I made sure the angles were all perfect, such as the angle of the headers to the frame, the muffler to the seat, and so on.”

The subframe is actually unmodified, and retains the original seat hoop— although it’s been detabbed to give it that smooth and sleek look.

1977 Honda CB750 Super Sport cafe racer
While the new bodywork was being hammered out, ZMS also carried out a complete engine overhaul and fitted a Barnett racing clutch.

The ‘sidewinder’ exhaust was custom-made in Pakistan with a stainless steel muffler. “Tuning the carburetors was a challenge,” Haris reveals. “So we built a custom airbox, mounted a single pod filter, and switched to a Suzuki GS1000 CDI ignition to make starting and riding more reliable.”

1977 Honda CB750 Super Sport cafe racer
There’s a new headlight—which at 4400 lumens is a huge improvement on the original—and an aftermarket taillight and blinker set.

There’s also new wiring throughout, and an interesting starting mechanism: an aircraft-style toggle for the kill switch, and a starter button right on top of the triple tree. (“It makes starting her a joy every time!”)

1977 Honda CB750 Super Sport cafe racer
“The Honda was built on a budget, so unfortunately we couldn’t fit high-end gear such as the Motogadget m.unit,” says Haris. “But that doesn’t rule out future upgrades!”

There were no corners cut on the paint scheme, though. It accentuates the flat, free-flowing bodywork, with coach lines hand painted by an expert local craftsman. The frame and (original) wheels were painted black, and the deep blue tank and cowl make the raw metal of the engine pop.

1977 Honda CB750 Super Sport cafe racer
“We’re all extremely proud of the way she turned out,” says Haris. “Especially given the limited knowledge and budget we had.”

“The cafe racer culture is just starting here in Pakistan, but most bikes are single cylinders and no one is venturing into the complicated world of big four-cylinders.”

1977 Honda CB750 Super Sport cafe racer
We reckon it’s an amazing result. And proof that sometimes, constraints can force you to be more creative.

Images by Saad Zia Photography.

1977 Honda CB750 Super Sport cafe racer

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BikeExif cafe racer Custom Motorcycles Honda cafe racer Honda motorcycles K-Speed Other Motorcycle Blogs

Little Ripper! K-Speed’s Honda Monkey cafe racer

2019 Honda Monkey cafe racer by K-Speed
K-Speed is one of the greatest success stories of the modern custom scene. Like a hit factory from the golden era of pop, the Thai company churns out hit after hit.

We’ve seen what they can do with BMWs, Triumphs and Honda Cubs—and now it’s the turn of the funky little Honda Monkey 125, launched less than a year ago.

2019 Honda Monkey cafe racer by K-Speed
With eleven branches spread throughout Thailand, K-Speed is a major industry player in its local market. But even more incredibly, they built over 40 customs last year—releasing a bike every 6.3 working days.

Despite this, there are no formulas or corner cutting, and no subtle variations on a signature style. Each build is started with fresh eyes, and is invariably a knockout.

2019 Honda Monkey cafe racer by K-Speed
‘Monkey Racer’ is based on the new Honda Monkey, which comes with a 125cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine, a four-speed ‘box, and 12-inch wheels. Plus styling that harks back to the Z50A released in the late 1960s.

The short wheelbase gives the stock Monkey 125 a somewhat cartoonish look, but K-Speed have managed to add a dash of sophistication and a classic cafe racer vibe.

2019 Honda Monkey cafe racer by K-Speed
There’s obviously a lot of careful thinking going on here—probably because K-Speed founder Eak is a big fan of the platform. He has a couple of the original 50cc Z-series Monkeys in his personal garage, and started riding them as a child.

The biggest change is a switch to 14-inch wheels. They’re aftermarket rims originally designed for the Grom, modified to fit, and with solid covers to make them stand out even more.

2019 Honda Monkey cafe racer by K-Speed
The tank, surprisingly, is the stock 5.6L item—but chromed to accentuate the distinctive trapezoidal shape. Right behind is a completely redesigned seat, upholstered with black leather, finished with subtle stitching, and much shallower than the original.

That slim and stubby new subframe is now supported via short YSS shock absorbers. At the front, the forks have been clipped by three inches to match.

2019 Honda Monkey cafe racer by K-Speed
The bulky plastic airbox is gone, replaced by a neat velocity stack. And the hefty, high-riding standard exhaust system has also been ditched, in favor of a slender pipe terminating in a low-set SuperTrapp-style muffler.

Black high-temperature paint helps the shiny new breathing equipment stand out, and there’s a drilled clutch cover to match.

2019 Honda Monkey cafe racer by K-Speed
The cockpit is much cleaner too. The bars and risers are gone, the top yoke is blacked out, and clip-ons lower the riding position to a café racer crouch.

The circular speedo and switchgear are much simpler than the originals, and the stock LED headlight—which jars a little against the classic vibe of the Monkey—has been swapped out for a black bucket with a slim grille.

2019 Honda Monkey cafe racer by K-Speed
Despite their track record with Cub conversions and the fame it has brought them outside Thailand, K-Speed rarely work on smaller bikes. They’re willing to make an exception for the Monkey though, describing it as a ‘special’ case.

They also mentioned that they have another new Monkey 125 in the garage, as yet unmolested. Who’s looking forward to seeing what they do with that one?

K-Speed website | Instagram | Images by Hipmotography

2019 Honda Monkey cafe racer by K-Speed

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BikeExif Custom Motorcycles Honda cafe racer Honda CB500 Honda motorcycles Other Motorcycle Blogs

The Honda CB500 cafe racer that staved off bankruptcy

The Honda CB500 cafe racer that kept a Swedish custom shop afloat
Building custom motorcycles can be a tough game. And the Swedish builder Fredrik Pål Persson was ready to throw in the towel, just before the commission came in for this rather chic Honda café racer.

His shop, Malmö-based PAAL Motorcycles, has been operating for five years now. But last year, the business almost closed down. “We basically hit rock bottom,” Fredrik admits.

The Honda CB500 cafe racer that kept a Swedish custom shop afloat
“We were paying for costly mistakes we made, and we had to downscale everything. We sold everything we could sell, and held our breath to avoid going bankrupt.”

“When a client asked us to build a CB500, I was standing on a pivot. I could say no and close the shop—or say yes, while knowing that all profit had to go back into the company, and I wouldn’t be able to take out a salary.”

The Honda CB500 cafe racer that kept a Swedish custom shop afloat
Fredrik decided to say yes. He also decided to sell his home and invest the profit into the company: “I was basically buying one more year to follow my dreams.”

Since Fredrik was going all in, he knew that the CB500 would have to be one of the shop’s best builds to date. “A bike that truly represents what we stand for as a brand here at PAAL,” he says. “Design, craftsmanship, quality and performance.”

The Honda CB500 cafe racer that kept a Swedish custom shop afloat
The donor—a 1976 CB500—was liberated from Fredrick’s own cache. It was a bike that he’d customized years ago, but he was never quite happy with it. It was a candidate for a complete makeover.

So the PAAL crew stripped the motor down (again), building it up with new valves and reworked cylinders. The engine also got a new coat of paint, and the carbs were refreshed, and tuned to run with pod filters. Ancillary bits like cables, bearings, seals, and the chain and sprockets, were all replaced.

The Honda CB500 cafe racer that kept a Swedish custom shop afloat
PAAL then ripped out all the wiring and started over with a Bluetooth-enabled Motogadget m.unit Blue module. The setup includes a Lithium-ion battery, and a new digital ignition.

They also installed LED turn signals, a tiny speedo and switches from Motogadget, along with Motone control buttons and an LED taillight.

The Honda CB500 cafe racer that kept a Swedish custom shop afloat
The taillight’s neatly embedded in the back of a new, custom-built subframe. Up top is a custom-made seat in a classic café racer style, complete with a removable rear cowl. The fuel tank’s a one-off too, and includes PAAL’s signature upholstered indents on the sides.

The effect’s carried through to the gorgeous tank and cowl straps, and even to the custom leather grips. The actual bars are a set of KustomTech clip-ons, matched to Tarozzi rear-sets on hand-made brackets.

The Honda CB500 cafe racer that kept a Swedish custom shop afloat
PAAL rebuilt the front forks, installed new rear shocks, and overhauled the brakes. The wheels were refreshed too, with new stainless steel spokes, a fresh powder coat, and a set of Firestone Champion Deluxe tires.

The four-into-one exhaust system was fabricated in-house, and terminates in a chunky, low-slung muffler. The frame and a bunch of other components were powder coated black, while the bodywork was shot in a tasteful light grey.

The Honda CB500 cafe racer that kept a Swedish custom shop afloat
“We didn’t take any shortcuts on this bike,” says Fredrik. “Everything was done by the book, for the best outcome possible. It basically ended up being a brand new motorcycle, with modern performance, combined with some of our signature design features. Still keeping the retro vibe but bringing it in to the 21th century.”

Around the time PAAL were wrapping up the CB500, they were also turning screws on a Kawasaki KZ650 and a Honda CB750. And while Fredrik went into the projects with a weight on his shoulders, he came out the other side freshly invigorated.

The Honda CB500 cafe racer that kept a Swedish custom shop afloat
“A lot has changed now,” he says. “I found new partners and investors, and we’ve been able to slowly turn the ship around with a lot of hard work. We are now excited about the future and the path we’re on.”

“I know that I can write pages about all the parts we used on the bike. But the story of this bike represents a lot more then material things for us.”

The Honda CB500 cafe racer that kept a Swedish custom shop afloat
We’re glad to hear it: we hope to see many more bikes rolling out of PAAL’s doors in the future. And there’s a little more good news for Fredrik: his Kawasaki KZ650 is one of the stars of the 2019 Bike EXIF wall calendar.

Paal Motorcycles | Facebook | Instagram | Images by Yannick Wolff

The Honda CB500 cafe racer that kept a Swedish custom shop afloat

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BikeExif Custom Motorcycles Federal Moto Honda cafe racer Honda motorcycles Other Motorcycle Blogs

Two Scoops: Federal Moto’s gelato-inspired Honda CX650

1983 Honda CX650 custom by Federal Moto
Milwaukee’s Mama Tried Show is one of the most eclectic shows on the calendar. Choppers, flat trackers and café racers all vie for attention, in a jumbled sea of custom motorcycle goodness.

To get noticed, you either need something extremely classy, or totally over the top. This Honda CX650 is a little bit of both—with tasty mods and a paint job that’s as cool as gelato on a hot day. So it didn’t take me long to sniff it out at the show earlier this year.

1983 Honda CX650 custom by Federal Moto
It’s the work of the Chicago shop Federal Moto, which is headquartered just 100 miles down the road from Milwaukee. As the shop’s ninth build, its official designation is ‘FED-009’—but the guys have taken to calling it ‘Two Scoops.’

The donor was a 1983-model Honda CX650 Custom—a rarity in the US. “The CX650C was only available in the States for one year, before Honda pulled the plug,” explains Federal’s lead builder, Michael Muller. “So when we stumbled upon it we knew it needed a Federal makeover.”

1983 Honda CX650 custom by Federal Moto
As it turns out, it needed more than just a makeover. Federal had to give it a ‘quadruple bypass’ engine overhaul to get it up to spec. That meant a full top to bottom rebuild, with new gaskets, new piston rings and some honing work.

They also upgraded the cam chain, tensioner and guide blades, the stator, the cam shaft seal and the starter clutch springs.

1983 Honda CX650 custom by Federal Moto
Like the CX500 Custom, the CX650 Custom was Honda’s attempt at building a cruiser on the CX platform. And that was far off what Michael and his crew envisioned.

“The bike’s stance is very upright and tight now,” he says. “We wanted the rider to have full control of the bike and feel connected to the road…a funky supermoto vibe on a fat bike.”

1983 Honda CX650 custom by Federal Moto
It took some doing to get there. The front end is all-new, with the forks, lower triple tree and brakes from a 2006 Suzuki GSX-R600. Those were matched up to a top yoke and front wheel hub from Cognito Moto, and the fork legs were anodized black.

The rear hub was lifted from a 1988 Honda Shadow, and mated to the CX’s drive shaft. Buchanan’s laced up a new set of 17” Sun aluminum rims with stainless steel spokes. They’re wrapped in Metzeler Racetec RR rubber for max grip.

1983 Honda CX650 custom by Federal Moto
Federal also fabricated a new subframe and a discreet electronics tray, and installed new shocks to lift the rear.

This CX’s been treated to new bodywork too, thanks to the skills of master metal shaper Craig Rodsmith. Craig’s based in nearby Grayslake, so Federal decided to spend some time with him to soak up some of his experience.

1983 Honda CX650 custom by Federal Moto
Craig whipped up a new tank and tail section for the build, shaping them from aluminum. (And he modified the frame’s steering neck to make that front-end conversion possible.) Then back at Federal HQ, the team rolled a set of fenders and built custom brackets for them.

The Honda was also rewired from top to bottom, using components that Federal stock in their own online store. The new setup includes a Motogadget m.unit, LED lighting, Posh switches from Japan, and a digital speedo from Koso. Federal fitted Biltwell Inc. grips and footpegs too, along with ‘Superlow’ bars from Renthal,

1983 Honda CX650 custom by Federal Moto
Other upgrades include a pair of brass-screened velocity stacks, and handmade exhaust headers that terminate in a single Cone Engineering muffler, under the tail.

As for the CX’s new color palette, Michael tells us it’s been sitting on the back burner for a while—just waiting for the right project. It very loosely draws inspiration from the Paul Smart Ducati Sport Classic, but with mint and peach, and chocolate accents via the grips and seat leather.

1983 Honda CX650 custom by Federal Moto
Peter Gamen of Kandy Van did the paintwork, and knocked it way out the park.

The coloring is borderline whacky, but also endearing. And with the tweaked stance and chassis upgrades, it should be a blast to ride too.

Or, as Michael puts it: “Grab a spoon and get a taste of Two Scoops!”

Federal Moto | Facebook | Instagram | Images by Daniel Peter

1983 Honda CX650 custom by Federal Moto

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The modern classic, Honda style: Bolt’s 1995 Seven Fifty

The modern classic, Honda style: Bolt’s 1995 Seven Fifty
By the time the nineties rolled around, the reputation of the Honda CB750 was losing its luster. The iconic straight four had softened, and the F2 model was more suited to cruising than blasting through canyons.

But the build quality and engineering was still top-notch, which makes the ‘Seven Fifty’ a good used buy today. This sleek build from Spain’s Bolt Motor Co. ditches the clunky styling and cranks up the dynamics with a major suspension upgrade.

The modern classic, Honda style: Bolt’s 1995 Seven Fifty
“We built this for our friend Santiago, from Palma de Mallorca,” says Bolt boss Adrián Campos. “He wanted a classic look, but with all the modern elements—comfortable and easy to ride every day.”

The donor bike was in excellent condition: a 1995 F2, which means it has a 73 hp detuned version of the CBX750 mill—which is creamy smooth and torquey, and good for almost 130 mph (205 kph).

The modern classic, Honda style: Bolt’s 1995 Seven Fifty
“The engine was in pretty good shape,” says Adrián. “We just changed the gaskets and overhauled the carbs.” But since Bolt shares its premises with one of Spain’s leading racecar builders, Adrián couldn’t resist adding K&N filter pods and a pair of stubby SuperTrapp mufflers too.

The stock Seven Fifty has safe if somewhat uninspiring handling, so Adrián has replaced the original 41mm forks and triples with newer (and beefier) units from a Ducati Monster.

The modern classic, Honda style: Bolt’s 1995 Seven Fifty
The shocks have been upgraded to Hagon units that offer classic styling with modern performance, and the front monobloc brakes are from Brembo.

The stock cast wheels are gone, replaced by much more attractive spoked rims of uncertain original. “We don’t know what bike the wheels came from,” Adrián admits.

The modern classic, Honda style: Bolt’s 1995 Seven Fifty
“We just bought two 17-inch wheels from the same motorcycle, widened the flanges, and fitted new spokes.” The chunky rubber is Continental’s TKC70 pattern.

The heavy lifting is in the frame, though. The back half of the tubing is all-new, from just behind the fuel tank to the end of the seat—including the shock mounts.

The modern classic, Honda style: Bolt’s 1995 Seven Fifty
For many builders this would be quite a mission, but Bolt’s workshop effectively has access to all the tools of the race car operation. Still, even Adrián found it challenging.

A plush new seat, designed for comfort, sits atop the new framework—with gorgeous diamond contrast stitching and a simple strap across the middle.

The modern classic, Honda style: Bolt’s 1995 Seven Fifty
Right ahead is a tank lifted from an early CB750, which probably dates to around 1970. The off-white paint is offset by deep green side panels and gold pinstripes, with a chromed tank badge that appears to be lifted from a 1960s-vintage Honda car—possibly an S800.

The modern classic, Honda style: Bolt’s 1995 Seven Fifty
In keeping with the ‘modern classic’ vibe, Bolt have installed Renthal bars, plus period Brembo levers and Puig controls. To keep the cockpit super-clean, most switches and ancillaries are from Motogadget.

The modern classic, Honda style: Bolt’s 1995 Seven Fifty
If you’ve been to the Balearic island of Mallorca, you’ll know how beautiful it is—especially when you hit the roads that head out from the tourist traps on the coast.

Anyone else feeling a twinge of jealousy for Santiago and his muy elegante new ride?

Bolt Motor Co. | Facebook | Instagram

The modern classic, Honda style: Bolt’s 1995 Seven Fifty

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BikeExif cafe racer Custom Motorcycles Honda cafe racer Honda CBX Honda motorcycles Other Motorcycle Blogs Restomod Rno Cycles Turbo Motorcycle

Boosted: Rno’s wild turbocharged Honda CBX 1000

Boosted: A turbocharged Honda CBX 1000 from Rno Cycles of Holland
We love the big, bruising superbikes of the late 70s and early 80s. They were fast, brash and good-looking—and their riders often had more skidmarks than Lewis Hamilton’s driveway.

So we always keep an eye out for good superbike restomods, and Arno Overweel of Rno Cycles has just delivered a cracker with this turbocharged Honda CBX.

Boosted: A turbocharged Honda CBX 1000 from Rno Cycles of Holland
In continental Europe, Arno is a household name in the custom scene. His bikes are often extreme and impractical, but this one is different. The styling is subtle, and the pyrotechnics are focused on the mechanical side.

“The client saw my work at a show and he was very enthusiastic,” says Arno. “We started talking about a CBX that he’d owned from a very early age. It was an American model, with the odometer in miles.”

Boosted: A turbocharged Honda CBX 1000 from Rno Cycles of Holland
“The bike had been customized before, with a chromed frame and a turbo kit, but it’d been in storage for a while—and time had left its mark, in the form of rust.”

The client wanted his CBX back on the road, but Arno’s heart lies in custom bike building rather than restoration. “Restoration is simply not my passion,” he says. “But a technical and optical upgrade of a CBX seemed like a challenge, so my question was: where is the limit?”

Boosted: A turbocharged Honda CBX 1000 from Rno Cycles of Holland
Arno and his client were soon on the same page. “We both became more enthusiastic. In our heads, the bike was already built: a number plate up front, an aggressive short seat, and modern brakes. The deal was sealed and I finally got to work with a powerful CBX!”

The CBX was the flagship of the Honda range between 1978 and 1982, a superbike with a 1,047 cc 24-valve, air-cooled inline six fed by six carburetors. With 105 hp on tap, it had a top speed comfortably in excess of 130 mph, with some reports citing 140 mph (225 km/h).

Boosted: A turbocharged Honda CBX 1000 from Rno Cycles of Holland
This machine goes one step better. It’s got a turbo kit from American Turbo Pack, a mod that was available to speed freaks back in the day. The turbo is a compact Rajay unit, and it breathes through a simple but effective Bendix carb. (The practicalities of tuning six Keihin VB28s for forced induction do not bear thinking about.)

Everything still works well, and the sound apparently generates goose bumps. “At a certain speed, the six-cylinder really begins to howl,” says Arno.

Boosted: A turbocharged Honda CBX 1000 from Rno Cycles of Holland
To keep the mighty motor running sweet, Arno installed a Setrab oil cooler (hooked up with Goodridge hoses), a Procom igniter set to boost the sparks, and a new alternator from a Kawasaki Ninja ZX-7R, fitted via a custom adaptor plate.

What Arno didn’t like was the back end of the CBX. “There was a huge seat with a ridiculous big taillight, which looked out of proportion with the narrow rear wheel. The front also needed better proportions.”

Boosted: A turbocharged Honda CBX 1000 from Rno Cycles of Holland
Arno decided to respect the 70s styling, but also update it to modern times—taking it from classic superbike to modern muscle bike. “The CBX would get a more brutal look as well.”

He’s installed a Fireblade swingarm that is a bit longer than the standard CBX item. “I wanted a more open, modern and transparent look. So I also turned it into a monoshock set-up,” says Arno. He’s used a Showa shock in a Pro-link setup.

Boosted: A turbocharged Honda CBX 1000 from Rno Cycles of Holland

“The diagonal tube under the seat was removed, so all the electronic components and the battery had to move. The electrics are now under the fuel tank and the battery is in the tail.”

The tail end was shortened, which makes the swingarm look even longer, and the 190-section Aprilia RSV Mille rear wheel even bigger.

To beef up the front end, Arno has mounted Öhlins forks—again from an RSV Mille—along with triple trees from an Aprilia Tuono. The client did not want clip-ons, so Arno opted for more comfortable Motacc superbike bars on Rizoma risers.

Boosted: A turbocharged Honda CBX 1000 from Rno Cycles of Holland
Right ahead is the AMA Superbike racing-style number plate, which holds a pair of small LED lights. The ’57’ logo was designed by Arno’s brother Jeroen: “57 is the ‘year of construction’ of the owner!” Arno reveals.

The CBX’s character is largely determined by the fuel tank, so Arno wanted to keep it. “I didn’t like the filler cap, so I welded a Rizoma racing cap in it. Some people will think, ‘What a lot of work for a filler cap’, but this bike just needed it.”

Boosted: A turbocharged Honda CBX 1000 from Rno Cycles of Holland
The engine didn’t need any work—and certainly doesn’t need any more power. The exhaust system upstream from the turbo plumbing is the original American Turbo-Pack unit, but Arno crafted new plumbing downstream. It now snakes between the subframe supports and terminates in a simple muffler.

Arno also replaced many components with modern counterparts—like Pazzo levers, Motogadget m.blaze blinkers and an Acewell LCD multi-function speedo. He also removed the large round ‘pancake’ air cleaner that blocked the view of the beautiful carburetor and Turbo, replacing it with a compact sport air filter.

Boosted: A turbocharged Honda CBX 1000 from Rno Cycles of Holland
The striking paint is the handiwork of local specialist Ben Oud. “With Ben, you always know that it’ll works out,” says Arno. “I wanted an angular 70s style, in the Honda red, white and blue. And there had to be a black stripe on top of the fuel tank—which I’ve seen on a concept bike from Honda.”

Arno suggested flat colors and sponsor stickers, but Ben had better ideas. He also added a touch of glitter to the paint for extra impact, and figured out the best position for the logo.

Boosted: A turbocharged Honda CBX 1000 from Rno Cycles of Holland
“He chose the most difficult option—a wing over the tank bulge,” says Arno. “He’s a real professional.”

Ben even painted the seat base before it went to Marcel Miller for the foam and upholstery. Arno elected to mix up the tuck ‘n roll pattern with some diamond stitching.

Unlike some of Arno’s previous builds, the CBX is ‘reasonably comfortable’ and practical. “Everything works properly, and the sound is fantastic!” he reports. “You can hear that it’s a six-cylinder.”

Boosted: A turbocharged Honda CBX 1000 from Rno Cycles of Holland
Arno’s managed to take the already monstrous CBX into even wilder territory—without losing an ounce of its retro appeal. We’d ask for a test ride if we weren’t genuinely scared of it.

Rno Cycles | Facebook | Instagram | Images by (and thanks to) Floris Velthuis

Boosted: A turbocharged Honda CBX 1000 from Rno Cycles of Holland

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BikeExif cafe racer Custom Motorcycles Honda cafe racer Honda CB750 Honda Nighthawk Other Motorcycle Blogs

Ready to Wear: Kaspeed’s slinky Nighthawk 750

Honda Nighthawk 750 cafe racer by Kaspeed
We’ve noticed an encouraging trend amongst custom shops lately: they’re offering made-to-order customs alongside their one-off specials. Diamond Atelier have enjoyed success with their Mark II BMW boxer builds, and deBolex Engineering have hinted at an imminent ready-to-wear range.

Limited production runs take a lot of the guesswork out of the custom business: both the builder and customer know exactly what they’re in for. Germany’s Kaspeed Moto have now thrown their hat in the ring, using the venerable Honda CB750 as a donor.

Honda Nighthawk 750 cafe racer by Kaspeed
Don’t let the harmonious lines of this prototype fool you—it’s actually based on the graceless mid-90s Nighthawk 750. Kaspeed have somehow massaged it into an attractive shape, and in a way that makes repetition feasible.

“This is our #00 prototype,” says Kaspeed’s Jimmy Dressel. “The whole bike was engineered to be a lot more ‘reproducible’ than the usual one-off custom build. It was a real challenge, to be honest—and we still have some points to improve for the future.”

Honda Nighthawk 750 cafe racer by Kaspeed
In their Glauchau, Saxony workshop, Jimmy, his twin brother and his father pumped over 300 man-hours into the Nighthawk. For starters, it hadn’t been well looked after—so they had to clean out the carbs before it would even run.

They also rejetted the carbs, and fitted a set of DNA filters with leather caps. Plus they gave the Nighthawk a solid service, replaced a few seals and fitted a new chain and sprockets.

Honda Nighthawk 750 cafe racer by Kaspeed
Luckily the actual motor and gearbox both still ran strong, so there was no need to crack open the powertrain. The crew overhauled it on the outside, refinishing it in a mix of matt black and silver.

The Honda’s sporting some swish chassis upgrades though. Kaspeed fitted upside down forks, triples and front brakes from a 2000-spec Yamaha R1. They used a conversion kit (essentially a steering stem and bearings) from Cognito Moto, and fabricated a new axle and spacers.

Honda Nighthawk 750 cafe racer by Kaspeed
There’s also a pair of Öhlins HO 141 piggyback shocks out back. Kaspeed kept the Nighthawk’s stock wheels, but painted them matt bronze and wrapped them in modern Metzeler Roadtec 01 rubber. (Jimmy tells us they had to paint the wheels themselves, because they couldn’t find a powder coater that could nail that particular color.)

Building the new bodywork was quite a process. The guys designed the tail unit using CAD software, then hand-shaped a positive PU foam mold based on the design.

Honda Nighthawk 750 cafe racer by Kaspeed
A two-piece negative mold was then shaped, and the final part built up using glass- and carbon-Kevlar-fiber. The mold’s good for at least fifteen units before Kaspeed will need to bin it.

It’s a slick design from any angle, topped off with a genuine leather seat. It’s really minimal too, thanks to the lack of a traditional taillight. Instead, a pair of tiny Kellerman LEDs flanks the tail, doubling up as taillight and turn signals.

Honda Nighthawk 750 cafe racer by Kaspeed
The area under the seat’s also been cleared out. Kaspeed tweaked the subframe to match the tail section, reinforced it, and de-tabbed the frame. Then they moved all the electronics into the hump, along with a smaller Lithium-ion battery. To access it, you simply pop off the seat via the stock seat latch. Neat.

Moving to the front, the team kept the stock Nighthawk tank—but elongated the flat section at the back to match up with the seat unit. Rounding out the bodywork is a custom-built aluminum front fender.

Honda Nighthawk 750 cafe racer by Kaspeed
Kaspeed’s handiwork is complemented by a slew of top-shelf componentry. You’ll find LSL clip-ons, brake fluid reservoirs and foot pegs, and Kellermann bar-end turn signals. Up front is a LED headlight from KOSO, plus a Daytona dial that combines an analog tacho with a digital speed readout.

They’ve also installed a keyless RFID ignition from Motogadget, and mated Leo Vince slip-ons to the four-into-two headers. Jimmy reckons the Nighthawk is now about eight percent lighter than stock—but more importantly, it’s completely TÜV compliant.

Honda Nighthawk 750 cafe racer by Kaspeed
This prototype’s been finished in ‘Source Silver’ metallic, a splendid Honda NSX color. But you’ll be able to order yours in any color you want. Kaspeed plan to take roughly a dozen orders, with two options on the table: ‘Heritage’ and ‘Racer.’

‘Heritage’ builds will cost less, and be lighter on suspension and component upgrades. The ‘Racer’ builds will be similar to what you see here, with the option of adding even more goodies, if your pocket allows.

Honda Nighthawk 750 cafe racer by Kaspeed
Kaspeed unveiled #00 this past weekend at the Glemseck 101, where it was both raced and shown off on Honda Germany’s stand. Given the huge attendance at the annual sprint-racing event, we’re betting there will soon be orders on the books.

Kaspeed Custom Motorcycles | Facebook | Instagram | Images by Jimmy Dressel

Honda Nighthawk 750 cafe racer by Kaspeed

Kaspeed Moto would like to thank Öhlins, Leo Vince, Kellermann, Metzeler tires, DNA Filters, John Doe for riding gear, and Hedon helmets.

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BikeExif CB750 cafe racer Custom Motorcycles Honda cafe racer Honda CB750 Honda motorcycles Other Motorcycle Blogs

Customer request: A Honda CB750 built to spec

Honda CB750 cafe racer from Rogue Motorcycle of Australia
As anyone who builds things for a living will tell you, the customer is not always right. Many builders prefer to get carte blanche with a bike, and some demand it as a condition of hire.

But not Billy Kuyken of Rogue Motorcycle in Western Australia. Because he’s got one of those rare clients with good taste and an eye for what works: the new owner of this very crisp Honda CB750 cafe racer.

Honda CB750 cafe racer from Rogue Motorcycle of Australia
Rogue’s client is called Josh, and when he needed someone to tackle his CB, the choice was a no-brainer. Rogue had finished another custom bike for him just months before, and knocked it out the park.

So Billy was soon picking up a rolling chassis and a selection of pre-ordered components.

Honda CB750 cafe racer from Rogue Motorcycle of Australia
“Josh called up, and before I knew it, I was down his way to pick up this CB750,” Billy explains. “Josh had already accumulated some of the parts he wanted fitted—but there was still a fair amount of work to be done.”

“The CB750 is a very ‘classic’ bike to modify, and they come in all sorts of styles. This one’s fairly naked and stripped back.” (It’s certainly more low-key than the wild custom Thruxton Billy built for the artist Handbrake.)

Honda CB750 cafe racer from Rogue Motorcycle of Australia
Josh was quite particular from the get-go, with a clear creative direction in mind. So Billy could dive right in without having to bounce designs around first. The job started with a rear frame edit, and then the whole frame, engine, carbs and tank all went off for a fresh coat of black.

Josh went for the high end on his parts selection, starting with a smattering of Motogadget bits. The CB750 is now rewired around an m.Unit digital control unit, and also features a keyless ignition, speedo, bar-end turn signals and mirrors from the German brand.

Honda CB750 cafe racer from Rogue Motorcycle of Australia
Josh also put in an order with Cognito Moto in the US. They make some CB-specific bits, and sent over a new pair of 17” spoked wheels in gold, and a set of triple clamps.

They’re specifically made to match up with the upside-down forks from a Suzuki GSX-R. So Billy’s installed those up front, with a set of Öhlins shocks doing duty out back.

Honda CB750 cafe racer from Rogue Motorcycle of Australia
The rear wheel’s designed to take a disc brake rather than the OEM drum, and is now sporting a Ducati/Brembo setup. Other Cognito parts include the oil tank and the rear-set brackets—which carry a set of Tarozzi controls.

Honda CB750 cafe racer from Rogue Motorcycle of Australia
Up top, Billy’s friend Doug machined a recess into the top triple, to flush-mount the speedo. There’s an off-the-shelf LED headlight out front, mounted on modified aftermarket brackets to get it as close to the bike as possible. The cockpit’s finished off with clip-ons and upgraded levers.

Honda CB750 cafe racer from Rogue Motorcycle of Australia
Other touches include a shortened front fender (again with custom brackets), and a modified chain guard.

With a well-sorted chassis, it made sense to fit practical rubber. So this CB’s rolling on a set of Avon Roadriders. The air filters are adorned with Rogue Motorcycle logos, the exhaust headers have been ceramic coated, and the stainless steel muffler is from Lossa Engineering.

Honda CB750 cafe racer from Rogue Motorcycle of Australia
The seat was custom-made to Rogue’s specifications—complete with a perforated upper section—by Lorenzo Poli of Poli Motor Trimming.

Billy had the idea to integrate a small tail light into the back of the seat; coupled with a discreet plate mount that includes the rear turn signals, it makes for a very tidy tail section.

Honda CB750 cafe racer from Rogue Motorcycle of Australia
The black paint is understated and classy, and the subtle hints of gold are extremely well judged. Even the fork lowers have been coated black—a hardly noticeable tweak that actually makes a world of difference.

The result is equal parts minimal and muscular—and ample proof that sometimes, the customer might just be right.

Rogue Motorcycles | Instagram | Images by RIDEJOURNAL | Instagram

Honda CB750 cafe racer from Rogue Motorcycle of Australia

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BikeExif cafe racer Custom Motorcycles Honda cafe racer Honda CB750 Ironwood Custom Motorcycles Other Motorcycle Blogs

Ride and win: Ironwood’s Honda CB750 is up for grabs

Ride and win: Ironwood’s Honda CB750 is up for grabs
Bike giveaways are nothing new, but we haven’t seen one quite like this before. This terrific Honda CB750 comes from Ironwood in The Netherlands, and if you hire it for a day, you’re in with a chance to win it.

The people behind this unusual competition are Motoshare, a local bike rental company (think AirBNB for motorcycles) and the huge European parts supplier CMS, who mostly specialize in components for Japanese machines.

Ride and win: Ironwood’s Honda CB750 is up for grabs
Tickets to ride (and win) cost 99 EUR, which is about US$115. And if you live outside the Netherlands, you can also just buy the ticket for a chance to win. A maximum of 120 tickets will be sold.

We suspect this Honda is going to have a busy life, but it’s no rent-a-dent: Ironwood main man Arjan van den Boom has built it to the same high standards as the BMWs he’s best known for—although it’s a little easier to ride than the infamous Mutant BMW R80.

Ride and win: Ironwood’s Honda CB750 is up for grabs
The base bike is a 1981 CB750F, meaning it’s the later DOHC version with four valves per cylinder and extra frame and swingarm bracing over the previous model year, for even sharper handling (at the slight expense of weight).

“It was in pretty good condition,” Arjan tells us. “The engine had already been opened and worked on. And due to the budget and short lead-time, we wanted a bike that had less work required on the engine.” But just to be on the safe side, Ironwood replaced all the seals and gaskets.

Ride and win: Ironwood’s Honda CB750 is up for grabs
They also upgraded the Keihin carbs to CR spec, and topped them with DNA pod filters. There’s a free-flowing new exhaust system too, terminated with Spark mufflers.

The engine has been overhauled and fitted with new gaskets, and the covers powdercoated for that factory-fresh look. The Comstar wheels have been powdercoated too, and suit the 80s vibe of the build perfectly.

Ride and win: Ironwood’s Honda CB750 is up for grabs
They’re shod with Shinko’s highly-rated 270 Super Classic tires, protected by small fenders front and rear. (Fenders on a custom? Yes, but they are still vestigal.)

The fork tubes have been powdered as well, lowered a little, and upgraded with Hyperpo progressive springs and new seals. A CNC-machined new top clamp keeps steering flex to a minimum, and there’s an LED headlight that throws out considerably more lumens than the stock 7” bucket.

Ride and win: Ironwood’s Honda CB750 is up for grabs
The cockpit has been completely stripped and rebuilt, with new clip-ons, new controls, and a speedo, RFID ignition system and bar-end indicators from Motogadget.

There’s also a low-mounted auxiliary headlamp on the left side, a signature motif carried over from some of Ironwood’s BMW builds.

Ride and win: Ironwood’s Honda CB750 is up for grabs
The later DOHC CB750s lack the soft, classic style of the early SOHC models, and most builders struggle to make the lines work.

But Arjan has embraced the lines of the stock tank, modifying the indents a little and then marrying it to a new subframe. A simple aluminum seat/tail unit, built by Marcel van der Stelt from The Custom Factory, sports an upkick that echoes the base line of the tank. It’s finished off with a pair of Highsider lights.

Ride and win: Ironwood’s Honda CB750 is up for grabs
On top of the tank is a Monza-style filler cap, originally designed for the R-series BMWs that Arjan is so familiar with. And underneath is a concealed lithium ion battery.

The paint, beautifully shot by Mark van Wijk, is a slightly remixed version of an early Porsche Olive color, found on 911s from the 70s.

Ride and win: Ironwood’s Honda CB750 is up for grabs
There are auto exotica details elsewhere, too: the stitching on the custom seat (by The Leather Factory) is based on a style found in the new Lamborghini Urus.

It’s a bit different to the usual BMW GS rental bikes that are popular in Europe. And a lot more Instagrammable. If you’re lucky enough to live in the Netherlands, here’s your chance to try out an Ironwood bike. And if you live further afield, why not chance your luck with a ticket?

Ironwood Custom Motorcycles | Facebook | Instagram | Photos by Paul van ML

Ride and win: Ironwood’s Honda CB750 is up for grabs