This week’s list starts with the first custom Honda Gyro X we’ve ever featured, courtesy of Deus ex Machina’s Japanese outpost. We then feature a Harley Evo chopper by CW Zon, a Moto Guzzi Le Mans by 46Works, and a Honda CB360 from the only builder not based in Japan—Slipstream Creations.
Honda Gyro X by Deus Japan Honda has manufactured some quirky and adorable bikes over the years. This offbeat custom from Deus ex Machina in Japan uses one of them as a base; the Honda Gyro X.
In production since 1982 in various forms, the Gyro X is a 49 cc, 4.6 hp three-wheeled scooter sold mostly in Japan. It’s mostly used as a delivery vehicle—but Deus Japan head wrench, Tomoyuki Soeda, had other plans for the shop’s humble Honda Gyro X. He turned it into a cheeky runabout, aptly nicknamed ‘Tumbleweed.’
Step one was to liberate the Gyro X of some of its plastic bodywork. Gone are the rear wheel mudguards, and the steering cluster that normally houses the headlight. Twin LED headlights now do duty lower down, attached to the Gyro X’s front luggage rack.
The cockpit sports an aftermarket speedo and fuel gauge, and fresh grips. And if you’re wondering what that weird paddle near the steering stem is, it’s the Gyro’s OEM parking brake.
There’s new upholstery on the seat, with tread plate at the rider’s feet adding a touch of sass. The color scheme is tasty too—an ultra-creamy grey offset by matte bronze accents.
Soeda-san designed the Gyro X to be a utilitarian daily runner focused on all of Deus’ regular pursuits—including surfing. To that end, the shop fabricated a removable overhead surf rack and added a pair of HiKOKI toolboxes to the back.
This is the first time we’ve seen a custom Honda Gyro X, but it hopefully won’t be the last. It might have been built in Asakusa, but we’d ride it in any city. [More]
Harley-Davidson Evolution chopper by Custom Works Zon Looking at this otherworldly Harley Evo chopper, it’s easy to see why Custom Works Zon is considered one of Japan’s top custom shops. Yuichi Yoshizawa and Yoshikazu Ueda can apply themselves to almost any style of custom build, producing jaw-dropping work every time.
CW Zon’s skillset is on full display here. A heavily modified Harley-Davidson Evolution motor takes center stage, sporting a classic points ignition, an open BDL primary, and an S&S carb. The air cleaner and exhausts are custom parts, as is the hand-shifter.
The engine sits inside an elegant single-down-tube rigid frame, built from scratch by CW Zon. A skinny springer setup sits up front, and the bike rolls on 21F/18R alloy wheels. Despite the vintage style, this Evo uses modern KustomTech brakes and Michelin tires.
The control area is as sparse as it gets, wearing nothing more than a set of swooping direct-mount bars, fitted with a throttle and front brake lever. A Daytona Velona speedo sits lower down, just to the left of the engine. The headlight’s a CW Zon part, while the sissy bar-mounted taillight comes from Motone.
CW Zon fabricated the Harley’s fuel tank, oil tank, and rear fender, while Kamikaze laid down the intricate paint job. A slim king and queen seat sits up top, with new rider and passenger pegs rounding out the build.
The overall design is graceful from afar, and only gets better the closer you get. Like all of CW Zon’s projects, this one demands hours of scrutiny. [Via]
Moto Guzzi Le Mans 1000 by 46Works Shiro Nakajima at 46Works has built his reputation on creating timeless customs based on popular European bikes. This 1987 Moto Guzzi Le Mans is a worthy addition to his illustrious portfolio; a classy roadster that speaks to Nakajima-san’s racing background.
Working from his home workshop in the impossibly picturesque Japanese countryside, Shiro started with little more than the Moto Guzzi’s frame, engine, and wheels. There are some obvious changes, like the custom fuel tank, stubby seat, and cut-‘n’-looped frame. But the real genius here is the stuff that’s hard to pinpoint.
The forks look classic, but they’re modern Ceriani replicas from CR Suspension. The rear shocks are Öhlins units, and the twin front brake system uses Brembo calipers. And if you’re a big fan of the Le Mans, you might notice that Shiro has even reworked the steering neck to tweak the bike’s geometry.
Lower down, new Excel rims wear modern rubber with a vintage tread pattern. Custom twin exhaust headers snake their way into a pair of reverse-cone mufflers, while a pair of FCR carbs are fitted with pod filters.
Shiro’s forte is finishing his bikes so well, that they feel almost like vintage factory specials. This Guzzi is no exception—from the low-rise street bars to the way the headlight and speedo are neatly tucked into the front end, everything here looks like it belongs. The livery is equally stunning, mixing blue and raw metal textures with delicate pin-striping.
If you really want to geek out over Shiro’s work, head on over to his YouTube channel. He’s gone behind the scenes, detailing the work on this Moto Guzzi in no less than 15 videos. Grab your favorite Sunday beverage, kick back, and enjoy. [Via]
Honda CB360 by Slipstream Creations It’s really easy to spot one of James Fawcett’s custom motorcycles. He favors small-capacity Hondas, and he builds them clean and simple with chic paintwork.
This crisp Honda CB360 scrambler is the latest bike to roll out of James’ workshop, Slipstream Creations, in St. Louis, Missouri. His client reached out after seeing Slipstream’s previous builds online, and wanted a “fun vintage scrambler restomod.” James already had a 1975-model CB360 on hand, along with a pretty good idea of what his client needed—so the project was off to a good start.
The Honda CB360 was quickly stripped down and treated to a streamlined new subframe. A Honda CL350 fuel tank went on via a set of custom mounts, slimming the bike’s profile further. To tweak the stance, James laced a set of 18” rims with Buchanan’s spokes, then spooned on chunky Shinko dual-sport tires.
The donor bike showed very little mileage, but James rebuilt the engine’s top end anyway. It’s fed by twin Mikuni VM30 carbs and exhales via a set of CL360 scrambler pipes, finished off with stubby silencers. James tweaked the headers to better match the lines of the bike, then Cerakoted the whole system in satin black.
James also brought the 70s Honda into the modern age with an electronic ignition, an updated regulator/rectifier, and a Lithium battery. There’s LED lighting all around, with the turn signals integrated into the head- and taillights. A digital gauge from Trail Tech adorns the cockpit.
Take a closer look at the back, and you’ll spot mounting points for a removable luggage rack. James included this at the client’s request to add some practicality to the build.
James does his own paintwork too, and this CB360 is one of his best. Green and gold accents shine against the white of the fuel tank and frame, with oversized Honda Wing logos adding a touch of retro style. Like everything else that James has built, this scrambler is the epitome of good taste. [More]