In the windswept coastal town of Husum, Germany, Holger Breuer of HB-Custom continues to cement his reputation as one of the world’s most proficient customizers for the Honda NX650 Dominator. We recently caught up with Holger to admire his Teutonic 1920s-style BMW R69S, a build that showcased his ability to navigate rigid historical silhouettes. However, it is with the Dominator platform that Holger truly finds his stride.
The Honda NX650 is the quintessential 90s dual-sport, powered by a bulletproof 644cc air-cooled, SOHC single that delivers a respectable 45 horsepower and 39 lb-ft of torque. While the mechanical heart of the Dominator is legendary for its versatility, its aesthetic, weighed down by dated plastic fairings and a bulky 13-liter fuel tank, often leaves much to be desired for the modern custom enthusiast.
This project began when a customer reached out from Milan, having followed Holger’s work on previous NX650, including several featured on Bike EXIF. Seeking a lightweight enduro that discarded the plastic relics of the 80s and 90s, the owner gave Holger complete creative freedom. The donor bike was shipped from Italy to Germany to streamline the eventual registration process, allowing Holger to begin the modifications required to reveal the rugged frame beneath.
The transformation started with the removal of the entire stock bodywork. To streamline the profile, the bulky fuel tank was replaced by a steel Yamaha XT500 replica tank. This single modification, paired with a custom-built subframe and a hand-sewn black leather scrambler seat, instantly realigns the bike's DNA with the golden era of off-roaders.
To further sharpen the profile , Holger fabricated custom side panels and a steel rear fender equipped with a discreet tail tidy. The lighting and electronics are strictly high-end, utilizing Kellermann LED turn signals and a high-lumen LED headlight unit.
In the cockpit, the minimalist approach continues with a set of Magura handlebars and risers, a staple of Holger’s builds. A Motogadget Motoscope Mini speedometer is integrated directly into the top clamp of the risers to keep the rider’s view uncluttered. The controls are further upgraded with a Magura HC1 brake master cylinder and a KTM shifter, ensuring the mechanical interfaces are as crisp as the bike’s new silhouette.
The footwork of the Dominator was overhauled to handle the rigors of modern scrambler life. The wheels were stripped and rebuilt using stainless steel spokes before being shod in chunky Continental TKC80 tires. To improve the ride quality, Holger installed Wirth progressive springs in the 41mm front forks and a fully adjustable YSS shock absorber at the rear.
The braking system was similarly bolstered with the addition of Brembo discs, providing the necessary bite to match the bike's improved performance. Every mounting point and bracket was considered, resulting in a machine that feels like a factory-prototyped enduro rather than a garage-built special.
The exhaust is handled by a set of custom-built stainless steel headers that flow into a blacked-out LeoVince silencer, giving the Honda a baritone thump. Finalizing the aesthetic is a vibrant yellow paint scheme with white and black highlights, reminiscent of the legendary Yamaha RZ350.
Holger has created a visual balance that highlights the engine's industrial charm. What was once a plastic-heavy relic of the 90s is now a modern interpretation of a classic scrambler, proving once again why Holger Breuer remains at the top of the NX650 customizing hierarchy.
HB-Custom: Website
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