Honda has always been a popular choice for cafe racer builders, given the solid engineering and easy availability of parts. The CB series is especially common, from the smaller twins and 1970s inline-fours, to the mighty six-cylinder CBX.
Let’s not forget the CX500 though: the liquid cooled V-twin was a departure for the Honda engineering department, but has proven to be a godsend for builders smart enough to make the ugly frame look good.
The pinnacle is undoubtedly the classic CB750 cafe racer, using the original superbike as the donor.
But rising prices in the used market mean that more recent Honda cafe racer builds are just as likely to be based on bigger, newer motorcycles—like the CBX1100 or the recently discontinued CB1100.
The coronavirus pandemic continues to shrink into our rear-view mirrors, but its ripples are still being felt in some ways. We continue to hear reports of how the global lockdown either put workshops out of business, or gave both established and aspiring custom builders endless time to bring their projects to fruition. The story of…
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Honda has a long-standing tradition of building middleweight bikes that are highly capable but visually dull. The mid-2000s Honda CB600F Hornet is a prime example. It makes just under 100 hp, handles well, and boasts Honda’s legendary reliability… but it’s ugly. We don’t see a whole lot of custom Honda Hornets, which is a real…
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When Honda released the CX500 in 1978, they had no idea how significant it would become in the custom world roughly four decades later. Initially released to scores of adoring fans, it eventually fell out of favor—and its design hasn’t aged well. But the revival of the café racer scene has meant a resurgence in…
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A year after he turned his custom motorcycle building hobby into a business, Dimitri at Lys Motorcycles figured it was time to level up his portfolio. So he set time aside to build a show bike—a rolling portfolio piece that he could take to events. Going for max. impact, he took a 1982 Honda CBX…
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A Honda CX500 headlines this week, resplendent in classic John Player Special colors. We also cover a 1957 Indian Trailblazer, a Magni…
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Nothing beats a quick early morning blast through the hills above my house. The air is fresh, the sun is usually shining…
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Ironwood says goodbye to older bikes with their last carb’d custom. We’ve also rounded up another fresh Triumph from Tamarit, a Zero…
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We’re kicking off with a slick Honda CX650 from Bulgaria. Plus a GSX limited edition from Suzuki France, and a stunning Ducati…
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Building your own custom motorcycle is an incredibly rewarding experience… until it isn’t anymore. The owner of this 1976 Honda CB550F can…
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Even if you don’t know Chiel Nipius’ name, you’ve probably seen his work. He was part of the team at Ironwood Custom…
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The first generation Honda CB750 has a peerless reputation. It’s one of the all-time greats, and was a game-changer for the Japanese…
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One thing we rarely talk about in the custom world is the ability of the rider. But maybe we should. Because a…
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