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.
Nothing beats a quick early morning blast through the hills above my house. The air is fresh, the sun is usually shining and I don’t have to share the road with many other motorized vehicles. I do have to share it with bicycles though—and I’m always amazed by how many people choose pedals over a…
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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 with handcrafted bodywork, KTM’s new 450 Rally Replica, and a modern homage to the Ducati 750 Sport.
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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 750 F1 Bol d’Or replica.
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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 relate. After taking a crack at rebuilding it himself, he threw in the towel and decided to hand it over to a pro shop, rather than let it become another abandoned shed build.…
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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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Some motorcycles lend themselves to customization, and need just a few tasteful mods to look great. But the Honda CX500 is not…
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It’s always a pleasure to stumble across a new custom workshop, especially when their work is top-notch. And if the donor bike…
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This week we’ve got a pair of very different classic Hondas: a CB550 rebuilt in lockdown, and a feisty lil’ NSR50 pocket…
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There’s never a quiet moment for Tom Gilroy and the team at Purpose Built Moto in Queensland, Australia. Tom started his career…
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Something for everyone this week: The classic perfection of a Moto Guzzi café racer, a stealthy R18 commissioned by BMW, and a…
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