I’ll be honest, rebuilding the wheels on our 1975 Honda CB550F was a job I was hoping to put off a lot longer. The process of lacing and truing wheels is tedious, and there are plenty of opportunities to scratch a fresh rim when you pull the tire irons out. Considering a shoestring budget is…
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Any clown with an adjustable wrench can take a bike apart (the term basketcase exists for a reason), and if you go in without a plan, that’s exactly how the next owner will take delivery of your abandoned dream—in boxes. But you do have to break a few eggs to make an omelet, and for…
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They say one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, and we’ve certainly dragged our fair share of trashed motorcycles home. Wherever we scrounge them up, the rose-colored glasses wear the heaviest tint after you’ve bagged a neglected classic for cheap. But before you get carried away, it pays to take a good look at what…
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Like most things in life, building a custom motorcycle is certainly a process. It starts with a vision, and (hopefully) ends with a functional expression of speed and style—but you’ll have to get your hands dirty to get there. Lacing wheels, trimming tabs and building an electrical system are just a few of the less…
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Deus ex Machina returns to their roots with a no-nonsense Kawasaki W650. We also profile a Honda CB550 café racer, a Kawasaki…
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It’s been a while since any manufacturer offered a mass-produced tiny four-cylinder sport bike. This week Kawasaki finally launched the new highly-anticipated…
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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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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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Once in a while, a custom motorcycle builder will create a machine that attracts attention like nothing else in their portfolio. For…
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Some custom builds strut like peacocks; others reveal their charms slowly. This is one of the slow burners, a seemingly innocuous CB550…
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It’s been a while since we’ve featured a classic Honda CB café racer. The custom scene has splintered and grown a lot…
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