Honda Cafe Racers

Honda is currently the largest motorcycle manufacturer in Japan. In the 1960s they became a household name in the USA thanks to their "You meet the nicest people on a Honda" advertising campaign. By the 1980s, they produced upwards of 3 million bikes a year. The Honda CB750 has been credited with being the world's first superbike and has become the poster child of the modern cafe racer scene.

Mata Hari – Honda XL500 Flat Tracker

Flat Track racing is nothing new. In fact, variations of the sport have been around since the 1920s. Typically a Flat Track race takes place on a 1/4 mile or 1-mile oval dirt track. It’s fast, loud and delivers plenty of thrilling sideways action. In more recent years, thanks to the efforts…

Skilling Up – Steven Wilson Honda CB750

Three years ago I featured a very special build built by Steven Wilson of BC, Canada. The bike, a CB750 cafe racer named Pedro, was built in honor of a lost friend and fellow motorcyclist. Today Steven is back with another impeccable cafe racer. For this project, he’s returned to the Honda…

Honda

Death Machines of London – Honda Goldwing

The Death Machines of London (aka DMOL) never do things by halves. Their workshop has produced some of the most unique custom motorcycles in the world since it launched in 2016. Founded by designer James Hilton and engineer Ray Petty their portfolio of work would look right at home in the halls…

Honda

Quintessential UJM – AdHoc Cafe Racers CB750

The Honda CB750 is often referred to as the original Universal Japanese Motorcycle. This is shortened to UJM, as most motorcycle enthusiasts like you, dear reader, are probably aware. First released in 1969 the CB750 was touted as the most sophisticated motorcycle ever, with its front disc brake and 190+km/h top speed.…

Honda

Wiese Crack – ’76 CB550 Cafe racer

Remember the first time you swung a leg over a bike? Mathias Wiese does. At the tender age of eight, his dad dinked him around town on the family CB550. There was something about that afternoon’s ride that stuck with him. That feeling, that smell, and that inline-four snarl gave the young…

Honda

Hellion Honda – Origin8or CB750 Brat

The decision whether to customize a pre-eighties Honda CB750 or not is becoming a tough one to make. There was a time when these older CB750s were hot favorites with backyard builders and custom motorcycle workshops. The bikes sold in huge numbers between ’69 and ’78 so there were plenty of affordable…

Honda

Goldwing Standard – Dragon’s Motorcycles GL1000

Spain’s Dragon’s Motorcycles created a massive stir with just one build. Their debut creation, a glorious six-cylinder BMW KL1100LT trimmed into a cafe racer, turned heads and raised pulses when it was unveiled. And now, one year later, Pablo Pérez González and the Dragon’s team released a follow up to their Beemer.…

Honda

The Mutant – Officine GP Design Honda X-ADV

Pour yourself a stiff drink and sit down. I’ve got news for you. This neo cafe racer by Turin’s Officine GP Design dubbed the X-Mutant C5 was once a scooter. In 2016 Honda released a dirt-oriented scooter dubbed the X-ADV. That’s right. A scoot with an off-road focus. If you’re not one…

Honda

The Pitbull – AMS Garage CB650

The late seventies Honda CB650 is commonly referred to as being a ‘standard motorcycle’. We doubt anyone would be using that term to refer to this bike by Indonesian workshop AMS Garage. Workshop owner Ajus Mulyawarman calls it his “drag cafe racer – Pitbull” and it’s the wildest Honda CB650 we’ve ever…

Honda

Hot Rodded Honda – Rogue CB900 Bol d’Or

My hometown of Perth, Western Australia offers some of the best year-round riding weather on the planet. Unsurprisingly motorcycles are a common sight cruising the coastline or weaving through the countryside on weekends. It seems like the perfect environment for custom workshops to blossom. Unfortunately, a relatively small population has slowed the…

Honda

Forgotten Twin – Crooked Motorcycles CB450

Their name may conjure up images of a suspect automotive salesman, but rest assured Crooked Motorcycles is anything but dodgy. Run by two German mates who share a passion for building bikes Crooked MC are now in their second-year business and things are going great guns. For their latest project, the pair…

Honda