CMS-Japanese Motorcycle Supply Parts

Honda CX500 Cafe Racer - "The Gentleman's Cafe"


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Today we're looking at the latest featured build on the list from a guy who's on his third CX cafe racer build, having caught the CX bug about six years ago. This time he pulled out all the stops and did it exactly as he always wanted, and here's the end result:

Honda CX500 custom built cafe racer with CBR600RR front end and monoshock conversion

If you're familiar with CX500s you will be able to tell fairly quickly that almost everything about the bike has been modified in some way. A 2005 CBR1000RR donated the front end, brakes and all (eBay US, eBay AU) - and a Versys rear shock (all years: eBay US, eBay AU, eBay UK, eBay CA, Amazon) graces the rear for the monoshock conversion. Of note is the rear brake, which has been replaced with a Honda CBR1000RR unit. For those interested in the numbers, the bike now has a 55" wheelbase.

Honda CX500 custom built cafe racer with CBR600RR front end and monoshock conversion

The entire electrical system had new components wherever possible - stator, reg/rec, CDI unit, coils and even a fair portion of the wiring itself. The instruments have all been replaced:

Honda CX500 custom built cafe racer with CBR600RR front end and monoshock conversion

Here's a closeup:

Honda CX500 custom built cafe racer with CBR600RR front end and monoshock conversion

The tank and tail section came from Roc City, and the frame has been done in a copper colour found on a Hayabusa. Most of the custom parts were fabricated by Paul himself, like the foot controls, fenders, rear disk hub and new rear frame section. Some parts of the engine have been chrome plated:

Honda CX500 custom built cafe racer with CBR600RR front end and monoshock conversion

A 2-1 short exhaust takes care of the spent gases, and you can see it exiting just behind the engine on the right:

Honda CX500 custom built cafe racer with CBR600RR front end and monoshock conversion

Mikuni flat slide carbs (all sizes: eBay US, eBay AU, eBay UK, eBay CA, Amazon) have graced Paul's first two builds and he was happy enough with them that they have been used again this time around.

Honda CX500 custom built cafe racer with CBR600RR front end and monoshock conversion

Paul's past experience with bikes involves riding since the 70s and building a '78 Yamaha SR500 before he found the CXs - and you can see that the experience has paid off with the finish of this build. His favourite part is the rear tail light assembly and aluminium tail section, as it reminds him from the robot in "The Day The Earth Stood Still". Not content to leave this as his last CX, he's working on another one currently where he's matching the original Comstar wheels to the CBR front end, brakes included.

Honda CX500 custom built cafe racer with CBR600RR front end and monoshock conversion

His parting advice for those considering their own CX build? Be patient, Google the heck out of CX500s and building them and make use of the great resources available at your fingertips. That and be patient.

I'll be keeping an eye out for his next build! For more inspiration, check out the other builds on the list.



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