Featured Build: CX500F Concept Cafe Racer by Jason

Today’s featured build comes from New Jersey in the US and is titled “CX500F Concept”:

Jason's Honda CX500F Concept CX500 cafe racer build with a CBR600RR front end

Jason’s vision for this bike was a “what if” – what if Honda had made a super sport series for the CX500? He drew from a lot of different aesthetics for inspiration – modern cafĂ© bikes, retro bikes, streetfighter and post-apocalyptic bikes – but wanted to keep it looking as though it could be a genuine Honda retro production bike.

Jason's Honda CX500F Concept CX500 cafe racer build with a CBR600RR front end

Just a few of the parts used:

  • CBR600RR front end (eBay)
  • CBR600RR Foot Pegs (eBay)
  • Honda VLX600 (VT600C) rear shock absorber (eBay)
  • Modified XL650 MSR shifter
  • Modified XL650 brake pedal (~1/3 CX, 1/3 customised, 1/3 XL650) (eBay)
  • Modified MAC 2-1 exhaust (eBay)
  • Modified dirt bike silencer – shortened to tuck under bike
  • Custom stainless steel radiator grille made from scrap
  • Custom LED indicator cluster – same scrap
  • Dual Dominator 4″ Headlights (eBay)
  • Front LED blinkers
  • Rear LED brake lights, blinkers and tail light
  • Tuffside seat (eBay)

Some close-ups of the LED cluster:

Jason's Honda CX500F Concept CX500 cafe racer build with a CBR600RR front end

Jason's Honda CX500F Concept CX500 cafe racer build with a CBR600RR front end

It’s very good to see a temp gauge on a modified CX! This is Jason’s first bike build – other than rebuilding a crashed bike years ago – and his advice for anyone wanting to go down a similar path is to do your research, join a forum, have patience, take your time, be prepared to fail and don’t give up!

Jason's Honda CX500F Concept CX500 cafe racer build with a CBR600RR front end

He does wish that he had learned more about motorcycle geometry before starting the build, saying that you don’t really appreciate the balance of a bike until you start making changes. His first setup with the 600RR front end and monoshock rear resulted in the rear being jacked up much too high which created dangerous geometry in terms of handling effect. After doing more research he changed his monoshock, mount and subframe and brought the geometry back to a safe point.

Jason's Honda CX500F Concept CX500 cafe racer build with a CBR600RR front end

After his modifications the bike now sits with a seat height of 31.5″ – approx. 2″ lower than stock – and has been weighed at 380lb with a gallon of fuel onboard (est. 400lb fully fueled).

Jason's Honda CX500F Concept CX500 cafe racer build with a CBR600RR front end

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