Licks Cycles: Mission Traditional Scrambler: Honda CX500

60s-Type Scrambler from Warkot Bikes…

Honda has all the time accomplished issues its personal approach, and the corporate’s historical past of gross sales and racing successes are a testomony to how properly they execute on their visions. Some of the sudden avenue bike successes of the Eighties was Honda’s CX500 V-twin, which got here within the wake of Moto Guzzi asserting a light-weight model of its personal transverse V-twin.

The CX500 actually took the trade without warning:

“Instantly from nowhere the trade chief had flexed its large sources and give you a completely all-new bike that borrowed nothing from anybody, no components from elsewhere in its vary and completely broke new floor. Right here was a really solid-looking 500 V-twin with shaft drive and pushrods. Unimaginable.” –Previous Bike Magazine

Whereas it earned the nickname the “Plastic Maggot” for its aesthetics, the CX received over motorcyclists across the globe. The stone-ax reliability, middleweight dimension, shaft-drive, and torquey engine made it a favourite {of professional} couriers, whereas Cycle World referred to as the bike’s efficiency “past reproach.”

“Defying the standard was the order of the day and Honda’s CX500 did that in nearly each facet of its engine design. We bike lovers are imagined to be a conservative bunch, vastly resistant to vary, but, collectively, we purchased into the CX idea by the busload.” –Traditional Bike Hub

Greater than 40 years for the reason that CX500’s introduction, it has turn out to be a favourite donor of {custom} workshops. We’ve all the time thought the CX made a tough platform, given the awkward strains of the usual tank and body, however our associates at Poland’s Warkot Bikes — brothers Maciej, Mateusz, and Michał — have managed to create one of many handsomest, most classic-looking CX500 customs we’ve ever seen.

Their inspiration got here from the basic scramblers of the 1960-70s, lots of which had been twin-cylinder avenue bikes transformed into avenue scramblers. Examples embrace the Honda CL collection, BSA Firebird, and Triumph TR6 Trophy.

The “Classic Brothers” provides us the complete particulars beneath, however highlights embrace taller (+70mm) suspension, two-piston entrance brake, 19″ / 18″ wheels with stainless spokes, stainless fenders, {custom} seat with baggage rack, handmade facet covers and radiator grille, bespoke leather-based pouch to hold the rider’s instruments, and way more.

It’s as in the event that they’ve turned again the clock on this 80s Honda, creating one candy scrambler / roadster with appears to be like straight out of the Nineteen Sixties. What’s extra, the bike has been constructed with a watch towards consolation and mid-distance touring:

“The bike not solely performs very properly on gravel roads and light-weight terrain, but in addition is a superb companion throughout longer journeys.”

Under, we discuss to the “Classic Brothers” for the small print on this CX scrambler. Credit score goes to Rafał Gieleciński for the stunning images.

Honda CX500 Road Scrambler: Within the Builder’s Phrases

• Please inform us a bit about your self, your historical past with bikes, and your workshop.

We’re brothers who share a ardour for traditional motors, specifically for outdated bikes from the flip of the 60-80s. It began in childhood, when our fathers took us for rides on their motorbikes. We additionally usually watched as they had been repaired, and the sound of the engine introduced again to life and the scent of freshly poured gasoline instantly made us smile.

Our aim is to construct distinctive and extraordinary machines with a soul, that are used not solely to maneuver, but in addition give a way of freedom and enjoyable to drive.

• Please inform us concerning the bike.

After we introduced this Honda CX500 into our workshop, we wished to construct a motorbike modeled on the basic scramblers of the Nineteen Sixties. Due to this fact, the bike has undergone a lot of technical and visible adjustments that we’d like to spotlight.

We began our work with altering the suspension. The bike is 7cm taller than the unique. We achieved this by altering the entrance suspension, which comes from Yamaha XV535 Virago, and the rear shock absorbers from a Triumph Scrambler 900.

We additionally modified the entrance brake system — the bike gained a two-piston caliper and a 300mm floating brake disc. The entire is powered by a metal brake hose of the HEL model.

Wheels with stainless spokes had been made particularly for this mannequin, and Mitas tires had been mounted. The entrance wheel is nineteen inches, the rear wheel 18. The wheels are lined by chrome steel fenders.

The bike has many handcrafted parts that we made in our workshop: facet panels, coolant radiator grille, and entrance lamp holders recalling English bikes from the Nineteen Sixties.

We’ve got additionally made a chrome steel provider, which will likely be used for lengthy journeys.

An hooked up leather-based pouch for the unique set of restore wrenches was made by one among our associates.

The seat was made on the unique base, which we’ve got appropriately modified. Due to this, the bike and rider can journey many kilometers in consolation.

The Honda has undergone a fundamental service of the engine and carburettors; furthermore, it was outfitted with the Ignitech CDI ignition module.

The gorgeous bass sound of the engine is supplied by custom-made chrome steel mufflers with DB killers, which may be eliminated at any time.

The bike not solely performs very properly on gravel roads and light-weight terrain, but in addition is a superb companion throughout longer journeys. It’s positively a machine that’s numerous enjoyable to experience in every kind of circumstances.