Again within the late 80s, Japanese producers began dabbling with cruiser-style bikes in a bid to nook the US market. The end result was a technology of cruisers that mixed Japanese engineering and reliability with American model—just like the charming Honda Shadow.
Often called the Honda Steed in Asia, the Shadow got here in varied sizes over time—from as small as 125 cc to as huge as 1,100 cc. The comparatively inexpensive Honda Shadow VT600C hit the scene in 1988, with a 583 cc V-twin motor that made 41 hp and 51 Nm. It got here with raked forks, backswept bars, and a rear swingarm format that aped the basic Harley Softail aesthetic, however used a standard mono-shock association below the hood.
Whereas the Shadow is cuter than most basic Japanese-made cruisers, this neatly bobbed Shadow from Indonesia proves that it has oodles of untapped potential. Primarily based on a 1990-model Honda Steed VLX600 (because it was formally designated within the East), it’s the work of Frontwheel Motors in West Java. And regardless of its humble stature, it appears like 1,000,000 bucks.
The inspiration for Frontwheel’s Honda Shadow bobber got here from the enduring 1949 Indian Mannequin 249 Scout. With the unique bodywork stripped off, the crew figured they may flip the soft cruiser into one thing barebones and vintage-looking. They usually had been proper.
Earlier than Frontwheel may get caught into customizing the Shadow in earnest, they first needed to deliver it again to life. The bike had been standing for six years and was in dire want of an engine rebuild. It ended up being one of many extra tedious facets of the mission—primarily due to how arduous it was to search out components.
Engaged on the body proved to be extra simple. The Shadow’s chassis reduce the fitting silhouette proper out of the field—so as soon as Frontwheel had trimmed off the rear fender struts, they had been good to go.
Frontwheel didn’t mess with the inventory suspension and brakes a lot, however they did make two modifications that had a radical impact on the Shadow’s stance. First, they fabricated a pair of fork covers within the model of basic Harley Softails. Then they swapped the wheels for 16-inch hoops, shod with five-inch-wide Shinko treads.
Making up for the dearth of a entrance fender is a good-looking ducktailed rear fender, mounted on bespoke struts. It terminates in a small boxed part, with a mesh panel that covers an embedded taillight.
A hand-crafted gas tank sits atop the Shadow, with hints of classic Scout and Harley peanut tanks in its design. It solely holds 8 liters [2.1 gallons]—however that was a deliberate transfer on Frontwheel’s half, since they needed to show as a lot of the engine as potential. Additionally current are new louvered facet covers, and a classy custom-made saddle for one.
The cockpit options basic ‘dogbone’ risers gripping a set of 1” tracker bars, fitted with the naked minimal controls. Frontwheel put in a small chromed headlight out entrance and sunk the bike’s LED warning lights into the highest yoke.
The exhaust is a {custom} two-into-two system that swoops alongside the right-hand facet of the bike and exits through a pair of daring reverse cone mufflers. Different mods embrace new foot controls that sit additional again than inventory, a refined encompass for the liquid-cooled Shadow’s radiator, and a hand-crafted battery tray.
Frontwheel opted to complete the bike in a standard black paint job, incomes the bike the nickname ‘Black Steed.’ The shiny paint is damaged solely by the perimeters of the tank, that are adorned with white feathered wings over matte black. Masterfully executed by RSSQ, they’re an apparent nod to Honda’s heritage.
We by no means would have picked the Honda Shadow as the start line for a bobber as clear as this, however we clearly lack Frontwheel’s imaginative and prescient. Shade us stunned—and impressed.
Frontwheel Motors Instagram | Photos by Indiga Ikhlasani x Kelas Pagi Indonesia
