From Hamamatsu to Lisbon: A Honda CBX 1000 restomod by Unik Version

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The Honda CBX 1000 was solely in manufacturing for 4 years, however that was sufficient time for it to depart an enduring impression on the motorbike business. First launched it in 1978 as a screaming six-cylinder bare superbike, it later confronted stiff competitors from its stablemate—the equally iconic CB900F. So the Japanese marque redesigned it as a sport tourer, midway via its tenure.

The up to date ‘CBX-B’ had a touring fairing, optionally available panniers, and Honda’s new-at-the-time Professional-Hyperlink mono-shock setup. It was a hair much less highly effective than earlier than, however that didn’t cease it from turning into a legend in its personal proper. Should you park a CBX and CBX-B subsequent to one another, you can argue that the latter has extra presence.

Honda CBX 1000 restomod by Unik Edition
It’s that mystique that prompted the proprietor of this 1982 Honda CBX 1000 Professional-Hyperlink to purchase it. Enamored with the fusion of contemporary know-how and historic traditions present in Japanese cities like Tokyo and Kyoto, he was on the hunt for a basic motorbike that embodied that philosophy. When he discovered the CBX, the sheer brutalism of its six-cylinder engine was unimaginable to disregard.

“Within the eyes of this fanatic, the engine wasn’t only a mechanical marvel; it was the soul of the motorbike, very similar to the center in a human physique,” says Tiago Gonçalves, founding father of the Portuguese customized store, Unik Version. “This revelation laid the inspiration for a transformative mission, one that might honor the motorbike’s origins whereas infusing it with a brand new id.”

Honda CBX 1000 restomod by Unik Edition
Tiago and his partner-in-crime, Luis Gonçalves (no, they’re not brothers), had been tasked with turning the Honda CBX 1000 into a classy restomod with a number of contemporary upgrades. The concept was to retain the CBX’s retro sport-touring DNA however give it a contemporary aesthetic.

“Preserving essentially the most important parts of the Honda CBX 1000 grew to become a tenet for us,” says Tiago. “The transformation was not about erasing the previous, however quite, enhancing it. In consequence, the entrance fairing, the gas tank, the rear fairing, and the rear brake mild all stood as a testomony to the motorbike’s heritage, permitting lovers to hint its lineage effortlessly.”

Honda CBX 1000 restomod by Unik Edition
On the entrance, Tiago and Luis eliminated the fairing’s decrease extensions and trimmed the principle unit down for a slimmer look. The sq. headlight housing was retrofitted with an LED unit, and the entrance fender was swapped for a extra modern-looking half. A tinted windshield provides an additional hit of retro fashion to the CBX’s visage.

Eager eyes may also spot a set of upside-down forks. They’re from a 1994 Kawasaki ZX-9R, which additionally donated its twin entrance and single rear Nissin brake calipers.

Honda CBX 1000 restomod by Unik Edition
Unik used related methods out again. The subframe was shortened earlier than the CBX 1000’s OEM tail unit was lower, trimmed, and put again collectively. The leather-based seat is all-new, nevertheless it’s been styled with the type of chunkiness that an early-80s sport tourer calls for.

The modifications are as intelligent as they’re refined. The aspect covers now mix seamlessly into the tail unit, and the entire thing tapers all the way down to accommodate a slimmer taillight. (That’s the unique Honda taillight again there, nevertheless it’s been lower and shut to take up much less house.)

Honda CBX 1000 restomod by Unik Edition
Decrease down, the fellows went to appreciable effort to put in the swooping swingarm from a Triumph Road Triple. The beautiful spoked tubeless wheels are from Kineo, measuring 17” at each ends. They’re wrapped in trendy Michelin sport-touring tires, with the rear tire’s width bumped as much as 180.

Transferring to the motor, Unik cleaned, repainted, and polished all the factor for a factory-level aesthetic. The transmission was rebuilt with shorter ratios, a brand new Okay&N filter was put in, and the carbs had been tuned. The mighty CBX calls for an acceptable exhaust, so the crew fitted a full six-into-one system from Delkevic.

Honda CBX 1000 restomod by Unik Edition
The cockpit didn’t go untouched both. Tiago and Luis used the Kawasaki ZX-9R’s yokes and prolonged the forks to accommodate a set of raised clip-ons. The bars put on new grips, Motogadget bar-end mirrors, and sporty micro-switches from Insurgent Moto.

The duo additionally liberated the unique dashboard of its instrumentation and crammed within the holes that had been left behind. A digital Motogadget speedo now sits entrance and middle, neatly embedded into the dashboard, with a single push-button to function it. The bike’s been rewired round a Motogadget mind, with a set of Motogadget LED flip indicators finishing the set.

Honda CBX 1000 restomod by Unik Edition
When the time got here to color the CBX, Unik determined to infuse the Japanese icon with a hearty dose of European panache. The inexperienced hue is Ferrari’s Verde Pino Metallizato, impressed by the impossibly elegant 1963 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso.

The deep metallic inexperienced basis is punctuated by sections of white, bordered by refined gold striping. Traditional Honda Wing tank graphics and authentic ‘CBX’ logos assist the bike trip the road between resto and mod.

Honda CBX 1000 restomod by Unik Edition
A fusion of Japanese muscle and European sophistication, this Honda CBX 1000 is without doubt one of the tidiest restomods we’ve seen. Unik Version’s craftsmanship is upstaged solely by their sharp eye and their impeccable judgment.

Unik Version | Fb | Instagram | Photographs by Tiago Almeida

Honda CBX 1000 restomod by Unik Edition



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