The very best journey bike is the one you have already got. That’s the idea behind this rugged {custom} Honda CX500 from BJ English at Brick Home Builds in Missouri. Outfitted with knobbly tires, crash bars, a baggage rack, an auxiliary gas cell, and probably the most floor clearance we’ve ever seen on a CX500, there’s no doubting its meant utilization.
There’s no denying the Honda CX500’s inherent quirkiness and the challenges that it poses to potential customizers. However BJ wasn’t too fussed about making the awkward CX500 look fairly. As a substitute, he wanted to make it practical—as a result of his consumer intends to make use of it as a bonafide journey bike.
“The challenge arrived as an precise basket case,” BJ tells us. “The bike itself is a 1982 Honda CX500 Customized that the client had beforehand began engaged on, in hopes of turning it right into a scrambler, earlier than deciding to contact me to see the challenge by means of to completion.”
“After speaking with him concerning the targets for the bike, he famous that he had two buddies just lately choose up a few Royal Enfield Himalayans, and he needed to have the ability to go on some journey rides with them. This undoubtedly sparked my curiosity, as I really like adv. bikes and have a trusty KLR650 for stated obligation. In my buyer’s case the very best journey bike is the one you could have, so with the targets visualized and the price range established I set to work.”
BJ got here up with a number of workarounds to attain the correct quantity of usability and reliability, whereas saving a buck right here and there to keep away from blowing the price range. Step one was to retrofit a set of 37 mm forks and yokes from a 1983 Honda FT500 that he had within the workshop. Between these and a set of 370 mm YSS rear shocks from a Yamaha XT500, the CX500 sat noticeably greater than earlier than.
Maintaining the Honda’s signature Comstar wheels was cheaper than constructing a set of laced hoops—and because the bike wasn’t destined for onerous enduro use, BJ knew they’d deal with the consumer’s wants. However the Honda CX500 Customized’s tiny 16” rear wheel needed to go.
“I felt the 19” can be fantastic up entrance, however needed a 17” again, alongside the strains of the early Suzuki V-Strom with its 19F/17R wheel combo. To perform this, I disassembled a 17” Goldwing rear wheel to make use of its rim and spoke sections with the inventory CX500 drum brake hub. In whole, the bike has 11 inches of clearance from the bottom to the engine!”
Turning his consideration to the body, BJ determined to as soon as once more preserve issues easy. A set of beneficiant crash bars encompass the CX500’s V-twin motor, and its airbox has been ditched in favor of a pair of froth pods from UNI Filter. Eager eyes will discover that the gas tank’s been repositioned ever so barely too.
A solo seat sits up prime, with a tidy electronics tray mounted decrease down. The open triangle underneath the seat isn’t only for present; look carefully, and also you’ll discover further tie-down factors for mounting an additional bag there. BJ saved the beneficiant OEM rear fender however trimmed it on the again.
Subsequent on the checklist was including a number of detachable equipment to make multi-day journeys doable. In its most simple kind, the bike features a small device bag that sits simply behind the seat. However there’s additionally a rack system that may host further baggage, a PVC device tube, and a one-gallon RotopaX gas cell that guarantees a complete vary of 200 miles.
BJ confirmed the engine some love too. It acquired handled to a full service with a brand new water pump seal, new consumption manifolds, and new O-rings. The starter clutch and carbs had been rebuilt, and the froth filters had been upgraded with a pair of hydrophobic pre-filters [not pictured].
An NWT Cycletronic system controls the wiring now, with separate fuses for the fan and spare auxiliary energy stashed underneath the tank. Going deeper, BJ modified the camshaft to run with an electrical fan. Lastly, a {custom} two-into-one exhaust system with a Cone Engineering muffler was added to enhance the contemporary motor.
Up within the cockpit, you’ll discover a set of excessive and large ProTaper handlebars, fitted with foldable mirrors and Oury grips. An Acewell speedo sits up entrance, mounted in a custom-made bracket. Elsewhere, grippy enduro foot pegs and a beneficiant sump guard add to the bike’s general performance.
Regardless of its utilitarian nature, this Honda CX500 journey bike isn’t utterly devoid of fashion. “I needed to maintain with a classic vibe with the massive fenders and chrome touches,” he says, “but additionally give a nod to the journey world with the fly display screen, folding mirrors, and headlight ring. It’s undoubtedly a mixture of kinds, however I really feel it really works effectively on this bike.”
The Honda CX500 certain looks like an unlikely candidate for an journey bike construct, however BJ’s deft work on this gravel-ready {custom} defies that considering.
“On my check rides, this factor has proved to be an absolute blast on any floor, from asphalt to slimy creek bottoms and something in between. I’m very a lot wanting ahead to seeing the images of this bike in motion because the buyer takes it on some actual adventures!”
Get a behind-the-scenes have a look at this challenge on Brick Home Builds’ YouTube channel.
Brick Home Builds | Fb | Instagram
