Return In the late 1980s, Japanese manufacturers began experimenting with cruiser-style motorcycles to capture the U.S. market. The result was a generation of cruisers that combined Japanese engineering and reliability with American style—like the sexy Honda Shadow.
Known as Honda’s motobike Steed in Asia, the Shadow has come in a variety of sizes over the years—from as small as 125cc to as large as 1,100cc. The affordable Honda Shadow VT600C appeared in 1988, with a 583cc V-twin that produced 41 horsepower and 38 lb-ft of torque. It came with slanted front forks, swept-back handlebars, and a rear swingarm arrangement that mimicked the classic Harley Softail aesthetic, but used a traditional mono-shock arrangement under the hood.
While the Shadow is cuter than most classic Japanese cruisers, this neat Shadow bob from Indonesia proves it has plenty of untapped potential. Based on a 1990 Honda Steed VLX600 (its official name in the East), it’s the work of Frontwheel Motors in West Java. And despite its humble stature, it looks like a million bucks.
Inspiration for Frontwheel’s Honda Shadow lifebuoy The bike was built on the iconic 1949 Indian Model 249 Scout. With the original bodywork removed, the crew thought they could transform the smooth cruiser into something simple and classic-looking. And they were right.
Before Frontwheel could get serious about customizing the Shadow, they first had to restore it. The bike had been sitting there for six years and was in dire need of an engine overhaul. That ended up being one of the most tedious aspects of the project—mostly because parts were hard to come by.
Working on the frame proved simpler. The Shadow frames come cut to the exact shape of the Shadow out of the box—so once Frontwheel trimmed the rear fender struts, they were ready to go.
The front wheels didn’t mess much with the stock suspension and brakes, but they did make two changes that had a big impact on the Shadow’s stance. First, they fabricated a pair of fork covers in the style of a vintage Harley Softail. Then they swapped out the wheels for 16-inch rims, wrapped in five-inch Shinko tires.
Making up for the lack of front fenders is a handsome ducktail rear fender, mounted on custom struts. It ends in a small box section, with a grille covering the embedded taillights.
A manual fuel tank sits on the Shadow, with hints of classic Scout and Harley fuel tanks in its design. It holds just 8 litres. [2.1 gallons]—but that was a deliberate move by Frontwheel, as they wanted to expose as much of the engine as possible. There are also new vented side panels and a stylish custom seat for one.
The cockpit features classic ‘dogbone’ risers that hold a set of 1” track handlebars with minimal controls. The front wheel houses a small chrome headlight up front and mounts the bike’s LED hazard lights to the overhead control arms.
The exhaust system is a custom two-into-two system that runs along the right side of the bike and exits through a pair of bold reverse-cone mufflers. Other mods include new foot controls that sit further back than the original, polished bezels for the liquid-cooled Shadow radiator, and a handmade battery tray.
Frontwheel have chosen to finish the bike in a traditional black paint job, earning the bike the nickname ‘Black Steed’. The gloss finish is only broken up on the sides of the tank, which is decorated with white feathered wings on a matte black background. Cleverly executed by RSSQThey are a clear acknowledgement of Honda’s heritage.
We would never have chosen the Honda Shadow as a starting point for a clean bobber like this, but it’s clearly missing the Frontwheel’s vision. It surprised—and impressed.
Instagram Front Wheel Motor | Image of Indiga Ikhlasani x Pagi Indonesia Class
