During the day, Shawn Lin creates concept art for the video game industry—a space where science fiction and fantasy reign supreme. But the motorcycles he rides in the real world are cut from a different cloth. While Shawn’s designs may seem bold and futuristic, his bike is a classic—and might we say elegant—Honda CB350. coffee racing car.
Shawn is based in Taiwan—one of the few countries where you can still get a Honda CB350. Sold there as the Honda H’ness CB350, this is the cutest single-cylinder modern classic you can’t buy in Europe or the US. With 21 horsepower from a 348.4cc engine, it’s unlikely to set your hair on fire, but it’s as pretty as modern classics twice its size (and price).
This 2021 CB350 has all the trimmings of a traditional bike. Honda cafe racerbut retains a surprising amount of original parts. No frame changes or fender removal here—just a handful of well-thought-out mods that greatly enhance an already attractive CB.
“My design philosophy is rooted in a deep nostalgia for eras gone by,” says Shawn. “Customizing this bike is more than just a desire for retro style; it’s a deep connection to craftsmanship. The iconic Honda emblem on the tank, combined with the classic lines of the CB350, celebrates the elegance of British motorcycles and the sophistication of Japanese craftsmanship.”
Since Shawn is a professional designer, he started by meticulously planning out the entire digital project. Armed with detailed mockups of how he wanted his Honda CB350 to look, he then turned to Capo Moto to bring his vision to life. “They did an incredible job of bringing my mockups to life,” he adds, “adding structural and functional elements where needed.”
“Their expertise really stands out, especially when they use 3D modeling and printing to refine the design before starting the metalworking. This is an important part of the process that I really value.”
The changes start with the addition of a classic Rickman-style fairing, complete with a headlight that lines up perfectly with the sweeping windshield. The fairing itself is charming, but the real art lies in the drilled brackets that attach it to the CB350. Some are hidden, but others are on full display—like the braces that flow out from the gas cap, deliberately mimicking the horns on samurai armor.
Hidden behind the skin is a custom panel that houses a pair of aftermarket dials, a row of LED warning lights, and a gear position indicator. Capo also fabricated the handlebar clamps, along with a Honda-branded shield to cover the stock clamps.
There’s more Capo handiwork down below, where they’ve fabricated a set of rearset foot controls and mounting plates. Other custom touches include a short front fender, a pair of small LED turn signals flanking the lower fairing extension, and a set of finned engine covers. A handmade chain guard helps tidy up the area around the swingarm, while a removable tail hump adds a cafe racer touch to the stock seat.
Shawn didn’t touch the Honda’s engine, suspension, or brakes (though he plans to address those later). But he did spec the bike with a one-piece exhaust system—a nod to the iconic Honda CB750 four-cylinder.
From there, Shawn relied on a series of elegant finishes to bring this timeless Honda cafe racer to the finish line. OEM side panels were chromed to match the OEM rear fender, chrome trim was added to the front fairing, and the wheels were partially polished for a more classic feel. Piano black dominates the paint job, accented with silver and gold stripes.
While Shawn could probably modify his bike further, he doesn’t need to. Not too hot, not too cold, this Honda CB350 cafe racer is just right.
Shawn Lin’s Instagram | Capo Moto Instagram
