A bicycle pole My thumb hurts this week; a rare Honda Monkey Gold Edition, currently for sale through Iconic Motorcycle Auctions. It’s with three people cafe racer—a Yamaha XS650, a Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 and a Honda CB550.
For sale: 1984 Honda Monkey Gold Edition Honda’s modern classic mini bikes are now enjoying their moment in the sun. But while there’s something appealing about a little Honda with classic style and modern reliability, there’s something even more appealing about a rare classic.
You are looking at a rare 1984 Honda Monkey Gold version. It’s cute as a button and is currently on sale at Iconic motorbike auction.
If you grew up in the United States, you may know the Honda Monkey by its US-specific nicknames; Honda Mini Trail or Honda Z50. Whatever you call it, the Monkey is the quintessential mini bike, with a small engine, squat stance, sturdy saddle and small cross bars. And if you’re lucky enough to ride one, you’ll understand how much fun a 49cc four-stroke with a four-speed transmission can be.
But there’s also a great backstory to Monkey’s development that we admittedly didn’t know about until now. According to Iconic, “[The Monkey] began life in 1961 with a ride at the Tama Tech amusement park, a joint venture formerly owned by a Honda subsidiary that aimed to promote ‘the joy of driving’.”
“The name comes from the riders looking like monkeys on tiny machines, but the bikes became so popular that Honda created a production version in 1964.”
This particular Monkey is one of 5,000 ‘Gold Edition’ models released in Japan. As the name suggests, the bikes are covered in a golden chrome paint, making them more flamboyant and adorable at the same time.
Showing 3,348 km [2,080 miles] on the watch, it has been thoroughly reviewed once by the Iconic team. Are you as tempted as we are?
Yamaha XS650 by Ill-Fated Kustoms The Yamaha XS650 The parallel twin is easily one of the Japanese brand’s most iconic engines—which is probably why we never tire of seeing it customized. This Yamaha XS650 cafe racer comes from Ill-Fated Kustoms in Calgary, Canada and it’s an absolute peach.
The 1983 XS650 was customized for a customer from Saskatchewan. The brief called for a cafe racer, but the team couldn’t resist incorporating a bit of ’80s Grand Prix style into the bike. And we’re glad they did.
The Yamaha is now equipped with a reused Suzuki fuel tank, followed by a hand-shaped seat cover. IFK modified the subframe to match the proportions of the new seat, then re-wired the bike and removed the airbox to make room underneath. Look closely and you’ll discover a hidden rear fender that helps prevent much of the filter housing’s impact.
The engine has been rebuilt and repainted, and breathes through a subtle twin exhaust system that runs through the car and exits along the rear.
The bubble-shaped windscreen brings classic racing class to the car. Classic tail lights take over at the opposite end of the car, neatly mounted behind the rear cowl.
Other modifications include clip-on bars, equipped with mirrors and turn signals at the end of the bar, and spoked wheels with serrated tires. But it’s the black and yellow livery that gets our nostalgic blood pumping. Made by Kevin Cuffley, it makes the XS650 stand out perfectly. [Source]
Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 by Zain J. Design The Intercept Royal Enfield The 650 (known as the INT650 in the US) has proven its customization potential time and time again. The platform is easy to ride, easy to use, and boasts an extremely nice engine for a modern factory motorcycle.
This Royal Enfield Interceptor 650, built by Zain J. Design in Dubai, is a classic and elegant example of the bike’s potential. Nothing extreme here—just a bunch of neat details, inspired by the famous Supermarine Spitfire fighter plane.
The big highlight here is the judicious use of green paint and brown leather trim. The saddle and grips are the obvious details, but it’s the neat tank straps that really make the difference. And then there are the subtle champagne gold finishes that adorn the engine.
Zain J. Design trimmed down the cockpit by moving the dials to the left side of the bike (this is said to be less hassle than wiring an aftermarket gauge). A pair of clamps with mirrors at the end of the handlebars ensure a sleek look, while Firestone tires and an exhaust add classic British cafe racer style—whether you like it or not. [Source]
Honda CB550 by Luis Baez We’ve seen our fair share of Honda CB550s, but they rarely prioritize functionality to the same degree as Luis Baez’s CB. This man is a mechanical engineer by trade – and it shows.
Luis’s Honda CB550 uses as many original Honda and second-hand parts as possible, giving it a feel that’s not far from Honda’s tactics. But the understated beauty belies the car’s impressive specs.
To start, Luis tackled the engine and transmission for a comprehensive rebuild, complete with new pistons, rings, bearings and gaskets. The timing chain and drive chain are new and the heads were rebuilt to accommodate the upgraded valves. The CB runs with a pod filter and four-in-one Delkevic exhaust; Luis takes carbs to compensate.
The front of the Honda CBR600RR helps the vehicle increase handling, suitable for the Cognito Moto center. The bike rolls on 19F/18R rims, rimmed with stainless steel spokes and covered with Shinko rubber. New piggyback shocks prop up the rear.
On top, Luis cut and nailed the subframe and reinforced it, then topped it off with a Tuffside saddle. The taillight housing is a custom 3D printed part, manufactured from carbon-filled nylon material. Luis also modified the Honda CB750 fuel tank to sit low on the 550’s frame.
All of the bike’s rebuilt electronics are hidden in a separate tray under the seat, along with a lightweight Shorai battery. Other custom touches include front fenders and rear-mounted foot controls. The cockpit is a combination of many different Honda details; The CBR clip, OEM CB550 switch and CB200 tachometer in a 3D printed housing also hold the ignition function. A classic red paint finish completes the construction, along with a full complement of plated and stainless steel fasteners. [More]
