When Honda released CX500 in 1978, they had no idea how important it would become in the custom world some four decades later. It was originally released to a wide range of fans, but it eventually fell out of favor – and its design didn’t get stale. But the revival of cafe racer This scene means the CX500’s resurgence in popularity, led by builders who figured out how to navigate its awkward layout.
‘s shirt NCT Motorcycles clearly know their way around Honda CX500. They’ve just worked their magic on this 1982 model, turning it into a sharper motorcycle than what originally left the factory. And they even managed to retain its original Comstar wheels in the process.
NCT founder David Widdman was approached by a client from Dubai who wanted his own twist on a classic Honda twin. David was happy to be obligated — so after a while with the client, they finally decided on a design and the project began. The donor bike was pulled out of a barn on a vineyard in France, and gradually converted over two years.
NCT starts with one of the CX500’s highlights: its slim front fork. They were replaced by a set of Showa units, raised from a Ducati. Powder coated black to match the rest of the bike, wheels wear factory sized Avon tires; 100/90-19 at the front and 130/90-16 at the rear.
Up front is a set of Brembo brake calipers, mounted on a custom rack, and a large 360 mm disc caliper. Although it is only a single disk, it is a huge improvement over the original setup.
One of the CX500’s other drop points is the massive drop in its subframe. NCT made the wise decision to shut down the whole thing and start over, with a small custom unit. Not stopping there, their team also completed the mono-shock conversion by modifying the stock handle.
Next, the entire bodywork of the CX500 was replaced with a full range of hand-made parts, completely transforming the vehicle. The fuel tank is constructed of aluminium, with the indentations at the knees subtly reminiscent of an antique bike.
NCT took a different approach to the wasp’s tail, opting for 3D printing instead. It is equipped with delicate diamond-stitched brown leather seats and LED taillights located along the rear bumper. The turn signal is located on a custom-made license plate holder, mounted on the outside of the swingarm.
The way the tank easily gets into the rear is nothing short of amazing. Finishes include custom-built fenders and Monza-style gas cap. NCT also built a custom aluminum shroud for the radiator—it’s an often overlooked highlight on the CX, but it makes a huge difference.
LED headlights, clip-on handlebars and a full set of Motogadget accessories keep the cockpit simple but functional. There’s also a new Domino swingarm and Brembo master cylinder. The battery is mounted in a custom box below the transmission, while a Motogadget mo.unit handles the brain’s work.
Honda’s engine is also treated in NCT style, with a complete teardown and rebuild, and a new black paint. The Keihin carburetors are original, but with the airbox removed, they now breathe through a K&N case filter.
The crankshaft-mounted radiator fan was replaced by an electric thermal fan, releasing about 5 hp. Also supporting the power boost is a pair of handcrafted stainless steel exhaust pipes. With a pair of SC-Project mufflers at the end, we bet this thing will sing a good song at the 9,500 rpm redline.
From its flawless looks to its flawless lines, there’s a lot to love about this CX500 cafe racer. Once completed, it is a dark green paintwork, selected from Aston Martin models, and nicknamed ‘Valkyrie’ after the British brand’s hypercar. Elegant gold accents add the finishing touch.
David told us: “We are very much looking forward to handing over the project to the owner and seeing the bike on the streets of Dubai. We’re sure its new owners will absolutely love it — just as we’re sure it will inspire future generations of CX500 builders.
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