Many Honda Dominator Customs uses the same form. Swap the gas tank for something thinner, trim the subframe and you’re halfway there. But there is another way to do it; rely on Dominator’s adventure bike DNA to build a pragmatist disturbance person.
That’s the way the Hungarian workshop, Neuga, went with this 1994 Honda NX650 Dominator. Wrapped in a noiseless finish and exuding majesty, it has the look and feel of a classic Baja 1000 race bike—albeit with a bit of flair.
Neuga founder Benedek Eszteri said: “This build was an ‘internal’ project for one of our team members. “It took about six months from demolition to completion. The idea was to have the most reliable bike possible — and we couldn’t think of a better sponsor than a Dominator.”
“The donor is in good condition, but it has been completely torn down, measured and rebuilt with everything replaced, albeit slightly worn. We wanted a twin headlight and some carbon—that’s the basic idea. Everything else took shape during the project… it was a kind of freedom.”
Neuga went deep, starting with a full engine rebuild. And we mean complete—not a single part that hasn’t been replaced or refurbished. It also looks brand new on the outside, with a new heat-resistant black paint accented by polished fins and engine covers.
The builders also built a custom two-in-one stainless steel exhaust system (single-cylinder Dominator with two exhaust outlets). It ends with the classic Supertrapp silencer.
Dominator’s chassis and running equipment are equally noticeable. Neuga kept the OEM forks, but rebuilt them with new springs, then reassembled them with new rudder bearings. The rear shock absorber has been replaced with a new YSS fork.
The wheels and brakes are stock, although they look brand new. All bearings and washers were eventually replaced, all pins cleaned and new galvanized, and any black parts removed and repainted. Neuga also rewound the car and upgraded the brake hoses with Goodridge wire.
The Honda bodywork is a mix of original, modified, reworked and custom parts. Neuga kept the 4.2-gallon gas tank intact so this car doesn’t incur any range penalties. They then took the OEM front apron and trimmed it down to just two ‘wings’ to help visually round out the front of the fuel tank.
For the saddle, they started with the original pan — then trimmed it, added gel pads for a softer feel, and re-upholstered it. Each side of the new upholstery has an illustration sewn into it; on the left represents the owner’s favorite surf spot and on the right is his favorite BMX trail.
Sitting beneath the saddle is a set of custom body panels, hand-sculpted from carbon fiber; Benedek quips: “It’s not that it saves a lot of weight. The rear trunk is complete with a screw-in license plate holder and a custom luggage rack. The LED taillights are hidden under the rear edge, with discreet LED turn signals on either side.
The entire Neuga team is passionate about BMX, so they’re also currently working on a removable BMX stand for the back. Currently, Dominator owners simply lay their BMX flat on the rear rack and tie it down.
Up front is a full headlight cluster from a Honda XR250 Baja—an arrangement that places two lights inside a sort of ‘roll cage’. Neuga refurbished it before adapting it to fit the Dominator. A plastic fender from a Kawasaki KLX motorcycle sits directly below it.
Taking advantage of the extra space afforded by the chunky headlights, the team created a carbon fiber dashboard to place on top. It has a pair of Daytona gauges, a few custom switches, and a charging port. The mirrors and turn signals are from Motogadget, while the handlebars are from Renthal.
Neuga also pays attention to the little things. The brake lever and clutch lever are ASV parts, but they have been modified to fit the original brake fluid reservoir and lever. There’s also a custom carbon fiber front sprocket cover on the bottom.
The final paint scheme enhances Honda’s functional vibe. Neuga uses a warm gray for the fuel tank and side panels, broken only by a pair of super-large Honda wings. The gold wheels signify agreement with the Dominator’s original design.
Fitted with Continental’s twin TKC80 evergreen sports tires, this Dominator looks ready for anything. From navigating the streets of Budapest, to hunting for new BMX spots, we’re sure it’ll add plenty of miles.
