Project · Honda CB650 Nighthawk · 1985
Race Queen
Honda CB650 Nighthawk 1985. Out with the custom feel, in with all the racing character of that engine.
ScrollChapter 01 — The encounter
A bike
that inspires
- Base
- Honda CB650 Nighthawk, 1985
- Year
- 2016
- Fork
- Aprilia upside-down
- Tail section
- Hand-beaten sheet metal
I do not consider myself a professional, I am just a motorcycle enthusiast, and I like to experiment when I come across a bike that inspires me.
When I saw this Honda CB650 Nighthawk I immediately fell in love with the shape of its tank and its engine, and my imagination started running with it.
After riding this 1985 Honda CB650 I immediately thought that engine could be very rewarding, but the Nighthawk's vaguely “custom” feel had to change for it to fully express its racing potential.
Chapter 02 — The front end
More stable,
more precise
I started by changing the front end: an Aprilia-derived upside-down fork suits the bike's proportions better and ensures greater stability and precision. To do this I had to modify the stem and the steering head.
The braking system was upgraded too, with a 320 mm floating disc designed specifically for it and a Yamaha R6 4-piston caliper.
Chapter 03 — The ride
Agile through
the bends
The tall, straight handlebar, also handmade, gives it quick changes of direction, agile on the winding roads of our mountains.
The elongated headlight housing the instruments and the bar-end indicators keeps the area ahead clean.
The adjustable gas rear shocks are new too; they raise the seat and shift more of the ride onto the front end.
Fork
Aprilia upside-down
Disc
320 mm floating
Caliper
Yamaha R6, 4 pistons
Chapter 04 — The tail
Hammer
and sheet metal
The hardest part was building the tail. I imagined a shape inspired by sixties American cars, took a sheet of metal and started beating it with my hammer.
I do not use moulds or bucks: the metal is shaped freehand, trying to create a symmetrical and well-proportioned object. Its shape blends into the tank and creates a soft, sinuous curve that also holds the seat in fine Italian leather, made by hand by craftsmen.
The LED rear indicators are set into the frame and share the shape of the brake lights on the tail.
Chapter 05 — Exhaust and details
All
made by hand
The exhaust is a handmade 4 into 2 with the headers joined at the top, an unusual shape that lightens the look of the engine.
All the mounting plates (headlight, fender, brake caliper, etc.) are made by hand.
Chapter 06 — The colour
A true
queen
The colour, inspired by Porsche, was adjusted by intensifying the blue and adding a very slight pearl effect.
The white stripe immediately reveals the bike's racing character, while keeping a soft, gentle colour scheme.
Elegant and thrilling to ride, a true queen.
Specifications
See the other bikes- Model
- Honda CB650 Nighthawk · 1985
- Fork
- Aprilia-derived upside-down fork
- Brakes
- Custom 320 mm floating disc, Yamaha R6 4-piston caliper
- Handlebar
- Tall and straight, handmade
- Headlight
- Elongated, integrated instruments · bar-end indicators
- Shock absorbers
- Adjustable gas rear shocks
- Tail section
- Sheet metal beaten freehand
- Seat
- Hand-worked Italian leather
- Exhaust
- Handmade 4 into 2, headers joined at the top
- Colour
- Porsche inspired, intensified blue, light pearl