the honda CX500 type 8 custom motorcycle by auto fabrica

auto fabrica takes a 1980’s honda CX500 motorcycle and shapes it into a refined piece of rolling art. this build let the UK-based custom workshop exercise its metal shaping abilities, pushing its engineering and design skills to another level.

all images © auto fabrica

auto fabrica stripped back the original honda ‘CX 500’ and was pleasantly surprised by the organic form of its frame. they then hand-beat its elegant aluminum tank and bodywork, before applying its slick liquid black finish. sitting on top of ‘project 8’ is a flush-mounted fuel-filler cap, that can be accessed with a pop-and-twist. the rider’s seat is upholstered in black, perforated leather, with a logo plaque revealing tan leather highlights. the original wheels have been replaced with a set of of spokes: a 19-inch borrowed from a honda ‘CB450 TLS’ at the front, and a 16-inch rim laced to a honda hub, both wrapped in japanese shinko tires. perhaps the most noteworthy feature is the sculptural exhaust system—a bespoke piece auto fabrica hand bent from 316 stainless steel.