The Honda NX650 has become one of Europe’s most popular platforms for scrambler and tracker builds. The punchy, XR650-based engine is one of the toughest engines ever produced, and dual exhaust — rare on a thumper — makes for many pipe possibilities. Overall, the big Honda single lends itself to curb-jumping, grin-inducing antics. That said, the NX650’s popularity can be a double-edged sword. For the builder, it’s that much harder to stand out from the crowd.
Enter Tommaso of Italy’s Asphalt and Gravel, who was certainly up to the task. Today, we’re thrilled to introduce #AG01, the first customer build to roll out of the family quarry where AG first began. Inspired by the dirt bikes of the 1970s, this NX650 scrambler is one of the cleanest and meanest we’ve ever seen.
Below, we get the full story on the build, as well as a deck of killer shots from one of our favorite moto photographers, Andrea Caredda (@andrews_diary).
Honda NX650 Scrambler: In the Builder’s Words
I’m Tommaso, the founder of Asphalt and Gravel. I started riding at 10 years in the family quarry and I never stopped since then. I created Asphalt and Gravel to share my passion for motorcycles, especially for special bikes, combining my passion for motorcycles with photography, and generally looking for high quality stuff and motorcycles.
Over time I have worked on some of my bikes, as my Honda Cb750 Four or my Triumph Bonneville. I created a space inside the quarry, where I can work on my projects, and take care of my bikes collection, the so-called Asphalt and Gravel den.
It is in the quarry where it all began, where the den is located and where the #AG01, the first Asphalt and Gravel bike for a customer, came to life.
It is a Scrambler based on a Honda Nx650 Dominator, inspired by 70’s dirt bikes, fitted with a ’71 KTM 125 tank, vintage Supertrapp mufflers, Magura grips and Tarozzi rear foot pegs.
The retro features are combined with modern equipment such as the upside-down fork, the digital speedo by motogadget, and the lighting (position light, brake light and turn signals are located on a LED stripe on the subframe, the LED headlights by Baja Designs, and the turn signals are located on a specially crafted front plate).
Our first purpose was to create a smooth and elegant bike, keeping a clean line and leaving our signature on it.
The paint job on the tank is by Matteo Murgia.
Shots by Andrea Caredda (@andrews_diary).
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That is the bike I want to build