’80s Glory: Honda CBX750 “Flávia” by Unik Edition

Honda CBX750 Cafe Racer

An ’80s sport bike, well upgraded…

Introduced in 1984, the Honda CBX750 — aka the RC17 — was developed from the CB750 and sold mainly in Europe and Australia. The bike’s DOHC 16-valve engine produced 90+ horsepower, making the bike a shade faster than the more exotic V4 VF750F, and Honda raced the bike in the Suzuka 8 Hours endurance race to demonstrate the indestructible nature of the inline four. The bike’s angular lines and squarish dual headlights have stood the test of time, oozing with 1980s radness.

Honda CBX750 Cafe Racer

Enter the team of Portugal’s Unik Edition Custom Motorcycles, whose work we’ve featured time and again on BikeBound. Founders Tiago, Luis, and the rest of the crew have been making a name for themselves since their first build in 2016. They’ve opened a storefront in the Moscavide neighborhood of Lisbon with their workshop in the rear, where they work on their custom commissioned builds.

Honda CBX750 Cafe Racer

The owner of this 1986 Honda CBX750 had many good memories with the bike. He brought it to the shop, wanting to restore the old CBX but with some choice modern upgrades. Says Tiago:

“We wanted to preserve the bike’s beautiful lines. At the end of the day, we wanted to look at the bike and still see a Honda CBX.”

Honda CBX750 Cafe Racer

The result is an upgraded, slightly modernized CBX that’s lighter, faster, and meaner than the original — but looks like it might rolled from the factory just yesterday. Says Tiago:

“We are proud of doing a huge work and it all looks stock.”

The bike has been named “Flávia” — a tribute to the owner’s mother. Below, we get the full details of the build, along with some stunning shots in the strees of Lisbon with photographer Soraia Pinto.

Honda CBX750 : Builder Interview

Honda CBX750 Cafe Racer

• What’s the make, model, and year of the bike?

1986 Honda CBX750 “Flávia.”

Honda CBX750 Cafe Racer

• Why did you decide to build a CBX?

Owner had an old CBX with a lot of good memories. He wanted to restore but with some upgrades.

Honda CBX750 Cafe Racer

• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?

We wanted to preserve the bike’s beautiful lines. At the end of the day, we wanted to look at the bike and still see a Honda CBX.

Honda CBX750 Cafe Racer

• What custom work was done to the bike?
  • Rear sub-frame shortened 16cm
  • Inverted forks from Kawasaki ninja ZX9
  • 17″ Honda CBR rims front and rear, with rear 180 tire, forcing the drive pinion to be pulled out so that the chain doesn’t hit the tire (previous 110 / 90-16 front and 130 / 80-18)
  • In the rear braking, the rear caliper was replaced by a smaller and more powerful Brembo in steel mesh tubes started to work under the prop of the swing arm instead of over
  • Advances adapted to the available space
  • New t-tables designed and laser cut
  • New rear shock absorber instead of the original gas rear suspension
  • New rear footrest supports
  • Motogadget electronic system, digital pressure gauge incorporated in the original panel, LED turn signals
  • Suppression of the air filter box and installation of conical filters, leaving the motorcycle completely clean – if it had no fairing it would be free from side to side
  • Custom painting without using vinyls
  • Battery box under the engine and replacement of all electrical components
  • Custom mudguards
• How does it feel to ride?

Very cool ride. Easy, lighter and meaner that the stock one.

• Does the bike have a nickname?

“Flávia”, a tribute to the mother of the owner.

• How would you classify this bike?

Cafe racer.

• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?

We are proud of doing a huge work and all looks stock.

t was a very demanding project that we misjudged the work to be done in the beginning. Nothing remains untouched. And we were not expecting that so many fans consider the CBX one of our best builds. Above all, we love to ride it, it is fast enough, loud, light, and super cool. The owner rides every day, and at the end of the day, a custom built should be to ride.

Honda CBX750 Cafe Racer

Follow the Builder

Web: www.unikedition.pt
Facebook: @unikedition2016
Instagram: @unikedition2016

Photography @soraya_pinto

2 Comments

  1. To refer to any Honda as a “CBX”, other than the original 6 cyclinder is a crime !

  2. Vista solo ora! A me piace tantissimo!

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