60s-Style Scrambler from Warkot Motorcycles…
Honda has always done things its own way, and the company’s history of sales and racing successes are a testament to how well they execute on their visions. One of the most unexpected street bike successes of the 1980s was Honda’s CX500 V-twin, which came in the wake of Moto Guzzi announcing a lightweight version of its own transverse V-twin.
The CX500 certainly took the industry by surprise:
“Suddenly from nowhere the industry leader had flexed its massive resources and come up with an absolutely all-new bike that borrowed nothing from anyone, no parts from elsewhere in its range and totally broke new ground. Here was a very solid-looking 500 V-twin with shaft drive and pushrods. Incredible.” –Old Bike Mag
While it earned the nickname the “Plastic Maggot” for its aesthetics, the CX won over motorcyclists around the globe. The stone-ax reliability, middleweight size, shaft-drive, and torquey engine made it a favorite of professional couriers, while Cycle World called the bike’s performance “beyond reproach.”
“Defying the conventional was the order of the day and Honda’s CX500 did that in virtually every aspect of its engine design. We motorcycle enthusiasts are supposed to be a conservative bunch, hugely resistant to change, yet, collectively, we bought into the CX concept by the busload.” –Classic Bike Hub
More than 40 years since the CX500’s introduction, it has become a favorite donor of custom workshops. We’ve always thought the CX made a difficult platform, given the awkward lines of the standard tank and frame, but our friends at Poland’s Warkot Motorcycles — brothers Maciej, Mateusz, and Michał — have managed to create one of the handsomest, most classic-looking CX500 customs we’ve ever seen.
Their inspiration came from the classic scramblers of the 1960-70s, many of which were twin-cylinder street bikes converted into street scramblers. Examples include the Honda CL series, BSA Firebird, and Triumph TR6 Trophy.
The “Vintage Brothers” gives us the full details below, but highlights include taller (+70mm) suspension, two-piston front brake, 19″ / 18″ wheels with stainless spokes, stainless fenders, custom seat with luggage rack, handmade side covers and radiator grille, bespoke leather pouch to carry the rider’s tools, and much more.
It’s as if they’ve turned back the clock on this 80s Honda, creating one sweet scrambler / roadster with looks straight out of the 1960s. What’s more, the bike has been built with an eye toward comfort and mid-distance touring:
“The motorcycle not only performs very well on gravel roads and light terrain, but also is a great companion during longer trips.”
Below, we talk to the “Vintage Brothers” for the details on this CX. Credit goes to Rafał Gieleciński for the lovely photographs.
Honda CX500 Street Scrambler: In the Builder’s Words
• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.
We are brothers who share a passion for classic motors, in particular for old motorcycles from the turn of the 60-80s. It all started in childhood, when our fathers took us for rides on their motorbikes. We also often watched as they were repaired, and the sound of the engine brought back to life and the smell of freshly poured gas immediately made us smile.
Our goal is to build unique and extraordinary machines with a soul, which are used not only to move, but also give a sense of freedom and fun to drive.
• Please tell us about the bike.
When we brought this Honda CX500 into our workshop, we wanted to build a motorcycle modeled on the classic scramblers of the 1960s. Therefore, the bike has undergone a number of technical and visual changes that we’d like to highlight.
We started our work with changing the suspension. The motorcycle is 7cm taller than the original. We achieved this by changing the front suspension, which comes from Yamaha XV535 Virago, and the rear shock absorbers from a Triumph Scrambler 900.
We also changed the front brake system — the motorcycle gained a two-piston caliper and a 300mm floating brake disc. The whole is powered by a steel brake hose of the HEL brand.
Wheels with stainless spokes were made especially for this model, and Mitas tires were mounted. The front wheel is 19 inches, the rear wheel 18. The wheels are covered by stainless steel fenders.
The motorcycle has many handcrafted elements that we made in our workshop: side panels, coolant radiator grille, and front lamp holders recalling English motorcycles from the 1960s.
We have also made a stainless steel carrier, which will be used for long trips.
An attached leather pouch for the original set of repair wrenches was made by one of our friends.
The seat was made on the original base, which we have appropriately modified. Thanks to this, the bike and rider can travel many kilometers in comfort.
The Honda has undergone a basic service of the engine and carburettors; moreover, it was equipped with the Ignitech CDI ignition module.
The beautiful bass sound of the engine is provided by custom-made stainless steel mufflers with DB killers, which can be removed at any time.
The motorcycle not only performs very well on gravel roads and light terrain, but also is a great companion during longer trips. It is definitely a machine that’s a lot of fun to ride in all kinds of conditions.
Follow the Builders
Web: warkotmotorcycles.pl
Instagram: @vintage.brothers
Photos: Rafał Gieleciński
Brings back some memories, I had a 79 cx500, one of my favorite mid size bikes, S and W shocks, air fork kit, Winning performance pipe( Kerner nock off) , carb mods, Barnet clutch springs ,cam chain tensioner mod, very fast, solid 120mph on the top end. Broke the drive shaft 2 times. Should have kept it, ended up selling it to a friend who crash it. 2 of my other friends raced one in the Ontario 6hr endurance race back in the 80,s they wn their class.
A 60s style scrambler?
THIS BIKE IS NOT A SCRAMBLER.
The only resemblance to a scrambler is that it has an engine, frame and two wheels. Nothing else makes it. V twin -no. Water cooled – no. Shaft drive – no. Standard tank and suspension – no.
I am sick and tired of idiots who have no knowledge or understanding of actual motorcycles or motorcycling who see a photo on Google and reckon they can do that too.
Bullshit.
And this site, which is meant to be a serious motorcycling site, should not be giving space to such absolute stupidity, ignorance and just plain crap.
You have a responsibility to do much much better. Just take it.
Don’t insult the intelligence of those of us who do understand what motorcycling all about. Please don’t give us this crap.
This heap of absolute crap wouldn’t go 10 metres across a soggy paddock.
the motorcycle has suspension and is different from the original by 7cm. You don’t have to take everything directly, the motorcycle is great in light terrain, on gravel and off-road, but it is known that it can not cope with deep mud and rough terrain. Applied commentary in ten ways to the beginning of the article, not just viewing photos
Very well said.
Hello,
Great looking bike. My brother had a candy apple Red Honda 160, scrambler possibly ’67, Beautiful Bike.
I had 5 motorcycles and the mid one a 1979 Honda CX500. It was the best of all running around around town and the smooth as silk longer 2 hr trips for work.
Your Beautiful restoration jogs memories of my joy time in riding.
Best
Kevin
the bike is inspired by scramblers from the 60s, which does not mean that it is.
Ron, everyone is entitled to have an opinion, but you have expressed it in an unkind and disrespectful way, and not for the first time. You are no longer welcome at BikeBound. Have a safe and pleasant life.
Muy linda moto.aunque no me gusta mucho el estilo Scrambler. Lamento el comentario agresivo que le hicieron.elegir ese modelo de Honda para realizar ese trabajo a sido muy bueno. Saludos
My buddy got one of these brand new as a graduation present in 1978. We all laughed at the silly ’60s styling and thought it looked like a half baked mixture of a Moto Guzzi and a Gold Wing. The chuckles immediately stopped when our girlfriends all wanted to go for a ride on it!
I’ve seen lots of CX500 builds that are usually only about style or horsepower, but this is the first one I have seen that captures the “vibe” or magic for me. Every 60s British bike I remember seeing an American throw a leg over made me want to ride. I get that feeling looking at this bike.
Looks comfortable and ready to make another forty years of great stories.
Where did they get those fender struts and clamps in the front? Want something like that for my xs650.
Thank You for your comment, we really appricciate that. According to your questions: Fenders are universal bought on some motorcycles parts website. Clamps in the front- if you mean brakes its from Yamaha virago 535, like all front susspension and wheel. Best regards!