Speedway-inspired Bobber from Poland’s JasinTom Motorcycles…
Introduced in 1979, the Honda CM400 was the forerunner to the long-running, highly successful Honda Rebel series. Powered by a 395cc air-cooled parallel-twin, the CM models shared many parts with the CB400T of the same period. The CM400A “Hondamatic” is probably the best known of the series, featuring a two-speed automatic, while the CM400C (Custom), CM400E (Economy), and CM400T (Touring) were also available.
In Purple Rain, none other than (the artist formerly known as) Prince rode a custom CM400, and the CM was generally regarded as simple, reliable, and easy to ride, if not particularly interesting…until our new friend Tomasz of Poland’s JasinTom Motorcycles sunk his teeth into one!
Tomasz builds and repairs vintage bikes out of his small garage in Warsaw.
“I like the style of the 60s and 80s, motocross, Japanese bikes, BSA, Triumph, CZ, Bultaco, etc. Of course I really like the Honda twins — good bikes — I like building them.”
Motorcycle speedway racing is big in Tom’s home country of Poland — in fact, it’s one of the nation’s most popular sports. As many of you know, speedway bikes are brakeless, single-gear, methanol-fueled 170-lb machines that race counterclockwise on oval circuits, running sideways at speeds in excess of 80 mph.
For this ’81 CM400, Tomasz wanted to combine the styles of bobber and speedway bikes, creating a custom machine that would be fun, lightweight, and head-turning…and the perfect companion for his trips to Mrągowo for the annual Piknik Country international country music festival — the largest of its kind in Eastern Europe.
Nicknamed the “Speedway Cowboy,” the most striking aspect of the build has to be the front suspension setup, which Tomasz adapted from a 1955 SHL — a Polish brand. In the rear, Tomasz changed the angle of the shock absorbers and rebuilt the entire subframe. He hid the wiring inside the frame and outfitted the bike with 21″ / 18″ wheels and a set of handmade handlebars.
The Speedway Cowboy looks like little else we’ve seen, and Tomasz says the riding experience always leaves him with a smile on his face:
“Light, low, agile, crazy, handles beautifully and easily. You can ride sideways on the speedway, flat, and of course it sings beautifully and loud from the mufflers.”
Below, we talk to Tomasz for the full details and backstory on his Speedway Cowboy.
Honda CM400 Bobber: Builder Interview
• Please tell us a little about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.
I am Tomasz from Poland, city of Warsaw. I repair motorcycles because I like them, and I build them in a small garage. I like the style of the 60s and 80s, motocross, Japanese bikes, BSA, Triumph, CZ, Bultaco, etc. Of course I really like the Honda twins — good bikes — I like building them.
• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor?
Honda CM 400 from 1981, 40 HP.
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
I decided to build a completely different motorcycle, using a front swingarm from the Polish SHL motorcycle of 1955. I wanted to combine the bobber and speedway styles.
• What custom work was done?
The motorcycle has been completely rebuilt and looks nothing like the original. Cables hidden in the frame, many changes, entire frame rebuilt, small fuel tank.
The entire front and rear parts of the motorcycle frame were redone. At the rear, a different shock absorber angle was used, and the entire structure was made of metal and lowered.
The front, as I wrote, has a different swingarm and frame, cut out and converted to accommodate the fuel tank.
Wheels: 21″ front, 18″ rear, Yamaha and Suzuki rims. Front lamp from the Polish WSK motorcycle. Handmade handlebars, speedway tires, thin leather seat, handmade exhaust system. Screws: brass and stainless steel.
The entire motorcycle was disassembled down to the last screw and reassembled, only by me, I did all the work myself.
• Does the bike have a nickname?
The bike is called the “Speedway Cowboy.” I like country music; I go to festivals in the capital of country music, Mrągowo. I have my beloved cowboy hat. This motorcycle suits me at Mrągowo and the organized motorcycle parade.
• What’s it like to ride the bike?
The motorcycle, Speedway Cowboy, is light, low, agile, crazy, handles beautifully and easily. You can ride sideways on the speedway, flat, and of course it sings beautiful and loud from the mufflers.
Fast, accelerates well, riding is fun, like an amusement park ride, my face smiles while driving, nice ride.
• Was there anything done during the build you’re especially proud of?
Overall, there was a lot of work in this project. I cut a lot of sheet metal; it was difficult. I like everything about Speedway Cowboy, but there are some elements that are actually cool. Front, swingarm and shock absorbers, hidden cables and electrics, rear metal structure — everything handmade. The motorcycle is quite stiff, like a tank, despite the delicate structure.
• Is there anyone you’d like to thank?
I’d like to thank my beloved dad who helped me with the electrics — many thanks to him for everything.
These bikes were pedestrian, designed for the first time buyer. Nothing special. FYI, had a customer complain that if they took their hands off the bars, the bike would wobble. Honda’s reply? Don’t take your hands off. BTW, I worked onthese when they were new. Can’t believe someone would take the time and energy to do this.
Hear you. But another way to look at it: Look at this pedestrian-ass bike, given a new life and new form, and someone who loves it.
He’s turned a relatively bland bike into something interesting. For me, the bike has far more relevance than your pointlessly negative statement. Oh… and the guy at Honda was right.
Well said.
Really cool and funky build! love the front forks. So glad there are those who would take on a project like this and turn a “bland” bike into something special! Personally I would have made a few style changes in paint and would like to see a more traditional rear fender with a duckbill flip to it. Awesome job!