HRC Inspired: Honda CX650 Café Racer

Stunning CX650 from MCafeGarage of Sardinia… 

The Honda CX650 was the last of the CX series, which began with the well-known CX500. The CX machines had a Guzzi-like engine layout, but that’s where the similarity ended. In fact, the liquid-cooled, 80-degree, twisted-cylinder V-twin was like nothing else on the road.

“The CX is a singular piece; an imitation of nothing else, this V-twin is pure Honda engineering, designed on fresh paper and refined by the experience of a half-dozen years in production.” –Cycle, 1982

While the engine and layout may have seemed odd, the CX quickly proved its mettle on the roads. In the first five years of production, more than 25,000 CX500s sold in the UK alone.

“Since the CX’s arrival in 1978, the machine has proved itself more than a match for the demands of just about any biker from cruiser and tourer to despatch rider and scratcher.” –Motorcycle, 1983

Around ’82, the CX650 appeared, punched out to 673cc (an extra 177cc) with a resulting 28% boost in horsepower — from 50 to 64 hp. The torque increase was even higher, nearly 43%. The relative rarity and added power of these larger-capacity machines makes them the CX we’d most like to own…barring the buck-wild CX500 Turbo, of course.

In recent years, the CX has become something of a darling of the custom world, with workshops all over the globe trying their hand at customizing this slightly strange V-twin — not always with top results, given the awkward lines of the stock machine.

Recently, we heard from our friend Massimiliano Satta of Sardinia’s MCafeGarage, an enthusiast and amateur circuit racer who builds a few specials each year. When Satta picked up this ’82 CX650, he hoped to go against the grain, creating a custom machine truly worthy of the beautiful, torque-heavy engine:

“It’s a base used a few times (most used is the CX500) for customization but ‘often’ with disappointing results, in my opinion. Hence the CHALLENGE!”

Built for a client, Nicola, this CX650 would have two main drivers behind the design: sport-oriented riding and Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) colors. The transformation is nothing short of staggering: modified steering angle, Honda CBR1000RR forks, YSS rear shock, 17″ spoked wheels with Pirelli rubber, and custom fiberglass tail section and “cabrio saddle” — now a signature of MCafeGarage.

Luca Ronzoni of L.R Leather handled the grips and saddlery, while the cockpit instrumentation is from Motogadget and the lovely 2:2 exhaust system is from MAD Exhausts. Satta, who races 1000cc machines on the circuit, knows how to set up a bike’s suspension and geometry to work well with spirited riding, and it shows in this machine.

“Beautiful and fast to ride, very fun, and above all it stands out with the double exhaust from the MAD company with a ‘scary’ sound.”

Known simply as “n. 008,” this HRC-inspired café racer is one of the best CX customs we’ve seen in a long, long time. Below, we talk to Massimiliano for the full story on this stunning build, along with more photos from Andrea Caredda (@andrews_diary).

Honda CX650 Café Racer: Builder Interview

• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.

My name is Massimiliano Satta; I am from Cagliari (Sardinia). M-CAFEGARAGE is a special place where I create my motorcycles. For now I’m just an enthusiast who builds a few pieces a year.   I try to best express perfection and being unique.

Everything comes from my drawings and what goes through my head when I have an old motorbike in front of me that is almost ready to be thrown away. I’ve been working on my bikes since I was a child and today, at 45, I still race speed circuits with 1000cc bikes.

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

This time the project is on a 1982 Honda CX650, a motorbike preserved in good condition but standing still for 20 years now. A base used a few times (most used is the CX500) for customization but “often” with disappointing results, in my opinion. Hence the CHALLENGE!

• Why was this bike built and what was the design concept?

With the owner, Nicola, we opted for a TOTAL transformation. We wanted to give a new spirit to this old machine taking into account an aesthetically beautiful engine with its V-shaped cylinders and nice, full-bodied torque. There were two key points: sporty driving and HRC colours.

• What custom work was done to the bike?

The frame has been modified in several parts, practically everything! Including the inclination of the steering head rebuilt by hand with iron pipes and sheet metal — all done by hand with the pipe bender and wooden templates.

• The front end was replaced with a more modern one with upside-down stems and radial calipers coming from a Honda CBR1000RR.

• Clip-on handlebars, brake master cylinder, aeronautical brake lines, and clutch control from Accossato.

• The tank is from a Honda CX500. Retrofitted electrical system with lithium battery and ignition on the left side.

• Sporty fiberglass tail with the usual rear opening, now a sign of recognition of my achievements, also called “cabrio saddle.”

• Saddle and grips built directly for the motorbike by master Luca Ronzoni of L.R Leather.

• Front rim derived from BMW nineT and rear spoked rim assembled specifically for the artisan hub, diameter 17″ both front and rear with Pirelli tires

• Hand-built front fender.

• Motogadget instrumentation.

• Lots of details such as the YYS mono shock absorber with red spring to give it a touch of sportiness.

• Conical air filter for new carburetors.

In short, a completely different bike from the original which today weighs 50 kg less.

• Does the bike have a nickname?

The motorbike is the n. 008.

• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride?

Beautiful and fast to ride, very fun, and above all it stands out with the double exhaust from the MAD company with a “scary” sound.

More Photos

Follow the Builder

Facebook: @mcafegarage
Instagram: @mcafegarage
Email: [email protected]
Italy – Sardegna – Cagliari
Photography: @andrews_diary

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