Vinduro-Style 650 Motard from Francesco Paura…
Introduced in 2005, the Honda FMX650 featured the beloved old single-cylinder RFVC engine from the Honda Dominator in a supermoto package. Unlike competition bike-based motards, like those built from 450 motocrossers, the FMX didn’t require costly routine maintenance — here was a workhorse supermotard you could simply hop on and ride. As with any big single, vibration became an issue at higher speeds, but the FMX could top out at nearly 100 mph.
“The Honda FMX650 feels light, flickable and the beefy 45mm upside-down forks handle town action with contempt.” –MCN
Given the proven engine, beefy chassis, and low price of entry, we’re surprised we don’t see more FMX-based builds. This vinduro-style FMX650 comes from prolific Italian designer (and hip hop artist!) Francesco Paura, who built the bike for his old friend Riccardo Rivieccio of Metamorfosi Tattoo Studio — a man he hadn’t seen in some 30 years!
Francesco has always loved the Honda XR and XL models — in fact, he still owns an XL600 Paris Dakar. So, in agreement with Riccardo, he decided to turn back the clock on this production motard.
“My idea was to bring the aesthetic back to the ’80s and ’90s, given that the original engine is from the legendary Dominator. But I was inspired by the first Honda XR600 motards. Obviously, I didn’t want to replicate an XR, but I wanted the bike to be reminiscent of those years, when I fell in love with those motorcycles…”
Francesco sees himself as something of a Dr. Frankenstein when it comes to bike-building, and this project would be no different. The parts come from a variety of brands: Suzuki DR tank and seat, Yamaha YZ side panels, Honda XR fenders, and more.
The headlight is an Acerbis unit, and many other parts were swapped, modified, or custom-made: handlebars, indicators, chainguard (laser-cut to Francesco’s design), and more. Francesco’s friend, partner, and “motorcycle wizard” Luca Colucci (@customizermoto) did most of the heavy lifting in terms of mechanics and fabrication: “I was the brains, and he was the muscle.”
Fabio Zoppo helped fabricate the 2-into-1 exhaust, matched with a Keihin FCR carb, while Aniello Rozza airbrushed the tank. Many other parts were powder-coated with the help of Francesco’s dear friend Vincenzo Giglio. The 17-inch wheels preserve the on-road agility of a supermoto, while the tires have just enough tread for light off-road excursions — too sketchy on sport bike rubber!
Francesco nicknamed the bike “Kaze” — Japanese for Wind — a nod to the bike’s heritage, and the idea of creating a machine meant to hurtle through the wind. Honda themselves liked to call the FMX a “Funmoto,” and this vinduro-style supermoto truly delivers on that promise:
“It’s pure fun to ride. A fun bike that makes us feel like kids again. And it works great.”
Bravo to Francesco and team for another great build — this is one burly, big single motard we’d love to have in our stable. Below is our full in-depth interview with Francesco, translated from the original Italian, and more photos of the build.
Vinduro Supermoto: Builder Interview
• What’s the make, model, and year of the bike?
The starting bike is a Honda FMX650. A 2002 production motard with a single-cylinder engine derived from the NX650 Dominator.
• Why was this bike built?
The project was born for a client of mine. A friend of mine, Riccardo Rivieccio, who moved from southern Italy to northern Italy, and whom I hadn’t seen in thirty years. He’s a professional tattoo artist (Metamorfosi Tattoo Studio, Carpi) and collects cars and motorcycles. He messaged me several times on social media to start a project together. The project came about because I found the starting bike at a low price, I talked to him about what I wanted to create, and so we started working on it.
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
My idea was to bring the aesthetic back to the ’80s and ’90s, given that the original engine is from the legendary Dominator. But I was inspired by the first Honda XR600 motards. Obviously, I didn’t want to replicate an XR, but I wanted the bike to be reminiscent of those years, when I fell in love with those motorcycles. To be honest, I still do; in fact, I own an XL600 Paris Dakar.
• What custom work was done to the bike?
Since I started building custom motorcycles about 10 years ago, I’ve always felt like a Dr. Frankenstein. In fact, one of my favorite movies is Young Frankenstein (1974), directed by Mel Brooks. Here too, I assembled parts from other motorcycles.
The tank and seat are from a Suzuki DR. For the tank, we created a cap mount on a lathe to use Honda aluminum caps. The seat, on the other hand, was modified to get the shape I wanted. The rear frame was modified to fit the parts I chose. The side panels are from a Yamaha YZ. The fenders are from a Honda XR. The headlight is Acerbis.
To give it more power, we removed the exhaust cooling systems and installed a Keihin FCR racing carburetor. Racing filters and a two-into-one exhaust, half of which was made by a craftsman (Fabio Zoppo). We powder-coated the rims and other parts of the bike. We replaced the handlebars, speedometer, and turn signals.
The tank was airbrushed by my collaborator Aniello Rozza. Some parts, like the chain guard, were laser-cut based on my original design. All the mechanical and custom work was done by Luca Colucci. A motorcycle wizard. I was the brains, and he was the muscle. I’ve been working with Luca for two years, but he’s already one of the pillars of my team. (I love you, Luca.)
• Does the bike have a nickname?
The bike is called Kaze. Which means Wind in Japanese. The kanji on the tank is obviously Kaze’s. This is a fun bike, and the idea of making it hurtle through the wind inspired the name. It’s also Japanese, with other Japanese components. It had to have a Japanese name.
• Can you tell us what it likes to ride?
It’s pure fun to ride. A fun bike that makes us feel like kids again. And it works great.
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
I’m proud of the entire creative process. In fact, I even sent you the video of the design sketch I made in Photoshop before building the bike. I think we made it identical to the project. Maybe even better.
• Is there anyone you’d like to thank?
I thank Riccardo for accepting all my preferences. He trusted me completely. Of course, I thank my entire production team, especially those who worked on it. Luca first and foremost, then Fabio and Aniello. Special thanks to Vincenzo Giglio, a dear friend, who helps me with the powder coating. Thank you for existing!
Follow the Builder
Design director: @Francesco_Paura
Mechanical / Custom Work: Luca Colucci (@customizermoto)
Exhaust Fabricator: Fabio Zoppo (@fabio_z_officina)
Airbrush: Aniello Rozza (@dreamsartandcolors_)
More Francesco Paura Builds
Retro Supermoto: Honda FMX650 “Kaze” - Vinduro-Style 650 Motard from Francesco Paura… Introduced in 2005, the Honda FMX650 featured the beloved old single-cylinder RFVC engine from the Honda Dominator in a supermoto package. Unlike competition bike-based motards, like those built […]
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