This Incredible Custom Honda CX500 Is Perhaps the Raddest Specimen of Its Kind

The motorcycle pictured above is still among their very best creations to this day.

PBM took a 1981-model Honda CX500, went on to restyle it as a spectacular cafe racer, and the fruit of their labor is nothing short of awe-inspiring. The transformation began in the footwear department following the initial teardown, with the original wheels ditched to make way for Excel rims and stainless-steel spokes. These new hoops measure 18 inches at the front and 17 inches at the rear.

Both of them are cloaked in Pirelli Angel GT rubber for ample grip, and the forks were rebuilt before getting fitted back in place with a custom billet aluminum top clamp. A steering damper was also thrown into the mix, while the rear suspension has been meticulously converted into a monoshock setup. The brakes were refurbished at both ends, and PBM was still just getting warmed up here.

They came up with a rad custom subframe, which is quite simply a work of art in and of itself. Wanting to steer clear of the typical looped designs we see everywhere, the Aussies fashioned two parallel tubes out of aluminum and had their rearmost tips filled with multi-function LEDs. Up top, there is a bespoke carbon fiber tail section fronted by a handmade saddle, upholstered in black Alcantara and stitched up with contrasting thread.

We still see the OEM fuel tank further ahead, but it’s been repositioned and fitted with a pop-up filler cap. The only other piece of bodywork present here is a slim carbon fiber fender mounted up north, and there’s a high-grade LED headlight joining it nearby. Furthermore, the creature’s cockpit is also a genuine delight, housing clip-on handlebars and a Motogadget dash fitted behind the top clamp.

The clip-ons carry leather grips, Brembo control levers, and underslung bar-end mirrors, as well as Purpose Built Moto’s proprietary switchgear. CNC-machined rearsets finish off the ergonomics, and a swingarm-mounted license plate holder keeps the tail area as clean as it could possibly be. Tom and his crew haven’t overlooked the powertrain sector, either.

After having the V-twin engine rebuilt, they installed some top-shelf DNA pod filters and a magnificent two-one-two exhaust made of stainless-steel. A fresh radiator makes an appearance, too, its aesthetic falling right in line with the rest of the bike. PBM kept things simple when it came to the paint job, making extensive use of black, leaving the carbon fiber exposed, and wrapping the fuel tank in a dark grey base and lighter detailing.