The worn-out former CB400F bore the unmistakable signs of years of disuse and disregard. The faded neon hues of its ’80s glory days now dulled by time, the car’s forlorn appearance told a heartbreaking tale of abandonment: chunky grips worn smooth as pebbles, and once-lustrous gold wheels now tarnished, their cracked tires a testament to years of neglect. The bodywork showed significant signs of wear and tear; upon closer inspection of the engine, it became apparent that the pistons were loose, the timing chain exhibited clear signs of wear, and the carburetors had suffered from extensive oxidation. “To be honest, the one redeeming quality of the donor bike was its rarity as a 6-speed.”
Without hesitation, the BCR team dismantled the Honda to its bare essentials. With reverence for traditional design, the vintage-inspired vehicle’s inventory underwent a meticulous makeover, retaining its original essence while subtly refining the silhouette with a sleek, upswept rear spoiler and luxurious chrome accents. The design team began crafting a fresh, modern aesthetic for Honda’s latest model. “When crafting a classic cafe racer, we start by letting the gas tank set the tone, a guiding principle that influences every aspect of the build’s aesthetic.”
Emulating the sleek, curvaceous style of 1960s design, the newly crafted aluminum gasoline tank was painstakingly hand-forged for a unique blend of form and function. While its robust design houses the massive inline 4 engine, the bike’s raised stance on the frame is a nod to the racing motorcycles of the same era, mirroring their iconic silhouette? Vintage flair abounds in quintessential cafe racer cues – think Monza-style gasoline caps and chrome-accents on the steel tank straps – evoking a retro aesthetic of unbridled cool.
Following this, the BCR staff focused their attention on the rear end. Revised: Constructed anew using aluminum, the brand’s latest tail unit employs a similar design template to that of the tank. Perched above the rear loop’s perimeter, the device rests on a parallel plane with the gasoline tank. Embedded within the cowl is a bespoke-designed taillight, complemented by side-mounted flip signals. The sumptuous seat is clad in rich black suede cowhide leather, its understated grandeur elevated by the subtle nuance of silver and gray stitching, striking a harmonious balance between luxurious comfort and refined sophistication.
As the tank and seat began to take shape, attention shifted to fine-tuning the Honda’s overall aesthetic, prioritizing a confident posture that exuded stability and balance. By lowering the seat height by an inch and a half, the designers have successfully created a levelled-out stance that perfectly encapsulates the essence of the classic cafe racer style.
After scrapping the one-of-a-kind disc brakes, BCR settled on four standard copies of a main brake drum. The entrance wheel’s central axis is anchored by a sturdy alloy-based hub, securely attached to a standard-shouldered rim. To ensure a seamless integration of the brand-new clip-on bars at the entrance end, BCR crafted a custom-made set of stainless steel fork shrouds featuring integral headlight mounting ears. A pristine prime clamp, free from unnecessary tabs, preserves a clutter-free cockpit while an aluminum front fender, bolstered by stainless-steel brackets, further enhances the timeless appearance. A custom-designed aluminium euro-style headlight bucket serves as the crowning touch for the revamped entrance area. The motorcycle features a modernized gauge from Velocity Hut and crucial warning lights.
The exhaust plays a crucial design role in every build undertaken by BCR, and similarly, it holds equal importance for this CB400F’s setup. Crafted from high-quality stainless steel, this exhaust system features a classic 4-into-2-into-1 design. To replicate the harmonious marriage of aesthetics and functionality, the curved and tapered muffler was meticulously crafted to mirror the fluid lines of the tank and tail section.
With unwavering dedication to their art, the skilled craftsmen at BCR have taken it upon themselves to meticulously hand-build numerous bespoke components for this exceptional bicycle. Here are the stainless steel and aluminum change blocks and rear-set footpegs. The stainless steel digital ignition components cover is exposed alongside the uncovered rotor and LED tail light with integrated switch alerts.
Among the extensive roster of bespoke enhancements are the paddock stand bobbins, ribbed air filter shroud, heat shield for the exhaust, and various custom brackets and hardware.
Upon its arrival, the engine found itself in a precarious state, requiring a comprehensive overhaul to restore its functionality. The task of reviving oxidized engine components required an extensive amount of time and contemplation to restore them to their optimal condition. Internal issues did not appear to have escalated further, prompting a complete overhaul of the meeting’s structure and format. Following the removal of worn-out inventory pistons, the BCR team meticulously honed the cylinders before installing new, larger 54.5mm components, thereby increasing the engine’s displacement to a substantial 466cc. For unwavering dependability, the manufacturer combines innovative digital magnetic pickup technology with newly designed bearings and seals to create a robust ignition system.
Benjie’s Cafe Racers celebrate the essence of old-school design not just for its visual appeal, but also for the rich sensory experience it cultivates. While these vintage bicycles may forgo modern luxuries, they offer a raw, visceral riding experience that contemporary machines often struggle to replicate.
The BCR team breathed new life into the 1976 Honda CB400F with a refreshing twist. Ultimately, they’ve successfully completed an exceptional cafe racer conversion, dubbing their creation the “421 6SP Project”.
Images by photographers Ben Chan and Dante Dizon
