It is always a delight to come across more and more Custom builders and getting an opportunity to talk about them. In fact, the builds that walk on the very thin line of keeping the essence of the base bike alive and yet propagate a whole new philosophy, and come out successful are the ones that make it all worthwhile for me at a personal level. May be that’s why, this Honda GL500-JPN by Motoism Customs feels so good to me as I look at it. Based on the humble, sedate and subtle Honda GL500 “Silverwing” from the 80’s, this Honda GL500-JPN seems to be a perfect blend of past and present. The folks from Motoism say that they have transformed a quite down-to-earth motorcycle into an uncontrived design with a bit of racetrack technology.
Motoism is a motorcycle and apparel Company based out of South Germany and are experts in creating low volume special builds that are street legal as per German StVZO (German laws dictating street-legal bikes), as well as to legal guidelines of the EU. The idea for this limited run (10 unit) was to keep the build as raw and simple as they possibly could. Interestingly, the build is called Honda GL500-JPN, the addition to the originals name coming in as homage to the bikes homeland.
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To bring almost 30-year old engine to up spec modern levels, the four stroke longitudinal OHV 80° V-twin, 4 valves per cylinder, liquid-cooled 497cc engine went through complete overhaul. Every part that showed signs of wearing and age was replaced while a bespoke radiator was fitted along with a custom cover. The engine then was painted and partially CO2 / glass-bead blasted. The new exhaust on the Honda GL500-JPN by Motoism is a custom 2-into-1 stainless steel unit. The headlight assembly is now made up of fibreglass and holds 2 H3 ellipsoids (high / low beam) & custom LED daytime running light. However, this sort of a design has become all too common for my taste, but here it does gel well with the overall design, though it reminds me much of the Furiosa build by British Customs.
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The electrical gear consists of the usual custom builder favourite Motogadget digital tachometer & push button controls along with Motogadget LED bar end turn signals. There are LSL anodized alloy handlebars & handlebar clamps and a custom WIG-welded subframe & modified swing arm (baseline-tilt). More custom work on the Honda GL500-JPN by Motoism arrives in the form of electronic component housing that has Motogadget digital control unit with alarm system. The nice looking seat is a custom suede leather affair on a fibreglass tail. The tail light is LED and so are the turn signals at the back. The front suspension is the USD from Honda CBR600RR while there is an Öhlins monoshock at the rear. The front disc brakes also arrive form the CBR600RR.
Moving on to the wheels and tyres on the Honda GL500-JPN by Motoism, the team gave it a CNC conversion hub at front and a stainless steel conversion hub at rear. The wire spoked wheels are anodized alloy while the build wears Continental TKC 80 Twinduro 19″inch rubber at front and a Continental TKC 80 Twinduro 17″ inch at rear. For more information you can visit Motoism.
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