Description
Additional photos of this custom Honda CX500 are available here for your perusal. We also have a separate album of the build process here.
Named “Obersten Regal” (German for “Top Shelf”), this CX500 was built by Chris Kent from Smith Brothers Classic Cycles & Customs out of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. “Top Shelf” refers to the incredible list of components, starting with a full motor rebuild which included new pistons, rings, and rod bearings sourced from CMS in the Netherlands. The cylinders were bored out .025 over and it has upgraded heads and a complete Athena gasket kit.
The new motor is claimed to put out 20 more horsepower than stock so the clutch plates and springs were replaced as well. For more information on the build, check out this story on Pipeburn or The Bullitt. The cost of the donor bike, parts, and paint was $25,070. For the full list of upgrades, please see the ‘Modifications’ section below.
Abhi had the pleasure of seeing this bike up close and personal at the 2018 Handbuilt Motorcycle Show in Austin, Texas, where it was one of the invited bikes.
This bike was given a two-page spread in an issue of a Japanese motorcycle magazine – note how they compare this to the original on the right page. Please note: This is not included with the sale.
This example is VIN: PC012007839. The seller acquired the bike here on Iconic Motorbike Auctions in October of 2020.
The previous owner had it for approximately 2 years ago after buying it directly from the builder. Total mileage since the conversion is less than 1,000, and the bike has a total of 4,772 since new.
Maintenance:
In November of 2020, the seller had us give the bike a once-over: we installed a new dual outlet petcock, new fuel lines, welded a crack in the exhaust, repaired the front brake harness, installed a horn switch and made a harness for it, installed a new rear brake switch, and installed new rotors on the front wheel.
In preparation for the listing, the seller had us repair the headlight mount. Angel did the work, he notes the following in his condition report:
Tire Year Front/ Rear:0817/0817
Tire % Front/ Rear:90/90
Tire Press Front/ Rear:32/34
Brake % Front/ Rear :80/80
Hydraulic:OLD
Oil:OK
Coolant:NA
Low Beam:OK
High Beam:OK
Turn:OK
Tail Light:OK
Brake Light:OK
Plate Light:OK
Kill:OK
Horn:OK
Battery:12.87
Notes:
• TANK RUSTED
• VISIBLE DEBRIS IN FUEL LINES
• RUNS
Modifications:
Rebuilt front end from a 2012 Yamaha R6 with Suzuki GSX-R rotors and Warp 9 custom wheels.
Custom Penske Racing 8975 in-line double adjustable shock.
Paint by Scott Takes.
Speedmoto carbs, CNC’d velocity stacks, K&N pod intake filters.
Full Motogadget electronic system with a Speedhut GPS-drive speedometer.
BikeMaster LED headlight.
Street tracker bars, Rizoma brake fluid reservoir.
ASV levers, Tomaselli grips.
Aftermarket rearsets.
Fuel tank sight glass.
Inside of the tank:
The sale includes a Motogadget M Unit manual, a Penske shock manual, as well as a set of velocity stacks.
It is riding on Shinko tires from 2017.
Cosmetic Blemishes:
Currently located at our facility in Santa Monica, California, this Honda is offered on a clean California title with registration current through October 2023.
Have any CX500 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
