The Custom’s Scene Darling: NCT Motorcycles’ ‘Highflyer’
When you hear about the Honda CX500, you are more likely to cringe and walk away than lean forward in interest. ‘The Plastic Maggot’, or more affectionately ‘güllepumpe’ (German for a pump used to shift liquid manure’), is highly-acknowledged by many motorcyclists that it is ugly. Its short wheelbase, high front end, awkward looking subframe and unflattering plastics do nothing to add to its visual appearance. Unless the aesthetic you are going for is an outdated and try-hard look.
When others ran away from it, they went towards it in confidence that they could deliver a great make-over. And what a beauty she is in red, silver, and blue.
So, it is no surprise that NCT Motorcycles use it as their pet project to rejuvenate their creativity, a customary practice done by the custom shop. With boss David Widmann drawing up the design, the CX500 was transformed from a beast to a beauty as the new ‘Highflyer’ (a racehorse in the 18th century that went undefeated throughout its whole career).
Widmann was inspired by the CB1100 TR Concept debuted by Honda in 2016. As the compass is pointed towards its true north, the NCT team got to work.
They started with stripping the CX500 down to its birthday suit, where all attractiveness is determined. And what a sight she is - a backwards-sloping tank and a weirdly kinked subframe. Not exactly what the advertisements had in mind when they said ‘all-around’, huh? Not to its core, maybe.
They lopped off the rear half of the frame, ditching the CX’s original twin shock arrangement in the process. The swing arm was liberated of its original shock mounts and gifted a new one, attached to a new Öhlins unit.
A simpler and sharper subframe was put in place at the top, while a hand-shaped cowl and seat were being planted just below. Multi-purpose Motogadget LEDs were fitted on as they shifted the original fuel tank to a better position. The filler’s neck was also rebuilt to host a better-looking fuel cap.
The front is slightly more extravagant, though, with upside-down forks and yokes from a Ducati 749. NCT had to get fancy with the steering shaft to get everything to match up just right.
The CX’s Comstar wheels retained its place, only being wrapped in Avon Roadriders. The twin front brake system was upgraded, however, with a new Brembo system that connects it to a Magura master cylinder.
Ditching the airbox, there was now enough space for a set of cone filters. It was the exhaust, though, that gave them the hardest time, Widmann mentioned.
The entire twin-header system was hand-made from stainless steel, including the mufflers. The way they flow alongside the bike and kick up at the same angle as the tail is flawless, reinforcing the Honda’s aggressive new lines.
The motor, wheels and frame were finished in a rich black, while the tank and tail were treated to a stunning silver, red and blue livery, adorned with subtle gold striping and a period-correct Honda wing logo. To top it all off, the forks were finished in blue while the shock spring was in red.