Custom-Built Honda CB1100 From Japan Dials Vintage Aesthetics to Eleven

Classic bikes do require some sacrifices, though, as even the most reliable among them will demand heavier maintenance compared to a newer model.

For those who plan to use their custom ride for what it was intended on a regular basis, a 21st century machine is probably the best way to go. There are just fewer headaches to be experienced down the road for the owner, and the workshop carrying out the transformation will most likely have an easier time, as well. Sure, the electrical systems found on modern bikes can present a challenge, but so can a 50-year-old engine that’s seen better days.

In addition, there is absolutely no shortage of vintage-looking offerings on today’s market, with the most famous being the Triumph Bonneville. We live in an age when you or I can have the best of both worlds – modern-day reliability and performance, all nicely packaged in that old-school appearance everyone digs. This appears to have been the thinking process behind the gorgeous one-off shown above.

Its owner wanted something he could ride daily, so the project’s starting point became a 2016 Honda CB1100 EX. The transformation was carried out by Takashi Nihira of Wedge Motorcycle, an award-winning shop based in Tokyo. He kept some of the CB1100’s original character, while greatly enhancing its classic allure and visual appeal as a whole.

With low mileage and 88 hp under its belt, the donor’s 1,140cc inline-four mill didn’t exactly need any complicated modifications. Still, Takashi replaced all the gaskets for good measure, then he polished the covers to a mirror finish before putting everything back together. The airbox has been revised to better suit the look he was going for, but the most noticeable change is that powder-coated exhaust system.

Developed by Moriwaki, it features a four-into-two configuration with mufflers exiting low down on the right-hand side. In order to tidy up the CB1100’s appearance as much as possible, Wedge got rid of the stock wiring harness to make room for a simplified alternative. Nihira-san might’ve kept things simple in the powertrain department, but he really went to town when it came to the suspension.

The motorcycle’s forks were lowered without compromising practicality, and its factory shock absorbers got swapped with adjustable Ohlins items. Besides addressing the client’s height requirements (he’s fairly short), these goodies also bring about a slammed posture we can’t get enough of. Unsprung territory is still occupied by the standard 18-inch wheels and Nissin brakes.

However, the rims were cloaked in Deluxe Champion rubber from Firestone, and the brakes are now operated via Brembo master cylinders. Fitting the tires wasn’t as easy as you may think, because a clearance issue at the rear meant Takashi had to also modify the swingarm. Oh, and the fabrication work was just getting started, mind you. Wedge tweaked the bike’s subframe to achieve the desired proportions, subsequently placing an elegant solo seat up top.

The saddle is flanked by aluminum side panels built from scratch, and these bad boys received a polishing treatment similar to the engine covers. In front of the new seat, there’s a custom-made gas tank whose top section closely resembles that of the OEM part. The tank makes clever use of the stock fuel pump, and the CB1100’s new outfit is finished off with bespoke aluminum fenders on both ends.

As far as lighting goes, Takashi installed aftermarket LED turn signals and a Bates-style taillight at the back. An identical pair of blinkers can be seen up north, sitting in close proximity to the oil cooler and valve covers. Now, the vintage headlamp mounted a little further ahead is a nice touch, for sure, but we’re more intrigued by the things holding it in place.

Keen eyes will have already spotted those stylish headlight ears, which are a clear nod to the CB1100’s fabled ancestor, the CB750 Four. The cockpit area is beautifully decluttered, too, just as one would expect from a machine put together by Wedge. A single Motogadget dial acts as the instrumentation, while a chromed aftermarket handlebar replaces the original module. Retro grips and compact switches round out the equipment in that area, but there’s not a single rear-view mirror in sight.

With the customization process coming to an end, the only thing left for Takashi to address was the paintwork. He wrapped the frame in a silver finish complementing the shiny engine cases and side covers, though the handsome brown hue worn by the fenders, fuel tank, and headlight brackets is what really makes this Honda stand out. Like many times before, Wedge Motorcycle knocked the ball straight out of the park!