Wild File: Custom Carbon-Fiber Honda CBX

The 1970s was an exciting era for motorcyclists and the models that were born during that decade are in high demand by today's collectors, restorers and custom bike builders. The first two groups seek to preserve the fine lines and brute powertrains of iconic bikes like the Kawasaki Z1, Suzuki GS1000 and Yamaha's giant-killer RD. But custom builders are a breed apart with their ingrained need to make things even better.

But what drives a builder to take a legendary superbike from the '70s like the Honda CBX into a world far beyond what most classic aficionados would consider rational? More often than not, it's a special—even visceral—connection they feel with the donor bike. Nick O'Kane's fascination and connection with the iconic CBX is understandable. The bike's inline 6-cylinder powerplant made sounds like no other. Visceral indeed.

O’Kane, who is a national account manager for K&N Engineering, studied the history of the CBX to find the heritage and legacy that would be his inspiration for this custom street burner. The bike, which was produced in the late ‘70s through early ‘80s, holds an intrigue to motorcycle enthusiasts that only grows as the marquee ages. O’Kane decided that his mission would be to build a minimalistic racer that maintains a blend of the original CBX lines with a smattering of modern sportbike components.

Since the factory CBX’s engine is so over-the-top, the build would need to be carried out with a keen eye and a subtle hand. But the work was labor-intensive on the bike that O’Kane purchased: a 1982 Honda CBX that was a true basket case. So the engine was stripped down, the valve train thoroughly refurbished, and pistons were re-ringed. After it was reassembled, the engine was vapor-blasted to provide a silver satin finish on the cases.

The CBX frame was modified and beefed up to handle modern suspension components. Special attention was paid to frame geometry and ride height with the careful selection and integration of that suspension. O’Kane then decided on 17-inch forged aluminum wheels front and rear, adding just the right look, complimented by a set of Pirelli race slicks.

Allowing the big six to breathe are a pair of custom carbon fiber topped "clamp-on" K&N air filters fabbed up by the owner with help from K&N's R&D team. To complete the powertrain, a Roland Sands Design exhaust with a carbon-fiber tip was welded to a set of DG headers and then ceramic coated in black. British-born O’Kane describes the sound of his custom as only someone from the land of Shakespeare could. “A symphony of six cylinders comes to life as you open the throttle. It sounds like God gargling.”

When it comes to the stunning carbon-fiber bodywork, O’Kane’s goal was to keep the original lines of the CBX intact so rather than spinning a one-off design of his own, he wisely tracked down an original 1979 tail cowl along with side panels and fuel tank from a 1982 model. Then carbon-fiber molds were made in K&N’s own carbon-fiber shop. “The body panels and tank took four months to produce,” O’Kane said. “Then we added eight coats of clear to finish the panels and tank off nicely.”

Custom motorcycle fans agree that Nick O'Kane's CBX is a stunner. So much so that the bike garnered a podium finish in the first stop of the Progressive International Motorcycle Show. "Taking runner up in the J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Show at the Long Beach IMS show was great. I would like to send out a big thank you to all my sponsors including K&N Filters," O'Kane said. "The biggest thanks goes to my amazing wife Anja for her endless support of my bike building habits."

And like most customizers, O’Kane already has his next project underway. “I’m in the beginning stages of a Yamaha RD400 [build],” he revealed. Another superbike from the ‘70s with one of the coolest sounding engines ever produced. We can already smell the fumes…