Honda CBX1050 Streetfighter #36

The Honda CBX1050 streetfighter by Herencia Custom Garage is project #36: a legendary inline-six CBX1000 comprehensively rebuilt by Federico Lozada and German Karp to meet contemporary performance standards without abandoning the raw vintage character that makes the CBX irreplaceable.

The Concept

When Federico and German brought this Honda CBX1000 into their workshop, they started by consulting former owners to map its strengths and weaknesses honestly. The inline-six engine, producing 105 bhp, was identified immediately as the unquestionable strength: even by current standards a figure worthy of respect. The weaknesses sat at both ends: front brakes unable to manage the engine's power, and a frame and fork assembly not designed to handle sustained load at that output. Herencia resolved both systematically.

What Makes It

The bodywork tells the story of intelligent adaptation. The front and rear ends were sourced from a Yamaha Fazer8 and modified to accept the CBX's architecture. Forks, front wheel, and Fazer brakes fitted cleanly at the front. The rear required deeper surgery: the swingarm was shortened by 16cm while maintaining equivalent axle-to-axle geometry after the swap, the rear frame widened, and new suspension mounts fabricated for a monoshock setup with adjustable ride height. Custom CNC-machined motor mount brackets reinforce the rear end. The tank received a new cap and vent from a VFR400. The tail was shortened, a new custom leather seat fitted, and the original square taillight retained but upgraded to LED, preserving the shape while modernising the light source.

The Build

Six new Keihin CR carburetors feed each cylinder of the inline-six independently. All six cylinders exit through individual pipes in a six-into-six stainless steel exhaust system so complex that the side stand had to be relocated to the front of the motorcycle to clear the tubing. Electronically, the stock battery was replaced with a lightweight Antigravity lithium unit. An aircraft-style push-button starter mounts on the oil cooler bracket. ProTaper clamps, bars, and grips control the machine, the cockpit organised around a Koso speedometer and Japanese mini-switches. Hand and foot controls come from the Fazer donor. A custom Lexan shield protects the rear tire, and a one-off machined chain ring was created to mate the Fazer rear wheel to the CBX drivetrain.

Specifications

• Builder: Herencia Custom Garage
• Base model: Honda CBX1000
• Engine: Inline-6, 1000cc, 105 bhp
• Carburetors: 6x Keihin CR
• Exhaust: Six-into-six, stainless steel
• Front end: Yamaha Fazer8 forks, wheel, and brakes
• Rear swingarm: Yamaha Fazer8, shortened 16cm
• Rear suspension: Monoshock with adjustable height mounts
• Motor mounts: Custom CNC-machined brackets
• Battery: Antigravity lithium
• Starter: Aircraft-style push-button
• Bars / Clamps / Grips: ProTaper
• Dashboard: Koso speedometer
• Seat: Custom leather
• Taillight: Original shape, LED upgrade
• Tank cap and vent: Honda VFR400

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