2 years on | CX500 Cafe Racer

Pulling out the Honda CX500 cafe racer from storage after 2 years, disturbing the birds in the process.
Music credit:
LAKEY INSPIRED - Angles
/ @lakeyinspired
Dretty Pope - 20OCT
/ 20oct2018

[@josh2676]

This 3,000 dollar bike turns more heads than a 500,000 dollar lambo.

[@SkyeRocket]

This is like ASMR, dude. Beautifully shot!

[@willnicholson9859]

Thanks!

[@stever4494]

Love this video…beautifully shot, peaceful vibes with the birds chirping, what a relaxing experience. You sir are a true artist. Beautiful bike too…

[@willnicholson9859]

Thanks Steve, appreciate it!

[@arlostoodt905]

dude this video is great. Awesome job color grading and super chill video.

[@MotionBoatFilms]

Amazing video man, shows off the splendour of the Honda very well.

[@willnicholson9859]

Thank you!

[@victorcalderon4195]

Thanks 4sharing this beautiful work... espero la sigas disfrutando por muchos años más!.

[@willnicholson9859]

Thank you!

[@blakewilkins8531]

love this so much. what a beautiful bike and video x

[@willnicholson9859]

Thanks Blake. Glad you like it!

[@ethan073]

Beautiful bike and beautiful video

[@willnicholson9859]

Thanks Ethan!

[@mikem.7544]

Very nice Vid! Beautifully done. I really like the CX/GL500. The only thing that always bugs me is the rear wheel and the extremely thin tire. Its looks so weird. It def. Needs a wheel/tire twice the size in my opinion

[@willnicholson9859]

Thank you and I agree with the rear wheel. Unfortunately the swing arm is what restricts wheel size. This is pretty much as big as you can go before needing to make some significant modifications for clearance.

[@reubenbunter143]

Such a relaxing video oml😂

[@Cervien]

This reminds me of the Lossa Engineering video, you know which one I'm talking about. Good build man!

[@willnicholson9859]

Thanks man. Yes I know the one!

[@JwAutoAndOutdoors]

I love the bike and your photography skills Are next level you deserve mores subs then you have

[@willnicholson9859]

Thanks!

[@vrushab_arya]

Editing level 💯

[@motocrosskpdmc]

this is hands down the most beautiful cx500 build i've ever seen. f*ck those cx500 build videos with like a million clicks. this one right here is just pure art and the reason i started my cx500 build :)

[@willnicholson9859]

Thanks Jay! Nice to hear. Just like most of us, I bought the bike as a bit of a project for myself to tinker in the garage, not for anyone else, likes, subscribers or shares. It just happend that I shared it online afterwards, a some people liked it as well. All the best for your build. They are great little bikes to work on. Nice and simple. Enjoy!

[@stephenkosloff6081]

nicely done bud ! mine will be done in 2 weeks @ cant wait

[@willnicholson9859]

Awesome man. Congrats on getting near the end of your build -very satisfying!

[@lahorimunda18]

lovely sound.

[@willnicholson9859]

It sure is, a bit on the loud side though!

[@karbonkevin919]

Sounds so good 👍

[@willnicholson9859]

Thank you! It's a bit loud to be honest haha!

[@MrRavenscout]

Love the bike, it’s gorgeous! Very curious what the blue lights are on the engine? A voltmeter or or oil pressure gauge or something? I’ve see the bike all over the internet, and it’s gorgeous, have a similar CX and definitely drawing some inspiration. Also, video is stellar! Awesome edits, some incredible content mate. Thank you!

[@willnicholson9859]

Thank you very much! It's an aftermarket style automotive water temp gauge which I've plumbed into the cooling system. Probably not the easiest to monitor whilst riding but it's purely for checking every now and then.

[@XTheXRizzaX]

Very Peaceful

[@markjenkins905]

Beautiful bike.

[@willnicholson9859]

Thanks man!

[@aswinsakthivel6028]

I'm from india, Videos you have made are Stellar & using ambience sounds with light music... Mahhhhnnnn!! Feels really good. Thinking possiblity on me modifying a TVS max 100R here.. 😁

[@willnicholson9859]

Thank you! Do it! It’s very satisfying riding a bike which you’ve built yourself.

[@baktaraliahmed9031]

Very good music and video

[@erykska]

Excellent

[@regzzshad9349]

Nice RIDE bro 💙💙

[@willnicholson9859]

Thanks man!

[@nadeemakhtar5369]

The bike is made so simple yet so beautiful

[@willnicholson9859]

Thank you! Simple is key.

[@nadeemakhtar5369]

@@willnicholson9859 I wish this bike was in india too so that I would have also customised it completely like your work brother it's just amazing 💯

[@johnlyngdoh1959]

i, love this bike

[@mariusmeyer535]

😍

[@adobomoto]

love it man..asmr on a bike. I made a video like this for my panigale..can't wait to get my cx500. trading my Harley for one!

[@rohitnagarjun7654]

Dude super😃👌👍👍❤

[@donsito4843]

I am obsessed

[@willnicholson9859]

Thanks Don!

[@divyaswejan431]

I like cafe racers only in Honda comapny.it is my fav 😍

[@nocapfacts9330]

I want to own as many cafe racer as possible. When i grow up

[@chackothomas8929]

This bike is fuc**ng beautiful. Building mine now.

[@mariusolarson9368]

I think this is one of the best videos I watched on KZbin ! By the way I'm curious whats the name of the ending song?

[@willnicholson9859]

Cheers man. Song is Dretty Pope - 20OCT

[@joelrey5]

Unreal

[@willnicholson9859]

Thank you!

[@Blackked0ut]

Great looking bike. What headlight are you using? I like how the turn signals are mounted on the light. Id like to do something similar on my cb.

[@willnicholson9859]

Thanks! I can't remember to be honest. I bought it from a company in Australia. The indicators were modified to be used as the headlight mounts. I drilled out the bolts and ran the cables through the center.

[@chrislowe5328]

Beautiful bike.. what's the colour of the tank?? I'm wanting to go this colour or similar.

[@willnicholson9859]

Thanks! I can’t remember the colour code but I picked it from a porsche paint code from the 70’s

[@user-hy3vv4fg9t]

This is the most beautiful caferacer I've seen. Are there any more photos of the bike on instagram?

[@willnicholson9859]

Thank you. There are a few pics of it on my instagram: @will_nic

[@FunWithAJ]

Really enjoyed the video. Can you tell me what you did to the brake and clutch levers? Looks like you have a leather wrap or sleeve on them? Do you have the product name/link?

[@FunWithAJ]

Disregard, the above I found your build link and saw 'Handmade leather lever grips.' can you share how you made them? Did you follow a video or instructions of any sort? I'd like to do the same but have zero experience with leather craft.

[@willnicholson9859]

@@FunWithAJ Thanks! Honestly I just winged it. Made a rough template them stitched them together. If I were to do them again, I'm sure I could get them a bit closer to perfect, but they look pretty tidy as is.

[@azimzamry2671]

baru lepas tgk video zynn terus keluar vid ni

[@occasionalmotorcycling]

nice vid, but why would you replace a seemingly fresh oil, and wash already clean bike?

[@willnicholson9859]

Well... given this is the internet I’ll have to explain myself. The oil that was in the bike was over 2 years old and was the first oil it’s had in it since the build. Prior to that it had sat since 1985 (at the earliest). Chucking some fresh oil in it helps clear out anything nasty that might’ve been left and why not! As for for washing it.. again, in the title. It has been locked up for 2 years in a coastal environment. Maybe it wasn’t as clean as it may appear... maybe I was washing it for extra hipster internet points which I’ll redeem later on beard wax products and tighter jeans.

[@marcussfebruary9104]

😍😍😍😍😍

[@johncarlson1877]

Dangerous Racer by racer tv has a sky blue cafe racer with a tail cowling that is perfect. I was wondering have you considered a cowling for yours and possibly fix the unfinished look the "brat" seat leaves behind? I like your bike by it wanna love it! Please fix the seat... fix the unfinished look please!

[@willnicholson9859]

I’d agree in the sense that no project is really finished but I like the super minimal back end. I wanted to build a bike that was very minimal with clean lines. For now, it’ll stay as it is 😎

[@thejarrodwink]

This video is insanely good!! Out of curiosity, who built this bike? Was it a shop build, or did you use a company? The reason I ask is because there are all sorts of Brat style bikes, but none of them are ever spot on what I’m looking for..... apart from this one! Haha! Just crazy good dude

[@willnicholson9859]

Thanks Jarrod! All built by myself.

[@thejarrodwink]

I’ve just noticed that you posted a video about the build... I feel like an idiot now, and kinda want to delete that very long comment, but I’m not a coward.. soo... STILL THE VIDEO WAS CRAZY GOOD

[@willnicholson9859]

Jarrod Winkler not to worry. Thank you!

[@neerjafilms]

Broh what is the price of this beast? Just loved the vibe

[@carlosgooglemaps94]

I finish mine on July 2017, but always something to do with this old “ladies “, you can’t just take’ em out and ride without a little touch here and there, I saw the vid when you sew the leather for the levers, nice bike, nice clip!!

[@willnicholson9859]

Thank you! Yes there’s always more to do and further things to fix, but that’s what makes the reward of riding even better

[@lilman1234able]

What seat is that? Did you fab up the seat hoop on your own or did you buy one and weld it in??

[@willnicholson9859]

I designed and built it all myself.

[@jackchaarles]

Did you make a custom exhaust? Looks amazing !

[@willnicholson9859]

Thanks! It’s the factory headers matched with some generic stainless steel reverse cone mufflers. I’ve removed the ‘h box’ as well.

[@dbwvanderheijden]

Very cool! Where did you buy them if I may ask. Can’t seem to find anything that fits the 38mm standard pipes. Lovely bike!

[@pero2727]

Too bad you don't ride it much; I saw what was almost unused motor oil running out of the drain plug. What was that; maybe 500km, 1000km max between annual oil changes?

[@willnicholson9859]

Yes, unfortunately for all but a few weeks of the year I am on the other side of the world..

[@pero2727]

@@willnicholson9859 Well that's just sad, man; you need to ship that bike to your new location and enjoy it. I love what you did with it btw; I am building a cx500 this winter and your build was what made me get a cx500. You solved the rear end and the tank-seat line perfectly! Hats off to you!

[@coreygower5247]

Song?

[@Marcspix.]

Great Hair!

[@willnicholson9859]

Haha thank you!

[@Akash_Gopisetty]

Hi, may i know the type of handlebar for this motorcycle.

[@willnicholson9859]

These were just a universal clip-on handle bar bought online. Nothing special.

[@Akash_Gopisetty]

@@willnicholson9859 I am asking the name of handlebar?

[@divyaswejan431]

Bro excellent modification 😍🤙🤙which country are you from?can I contact you ,I liked it so much .iam from India can I have any of that bike model to import?

[@willnicholson9859]

Thanks! I'm from New Zealand. Sorry I am not giving out copies of the design.

[@camduguid7378]

how do you attach your seat to your bike

[@willnicholson9859]

4 bolts!

[@edwinj12]

That's too much love towards your bike

[@willnicholson9859]

Too much.... or not enough?

[@edwinj12]

@@willnicholson9859 it's fine care for a bike

[@nirmalshaini9239]

Bro excellent modification from which county you are

[@willnicholson9859]

New Zealand!

[@BlakeValenta]

What kind of jacket are you rocking?? Sick video btw 👌🏻

[@willnicholson9859]

It's a Triumph jacket. Not too bad.

[@whats_going_0n]

Hey I want to buy same bike what's the price

[@willnicholson9859]

Thanks but it’s not for sale.

[@viktorvicena5178]

What is the tank you are using please?

[@willnicholson9859]

Stock CX500 tank

[@JonathanDeMuth]

Will do you have an Instagram? Or other pictures/videos of this amazing bike? I’m building one just like it and need inspiration

[@willnicholson9859]

Sure do @will_nic

[@jasmins.9723]

Hi can you vive the exactly model of or helmet please?

[@willnicholson9859]

Its an AGV helmet

[@jasmins.9723]

Agv k1? K5? Corsa?

[@jasmins.9723]

Plz????

[@willnicholson9859]

@@jasmins.9723 Honestly, I am not sure sorry. Maybe a K5, but I bought this helmet over 7-8 years ago and no longer use it. Sorry.

[@snuffspoon]

do you have a parts list?

[@willnicholson9859]

Nah!

[@deantaufik3998]

Size tire? Amazing

[@willnicholson9859]

Can't remeber sorry, I'm sure if you zoom in you'll be able to read it. Cheers.

[@almostordinary_motors]

Sounds amazing, which mufflers are you using?

[@willnicholson9859]

Thanks. They were a set of stainless stell reverse cones I bought from Dine City Cycles, but you can get the same sort of thing else where. They are loud - probably could do with a baffle to be honest.

[@almostordinary_motors]

@@willnicholson9859 Nice, Just checked them out at Dime City looks like the 12" shorter cones? Yea I like the sound, but may go w a slight baffle. Great bike!

[@willnicholson9859]

@@almostordinary_motors I can't remember the exact specs sorry. This was over 5 years ago now, but they were short. I've recently bought a similar set in the UK, again, there isn't much in the way of baffling!

[@alekso8322]

What jacket is that? nice clean bike!

[@willnicholson9859]

It’s actually a Triumph jacket. It’s alright.. I got a good deal on it.

[@alekso8322]

@@willnicholson9859 looks good for warmer days (i'm in Aus). Looked a bit like a merlin

[@willnicholson9859]

@@alekso8322 Oh cool, yeah a perf jacket is the way to go!

[@c.t.m729]

First, great bike. Nice job. Could you ease tell me which year it was originally built? 1980?

[@willnicholson9859]

Thanks! It's a 1978 model.

[@jacobmayon4138]

😳😳😳😳😳😳😳

[@tjj6583]

Nice build but no cast wheels for me on cafe racers. Doesnt look right or period corect.

[@willnicholson9859]

This was most definitely a budget build so the wheels stayed as they were from the factory - arguably more 'period correct' if that is your thing.. I'd like to rebuild it one day and maybe some spoked wheels and a USD front end conversion.... but we'll see.

[@carbon3837]

whats the helmet?

[@willnicholson9859]

It's an AGV

[@oscarrico6035]

Love the bike man, what kind of mufflers do you have?

[@willnicholson9859]

Thanks man! I struggling to remember now but I think I bought them from Dime City cycles

[@martivila4198]

wueno

[@willnicholson9859]

Gracias!

[@transport1568]

Bike full name ?

[@willnicholson9859]

1978 Honda CX500

[@whats_going_0n]

Do you modified it or you buy it

[@willnicholson9859]

I built the bike myself.

[@whats_going_0n]

Can you built a new for me

[@jacksonwelsh6242]

Did you shoot this video yourself?? Really nice job

[@willnicholson9859]

Sure did. Thanks!

[@jacksonwelsh6242]

And rode the bike also?

[@willnicholson9859]

@@jacksonwelsh6242 Yes of course. Although I don't get to ride it often as it's in storage on the other side of the world!

[@jettblackburn9608]

Anyone know what year?

[@willnicholson9859]

It’s a 1978 Honda CX500

[@willnicholson9859]

It’s a 1978 Honda CX500

[@jettblackburn9608]

@@willnicholson9859 thanks🤙🏼

[@Munozef9]

Fast forward to 36 sec to see the bike

[@ericdmochowski6079]

Why, the whole video is a work of art

[@MichaelMane]

Nice bike! What a helmet please ? :)

[@willnicholson9859]

Michael Mane it’s an AGV. Can’t remember to model name sorry.

[@willnicholson9859]

@Khan's Vlogs I found it in a VW/Porsche colour code book. I can't remeber the exact code.

[@mustajab2088]

mono suspension would have been awesome

[@willnicholson9859]

Fair enough. This was absolutely a bike built on a budget, plus in New Zealand we have very strict rules around modifying and certification.

[@mustajab2088]

@@willnicholson9859 still a beautiful cafe racer and you take good care of it

[@johnfarrell2484]

how hot does your water get?

[@carlosgooglemaps94]

The thermostat opens up at 82-84 celsius, so l’ll say between 80 and 90 celsius is ok

[@willnicholson9859]

@@carlosgooglemaps94 Cheers Carlos! I honestly cant remember what mine got to. I was going to say close to 100... but that was just a guess.

[@carlosgooglemaps94]

@@willnicholson9859 yes Will; for summer time that’s ok 👍🏻, do you still have the CX?

[@willnicholson9859]

@@carlosgooglemaps94 I do! It's in storage and I haven't seen it since this video sadly.

[@carlosgooglemaps94]

@@willnicholson9859 I am sorry about that Will, I do ride mine very often, in a couple of days I’ll be changing the fork seals (right leg is leaking) and is time for brakes maintenance, new battery and some other little things but that’s what we live for, isn’t it?🤣🤣🤣, hope you get back to your bike soon!!, cheers mate!!

[@100potf5]

this makes me want to ride i have no license tho

[@willnicholson9859]

Do to learn-to-ride course, you will not regret it!

[@100potf5]

@@willnicholson9859 of course! I'll do it thank you for super cool motorcycle and video!

[@azizz8151]

You should be ashamed of your self this is cafe racer porn lol kidding. Great bike simple clean I’m working on my own.

[@willnicholson9859]

Ha thanks! Good luck for your build!

[@consubandon]

Is this a motorcycle video or a botany lesson?

[@billrandell4641]

SOY BOY!!

[@willnicholson9859]

Ok.. is this an insult?

[@Winitbig]

Hit like if you came coz you wanted to watch a 2 year review 😂

[@geka8714]

sorry, but I've never seen so many plants and bushes in one motorcycle video 🙄

[@willnicholson9859]

Lovely isn't it!?

[@adobomoto]

love it man..asmr on a bike. I made a video like this for my panigale..can't wait to get my cx500. trading my Harley for one!

[@willnicholson9859]

Thanks man! I’d be well up for a Harley project if it were me! The Honda’s cool but it doesn’t live up to the torque or sheer capacity of a ‘proper’ v-twin.

[@adobomoto]

Will Nicholson i also have a twin superbike (1299s) so i don’t mind the lesser cx500 to mess around with 😂