Based in the heart of Lisboa, Portugal, Unik Edition Motorcycles have a passion for the nostalgic feel of a carbureted engine. Not limited to one single style or brand their diverse portfolio has one thing in common, sleek timeless design and a look that is unmistakably Unik.
Flávia, a mid-eighties Honda CBX750, was built for the bike’s sentimental long-term owner who was seeking a resto-mod that retained the bike’s retro charm. “We wanted to preserve the bike’s beautiful lines. At the end of the day, it had to still appear a Honda CBX,” says Unik team member Tiago. Leveraging their experience working on similar projects, the Unik team approached this project without sketches, letting the natural flow of the build guide them.
To enhance the CBX’s handling, Unik retrofit components from late-model sports bikes. Opting for beefier inverted forks, they’ve installed the front end from a Kawasaki Ninja ZX9. The wheels use 17-inch Honda CBR rims with the rear wrapped in wide 180 rubber which has been accommodated by offsetting the chain. Improved stopping power comes courtesy of the ZX9 twin Tokico anchors on the front, a Brembo calliper in the rear and Hel braided brake lines all round. To round things out there’s a modern mono-shock supporting the rear.
The CBX’s proportions have been tweaked too. Unik trimmed the rear sub-frame by a huge 16cm before refitting the original bodywork. One of the most challenging aspects of the build was re-installing the front fairing after the beefy ZX9 forks were added. After carefully trimming the fairing the forks now sit comfortably inside the cowl and have been fitted with high-mount clip-ons to leave plenty of turning clearance. To allow for the wider rubber Unik added custom fenders front and rear and an angular, race-style belly pan beefs things up even further.
Replacing the CBX750’s outdated electronics is a Motogadget m.unit management system. It’s hooked up to a digital speedo which sits in the original dash amidst the factory analogue gauges. Discrete LED turn signals replace the huge original blinkers and the behemoth stock tail light has been fitted with modern internals. Unik has also kitted this CBX750 out with redesigned footrest brackets and the battery box has been relocated to beneath the engine.
For improved engine performance, Unik focused its efforts on the Honda’s respiratory system. To free things up the stock airbox has been dispensed with and conical filters mounted to the carbs. New jetting ensures fueling is correct and the weighty stock exhaust has been replaced by a 4-1-2 slash-cut stainless system. The Flávia now performs better than ever before with its upgraded brakes, shocks, and amazing sound, it’s sure to be a more exhilarating experience than ever before.
To finish the build in a suitably spectacular fashion, Unik repainted this CBX750’s bodywork in period-correct livery. Devoid of any vinyl the emblems and speed stripes have been painstakingly applied over a timeless silver basecoat. It’s a retro masterpiece that elevates this resto-mod from good to downright awesome.
With its combination of angular eighties lines and modern upgrades, the Flávia will undoubtedly turn heads on the streets of Lisboa. Whether you are a motorcycle enthusiast or simply appreciate the beauty of a well-crafted machine, Unik Motorcycles is one workshop worth watching.
