In case you missed last week’s episode, iMotorbike’s weekly iM Cubaholic series covers everything about the iconic Honda Cubs. The Cub is one of the most important bikes in both the motorcycle and Honda’s history. Honda changed the way people look at riding motorcycles with the introduction of the Super cub and the ad campaign “You meet the nicest people on a Honda” back in the 1950s. Since then, Honda has sold over 100 million Cubs with a large Cub lineup/variants where some models are barely known. In this series, we cover everything from both known and unknown Cub models to their; history, specs, features and many more. Are you a Cub addict? well, this is something you wouldn’t want to miss!
In the last episode, we featured the very first custom Honda CT125, the K-Speed CT125 Combat. As for this week, we thought of featuring another custom Cub build which is unique.
We have seen Cubs turning into everything from trail bikes to vintage racers and even into 3 wheelers. Well, if you thought things can’t go beyond that, here is something for you! Check out this custom build where a Cub has been turned into a Chopper!
It all started with Ma “Max” Yicheng and Lu Yongyu from the cult Taiwanese shop 2LOUD Custom. Mashing up two genres of bikes might sound like a bad idea, but this is isn’t one. The build started off with an SYM CUB as the donor bike. Thinking why we are even featuring this under our Honda Super Cub dedicated series? Well here is the story…..Back in the 1960s, the Taiwanese manufacturer SYM got licensing from Honda to manufacture Cubs under their name using Honda’s original blueprints, however, Honda and SYM broke the deal in 2002. So technically, the bike that was used in this build is actually a rebadged Honda Super Cub.
The Donor bike came with a 90cc engine much like the Honda Super Cub C90, however, our friends Max and Lu decided to shove in a 190cc Zongshen engine with a five-speed gearbox. So to fit in the engine, 2LOUD ditched the stock fairings to display the flashy 190cc engine. Alongside, the engine, Max and Lu decided to add-in a chrome filter and a custom-made exhaust to blend in with the overall design of the build.
The thing that captures the eye most is the front end. To give the build a chopper facelift, 2LOUD replaced the stock front-end with a Hartford HD200 front.
Aside from replacing the front, 2LOUD added in handmade bunny-ear handlebar with diamond grips, simple switches and chrome levers. Alongside this, the team also added in aftermarket shocks to lower the bike and give it a proper chopper stance.
Alongside the chopper-style chrome front, Max and Lu added in a set of 18F/17R aluminium rims with stainless steel spokes to give the build additional touch of chrome. To go hand in hand with the new set of rims, the team added in thick Duro tires. As for the brakes, 2LOUD went with the stock drum brakes to stick with the vintage look.
2LOUD stripped off the stock bodywork from the entire bike to make the build sleeker. To match the chopper style-front; Max and Lu added in a one-piece custom backrest with a caramel-coloured leather seat at the back.
Well, what’s a chopper without a backrest, right? If you look closely, the team put in a tonne of detail all over. The backrest actually blends in seamlessly into the original bodywork and has more chrome bits from the hinge to the knob. The use of the knob? Well, the fuel tank remains stock so 2LOUD added in the flashy knob to access the fuel cap under the seat.
As the team stripped out the entire bike including the side housing of the Cub; Max and Lu placed in chrome heart-shaped badges to fill in the holes. To finish off the build, Max and Lu gave it a cream paint job to go along with the clean flashy chopper look.
How do you find this build? Yay or nay?
Source: BIKEEXIF