There will be times to build and create a motorcycle that is all practical and sensible, and not just that looks good to impress your friends. Then there comes a time for just hanging loose and to go Full Monty on creating a bonkers of a bike without having a client or a brief in mind.

One example of that Custom scene is this build on a Honda CX500 by the National Custom Tech crew of David Widmann, Kurt Kosjek, and Manuel Tilke. Created in their workshop in Feldkirchen, Austria, the crew stripped the old Honda right down to its nuts and bolts, before rebuilding it to include the need of bloody tire warmers. How cool is that?

It is called the Honda CX 500 Highflyer.

The Honda CX series of motorcycles came into the world way back in the ‘70s as the "First into the Future!" motorcycles from the Japanese Red Winger. While there were plenty of big bikes around in the late Seventies, the middle ground of 400cc to 650cc machines was a hotly contested category. The CXs’ included innovative features and technologies that were uncommon or unused at the time such as liquid cooling, electric-only starting, shaft drive, modular wheels, and dual carburetors.

But it was not as good looking as it was to ride on. Maybe that is precisely why this machine later became a darling for the growing custom scene that began towards the end of the 20th century. Today, it’s fallen into the hands of the NCT folks who have given it the “Highflyer” stature. (Highflyer is an 18th-century racehorse that was undefeated its entire career in the sport).

Taking cues from the Honda CB1100 TR Concept showcasing Europe’s Flat Track Racing Fascination back in 2016, NCT gave the 500CX a brand new avatar. They started with kicking out the entire rear subframe and swapped it with a new simple but sharper unit that has a hand-made cowl and red seats. Motogadget LEDs at the rear keep things fresh.

The fuel tank you see here is the original unit but gets new mounting points that shape it at a better angle. The fuel filler cap is a custom in-house designed device that just looks better. The suspension setup also got upgrades with a new Öhlins shock out back, and a set of Showa upside-downs—borrowed from a Ducati 749—up front. They’re held in place by custom triple trees. The riding position is cafe racer-esque, thanks to rear set controls and a pair of clip-on bars.

Luckily, the chaps held onto the original Comstar wheels of the CX500, because why wouldn’t you? They look absolutely stunning. Avon Roadriders wrap around these wheels with Brembo units clutching onto upgrades twin brake setup. Magura master cylinders and hydraulic clutch reservoirs take the top of the custom clip-ons.

Speaking of which, they get embedded with gadgets like the bespoke grips, bar-end turn signals, and mini switches. New Motogadget digital dash keeps minimalism intact. The clip-ons even feature the original choke pull now. And finally LED headlights to bring in the splash of modern aura.

NCT then tore into the wiring, re-doing everything with a Motogadget m-Unit that includes Bluetooth smartphone functionality and a Lithium-ion battery, hidden under the engine. The engine received a couple of upgrades like swapping the airbox with cone filters and finally the bespoke twin-header exhaust system made from stainless steel.

We have left the best bit of details for the last. The crazy paintjob that go with those fad red and blue tire warmers. From the Honda CB 1100 TR, the silver-red-blue paintjob adorned with subtle gold striping and the period correct Honda moniker does a fabulous job of jaw-dropping for this Highflyer. The forks get finished with blue and the saddle with red. Contrasting all of this are the rich black on the motor, wheels, and frame.

Ok now, for the best part. This Honda CX500 Highflyer apparently has no buyer yet. So if you have some cash to spare and appreciate a well-built custom machine, go make this your thing. No word on how much they are priced, but as they say, if you have to ask for it, then maybe this is not for you. Otherwise, go bonkers.