Photo: Manuel Portugal
If you’ve spent enough time on the autoevolution pages, then you might know that we’re suckers for first-gen Honda CB750s taken down the custom route. It’s not hard to see why the model enjoyed so much popularity on the bike-modding scene, even though the community has long moved on by now. On occasion, we still like to look back at the tasty CB-based customs created by the world’s finest workshops.
Built a few years ago, the specimen we’re about to examine is the work of Unik Motorcycles over in Lisbon, Portugal. It was made in the image of an elegant cafe racer that looks genuinely fantastic without even trying too hard, and we honestly dig everything about it. That being said, let’s go right ahead and see what Unik’s specialists have managed to pull off here, because there’s quite a bit for us to cover.
As the donor’s air-cooled 736cc inline-four powerplant was in dire need of some TLC, the guys kicked things off by treating it to a invigorating overhaul. During the refurbishment, the engine received a premium intake kit from Dynojet, complete with a high-grade aftermarket air filter. On the other hand, exhaust gases travel through a handmade four-into-one setup fabricated in-house out of stainless-steel.
With the powertrain-related work out of the way, Unik sourced a Yamaha XJR1300’s higher-spec telescopic forks to beef up the suspension side of things. The same XJR donated its 298 mm (11.7 inches) front brake discs, as well. Glancing rearward, we come across a modern pair of YSS shock absorbers with adjustable preload, supporting the CB750’s restyled subframe.
Atop the modified rear frame tubing, there is a custom black leather seat with room for one, sitting right in front of a small tail section. After they’d refurbished the vintage Honda’s wheel hubs, the Portuguese specialists had them mated to fresh stainless-steel spokes and D.I.D rims, with the latter wearing some retro-style Shinko rubber. In the cockpit, we’re greeted by a custom top clamp with integrated warning lights and a nice selection of aftermarket accessories.
These include Tarozzi clip-ons kitted with bar-end mirrors and Rebel Moto switchgear. The stock control levers have been replaced with youthful substitutes, as well, and Motogadget was responsible for supplying the new grips and a tiny digital speedometer. In terms of lighting, the CB750 comes equipped with a new headlamp up front and multi-function LEDs from Highsider at the rear.
Furthermore, the masterminds at Unik fashioned bespoke front and rear fenders, as well as a swingarm-mounted license plate holder to finish off the motorcycle’s rear end. Finally, the whole thing was draped in a graceful two-tone color scheme from head to toe. To wrap everything up and give this entity a distinct personality of its own, the project’s authors nicknamed it Imperatrix.
As the donor’s air-cooled 736cc inline-four powerplant was in dire need of some TLC, the guys kicked things off by treating it to a invigorating overhaul. During the refurbishment, the engine received a premium intake kit from Dynojet, complete with a high-grade aftermarket air filter. On the other hand, exhaust gases travel through a handmade four-into-one setup fabricated in-house out of stainless-steel.
With the powertrain-related work out of the way, Unik sourced a Yamaha XJR1300’s higher-spec telescopic forks to beef up the suspension side of things. The same XJR donated its 298 mm (11.7 inches) front brake discs, as well. Glancing rearward, we come across a modern pair of YSS shock absorbers with adjustable preload, supporting the CB750’s restyled subframe.
Atop the modified rear frame tubing, there is a custom black leather seat with room for one, sitting right in front of a small tail section. After they’d refurbished the vintage Honda’s wheel hubs, the Portuguese specialists had them mated to fresh stainless-steel spokes and D.I.D rims, with the latter wearing some retro-style Shinko rubber. In the cockpit, we’re greeted by a custom top clamp with integrated warning lights and a nice selection of aftermarket accessories.
These include Tarozzi clip-ons kitted with bar-end mirrors and Rebel Moto switchgear. The stock control levers have been replaced with youthful substitutes, as well, and Motogadget was responsible for supplying the new grips and a tiny digital speedometer. In terms of lighting, the CB750 comes equipped with a new headlamp up front and multi-function LEDs from Highsider at the rear.
Furthermore, the masterminds at Unik fashioned bespoke front and rear fenders, as well as a swingarm-mounted license plate holder to finish off the motorcycle’s rear end. Finally, the whole thing was draped in a graceful two-tone color scheme from head to toe. To wrap everything up and give this entity a distinct personality of its own, the project’s authors nicknamed it Imperatrix.
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