The color black has been a staple of motorcycle customization for as long as the art form has existed, but it’s often overused. While it’s tempting to murder a bike out from head to toe, the results can look cheap and nasty. The trick is to add some contrast—like Reier Motors has done with this Honda CB350 café racer.
Based in Salzburg, Austria, Reier Motors is a full-service workshop that handles everything from maintenance to full-on custom builds. The 1973-model CB350 was booked in by a client with a short list of requests. “He wanted café racer styling with black all over, except on the engine and exhaust system, and he wanted some special details,” explains the shop’s founder, Christian Reier.
The client never specified exactly what those special details were—only that he didn’t want a run-of-the-mill vintage café racer. It was up to Christian and his crew to figure out the rest. So they responded by dragging the CB350’s running gear into the modern age.
For starters, the front-end was upgraded with the upside-down Showa forks and twin Brembo disc brakes from a Ducati 848. New aluminum yokes were machined to accept the forks, and an Excel rim was laced to a KTM hub to complete the package.
Reier specced the opposite end of the bike with Hyperpro shocks, matched to the swingarm from a Honda Dominator—a substantial upgrade over the CB350’s spindly stock unit. The rear wheel uses the Dominator’s hub and disc brake, along with another Excel rim. 17” Bridgestone Battlax BT-023 tires offer good grip for day-to-day riding.
Going deeper, Reier rebuilt the engine and performed a needle bearing conversion on the camshaft. The twin cylinder motor breathes in through Mikuni carbs with K&N pod filters, and out via a handmade twin exhaust system.
Reier also scrapped the Honda’s 50-year-old wiring, opting to build a fresh loom around a Motogadget mo.unit instead. Other upgrades include an electronic ignition and 12-volt alternator, and a new battery that’s housed in a custom-built tray.
The team modernized the cockpit too, fitting it with a Motogadget speedo, buttons, turn-signals, and mirrors. The clip-ons and LED headlight are LSL parts, and the brake master cylinder is a Brembo item. Tomaselli rear-sets do duty lower down.
With the airbox gone and the wiring simplified, Reier set to work cleaning up the area below the seat. Christian de-tabbed the frame and fabricated a new rear section, before hammering a humped tailpiece out of steel. A slim LED taillight, and a custom-made license plate mount with LED turn signals, finish off the rear.
Finishing touches include black leather upholstery on the seat and 3D-printed Reier Motors tank badges. The CB350 is sprinkled with other subtle details—like the elegant exhaust hangers and front fender braces.
Between its compact proportions and its matte black paint, this Honda CB350 café racer doesn’t scream for attention. But the closer you get to it, the more boxes it ticks. Bravo, Christian!
Reier Motors | Facebook | Instagram | Images by Jean-Sébastien Philippe
