The English workshop Auto Fabrica delivers another show-stopper. This time, it’s the Honda CB750 that goes under the knife.
The Muharremi brothers over at Auto Fabrica have been busy. Last week, we unveiled their first-ever custom BMW K100—now we’ve got a look at the Honda CB750 Nighthawk that they built at the same time, for the same client.
While Auto Fabrica’s K-series was heavily influenced by some of BMW’s best concept cars, the philosophy behind this Honda CB750, named Type 26, was a little different. “We wanted to create something more refined and elegant than the K—almost like the motorcycle equivalent of a dress watch,” says one half of the duo, Bujar. “A bike for special rides, with a neo-retro, race-inspired feeling.”
“We drew inspiration from older Honda designs as well as the Britten V1000. The goal was a tight, mono-body silhouette with clean surfacing, refined proportions, and that AF execution. A modern reinterpretation of the CB750 without leaning too heavily on nostalgia.”
Although the CB750 and K100 feature different designs, Auto Fabrica used the same approach to create the bodywork on both of them. Just like its stablemate, the CB wears a carbon composite monocoque body over a hidden aluminum fuel cell.
The unit includes the front fairing, which wraps around the fork legs and into a visual crease that runs all the way to the tapered tail. A JW Speaker LED headlight is embedded into the front, flanked by neatly integrated LED turn signals, while a deeply recessed taillight and turn signal assembly handles things at the back. Sophisticated details abound—like the flush-mounted gas cap and the sculpted Alcantara saddle.
A minimalistic subframe supports the tail section, while a titanium trellis structure holds onto the front fairing. Auto Fabrica also rebuilt the engine, equipped it with Mikuni flatslide carbs and velocity stacks, and created a stunning sand-bent four-into-one exhaust system.
View the bike from the side, and you can trace a line from the subframe through the velocity stacks, engine fins, exhaust headers, and back through the muffler. Its elegance is matched by its raw aggression; “It’s honestly the best-sounding bike we’ve built,” says Bujar. “The noise is addictive.”
Auto Fabrica upgraded the 1990s Nighthawk’s running gear, too. A set of Suzuki GSX-R forks, supplied by the client, went onto the front, with the single-sided swingarm from an MV Agusta Brutale 800 grafted onto the back. The rear shock is bolted to a bespoke pivot point on the original frame’s backbone.
The Honda also borrowed the Brutale’s rear hugger and laced tubeless Kineo wheels, which are shod with Mitas Sportforce tires. “The GSX-R front and MV Agusta rear setup make it feel planted and modern,” Bujar adds, “with a lighter, more reactive character than the original Nighthawk. Combined with the rebuilt engine, flatslides, and titanium system, it has a sharp, lively feel—and the sound really completes the experience.”
Under the hood, Auto Fabrica treated the Honda CB750 to a full rewire with a Motogadget mo.unit Blue brain, a keyless ignition, and a custom loom that’s extremely well hidden. The speedo is a tiny Motogadget motoscope mini unit.
Other tweaks include clip-on bars, fitted with ISR brake and clutch levers with integrated switchgear, and rear-set foot controls.
Once again, Auto Fabrica hit this café racer’s livery out of the park. The client wanted a two-tone effect with a clean split, so the guys picked British Racing Green and a silver plucked from Ferrari’s playbook. Lower down, hard parts like the rims and engine were finished in matte green.
The brief was to build two unique motorcycles that were equally special, and Auto Fabrica nailed it. The Type 25 BMW is bold and architectural, while the Type 26 Honda has a more timeless vibe. We’ll take one of each, thanks.
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