Nearly ten years ago I built my first custom bike using the NX650 Dominator as a base . Since then many stock original bikes have been sacrificed in the process. I think I have used around 12 or maybe more for this pursuit of a great riding and looking machine. I'm not a 100% sure on this but I think I was the first to use the dominator for these projects, a great many have also been used/slaughtered in the process by many many people seemingly all over the world. So it is my intention to get hold of an original 1988 NX650 and completely restore it back to good as new and completely stock as it left the factory condition. I'm very much looking forward to this next project as for me personally it will make a great change from stripping and cutting up yet another one of these fantastic bikes. Hopefully it will look like this...….
En la CRD62 Cafe Racer decidimos hacer una modificación tipo Enduro para no perdiese el carácter original de esta obra maestra de Honda.
It's hard to deny the allure of a rally motorcycle. Every inch of it is built to perform, and every part on it serves a specific function. Add it all up, and it's a total vibe; the very definition of form following function. It's little wonder then, that many modern adventure bikes take styling cues from purpose-built rally machines. And why the aftermarket is loaded with parts to convert dirt bikes into rally bikes—either to actually race them, or to simply make them more suitable for dual-sport use. This custom 1989 Honda NX650 Dominator, from Holger Breur at HB-Custom in
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When Gorm Taube bought this Honda NX650 Dominator in 2015, the goal wasn't to create a custom bike - it was to ride it while another project was completed. The other project never came to fruition, and the Dominator became...
Creating a knockout recipe takes a lot of trial and error. But once you nail it, everyone wants a taste—which is why Holger Breuer at HB-Custom keeps cooking up juicy Honda Dominator customs like this one. Holger's first go at the revered Honda NX650 Dominator was a stripped-down scrambler that was commissioned by a client. Next, he took his favorite ideas from the first build, refined them, and built a second Dominator as a showpiece. It was a hit, and he's now getting more requests for builds in that style. HB-Custom is based in the maritime town of Husum in
Rocketgarage Magazine, Engine Fuel & Passion since 2007. cafe racer, scrambler, bobber, flat track, motorcycle, lifestyle, endurance, restomod
Scramblers - Honda NX650 Dominator by LLMotorcycles
Nata nel 1988 ha proseguito la fortunata saga della serie XL. La sua introduzione ha letteralmente rivoluzionato il concetto di moto polivalente. Negli anni questa moto monocilindrica tuttofare è stata una delle moto più celebri e longeve mai prodotte da Honda. A tal punto che ancora oggi conta migliaia di estimatori in tutto il mondo e una community esclusiva molto attiva
Soli Moto builds the Baja Dominator that Honda never did... In the 1980s, Honda was a dominant force in both the Baja 1000 (victories in 1982 and 1984-87) and Paris Dakar Rally (victories in 1986-1989), recording four successive wins in each race. Soon enough, Honda was rolling out special
Soli Moto builds the Baja Dominator that Honda never did... In the 1980s, Honda was a dominant force in both the Baja 1000 (victories in 1982 and 1984-87) and Paris Dakar Rally (victories in 1986-1989), recording four successive wins in each race. Soon enough, Honda was rolling out special
This is master class from Kiddo Motors on how you build a bad ass custom scrambler. You take an old standard Honda NX650 Dominator, you grind that mother down and strip it to it’s spare parts and t…
After making us drool over his spectacular Ducati Scrambler, Gorm has reached out to us with his latest build, a custom Honda NX650 Dominator from 2001. Gorm Taube is a graphic designer and photographer raised on the west coast of Sweden, but current
After receiving so many enquiries about the building of these bikes i have finally got round to going through step by step on the whole process. First of all expect to spend approx 250 hours plus on the project, as far as cost goes the sky is really the limit! OK so here goes..... First you're gonna need a donor bike just like this one.. You can expect to pay about £1000 - £2000 for a decent , low mileage MOT'd bike, this is the best way to start as you will be able to verify the motor is performing as it should and will not need a costly overhaul! So once you have purchased your intended victim you will need to take off all the plastics and the fuel tank You should be able to sell most of this stuff to get some money back for your build... your gonna need all you can get ........ trust me! THE FRAME MODS OK so now the fun starts! You will need a small grinder for the next bit....... In order to lower the rear sub frame you will need to cut firstly where the upper tubes connect to the main frame and secondly on the lower tube on straightest section. This pic shows where you need the cuts, these photos will be a combination of version one and two but the process is essentially the same. OK so now you've done it! Dont' be scared! You will now take approx 3-4 inches out of the lower frame section on the straightest part of the tube. This rear frame section can now be re-attached making sure of course everything is lined and levelled, i used the frame section under the engine as my level line and made sure the top rail on the rear frame was exactly the same. This however isn't critical as you are not upsetting the actual geometry of the frame its just nice to be neat! The loop at the rear of the frame may now be added, i used 20mm steel electrical conduit for mine as it was a perfect match for the existing frame and it was free! This pic shows the frame loop attached and of course all painted. The frame once all welded and strengthened where needed ( weld one section of tube between the top rails just to be safe) is pretty much sorted, on the second version i fabricated a battery box which also housed the cdi box etc. THE TANK The fuel tank on both bikes came from an early (1980's?????) Honda CG125 Which will require a small amount of work underneath on the tap side in order for the tank to sit down enough to get it level with the rear frame rail, you will also need to move the mounting plate towards the rear as the tank is longer than the original. The original lugs on the frame for the fuel tank have to be removed as do the mount lugs on the new tank. Unfortunately i don't have any pics of this work but it will be obvious when you are there. Once fitted and leak tested of course! you can prep and paint it, i used a petrol tap from eBay with the correct thread and a cap from Honda with the all important vent! The little things!!!!! THE SIDE PANELS These were purchased from a company in the u.s called DC plastics and were reproductions originally for a 1975 Honda CR250 Elsinore. You can find them here - http://www.dcvmx.com/ THE SEAT The seat/rear cowling is without question the biggest headache on this build, the first version was a combination of a very cut-down cb900 and fiberglass with body filler. Second time around i knew i couldn't do it this way again so made the whole thing from scratch..... I used aluminium plate 4 mm thick for strength and ease of cutting/working etc. The rear open end was then plated with thinner sheet aluminium and an a skim of car body filler applied to smooth everything out. Here it is! see......easy! A piece of 2mm mild steel plate was then fabricated to fit inside the seat section, this plate will then be upholstered. Because of the shallow seat depth i recommend you use quite a high density foam similar to that used for garden kneeling pads. So cosmetically you're getting there! You have to bear in mind i am only giving you the very basics of the build you will come across problems as i did ........ alot! But the idea of the bike the looks and workings will (hopefully) be laid out here. THE EXHAUST One of the most important parts of this build was getting the right exhaust, i knew i wanted a down swept flat track type but nobody in the u.k made them. Further searching online got me to a company called Jemco based in Texas and Jon the owner was more than happy to supply me a very high quality item (took him long enough mind!) Due to the long waiting time for Jon's expert services i enlisted the help from a more local exhaust company called Longlife who are normally tasked with fitting drainpipe sized back boxes for corsa's and saxo's but when i asked if they could build a similar pipe they agreed. And in what must be record time they produced this... Close enough! cheers Pete you the man! Made in only two days and in stainless..... awesome! I then added the finishing touches by way of a 4" to 2" reducer for the end , painted the silencer section (silencer ...yeah right!) and wrapped the rest with exhaust tape, cant quite remember the manufacturer but the colour was titanium and was not cheap but was the best colour (EBAY) WARNING! this thing is VERY LOUD but so cool! THE WHEELS Rear wheel is standard 17" rebuilt spokes or just powder coat the whole thing as i did on version one choice is yours. Front wheel is now a 19" this is achieved either by using the original hub and having a new 19" rim fitted or using a complete wheel from a Honda slr650 but you will have to use the SLR disc and caliper which i think 200mm bigger in diameter choice again is yours. Tyres were another important decision again for the look and practicality and the Continental TKC80 twinduro were eventually chosen. These handle very well in the dry and are almost vibration free. Sizes - rear 140/80/17 front - 120/90/19. SUSPENSION Both front and rear are completely standard and original, the front forks have 2 " spacers inside the leg and are removed via the cap at the top of the upper stanchion , doing this and pulling the legs through the yokes another 2" should be enough of a drop. The rear drop has already been achieved by the frame so can be left alone. BRAKES Again all standard and original except for the Goodridge stainless braided lines for better looks and performance. ENGINE Up to you this one but if you bought a good bike to begin with then all you need do is paint it! PJ1 satin engine paint was used and if you follow the directions to the letter you should be fine. You most definately will have to install bigger jets due to the now much improved breathing rate as a result of the free-flowing exhaust and cone filter. ELECTRICS The majority of the dominators electrical components CDI, fuse box etc are housed in the now departed fairing. In order to keep the wiring at the headlight to a minimum i simply pulled everything back into battery area and lengthened the headlight power cables up to the headstock, all handlebar switches etc were left alone and this was the only alteration needed.... easy!! The original clocks have also been thrown out and a very good replacement was the Trailtech vapour unit. One of the many benefits here is the oil temp guage and of course it looks cool! If you want to use the original socket on the top yoke for the ignition switch you will have get one from another bike as the dominator one is too tall, i used a Honda cb600f 1997 model and it fitted perfectly. The headlight again was important for looks as well as practicality and the first version used a unit from Trailtech with the second version coming from Baja Designs both were 8" racelights using H1 bulbs, on both bikes i used HID conversion kits. Blasting around unlit mountain roads at 2 in the morning you need all the light you can get and these things definately deliver! So there you have it! One cool custom retro looking bike that will probably go for ever, be easy to maintain, handle well, brake strong , go like stink, not cost a fortune and most definately be the most appreciated and drooled over in ANY car park. I think number three is going to be even better!!!!!! Good luck to everyone and happy building..
A Honda supermono inspired by the Honda racers of old... The Honda NX650 Dominator has proved itself as one of the most versatile two-wheeled platforms of the modern era. The single-cylinder radial-valve engine put out a solid 44 horsepower, while the dirt-bred chassis and street-oriented
Custommade C.A. builds an 80/20 street weapon... The Honda NX650 Dominator has become an unexpected favorite of custom builders across the world. While it was only available from 1988-89 here in the States, it remained in production for 25 years, featuring the same bulletproof 45-hp RFVC engine
The 14th and final Dominator build from an NX master...The Honda NX650 Dominator has become one of the most popular donors for modern scrambler builds. The XR650-derived engine is nigh indestructible, with decent punch and dual exhaust ports, and the chassis can hammer through urban traffic or
One of the many benefits of building your own bike is you can change the colour to what ever you want!
Rocketgarage Magazine, Engine Fuel & Passion since 2007. cafe racer, scrambler, bobber, flat track, motorcycle, lifestyle, endurance, restomod
Hondas are popular with scrambler builders — especially 'thumpers' like the XR and NX650 Dominator, and vintage CBs and CLs. Here's a selection of the best.
It wasn't so long ago that walking into a motorcycle dealership with a handful of cash, large or small, was
Boundaries are getting blurred in the custom scene. Genre-hopping bikes are everywhere, and it’s getting harder and harder to pigeonhole many builds. We reckon that’s a good thing, and so do the creators of this very sharp Honda Dominator. Brothers Lion and Ben Ott, of Motoism in Munich, felt a need for bikes that escape the definition of a classic cafe racer. They felt the urge to build “something different that is comfortable to ride and delivers good performance, but also embraces the dark side.” There’s a touch of dark humor too: the ‘Dominatorr’ is pitched as ‘a custom bike
I like a build with a story when You can reflect the manhours spent in the garage with every detail made and modification applied to the machine. But this is go
Many Honda Dominator customs use the same template. Swap the fuel tank for something slimmer, trim the subframe and you're halfway there. But there's another way to go about it; lean into the Dominator's adventure bike DNA to build a utilitarian scrambler. That's the path that the Hungarian workshop, Neuga, took with this 1994 Honda NX650 Dominator. Wrapped in muted finishes, and sporting an imposing stance, it has the look of a retro Baja 1000 race bike—albeit with an air of refinement. “This build was an 'in-house' project, for one of our crew members,” says Neuga founder, Benedek Eszteri. “It
Custommade C.A. builds an 80/20 street weapon... The Honda NX650 Dominator has become an unexpected favorite of custom builders across the world. While it was only available from 1988-89 here in the States, it remained in production for 25 years, featuring the same bulletproof 45-hp RFVC engine
Boundaries are getting blurred in the custom scene. Genre-hopping bikes are everywhere, and it’s getting harder and harder to pigeonhole many builds. We reckon that’s a good thing, and so do the creators of this very sharp Honda Dominator. Brothers Lion and Ben Ott, of Motoism in Munich, felt a need for bikes that escape the definition of a classic cafe racer. They felt the urge to build “something different that is comfortable to ride and delivers good performance, but also embraces the dark side.” There’s a touch of dark humor too: the ‘Dominatorr’ is pitched as ‘a custom bike
A Honda supermono inspired by the Honda racers of old... The Honda NX650 Dominator has proved itself as one of the most versatile two-wheeled platforms of the modern era. The single-cylinder radial-valve engine put out a solid 44 horsepower, while the dirt-bred chassis and street-oriented
A Honda Dominator built for the path, not the destination...When Honda introduced the NX650 Dominator in 1988, we can safely assume they had no idea this "urbanized trail bike" would become a favorite of custom bike builders more than thirty years later, gracing the pages of th
For both on-road and off-road riding.
The very last dommie custom from me, hope you've all enjoyed my bikes and will be returning soon with something very special. Glad to have helped everyone with their own bikes over the last few years and wish good luck for your future projects.
Oh dear... It's another Honda Dominator Scrambler build. Well... What can You do? These bikes are having a well-earned renaissance in the hands of custom work
After receiving so many enquiries about the building of these bikes i have finally got round to going through step by step on the whole process. First of all expect to spend approx 250 hours plus on the project, as far as cost goes the sky is really the limit! OK so here goes..... First you're gonna need a donor bike just like this one.. You can expect to pay about £1000 - £2000 for a decent , low mileage MOT'd bike, this is the best way to start as you will be able to verify the motor is performing as it should and will not need a costly overhaul! So once you have purchased your intended victim you will need to take off all the plastics and the fuel tank You should be able to sell most of this stuff to get some money back for your build... your gonna need all you can get ........ trust me! THE FRAME MODS OK so now the fun starts! You will need a small grinder for the next bit....... In order to lower the rear sub frame you will need to cut firstly where the upper tubes connect to the main frame and secondly on the lower tube on straightest section. This pic shows where you need the cuts, these photos will be a combination of version one and two but the process is essentially the same. OK so now you've done it! Dont' be scared! You will now take approx 3-4 inches out of the lower frame section on the straightest part of the tube. This rear frame section can now be re-attached making sure of course everything is lined and levelled, i used the frame section under the engine as my level line and made sure the top rail on the rear frame was exactly the same. This however isn't critical as you are not upsetting the actual geometry of the frame its just nice to be neat! The loop at the rear of the frame may now be added, i used 20mm steel electrical conduit for mine as it was a perfect match for the existing frame and it was free! This pic shows the frame loop attached and of course all painted. The frame once all welded and strengthened where needed ( weld one section of tube between the top rails just to be safe) is pretty much sorted, on the second version i fabricated a battery box which also housed the cdi box etc. THE TANK The fuel tank on both bikes came from an early (1980's?????) Honda CG125 Which will require a small amount of work underneath on the tap side in order for the tank to sit down enough to get it level with the rear frame rail, you will also need to move the mounting plate towards the rear as the tank is longer than the original. The original lugs on the frame for the fuel tank have to be removed as do the mount lugs on the new tank. Unfortunately i don't have any pics of this work but it will be obvious when you are there. Once fitted and leak tested of course! you can prep and paint it, i used a petrol tap from eBay with the correct thread and a cap from Honda with the all important vent! The little things!!!!! THE SIDE PANELS These were purchased from a company in the u.s called DC plastics and were reproductions originally for a 1975 Honda CR250 Elsinore. You can find them here - http://www.dcvmx.com/ THE SEAT The seat/rear cowling is without question the biggest headache on this build, the first version was a combination of a very cut-down cb900 and fiberglass with body filler. Second time around i knew i couldn't do it this way again so made the whole thing from scratch..... I used aluminium plate 4 mm thick for strength and ease of cutting/working etc. The rear open end was then plated with thinner sheet aluminium and an a skim of car body filler applied to smooth everything out. Here it is! see......easy! A piece of 2mm mild steel plate was then fabricated to fit inside the seat section, this plate will then be upholstered. Because of the shallow seat depth i recommend you use quite a high density foam similar to that used for garden kneeling pads. So cosmetically you're getting there! You have to bear in mind i am only giving you the very basics of the build you will come across problems as i did ........ alot! But the idea of the bike the looks and workings will (hopefully) be laid out here. THE EXHAUST One of the most important parts of this build was getting the right exhaust, i knew i wanted a down swept flat track type but nobody in the u.k made them. Further searching online got me to a company called Jemco based in Texas and Jon the owner was more than happy to supply me a very high quality item (took him long enough mind!) Due to the long waiting time for Jon's expert services i enlisted the help from a more local exhaust company called Longlife who are normally tasked with fitting drainpipe sized back boxes for corsa's and saxo's but when i asked if they could build a similar pipe they agreed. And in what must be record time they produced this... Close enough! cheers Pete you the man! Made in only two days and in stainless..... awesome! I then added the finishing touches by way of a 4" to 2" reducer for the end , painted the silencer section (silencer ...yeah right!) and wrapped the rest with exhaust tape, cant quite remember the manufacturer but the colour was titanium and was not cheap but was the best colour (EBAY) WARNING! this thing is VERY LOUD but so cool! THE WHEELS Rear wheel is standard 17" rebuilt spokes or just powder coat the whole thing as i did on version one choice is yours. Front wheel is now a 19" this is achieved either by using the original hub and having a new 19" rim fitted or using a complete wheel from a Honda slr650 but you will have to use the SLR disc and caliper which i think 200mm bigger in diameter choice again is yours. Tyres were another important decision again for the look and practicality and the Continental TKC80 twinduro were eventually chosen. These handle very well in the dry and are almost vibration free. Sizes - rear 140/80/17 front - 120/90/19. SUSPENSION Both front and rear are completely standard and original, the front forks have 2 " spacers inside the leg and are removed via the cap at the top of the upper stanchion , doing this and pulling the legs through the yokes another 2" should be enough of a drop. The rear drop has already been achieved by the frame so can be left alone. BRAKES Again all standard and original except for the Goodridge stainless braided lines for better looks and performance. ENGINE Up to you this one but if you bought a good bike to begin with then all you need do is paint it! PJ1 satin engine paint was used and if you follow the directions to the letter you should be fine. You most definately will have to install bigger jets due to the now much improved breathing rate as a result of the free-flowing exhaust and cone filter. ELECTRICS The majority of the dominators electrical components CDI, fuse box etc are housed in the now departed fairing. In order to keep the wiring at the headlight to a minimum i simply pulled everything back into battery area and lengthened the headlight power cables up to the headstock, all handlebar switches etc were left alone and this was the only alteration needed.... easy!! The original clocks have also been thrown out and a very good replacement was the Trailtech vapour unit. One of the many benefits here is the oil temp guage and of course it looks cool! If you want to use the original socket on the top yoke for the ignition switch you will have get one from another bike as the dominator one is too tall, i used a Honda cb600f 1997 model and it fitted perfectly. The headlight again was important for looks as well as practicality and the first version used a unit from Trailtech with the second version coming from Baja Designs both were 8" racelights using H1 bulbs, on both bikes i used HID conversion kits. Blasting around unlit mountain roads at 2 in the morning you need all the light you can get and these things definately deliver! So there you have it! One cool custom retro looking bike that will probably go for ever, be easy to maintain, handle well, brake strong , go like stink, not cost a fortune and most definately be the most appreciated and drooled over in ANY car park. I think number three is going to be even better!!!!!! Good luck to everyone and happy building..
Scramblers - Honda NX650 Dominator by LLMotorcycles
Many Honda Dominator customs use the same template. Swap the fuel tank for something slimmer, trim the subframe and you're halfway there. But there's another way to go about it; lean into the Dominator's adventure bike DNA to build a utilitarian scrambler. That's the path that the Hungarian workshop, Neuga, took with this 1994 Honda NX650 Dominator. Wrapped in muted finishes, and sporting an imposing stance, it has the look of a retro Baja 1000 race bike—albeit with an air of refinement. “This build was an 'in-house' project, for one of our crew members,” says Neuga founder, Benedek Eszteri. “It
The modern custom scene has infiltrated the most distant corners of the world. This very slick custom Honda Dominator comes from the tiny European principality of Andorra—the 16th smallest country in the world. (At 181 square miles, it’s about an eighth of the size of Rhode Island.) Despite its compact dimensions, Andorra is now home its first fully-equipped custom workshop: RC Dept, run by Roberto Conde. And he’s not alone in his passion for bikes. “Andorra is full of motorcycle enthusiasts and collectors,” he reveals. “There are many big private collections—some exceeding 200 bikes. You can find amazing bikes from
