Photo: MotoRelic via Pipeburn
The VF500C Magna V30 from Honda was never the most inspiring bit of kit in its class, but some custom bike experts have found ways to make it a lot more exciting. For instance, the impeccable street tracker shown here is the work of Sean Skinner over at MotoRelic, and it bears almost no resemblance to its former self. Let’s dive in for a closer look without further ado.
Sean started with a 1984 model from Honda’s lineup, which had been picked up on the Facebook Marketplace looking rather beat-up but still in working order. The motorcycle was taken apart as soon as it rolled into his workshop, and every piece of its stock bodywork got taken out of the equation. In stock form, the Magna V30 had two separate fuel tanks – one stored below the seat and a standard unit also home to the airbox.
The latter got replaced with a bespoke aluminum item featuring K&N filtration hardware, and the under-seat tank is now a thing of the past. Sean ditched the rear frame tubing alongside it, then he came up with a custom looped subframe to take its place. Down low, we now find the repurposed swingarm of a VF500F Interceptor, connected to the aforementioned tubular structure via a monoshock.
As the Hyperpro suspension hardware was initially intended for a VF1000, Sean enlisted the help of EPM Performance to have it adapted for the VF500C. Unsprung territory is home to a CBR600’s six-spoke hoops fore and aft, but the forks and brakes were also sourced from that same sport bike. The front suspension equipment is held in place by a Nighthawk’s repurposed triple clamps.
With the rolling chassis sorted, the project’s author turned his attention to the bodywork and he first sourced a Suzuki T500’s fuel tank. Its underside was reworked to achieve a proper fitment, and then you've got that stylish black leather seat installed further back. The saddle is flanked by a pair of tracker-style side covers, while fronting a neat tail unit with subtle cafe racer vibes.
At the front, the Magna carries a small high-mounted fender attached to the lower triple clamp, along with a high-grade LED headlight and a small nose fairing. The bike’s ergonomics comprise a new handlebar and CNC-machined foot pegs, but the powertrain department is yet another place where the MotoRelic treatment made a big impact.
Following a complete rebuild of the V4 engine, Sean got in touch with Cone Engineering to order that intricate stainless-steel exhaust system. A 520 drive chain was on the grocery list, too, and then it came time to execute the paint job. With the help of two local collaborators, the modded Honda was wrapped in a breathtaking livery that combines HRC’s colors with gold accents.
The latter got replaced with a bespoke aluminum item featuring K&N filtration hardware, and the under-seat tank is now a thing of the past. Sean ditched the rear frame tubing alongside it, then he came up with a custom looped subframe to take its place. Down low, we now find the repurposed swingarm of a VF500F Interceptor, connected to the aforementioned tubular structure via a monoshock.
As the Hyperpro suspension hardware was initially intended for a VF1000, Sean enlisted the help of EPM Performance to have it adapted for the VF500C. Unsprung territory is home to a CBR600’s six-spoke hoops fore and aft, but the forks and brakes were also sourced from that same sport bike. The front suspension equipment is held in place by a Nighthawk’s repurposed triple clamps.
With the rolling chassis sorted, the project’s author turned his attention to the bodywork and he first sourced a Suzuki T500’s fuel tank. Its underside was reworked to achieve a proper fitment, and then you've got that stylish black leather seat installed further back. The saddle is flanked by a pair of tracker-style side covers, while fronting a neat tail unit with subtle cafe racer vibes.
At the front, the Magna carries a small high-mounted fender attached to the lower triple clamp, along with a high-grade LED headlight and a small nose fairing. The bike’s ergonomics comprise a new handlebar and CNC-machined foot pegs, but the powertrain department is yet another place where the MotoRelic treatment made a big impact.
Following a complete rebuild of the V4 engine, Sean got in touch with Cone Engineering to order that intricate stainless-steel exhaust system. A 520 drive chain was on the grocery list, too, and then it came time to execute the paint job. With the help of two local collaborators, the modded Honda was wrapped in a breathtaking livery that combines HRC’s colors with gold accents.
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