Irishman Daragh Heffernan has taken a rare 1983 Honda CX650E Eurosport and transformed it into a custom cafe racer masterpiece he calls “Kláwn Dara.”
The project was born from a desire to celebrate “mechanical beauty” and muscle car aesthetics while paying homage to the original bike’s engineering, resulting in a build that is intricate rather than minimalist.
This Custom Honda CX650 Cafe Racer Is Something Special
The level of custom fabrication on this bike is extensive. Heffernan modified the tank shape and subframe, even welding in new panels to clean up the body lines. One of the most unique aspects of the build is the use of 3D-printed components, including a scratch-built taillight using backlight acrylic and a custom dash inlay created through a mix of laser cutting and welding.
He also adapted a Kawasaki Zephyr 750 tail section to fit his custom subframe and hand-laced the wheels using an OEM rear hub and an Excel front rim.
The performance was significantly modernized with an R1 rear shock (requiring a custom-milled mount) and updated front suspension and brakes, giving the bike a much stiffer and sportier feel. The engine was completely stripped and rebuilt, featuring a custom exhaust with an X-pipe that highlights the deep, torque-heavy tone of the transverse V-twin.
Heffernan describes the finished bike as surprisingly responsive, noting that while it is a pushrod engine, it revs freely out to its 9,500 RPM redline. For a first-time solo builder, this bike stands as a highly technical and polished tribute to one of Honda’s most unique engine platforms.
Sources: BikeBound, @klawndara
