Back in the late 80s, Japanese manufacturers started dabbling with cruiser-style motorcycles in a bid to corner the US market. The result was a generation of cruisers that combined Japanese engineering and reliability with American style—like the charming Honda Shadow.
Known as the Honda Steed in Asia, the Shadow came in various sizes over the years—from as small as 125 cc to as big as 1,100 cc. The relatively affordable Honda Shadow VT600C hit the scene in 1988, with a 583 cc V-twin motor that made 41 hp and 51 Nm. It came with raked forks, backswept bars, and a rear swingarm layout that aped the classic Harley Softail aesthetic, but used a traditional mono-shock arrangement under the hood.
While the Shadow is cuter than most classic Japanese-made cruisers, this neatly bobbed Shadow from Indonesia proves that it has oodles of untapped potential. Based on a 1990-model Honda Steed VLX600 (as it was officially designated in the East), it’s the work of Frontwheel Motors in West Java. And despite its humble stature, it looks like a million bucks.
The inspiration for Frontwheel’s Honda Shadow bobber came from the iconic 1949 Indian Model 249 Scout. With the original bodywork stripped off, the crew figured they could turn the cushy cruiser into something barebones and vintage-looking. And they were right.
Before Frontwheel could get stuck into customizing the Shadow in earnest, they first had to bring it back to life. The bike had been standing for six years and was in dire need of an engine rebuild. It ended up being one of the more tedious aspects of the project—mainly because of how hard it was to find parts.
Working on the frame proved to be more straightforward. The Shadow’s chassis cut the right silhouette right out of the box—so once Frontwheel had trimmed off the rear fender struts, they were good to go.
Frontwheel didn’t mess with the stock suspension and brakes much, but they did make two changes that had a radical effect on the Shadow’s stance. First, they fabricated a pair of fork covers in the style of classic Harley Softails. Then they swapped the wheels for 16-inch hoops, shod with five-inch-wide Shinko treads.
Making up for the lack of a front fender is a handsome ducktailed rear fender, mounted on bespoke struts. It terminates in a small boxed section, with a mesh panel that covers an embedded taillight.
A handmade fuel tank sits atop the Shadow, with hints of vintage Scout and Harley peanut tanks in its design. It only holds 8 liters [2.1 gallons]—but that was a deliberate move on Frontwheel’s part, since they wanted to expose as much of the engine as possible. Also present are new louvered side covers, and a stylish custom-made saddle for one.
The cockpit features classic ‘dogbone’ risers gripping a set of 1” tracker bars, fitted with the bare minimum controls. Frontwheel installed a small chromed headlight out front and sunk the bike’s LED warning lights into the top yoke.
The exhaust is a custom two-into-two system that swoops along the right-hand side of the bike and exits via a pair of bold reverse cone mufflers. Other mods include new foot controls that sit further back than stock, a polished surround for the liquid-cooled Shadow’s radiator, and a handmade battery tray.
Frontwheel opted to finish the bike in a traditional black paint job, earning the bike the nickname ‘Black Steed.’ The glossy paint is broken only by the sides of the tank, which are adorned with white feathered wings over matte black. Masterfully executed by RSSQ, they’re an obvious nod to Honda’s heritage.
We never would have picked the Honda Shadow as the starting point for a bobber as clean as this, but we clearly lack Frontwheel’s vision. Color us surprised—and impressed.
Frontwheel Motors Instagram | Images by Indiga Ikhlasani x Kelas Pagi Indonesia
