Like numerous small-bore Hondas, the CBX250 Tornado is approachable, dependable, and reasonably priced. However, like numerous commuter bikes, it’s constructed for getting you to work and again—not for personalisation. It takes imaginative and prescient to look previous the Tornado’s funky bodywork to see one thing classier lurking inside.
For those who’ve by no means heard of the Honda CBX250 Tornado, don’t fret. It was offered because the CBF250 in Europe, and by no means made it to the States. However in international locations like Argentina, it was (and nonetheless is) successful.
This peppy 2005-model Honda CBX250 Tornado comes from Karma Motocicletas in Rosario—a metropolis in central Argentina that lies on the west financial institution of the Paraná River. Mauricio Martínez runs Karma as a one-man band and does every thing in-house, wanting specialist duties like upholstery and coatings.
Mauricio’s inspiration got here from Japan’s enduring {custom} scene—particularly the fashion established by legends like Go Takamine. “The thought was to maintain the bike easy, together with solely the important parts for its performance,” he explains.
Mauricio stripped the bike right down to its body and commenced fine-tuning the chassis to create the right silhouette. Tweaking the entrance finish concerned merely shortening the OEM forks—however the rear wanted a heavier hand. Mauricio deleted the Tornado’s unique mono-shock system, after which added new shock mounts to the swingarm to create a conventional twin-shock association.
Aftermarket shocks hyperlink the swingarm to new higher mounts on the Tornado’s bespoke subframe. That includes a refined kick within the tail and tabs to mount every thing from the rear fender to the seat, the tidy subframe does lots to finesse the Tornado’s traces. Finer particulars embrace a set of handmade (and detachable) passenger peg brackets, and one-off foot management mounts that push the pegs ahead just a little.
Subsequent, Mauricio ditched the Tornado’s wheels for the Morris-like hoops from a Kawasaki KZ440. They’re wrapped in Metzeler (entrance) and Coker (again) tires. As for the brakes, these are inventory; “I feel that’s one of many few issues I saved,” Mauricio quips.
The tank is one other classic merchandise. It initially got here from a Suzuki GN125, however Mauricio managed to therapeutic massage it to suit the Honda’s body. A thin tuck-and-roll seat sits behind it, adopted by an abbreviated rear fender.
The high-riding handlebars are Mauricio’s handiwork too, as are the minimalistic switches which are built-in into the brake and clutch lever perches. The wiring runs contained in the bars, whereas a hand-crafted battery field below the seat performs host to the bike’s simplified electronics and ignition barrel. Biltwell grips end off the controls, with a single mirror mounted on the left-hand aspect.
The Tornado’s livery is as refreshingly easy; a playful turquoise design with trendy gold striping. Mauricio blasted the engine and cleaned up the forks, however had the remainder of the onerous components completed in black—together with the bike’s custom-built exhaust.
Unpretentious and completely balanced, Karma’s brat-style Honda CBX250 Tornado makes a powerful case for the untapped potential of humble commuter bikes. In any case, who doesn’t like to point out as much as work in fashion?
Karma Motocicletas Instagram | Photographs by Matilde Pizzorno
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