The immersive world of Wheels and Waves festival returned to the coast of France and Spain in August 2022. Drenched in a unique culture of motorcycling that has tumbled and evolved throughout history, this 5-day multi-site event is a celebration of the individual. Whilst the festival encapsulates surf, skate, music and art, motorcycling plays an integral part of tradition. Stemming back to the original ideology of Wheels and Waves festival, motorcycle racing competitions on the beach. Sand racing.
Honda wanted to add to this festival of culture by allowing its iconic Rebel lineup, the CMX500 and CMX1100, to be customised and displayed in a competition. What followed was the creation of 10 bespoke Rebel bikes put on display in a true custom showdown. But before we highlight the winning bike, let's take a closer look at this year's entries which are all impressive both visually and mechanically.
To view the list of honorable mentions, scroll through the gallery selection below.
From the imagination of Portuguese dealer Motoveiga, their CMX500 Rebel comes fitted with a hand-painted tank; equipped with a detailed headlight and clutch cover. To finish the Rebel, a leather seat and some added final touches have been added. The inspiration behind the beauty comes from its Portuguese roots from the ornate 16th-century Spanish armour and florentine Lillies.
Veterans in the game of customising Honda’s, Akaimoto from Barcelona, have been inspired by the retro sports bikes, especially from Honda's lineup of Neo-sports Café range. The unique motor has bespoke bodywork, with a higher positioned fuel tank and custom painted to perfection by designer Chopinart. A Kalex under-cowl clip-on bars and unique short muffler finish the look.
A partnership between Nomade Cycle and Dave Design painting studio has created a custom named from the legendary general Samurai Honda Tadakatsu's horse. The bike calls from the past of Japan, and so calls its inspiration from the first motorcycle made by Soichiro Honda, the Honda D type. This CMX500 is also fitted with a bespoke paint scheme from Dave Designs, whose painting roots are steeped in HRC legacy, designing and painting riders' helmets. A Vance and Hines muffler shines whilst an upgraded front and rear suspension, handlebar risers, micro-LED tail light, indicators and fork gaiters give the finishing touches. Each piece also shows inspiration from the Japanese bobber trend, and the design delivers a distinct Brat motorcycle style.
A distinct metallic green wrap with matte black and white details makes the Mallorca Moto unmistakable. The black and white details highlight the bike's angles, accentuating its features. A fly shield, front mudguard, tank and high-angled modified CB300R muffler. It is equipped with fork gaiters and under seat tail light. The rider's unique sporty forward-facing riding position is a crucial part of its originality, and the diamond-style seat brings comfort and style to the rider's seat position.
FCR original had a clear objective from the start, keep the bike playful and practical but transform the CMX500 Rebel into a more sporty, muscular and notably aggressive motorcycle. A pair of black Öhlins rear shocks were added thanks to a swingarm modification, including a 17-inch CB500F rear wheel and Dunlop D212 190/55-ZR17 tyre fitted to get as close to Honda racing heritage as possible. Much work has gone into this project with a scratch-built 25mm lowered front mudguard and oversized handlebars drape across the bike, adding leverage whilst the speedo has been moved to the top yoke. Modelled using a 3D scan, the bodywork consists of a custom polyester-carbon fuel tank and rear seat unit decked with LED lighting. Hand-built footrests build the racing feel, and so does the paint scheme's red/black contrast, paying respect to classic Honda imagery. An FCR Original stainless-steel exhaust is fitted to the stock engine to complete the look whilst the Alcantra seat provides style and grip.
Built by FCR Original in France, 'the Bobber' is inspired by the core design principles of the CMX1100 Rebel. It has a characteristic custom feel, bringing it closer to a bobber which is usually stripped of all things non-essential. One thing that stands out is the custom-built black spoke wheels which adorn fat Bridgestone tyres. Building on the bobber inspiration, the bike is stunning in its simplicity, where aluminium handlebars and perforated leather ribbing on the leather seat highlight the essentials; additionally, a no-frills aluminium front mudguard is then completed with a mirrachrome finish. The essentials are truly customised to the maximum. Mini-Bates FCR Original LED indicators tuck neatly away. Like the CMX Sport, a 3D scan produced the custom polyester-carbon fuel tank – with Mirrachrome/blue satin finish – and aluminium filler. The signature FCR exhaust is again placed as a maker's mark signifying the FCRs quality approach, this time ceramic coated. In bobber fashion, the new exhaust simply accentuates the raw stock engine sound and look.
The third and final member of the FCR Family 'Rebel Waves' goes back in time to the CMX500's original identity, with a difference. Taking in the feeling of Wheels and Waves alongside Californian spirit. Leaving the engine stock, but making changes to the rear suspension, bars, indicators, front mudguard, exhaust, tank, and rear luggage rack shows its uniqueness. What is most striking is the blue and white paint scheme, as though symbolising the wave crests of the sea crashing against the beach. A wave motif adorns the fuel tank, an evident honour perhaps to the festival's climate.
What could be considered the most personal name from the line-up, you give a name to something that is important, the CMX 1100 Rebel Lucy shows it. Unique like no other, built by Honda Garonda, Portugal, the bike is inspired by the classic CB175 of the late sixties and early seventies and is seen with a one-of-a-kind gold and white paint scheme which reflects its roots in the Portuguese sunshine. No doubt, it's the most distinguishable feature. It also comes with a plethora of unique customisations, including an upgraded rear suspension, new radiator grills and a Vance and Hines Muffler.
'5Four' from the UK motorcycle builder Guy Willison's workshop, came 2nd in the competition. '5Four' is inspired by urban lightweight street flat trackers; it boasts a crackle ivory and candy red paint scheme from Pro Kustom and a racing tailpiece. It comes bristling with bespoke features such as Brazilian hardwood grips and a unique titanium race fit Urban Growler exhaust. One of its most striking features is the stainless-steel front number board highlighting its willingness to race, a large part of Wheels and Waves heritage.
Whilst all bikes showcased what Wheels and Waves is all about, from Spanish rides inspired by Japanese general's horses to French designs taking a Californian spirit. Still, just like the sand racing in 1930 that started the Wheels and Waves festival, there could only be one winner.
Maanboard showcased its strengths in the competition, from an entirely rebuilt front suspension that boasts 19-inch wire-spoke wheels and a complete stainless steel exhaust system crowned by an SC-Project muffler. Let us not forget the candy and gold leaf paint scheme adorning the tank and bespoke custom tail. Whilst the bike was originally going to be red with gold leaf decorations, the candy blue captured the spirit of wheels and Waves, signifying the ocean's waves. The Maanboard Tank and tail glistens in the light, in the same way that the sun reflects off the sea, with its colours moving and flashing when the light catches the candy blue.
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