Grandpa’s Blown 1974 Honda CB500 Came Back As A Sneaky Electric Bike

Few things in the classic vehicle space are as controversial as EV restomods or electromods as some call them. Purists see it as sacrilege, while EV enthusiasts often end up with conversions that look more like science projects than timeless machines. Somehow, this 1974 Honda CB500 manages to avoid both pitfalls.

Built by Canadian company Beachman Bikes, the motorcycle marks the debut of its new Special Vehicles Division (SVD). It will focus on rescuing worn-out vintage motorcycles by replacing their tired gasoline engines with modern electric drivetrains. Importantly, this wasn’t a healthy classic sacrificed in the name of progress. According to Beachman, the donor CB500 arrived with a blown engine and failed clutch, making it an ideal candidate for a second life instead of a trip to the scrapyard.

Read: Honda CB-F Concept Combines New Tech With Classic Looks

Beachman says it completely restored the original frame before redesigning it around an electric powertrain. The centerpiece is a custom-built 72-volt, 200 Ah lithium-ion battery pack developed specifically for the Honda after the company digitally scanned the chassis and designed cells to maximize the available space while maintaining the bike’s balance.

The best part is that this bike isn’t limited to low-speed espresso runs. Beachman says it’ll cruise on the highway without issue and offers everyday usability and reliability. That said, it hasn’t announced things like range, performance figures, charging times, or output specifications, so take everything here with a grain of salt. That said, from a visual perspective, the bike looks great.

The cream-colored fuel tank, quilted brown saddle, wire-spoke wheels, round headlight, and classic proportions all remain intact, while the battery enclosure fills the space where the inline-four once lived without looking overly bulky. Even the charging port was designed with a vintage aesthetic so it doesn’t immediately give away what’s hiding underneath. The details line up well enough that the bike reads as a coherent build rather than a hack job.

The completed motorcycle also passed Ontario’s DriveON safety inspection, making it fully road certified before being handed over to its private owner. Beachman might not have a bunch of specs and figures for us yet, but it’s clear that it’s figured out one big aspect of electromodding motorcycles. Making them electric doesn’t require removing their classic good looks.