This Classic Honda CB500 Lost Its Engine and Came Back Electric

Every old motorcycle has a story, and not all of them end with a traditional restoration. Some are simply too far gone. That's the path this 1974 Honda CB500 was heading down after its engine and clutch gave up. Instead of searching for replacement parts, Canadian company Beachman Bikes took a different route, bringing the classic back to life with an electric powertrain.

The bike is the first project from Beachman's new Special Vehicles Division, which focuses on rescuing vintage motorcycles that would otherwise be difficult or uneconomical to restore.

The original frame was carefully rebuilt before engineers designed a custom 72-volt, 200 Ah lithium-ion battery pack around it. By digitally scanning the chassis first, the team was able to make the battery fit neatly within the original proportions instead of forcing the bike to adapt to off-the-shelf components.

You almost have to know what you're looking for to realize this CB500 is electric. The cream-colored tank, quilted brown seat, wire-spoke wheels, and round headlight all remain untouched, while the charging port hides in plain sight. That's probably the biggest compliment you can give a project like this.

According to Beachman, the converted CB500 is perfectly happy on the highway and ready for daily use. The company hasn't shared performance or range figures just yet, but the motorcycle has already cleared Ontario's DriveON safety inspection before being handed over to its owner.