Most custom projects are completed in a matter of months, or even weeks. But sometimes the story of a bike can stretch out to years or decades.
That?s the case with this delightful Honda CB500, which has spent the last 13 of its 46 years in the care of Italian enthusiast Pierluigi Intini, who lives in Rome. He bought it in 2007, when he was just 24. Pierluigi now knows the perky inline four inside out, and he?s transformed it not once, but twice.

The Honda originally replaced an Aprilia 50cc scooter that he?d been riding since the age of 16, and it was a thoroughly researched decision. After tossing up between a Kawasaki Z500 and a CB, he opted for the Honda and went hunting in the classifieds. ?I found it. A gold and black K1, about 20 km from my house.? At that time, Pierluigi didn?t have a motorcycle license. He handed over ?3300 [US$3,900] to the seller and asked him, ?The first up and all the others down, right"? After figuring out the gears, he rode slowly home.

The CB500 was not entirely original. It came with a 4-into-1 Marving exhaust and two seats?one original, and the other a ?Giuliari? seat that was used on the track back in the day. High handlebars had been fitted, and the tank sealed inside with Tankerite.
Pierluigi got his license, learnt to ride properly, and spent the next few months fettling the bike, seeking out obscure spare parts and good mechanics. He restored the mechanicals and bodywork to factory spec, and got a certificate to prove it? ...