Few machines prove that good design is timeless, just like the Honda Super Cub. The iconic Underbone scooter has been in continuous production since 1958—and its aesthetic hasn't changed much in all that time. But what if things had turned out differently?
That's the question posed to Bhumemoto. Based in Southern California, the young custom shop is a collaboration between Patrick Razo and James Chang. Their debut build was a 1965 Honda Super Cub The C100, which was reimagined as a hypothetical concept bike from the 60s.
“The idea behind this build is that it’s like a concept bike that was being developed alongside the original Super Cub,” explains Patrick. “Something happened that caused the project to be shelved and locked away, unseen for decades, until it was recently discovered and unveiled.”
Obsessing over design theory is an integral part of Bhumemoto’s process. Patrick started out in high fashion but now works as a concept designer in the entertainment industry, with clients including major film and gaming studios. James is currently an independent producer in the games, animation, and toy industries, with a resume that includes work on the popular Call of Duty series and oversight of various other projects at Electronic Arts.
Called the Long Long (roughly translated as Rumble in Chinese), Bhumemoto's Super Cub takes inspiration from early racing cars. But it also retains just enough Super Cub DNA to stay connected to the scooter's heritage.
Part of the magic comes from the countless spare Super Cub parts that Bhumemoto tweaked rather than tossed out. The wheels are original, but the rears are shod with custom rims and wear slightly fatter tires than before.
The original wheel arch and rear fender are still in play, too, although they were originally planned to be shortened. “Since our goal was to complement the original design as much as possible, we really liked the swooping line that starts at the front of the bike and goes all the way to the end,” says Patrick. “So after a lot of discussion, we decided to keep it.”
Moving forward, the Super Cub retains the bodywork that drapes over the midsection of the frame. It has been modified to accommodate a standard fuel tank and has been stripped of its front wind deflectors. They have been replaced by a pair of drop-down fork guards, hand-crafted from fiberglass.
The handlebars were found in a junkyard and flipped to create the low, raised handlebar effect seen on vintage bikes. Bhumemoto rebuilt the Super Cub’s original headlight, speedometer, and throttle. The leather trim and hand-wrapped grips were sourced from the Trip Machine Company in India.
Moving on to the seat, Bhumemoto built a chunky perch and moved the original taillight to the rear. Given the amount of patina on the original parts, the seat was covered in patchwork leather, so it looks worn from a distance.
Another clever detail is this scooter The left side cover is rustic in style. Not only does it house the ignition and classic Honda badge, but it is also intentionally round to echo the shapes of the fuel tank, arrow cover and rear wheel cover.
The Super Cub is adorned with several unique graphics and a stunning front valve cap, handcrafted by artisans at 38 Silver Works in Japan.
With no changes to the 1965 Honda Super Cub's engine, suspension, or brakes, it's not going to break any land speed records. But it's an interesting study in what might have been if the Super Cub's designers had gone in a different direction.
Bhumemoto Instagram | Images from Mo
