Started by Iowa-based furniture designer Mike Gustafson as a side project, Monnom creates stunning cafe racers with “modern performance upgrades and a full attention to aesthetic use of wood and other interesting materials.” In the hands of any other designer this could result in something as simple as wood veneer inlays or something so tacky you’d never want to ride it. In the case of Monnom Customs M2 Cafe Racer it’s a marriage made in heaven. What started as a 1973 Honda CB350 has been given the full rebuild treatment and turned into a cafe racer that checks all of Gustafson’s boxes. Modern performance comes from a full engine rebuild, Charlie’s Place electronic ignition, Dyna coils, Rick’s Motorsport Electrics charging system, custom exhaust headers and a brand new wiring system with Antigravity battery. And then there’s the wood. The seat is crafted from solid black walnut with inset racing seat foam and the toboggan style front faring is built out of walnut that’s been meticulously bent and shaped into something that almost looks stock. It’s a custom bike made with wood that we’d go out of our way to be seen riding.
PARTNER
Huckberry’s Essential Holiday Gift Guide
Unzip your coat and have some mulled wine on the house—you’ve arrived at your final gifting destination: The Holiday Gift Guide. It’s like your friendly neighborhood one-stop holiday shop, except instead of balsa wood ornaments, ours is packed with thoughtful gifts for everyone on your list. Future heirlooms, small-but-significant stocking stuffers, and gear for getting out there (or staying in)—are all right here. There’s no music playing in the background though, so you’ll just have to hum Bing Crosby while you click around instead.
