Pint-size Scrambler from Garage94…
In the late 90s, Honda announced the launch of their new and improved CD50 Benly “business bike.” The Benly featured a 49cc air-cooled four-stroke OHC single-cylinder engine, “Tuff-up” puncture-resistant inner tubes, came prewired for an alarm system for use in urban areas, and weighed just 163 pounds. These bikes were highly popular in the Japanese home market as everyday commuters.
Interestingly, the Benly models have been experiencing something of a comeback in custom workshops.
“In recent years it has become popular as a vintage custom base machine, and a derived model such as the Benry 50S.” –Webike
This Benly is an early 2000s model from our friend Usuk of Garage94 — one of South Korea’s few vintage motorcycle shops. Back in 2020, Usuk designed and built a similar machine as a promotion for the garage.
“When I designed this bike, the most important thing was fun and classic. Even now, I still think small bikes should be fun.”
Fast forward to present day, and a customer saw the original build “CD Prototype No. 1” and wanted a similar machine for himself. So Usuk and team set out to create a new version of their CD50 scrambler.
The modifications were quite extensive, touching nearly every aspect of the build. There’s a 1970s CL90 fuel tank, CG125 swingarm, and 19″ front / 16″ rear spoke wheels. The engine was swapped out for the 90cc (CD90) version, nearly doubling the displacement and horsepower, and most everything else is handmade: fenders, front and rear racks, exhaust system, even the taillight housing.
Of course, the bike was custom-painted as well. To our eye, this new version is even neater than the original 2020 build. A lightweight, lovely little scrambler that’s blast to ride and turns heads wherever it goes.
We firmly see custom motorcycles as works of art. For Usuk, who studied sculpture in college, it’s especially gratifying for this build to open onlookers’ minds to that idea.
“I’m especially proud that many people who have actually seen this bike have told me that it’s like a work of art.”
We tip our hats to Usuk, Mazenta, Smith, and the rest of the Garage94 team for not only this build, but keeping the custom fire alive in their home nation. We look forward to the next build to roll out of this South Korean shop.
Below is our full interview with Usuk about the build, along with more photos of both CD Prototype No. 1 and No. 2. Enjoy!
Honda Benly Scrambler: Builder Interview
• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop
Hello, my name is Usuk and I run a motorcycle shop called Garage94 in Seoul, Korea.
We started Garage94 in 2017, so we are now in our 8th year. And we are one of the few classic bike shops in Korea.
• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?
A Benly CD50 model from Honda in the early 2000s.
• Why was this bike built?
The design of this bike is a model that was already made in 2020 for the purpose of using it as a portfolio for our promotion. The bike that was worked on this time was custom-ordered by a customer who saw the portfolio.
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
When I designed this bike, the most important thing was fun and classic. Even now, I still think small bikes should be fun. And secondly, for me, a sculpture major in art college, I think every custom bike should be formatively beautiful, so I worked on it thinking about what kind of beauty it would bring to the bike through the skills I used at the time.
• What custom work was done to the bike?
- Installing 70’s vintage CL90 fuel tank
- Installing Honda CG125 swingarm
- Installing a custom fender
- Front suspension length extension
- Using front 19″ spoke wheels
- Using rear 16″ spoke wheels
- Change from 50cc engine to 90cc engine
- Made custom sheet
- Made rear taillight case
- Made front and rear rack
- Made front and rear rack
- Built a full exhaust system
- Custom Painting
• Does the bike have a nickname?
It’s not on the bike we made this time, but what we made before is called CD Prototype No. 1.
• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?
Above all, it’s fun as intended. And when I get on this bike, I also feel special.
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
I’m especially proud that many people who have actually seen this bike have told me that it’s like a work of art.
Follow Garage94
Instagram: @usuk_garage94 / @mazenta.c__garage94 / @smith_garage94
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