Building the Honda Grom Cafe Racer!
- Randy Reek, The Great Out There
- Jun 21
- 6 min read
Transforming the boring Honda Grom into an exciting Cafe Racer for MAXIMUM FUN around town and extended tours!
The Honda Grom continues to be a Best Seller for Honda Powersports, year after year.
What's not to like? The Grom is one of the lowest priced Honda models, and has a reputation for durability, economy, and FUN!
Most regard the Grom as an inexpensive and forgiving beginner bike. Some think of the Grom only as a stunt bike - and it has a huge cult following in this niche. But my goal was to unleash the potential for extended cruising on low-traffic back roads, along with the capability of overnight adventures.
Instead of a plain Jane commuter or hooligan stunt bike, I see a miniature Cafe Racer waiting to be unleashed on twisty rural roads.
Of course, the Grom has inherent limitations based on it's diminutive dimensions and 125cc motor. For reference, I have owned several Honda lawn mowers - and my current model sports a 170cc motor!
The Grom is legendary for its durability and capacity to haul riders across town and down the highway.
Grom riders have taken extended tours across multiple countries, completed the Trans-America Trail, and racked up tens of thousands of miles as urban delivery vehicles. BUT...
The Grom was not designed as a freeway motorcycle. Top speed is 55 to 60 MPH (with stock engine, gearing, exhaust, etc.)
It was never intended for rides "Round the World" but several people have!
It has tiny 12-inch wheels and a matching small wheelbase. The Grom is simply not comfortable for the extra tall and/or large American.
I started the Grom Scrambler project with a bone-stock 2025 model. I hauled it home and began the disassembly.
The Grom is supplied with 12-inch cast aluminum wheels and TUBELESS tires. Anyone who has commuted and toured on tubeless tires understands the many advantages:
If and when you suffer puncture by a nail, most of the time it can be plugged without removing the wheel from the motorcycle or the tire from the rim. You simply find the hole, insert the adhesive plug, reinflate, and ride off!
Without an inner tube, you gain the ability to decrease tire pressure on rough roads for added traction without worrying about pinch flats.
In addition, the ability to change tire pressure depending on the riding surface increase the comfort level since the Grom has the bare minimum of suspension.
Tubeless tires also allow the addition of liquid sealant to the Grom tires. You simply remove the valve core, pump in the sealant, and reinflate. The sealant lasts for years and has been proven to plug holes from the INSIDE of the tire!
The next functional modification was the removal of the oversize rear fender,. this also included the installation of the "Tail Tidy" to relocate the license plate and lamp.
This process also allowed the installation of a rear rack and matching side panels. Any versatile motorcycle requires a rear rack, for short errands around town or longer rides carrying tools or camping gear. The Grom rear rack I chose also included protective side panels for adding panniers - again perfect for errands or travel.
The same supplier also had a mount that attaches to the handlebar clamp. This provided a handy RAM mount for my phone, camera, or GPS.
To shield the phone from bugs and rain, I installed the Honda windshield. This tiny "windscreen" offers negligible wind protection for the rider, but does create a protected bubble for the dash.
Then I replaced the generic round "Mickey Mouse" rear view mirrors with sturdy and adjustable dual sport mirrors.
For added security when parked on soft ground, I added a "foot" to the kickstand. While at the floor level, I also replaced the tiny rider foot pegs with wider MX foot pegs for better stability for my riding boots.
As mentioned earlier, the Grom is limited in the suspension department. The stock front forks are notoriously soft, and this is most easily corrected with stiffer fork oil. The rear shock is both soft and non-adjustable. An aftermarket shock solved this and allowed me to adjust the preload to match my weight and raise the seat height to accommodate my long legs.
Lastly, I exchanged the plain silver brake and clutch levers for black and red, adjustable levers.
The most extensive project was replacing the oversize, conventional turn signals with smaller LED versions. Installation of the rear LED turn signals was relatively easy after the entire rear fender assembly had been removed and broken down. The sequential amber rear turn signals worked flawlessly.
The front turn signals required a laborious disassembly of the headlight cowling and stock wiring. I needed to fabricate a spacer/adapter to install the flush-mounted front turn signals. This installation was completed after I also installed a relay in the wiring which provided the proper voltage for the much more efficient LEDs.
The only other electrical modification was the installation of an SAE connector pigtail to the battery. This wiring connection provides the connection for a battery tender. When riding, this pigtail connects to a USB outlet attached to the handlebars that I use to power my phone GPS.
The Grom Cafe Racer is complete!
The Grom Cafe Racer looks amazing! I did not make any modifications to the engine, air intake, or exhaust. I am still carefully breaking in the new motor, and just completed the first oil change at 200 miles.
The suspension modifications are a noticeable improvement. The Grom feels more planted in the curves and more stable at highway speeds. Losing the huge rear fender didn't add any horsepower - but the Grom LOOKS faster! The streamlined LED turn signals and mirrors compliment the Cafe Racer style.
The rear rack is very handy. I never leave on an extended ride without carrying my tool bag. Included in my tools is a plug kit for the tires and a small bicycle tire pump. (Sometimes i also include an aerosol sealant and inflator cannister.)
Check out this list of UPGRADES to the Grom Cafe Racer: (follow the links for more info)
Rear fender delete with license plate bracket: https://amzn.to/43uwLex
Rear cargo rack: https://amzn.to/4mv9yS3
Rear side panels: https://amzn.to/3SQRrbD
Front flush LED turn signals, with relay: https://amzn.to/43BnWj9 ; https://amzn.to/45nTdbE
Rear LED turn signals: https://amzn.to/44TGy0a
MZS adjustable brake/clutch levers: https://amzn.to/4kdJlWG
SAE pigtail for battery tender AND dash USB outlet: https://amzn.to/4mwfJVT
Handlebar phone/camera mount: https://amzn.to/3SPkcp0
Honda Grom windshield - original Honda part
Dual sport folding mirrors: https://amzn.to/43JonsN
MX foot pegs: https://amzn.to/44Ylyp3
Enlarged kickstand pad: https://amzn.to/43x6wUU
Adjustable rear shock: https://amzn.to/3ZAgi7l
Maxima 20wt fork oil: https://amzn.to/3H4tUl5
I hope you agree that the Grom Cafe Racer is both more functional and better looking than the stock motorcycle!
I get the most "Smiles per Mile" riding the Grom! While I invested a lot of time and money completing this transformation, these are all one-time costs which will add to the riding enjoyment and versatility for YEARS!
Will the Grom Cafe Racer keep pace with high-powered sport bikes in the mountains? Definitely NOT! But the Grom is perfectly suited for running around town and cruising rural back roads. Then again, the Grom costs about half as much to buy, and LESS than half as much to maintain, operate, and insure!
I especially like to check the trip odometer and note the fuel mileage at over 125 MPGs!!!
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PS. The BIGGEST obstacle to building this custom Grom is the TOTAL lack of knowledge combined with excessive parts markups and labor charges from your Honda Dealer! If you need help or are looking for advice on building your OWN custom Grom, contact Randy through the Contact form, the GreatOutThere Facebook page or YouTube channel - or email directly.
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