What is known about the project
Debut of the Special Vehicles Division
Converting classic cars and motorcycles into electric vehicles is a topic that leaves no one indifferent. Some consider it sacrilege, while others often get results that resemble science experiments rather than vintage machines. However, this 1974 Honda CB500 managed to avoid both extremes.
The motorcycle was created by the Canadian company Beachman Bikes, and this work became the debut of its new Special Vehicles Division (SVD). It is meant to rescue worn-out vintage motorcycles by replacing old gasoline engines with modern electric ones. Importantly, no healthy classic machine was sacrificed for the project. According to Beachman, the donor CB500 arrived with a destroyed engine and a failed clutch, so it was perfect for a second life rather than the scrap heap.
Technical content
Beachman says it completely restored the original frame and then reworked it for the electric powertrain. The main element is a specially built 72-volt, 200 Ah lithium-ion battery. It was designed for this Honda after a digital scan of the chassis to fill the space as efficiently as possible and preserve the motorcycle’s balance.
The best part is that this bike is not limited to slow coffee runs. Beachman representatives assure that it easily holds highway speeds and is suitable for daily use. However, exact figures for range, performance, charging time, or power have not been announced yet, so such claims should be taken with caution. That said, from a visual standpoint, the motorcycle truly looks great.
Design and certification
The cream fuel tank, brown quilted seat, spoked wheels, round headlight, and classic proportions remain unchanged. The battery housing fills the space where the inline four-cylinder engine once lived but does not look too bulky. Even the charging port is styled in a vintage manner so it does not immediately give away that it is an electric motorcycle. The details are so well integrated that the bike reads as a cohesive design rather than the result of a rushed conversion.
The finished motorcycle successfully passed the DriveON inspection in Ontario, so it is fully road-certified even before being handed over to a private owner. Beachman is not publishing many technical specifications yet, but one thing is obvious: the company understood the main point. Converting classics to electric power does not necessarily mean losing their visual charm.
What it means for the future
This project shows that electrifying old motorcycles can be not only a technical solution but also a way to preserve their soul. For many owners of classic models, difficulties finding parts and the reliability of old engines become a real problem. If Beachman managed to combine a vintage look with modern electric internals, this approach could become an example for other workshops. After all, old motorcycles are getting scarcer every year, and conversion gives them a chance to keep going. Without full technical data, it is too early to talk about practical benefits, but the very idea of preserving classics in a new form is already a victory.