Nicola took inspiration from the stunning wooden boats made by Riva, shaping the panels by hand from broken teak garden chairs that were destined for firewood.
The floorboards and the ‘dashboard’ panels both feature teak inlays. Nicola also fabricated new surrounds to mount a set of custom-built floorboards. The entire rear section is new, the shock absorber mounts had to be rebuilt, and the radiator bracket was relocated. Once Nicola had removed the plastics, there was a ton of reworking to do to the frame. This Helix has taught me to be patient, to take care of the details and only use it once it is fully completed.” “I wanted to apply a custom approach to the project,” he says, “so much so that I forced Matteo, a 120 kg, two-meter beast, to make sure I didn’t get on the bike and use it before it was completed. That not only saved him money on the engine rebuild, but also gave him the opportunity to pay attention to every last detail. With the global pandemic sending Italy into lockdown, Nicola had plenty of time to overhaul the Helix. “So I got €50 and the frame of a Honda Helix,” he quips. So he stripped off all of the bodywork, sold it for €350, and set about rebuilding the motor. The Helix cost Nicola just €300, but the motor was shot.
He’s also the founder of MAAN Motocicli Audaci-a custom workshop that’s actually more of a space for friends to hang out and tinker. Nicola’s a pretty fascinating guy he holds multiple degrees, works as business advisor in the aerospace industry, and organizes various charity-related motorcycle events. But thanks to a heavy restyle, it’s shed its retro-futuristic looks for a vintage beach cruiser vibe. It’s actually a 1980s Honda CN250: a stretched scooter with 80s jet ski styling, that was also known as the Honda Helix in the USA. We had trouble placing exactly what make and model it is-until the builder, Nicola Manca, filled us in.
And it’s the perfect backdrop for this quirky, surfboard-carrying scooter. Loaded with scenic mountains and beaches, and with more twisty roads than you can shake a stick at, it’s a motorcyclist’s paradise. I’ve only visited Sardinia once, but it was enough for the Mediterranean island to leave an indelible mark on me.
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