A dusty 1981 Honda CM 400E Honda motorcycle, left untouched in a barn for 15 years, has become a head-turning custom ride, thanks to the vision and skills of Jack Chenworth, a Level 2 Automotive Collision Repair student at Berks Career & Technology Center (BCTC).
The Exeter High School senior purchased the motorcycle for just $300 and set out to transform it into a striking, one-of-a-kind machine. The project started with replacing the worn two-person seat with a sleek one-person design. From there, Jack modified the frame and updated the fender, setting the stage for an eye-catching paint job.
Initially planning a high-gloss black finish with orange hugger flames, he received advice from his instructor and classmates to go bolder: an orange base with black flames and overlapping black skulls. A fellow student suggested adding sparkles to the skulls’ eyes, an idea that gave the design an extra edge.
Taking his customization to the next level, Jack also designed and painted a matching helmet featuring the same flame and skull motif, ensuring that his personal style carried from head to handlebars.
“It was a project that evolved along the way, but it came out perfect,” said Jack, reflecting on the collaboration and creativity that shaped the final design.
Jack credits YouTuber “Indian Larry,” a legendary figure known for his hardcore motorcycle modifications, as his inspiration. “Indian Larry’s hot rod race bikes and style really motivated me to take this project further,” he shared.
And he is not stopping here. Jack has plans to stretch the front forks, straighten the wheels, and create custom side covers for the battery and electrical components. Outside of this project, he enjoys customizing minibikes in his backyard shed and dreams of owning his own motorcycle customization shop one day.
“This is the first motorcycle customization of many more to come,” Jack said with determination.
The fully restored motorcycle—and its matching helmet—are a testament to Jack’s passion, craftsmanship, and the hands-on training provided by BCTC, fueling his ambition to turn his hobby into a lifelong career.
