I first came across Jonathan Hull & Son Bespoke Motorcycles at the 2022 Bike Shed Show in London. At the time, I was building, a 1978 Honda CB750 café racer project. Like most people building old Hondas, I found myself instinctively drawn towards any classic CB models on display at the show.

That curiosity led me to Jonathan’s show entry, The Northman, a 1978 Honda CB550 café racer. In a building full of exceptional motorcycles, it was one of those bikes that made me stop without really knowing why. It wasn’t loud or showy. It simply looked right.

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Jonathan took the time to talk me through the bike, explaining what he’d done and, just as importantly, why. While I wouldn’t claim to know him personally and we’ve not spoken again since, we have had some interaction via Instagram and he’s a truly decent chap. Needless to say I’ve followed his builds online ever since.

My own CB750 project is a learning exercise. It’s a hacked-together café racer in the truest sense, built in a home garage with enthusiasm often outweighing experience and skill. Standing next to Jonathan’s work, the difference was obvious. His bikes aren’t just assembled, they’re considered. Every part feels like it belongs.

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Looking at Jonathan’s work more closely, both in person and through his website, what stands out is the balance he strikes. Creativity without excess. Authenticity without nostalgia for its own sake. Vision backed up by proper technical ability and a level of attention to detail that only comes from experience.

There’s a clear philosophy running through his builds. Rooted in traditional café racer values, they remain functional, purposeful machines rather than styling exercises. Nothing feels added for the sake of it, and nothing feels unfinished. That restraint is something I’ve come to appreciate more the longer I work on my own bikes.

The Northman CB550 was my introduction to Jonathan’s work, and it remains a standout example. Classic Honda engineering provides the foundation, but the execution elevates it well beyond a typical café conversion. The proportions, stance and detail work all come together in a way that feels effortless, even though it clearly isn’t.

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Since that first encounter, I’ve watched Jonathan’s work develop across different styles. One project that particularly caught my attention was the Hull and Son CRF300R Surf build. This was especially relevant to me, as I also own the same base bike.

Seeing a builder apply the same level of thought and care to a very different platform was impressive. The CRF300R Surf project showed that Jonathan’s approach isn’t limited to classic café racers. It demonstrated an ability to reinterpret a modern bike with the same clarity of vision, without losing sight of what the bike is meant to do.

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This blog post isn’t sponsored or connected to Jonathan Hull & Son in any way. It’s also not written from a position of authority as a bike builder, because I’m certainly not one. It’s simply an acknowledgement from someone further down the learning curve. As an amateur builder, seeing work like Jonathan’s is both humbling and motivating. It highlights the gap between enthusiasm and craftsmanship, and the value of patience, restraint and experience.

On returning to my own CB750 project after the Bike Shed Show back in 2022, I’d gained a real appreciation for doing things properly, even if its now 2026 and I’m still figuring out what that means in practice. My café racer may always be a bit of a hack, but seeing custom motorcycles done properly has a way of raising your standards. Jonathan Hull’s work did exactly that for me.

Website: www.jonathanhull.co.uk

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