The artist known as Prince passed away today at the age of 57. His musical achievements are well documented, but if you were a young motorhead in 1984 when Purple Rain came out, his custom Honda was the coolest bike around.
For fans of the cult classic rock opera, the Honda was as awesome as KITT was to fans of Knight Rider. It was the hero vehicle in the film’s plot and appeared on both the Purple Rain movie poster and Prince’s Purple Rain album cover. It’s also notable as the first Honda CB 400 to star in an American film.
While mechanically stock, the 1981 Honda CB400A was cosmetically modified with a purple Kutter fairing, aftermarket handlebars, and Comstar wheels. A sissy bar and custom velour seat, both by Drag Specialties, let his love interest Apollonia sit back in comfort. According to Bold Ride, there were three bikes built for the film.
One of the three remains, though it was repainted black and gold for a 1990 sequel film, Graffiti Bridge. Prince reportedly kept it at his Paisley Park Studios in Minnesota until the very end. Rest in Peace.
That bike is one sexy mf.
Are you talking about the bike or Appolonia Kotera?
Actually, it’s more of a RIP to Prince, but now that you mention Appolonia (aka Darlin Nikki)…??
Nice Hilux and Corolla in the second pic.
Right !!!
Thanks for the great story, Ben; what a nice tie-in to such a huge loss.
Thanks, Scotty!
There is a Mitsubishi Starion in his ‘Sexy M.F’ Music video…
I’d never seen the video before but you inspired me to look it up. Cool!
It’s so hard to imagine he’s gone. I do, however, think he could have done better picking a bike. How about the Prince on the King of bikes – the 6 cylinder Honda CBX!
Do you realize how SHORT he was?He was like 5’2! No way he could have ridden that!
Quick Comment, a lot of FAQs get it wrong, its not a CB400a Its a CM400a I own and ride one, similar but not identical bikes. With that tank and that seat line it is 100% CM400a
He also designed the bike purple Kutter fairing,. he made a really nice custom bike. Prince was unique, i liked his song purple rain even if i didn’t like his adrogen or sissy behavior in most of his clips . but he was a real artist , sad he is gone RIP Prince ! hope you’r in purple heaven