Grantham Motorcycle Dealership Represents The UK At Honda Design Event
Vertu Honda Motorcycles Grantham is in the running to win an international design competition organised by Honda UK.
The dealership’s Branch Manager Jim Henfrey was selected to represent the UK in Honda Customs 2025; an international motorcycle build competition. His flat track racing-inspired GB350 – named FTR 350 – was unveiled at the Wheels and Waves festival in France. The bike was also displayed at the iconic Malle Mile event, drawing the interest of guests, fellow racers and the media.
Jim, a long-time flat track racer whose 13-year-old son Edward also competes in the sport and is a previous British Champion, was given a factory-standard GB350 and a budget of £6,000 to transform the bike.
With no aftermarket parts currently available for the GB350 – a recent entry to the UK market – the build demanded ingenuity and collaboration with local engineers and fabricators. The team employed 3D scanning and printing, bespoke machining, and extensive rewiring to achieve the final result.
Among the standout features are billet-machined hubs paired with 19-inch race rims, custom triple clamps crafted by a fellow racer-engineer, and a hand-built exhaust system by Racefit founder John Keeling.
One of the more personal touches is the number 83, which appears on the bodywork – the number under which both Jim and Edward race.
Jim Henfrey, Branch Manager at Vertu Honda Motorcycles Grantham said: “I was over the moon to be chosen to represent the UK. It is an amazing opportunity for an enthusiast like me, and one that I have thoroughly enjoyed. The bike has attracted a lot of attention, and I’m very proud of what I’ve been able to achieve with the support of the dealership and other local companies.
“Flat track racing has had such a big impact on my life. Edward winning the British Championship in his first year was unforgettable. So, when Honda gave us the chance to build something unique, it had to reflect that world that has given us so much joy.
“Despite its aggressive styling, the FTR 350 retains the accessibility of the original GB350. It looks like a beast, but it rides like a standard GB350. It’s still a brilliant starter bike; affordable, manageable, and easy to ride.
“There are some amazing features on the bike – a lot of them are one offs because there are no aftermarket parts yet, and it’s taken a lot of research and development. Some of these parts have now gone into production by the companies we worked with, which is an honour in itself.
“But the feature that makes me smile is the most simple, the race number on the front. While it was in the body shop, the painter asked for a number at the last minute. Both Edward and I race under 83. It wasn’t planned, but it felt right.”
Chris Taylor, Group Operations Director at Vertu commented, “The work Jim has done on this project with our team at Vertu Honda Motorcycles Grantham really does showcase the passion and attention to detail Jim and the team have. We are proud to see Jims vision come to reality and that many people can enjoy what is an exquisite customisation of Honda’s highly accessible GB350.”
Robert Forrester, Chief Executive of Vertu, said: “Jim’s work on the FTR 350 is a testament to the passion and skill within our dealerships. To be selected by Honda UK and to compete on an international stage is a remarkable achievement. We’re all behind Jim!”
The winner of the competition will be unveiled by Honda at the end of September.