Home / Motorcycles on screen / The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
FILM / LATE-1960s HONDA CB350 CUSTOM
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
Lisbeth's motorcycle began as a Honda CB350.
Lisbeth Salander's motorcycle is a film custom based on late-1960s Honda CB350s. Its exterior looks used and uncompromising, but underneath, the three production bikes were rebuilt to survive long, demanding shooting days.
- Base motorcycle
- Honda CB350
- Period
- Late 1960s
- Production fleet
- Three motorcycles
- Build window
- About 30 days
Make it dependable before making it look old
Glory Motor Works builder Justin Kell sourced and transformed three CB350s in roughly 30 days. Multiple matching motorcycles preserve continuity while preventing a mechanical problem or service stop from halting production.
| Work area | Production purpose | Visible result |
|---|---|---|
| Engines, clutches and brakes | Keep elderly machines reliable and controllable | A worn bike that still behaves like a working tool |
| Charging, batteries and wiring | Cope with cold conditions and long days | A visually simple machine without unnecessary clutter |
| Flat-track seat and heavier spokes | Create a narrow, durable character | A tougher profile than a polished show cafe racer |
Why “cafe racer” is only part of the answer
The low seat, compact lighting and dark finish explain why searches often call it a CB350 cafe racer. Yet the flat-track-style seat, robust wheels and utilitarian detail introduce a second idea: a motorcycle built to be used, not displayed.
The original CB350 is an air-cooled parallel twin. Current GB350 models use an air-cooled single, while the CL250 uses a liquid-cooled single. Their visual themes can be compared, but the engines, chassis and riding experience are not the same. A period-bike project also requires careful attention to charging, braking and parts supply.
If a custom borrows the film bike's minimal lighting or exhaust layout, local roadworthiness, inspection and registration rules still apply.
Three current directions from the CB350 custom
None is a direct recreation. They represent a slim classic, a more dressed classic and an upright custom-friendly motorcycle already listed on the site.
Frequently asked questions
What motorcycle does Lisbeth ride in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo?
According to an interview with builder Justin Kell, the film bikes were customs based on late-1960s Honda CB350s. Three motorcycles were prepared for production.
Is the film bike a cafe racer?
It has cafe-racer cues, but the builder also used a flat-track-style seat, heavier spokes and practical components. It is more accurate to see it as a functional film custom drawing from several styles.
Which current Honda has a similar direction?
The engineering is different, but the GB350 and GB350 C offer classic proportions, while the CL250 provides an upright, custom-friendly route.
References
- Sony Pictures: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo — official film information.
- Bike EXIF: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo motorcycle — interview with builder Justin Kell, including the three-bike build and reliability work.
- Honda Global: CB History — the history of Honda's CB family.
Ride at First Sight is an independent motorcycle guide and is not affiliated with the film or Honda.