Author Topic: CB750 drag cafe build (Read 34689 times)

Vbled1 · « **on:** February 04, 2012, 05:36:33 PM »

*Decided to make this a project thread, thanks for moving it Gordon*

I bought this 750 about a year ago and didnt do much to it until about 2 month ago. Since then its been parked and i usually spend part of Saturday working on it. Its going slow but i can see the light at the the end of the tunnel now.

Got the wheels back from Buchanan's yesterday. Front and rear are 21x3 inch. Harley hoops laced to my stock hubs. I remember a thread by 'IndustrialCafe' about 21 inch front and rear but im not sure if he ever went through with it. Anyways, im going for a cafe-ish look with a drag bike stance, and maybe a hint of salt flats, not everything is dialed in but i will throw up a few preliminary picture. The bikes been raked, has a 1980 650 swingarm- adds about 2 inches length, lowers bike about 2 inches also. Overall ive added 6+ inches to the stock wheelbase. Building new oil tank soon, need a seat, relocate battery and wiring, paint engine, rearsets etc. Anyways, thanks for looking.

Day 1 (not as clean as it looks, picked up in a beach town a lot of rust)

Some time later

grcamna2 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 04, 2012, 06:24:20 PM »

It has a nice look to it with those Large rims

; very custom looking...far from stock.

Really? · « **Reply #2 on:** February 04, 2012, 06:28:29 PM »

I think IC had a thread about doing this. Photochopped pictures though. Interesting to see one done. I am sure he would dig seeing it.

lone*X · « **Reply #3 on:** February 04, 2012, 07:55:07 PM »

Kinda reminds you of the look of bikes from the early part of the 20th century. Tall wheels at both ends. I like the look. The 21 in. rear is really going to change the final drive ratios. What do you have in mind for sprockets to compensate?

tweakin · « **Reply #4 on:** February 04, 2012, 07:56:54 PM »

I love different things like this, Dig it...

Vbled1 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 04, 2012, 08:05:35 PM »

Quote from: grcamna2 on February 04, 2012, 06:24:20 PM

It has a nice look to it with those Large rims ; very custom looking...far from stock.

Thank you.

Quote from: lone*X on February 04, 2012, 07:55:07 PM

Kinda reminds you of the look of bikes from the early part of the 20th century. Tall wheels at both ends. I like the look. The 21 in. rear is really going to change the final drive ratios. What do you have in mind for sprockets to compensate?

Honestly, i havent really thought about the ratios, im sure there is some kind of formula for that that i should look in to. Thanks for the heads up. Any recommendations?

Quote from: tweakin on February 04, 2012, 07:56:54 PM

I love different things like this, Dig it...

Thanks a lot. Following your build and the workmanship is impressive.

Cheffish · « **Reply #6 on:** February 04, 2012, 09:54:22 PM »

Looks awesome

Greggo · « **Reply #7 on:** February 04, 2012, 10:22:15 PM »

That looks sweet..really dig the rear fender too.

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #8 on:** February 04, 2012, 11:24:35 PM »

I was prepared not to like it, but seeing the pictures, I actually do. Nice bike that stands out from the crowd.

MoMo · « **Reply #9 on:** February 05, 2012, 12:10:27 AM »

Quote from: Bankerdanny on February 04, 2012, 11:24:35 PM

I was prepared not to like it, but seeing the pictures, I actually do. Nice bike that stands out from the crowd.

Quote from: Bankerdanny on February 04, 2012, 11:24:35 PM

I was prepared not to like it, but seeing the pictures, I actually do. Nice bike that stands out from the crowd.

That was my thought process as well. Kind of reminds me of a Schwinn Beach Cruiser...Larry

Vbled1 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 05, 2012, 12:44:36 AM »

Quote from: Cheffish on February 04, 2012, 09:54:22 PM

Looks awesome

Quote from: Greggo on February 04, 2012, 10:22:15 PM

That looks sweet..really dig the rear fender too.

Thanks Guys. And the fender was a temporary idea i had until i get a full seat/tail section.

Quote from: Bankerdanny on February 04, 2012, 11:24:35 PM

I was prepared not to like it, but seeing the pictures, I actually do. Nice bike that stands out from the crowd.

Thanks, thats what im going for. And honestly if i saw a thread with the same title, i would be ready to not like it either. I knew going in there was going to be a fine line between something odd looking and something more natural.

Quote from: photolar on February 05, 2012, 12:10:27 AM

That was my thought process as well. Kind of reminds me of a Schwinn Beach Cruiser...Larry

Interesting you say that, i was thinking it looked bicycle-esque as well.

Falken · « **Reply #11 on:** February 05, 2012, 02:54:31 AM »

thought it was gonna be weird...looks pretty cool.

65Ch3v3LL3 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 05, 2012, 07:39:57 AM »

I like it. The rear fender seems a bit off to me, not sure what I would do to fix it though but you said it was temporary until you get the seat sorted so I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with. Great work!

Cheffish · « **Reply #13 on:** February 05, 2012, 08:27:51 AM »

I actually really like the way the fender is.

754 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 05, 2012, 09:21:26 AM »

I like the fender but the brace could come out then a thin seat ending against fender.

It looks nice overall, I think that the thread from IC should be brought back up, and a few folks may want to apologize...lol

andy750 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 05, 2012, 09:28:02 AM »

Hey good for you for following through on this and I agree with everyone else - looks very good! So now I am very curious to know how it handles:

1. In a straight line at speed
2. In corners at say 40-50 mph. I am guessing your steering is going to be all screwed up but thats just a guess? So very curious for some real world feedback. Thanks.

Anyway love the look, very different!

cheers
Andy

luap · « **Reply #16 on:** February 05, 2012, 10:00:47 AM »

Looks good, what size tire are you able to ride up front,
paul

Vbled1 · « **Reply #17 on:** February 05, 2012, 11:36:30 AM »

Quote from: andy750 on February 05, 2012, 09:28:02 AM

Hey good for you for following through on this and I agree with everyone else - looks very good! So now I am very curious to know how it handles:

1. In a straight line at speed
2. In corners at say 40-50 mph. I am guessing your steering is going to be all screwed up but thats just a guess? So very curious for some real world feedback. Thanks.

Anyway love the look, very different!

cheers
Andy

Thanks Andy, Cant ride it yet, needs chain, exhaust and some other stuff installed but i will let you know. I did ride it before the new wheels were on, just a quick hot lap to see what the rake did for handling. In a straight line i didnt notice a big difference other than riding position, i have a sealed bearing kit and steering stabilizer though so im sure that helps. I didnt take any turns aggressive enough to assess what ive lost in that department, but i will update once i take the thing out.

Quote from: luap on February 05, 2012, 10:00:47 AM

Looks good, what size tire are you able to ride up front,
paul

Thanks, the tire size is 120/70

michiganmike · « **Reply #18 on:** February 05, 2012, 02:38:55 PM »

I like it !

Saw photos of a Panhead with 21" rims, skinny tires front and back, way back in the late '60's and thought that was special too.
Continue with the project photos, oh, and include yourself in the photos if possible, like you did,
nice to see what the forum members look like.
When it's all up and running, and you take it to a big event, stand back, pretend you don't own it and listen to the variety of comments

Don R · « **Reply #19 on:** February 05, 2012, 09:40:09 PM »

http://www.angelfire.com/sd/BSP/formula.html

Don R · « **Reply #20 on:** February 05, 2012, 09:42:41 PM »

Some useful formulas above. Maybe they should be in tips and tricks or FAQ's

cb550smike · « **Reply #21 on:** February 05, 2012, 09:47:58 PM »

love the big rear wheel. got a sick look. always been a can of the narrow rear look good job

greenjeans · « **Reply #22 on:** February 06, 2012, 08:33:12 AM »

I dig it. You have any photos of the stretch and rake ? How much room is there in the rear swingarm ?
Great stance

fayettebr · « **Reply #23 on:** February 06, 2012, 09:55:48 AM »

Great to see guys think/build outside of the box. Great looking bike.

Vbled1 · « **Reply #24 on:** February 06, 2012, 12:35:36 PM »

Quote from: Don R on February 05, 2012, 09:40:09 PM

http://www.angelfire.com/sd/BSP/formula.html

thanks Don.

Quote from: greenjeans on February 06, 2012, 08:33:12 AM

I dig it. You have any photos of the stretch and rake ? How much room is there in the rear swingarm ?
Great stance

thanks, will get some pics later today. Overall the wheel base is about 6 inches longer, and the bike itself is about 8-9 inches longer than my previous set up, end to end. Will get those pictures of clearance and take in a few hours.

Quote from: fayettebr on February 06, 2012, 09:55:48 AM

Great to see guys think/build outside of the box. Great looking bike.

Exactly what I was going for, thanks.

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Author Topic: CB750 drag cafe build (Read 34689 times)