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Author Topic: How do these cafe bikes run?  (Read 2541 times)

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Offline rmw156

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How do these cafe bikes run?
« on: October 03, 2012, 08:39:09 PM »
Now this may be a really noob question, but how do bikes like this run without a battery or an oil tank?

I always thought these where needed. Is the engine idling enough to keep all the electrical system running and if so what about the oil tank? This has always baffled me.
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Offline srbakker

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Re: How do these cafe bikes run?
« Reply #1 on: October 03, 2012, 08:41:55 PM »
That's an F.  It has no oil tank and the (new small) battery is usually mounted on the swing arm.
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Offline MCRider

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Re: How do these cafe bikes run?
« Reply #2 on: October 03, 2012, 08:44:01 PM »
Quote from: srbakker on October 03, 2012, 08:41:55 PM
That's an F.  It has no oil tank and the (new small) battery is usually mounted on the swing arm.
Its not so much that its an F as a SOHC F has an oil tank.

Its a DOHC, that's the distinction eliminating the oil tank.

Agree on the battery.
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Offline Don R

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Re: How do these cafe bikes run?
« Reply #3 on: October 03, 2012, 08:47:08 PM »
They have also removed the starting system and most anything not needed to make it go.
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Offline killersoundz

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Re: How do these cafe bikes run?
« Reply #4 on: October 03, 2012, 08:53:34 PM »
No kicker on the DOHC's.....so still electric start......he's just got one of those small 8 cell lithium ion batteries tucked away somewhere
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Offline srbakker

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Re: How do these cafe bikes run?
« Reply #5 on: October 03, 2012, 08:54:25 PM »
Quote from: MCRider on October 03, 2012, 08:44:01 PM
Its not so much that its an F as a SOHC F has an oil tank.

Its a DOHC, that's the distinction eliminating the oil tank.

Agree on the battery.

True fact.  I should've distinguished between them.  Cheers.
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Offline Hasenkopf

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Re: How do these cafe bikes run?
« Reply #6 on: October 03, 2012, 10:19:59 PM »
no electric or kickstart ?   push to start?
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Offline Brandedone88

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Re: How do these cafe bikes run?
« Reply #7 on: October 04, 2012, 01:16:15 AM »
A smaller battery works wonders.  There was also something in the 70's which would replace the Zenier diode on the british bikes.   Cafe builders would sometimes use it to get rid of the electric starter on the Japanese bikes as a way to save weight.
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Offline MCRider

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Re: How do these cafe bikes run?
« Reply #8 on: October 04, 2012, 06:33:26 AM »
Quote from: GSX69bun on October 03, 2012, 10:19:59 PM
no electric or kickstart ?   push to start?
My guess is the electric start is still there.
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Offline Killer Canary

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Re: How do these cafe bikes run?
« Reply #9 on: October 04, 2012, 07:43:57 AM »
Quote
battery is usually mounted on the swing arm.
Really? I wish I could see how they do that. That bike doesn't even have extra space under the tank.
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Offline MCRider

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Re: How do these cafe bikes run?
« Reply #10 on: October 04, 2012, 07:58:42 AM »
Quote from: Killer Canary on October 04, 2012, 07:43:57 AM
Quote
battery is usually mounted on the swing arm.
Really? I wish I could see how they do that. That bike doesn't even have extra space under the tank.
I've seen it done. A pocket is made on the underside of the SA, near the pivot. Then they use one of those high tech gel batteries that is very small.
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Offline Killer Canary

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Re: How do these cafe bikes run?
« Reply #11 on: October 04, 2012, 08:03:55 AM »
Pic!
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Offline MCRider

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Re: How do these cafe bikes run?
« Reply #12 on: October 04, 2012, 08:11:33 AM »
Quote from: Killer Canary on October 04, 2012, 08:03:55 AM
Pic!
No pic of the battery, but a statement that was what they did. You can see the battery on the lft side profile pic, but no detail.
http://www.zillamag.com/vehicles/honda-cb750-by-cafe-racer-dreams/
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