Author Topic: Le Mans Gulf cafe (Read 3390 times)

Silenthunter · « **on:** December 11, 2012, 10:34:55 AM »

Hello!

A little project of mine. I always loved the Gulf Le Mans scheme. IMO though it only looks good on vintage equipment.

I still have some stuff to do, like get the full Gulf + sponsor stickers printed and applied. Plus I'm going for a full fairing and windscreen in CR750 style or similar. That will be phase II of my project

Mechanically she's in exc shape for a 30 YO 650. I just spent a lot of time fine tuning the carbs and she really screams

Actually I spent a lot of time going through everything come to think of it!

I am considering moving the footpegs rearwards like 6". Besides fitting a "race" look bike more, I much prefer that riding position and find myself putting my feet like that naturally. Anyone have a link to someone who has done this for inspiration?

Things I still want to do:

Fairing and windscreen
New handlebars after I fit the fairing
Move footpegs aft
Redo the front forks, cartridge emulator plus new seals (dont like the stock mushy+harsh at the same time setup!)
Some sort of brake upgrade, maybe dual discs if I find the parts, or?

Bluegreen · « **Reply #1 on:** December 12, 2012, 12:40:27 AM »

Welcome to the forum.

Subscribed. Looking good so far! I really like full fairings, looking forward to updates!

Oh, and yeah, you're going to need some clip-ons as you already mentioned. The fairing will dictate where your hand controls go from here on in, and your feet as well.

Have you thought about taller rear shocks? It looks like you're running the stockers.

cb650 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 12, 2012, 06:18:23 AM »

A decent set of 650 shocks will do wonders on the 550 frame. Last year there was still a car in the continental tire series that had the gulf paint.

Bluegreen · « **Reply #3 on:** December 12, 2012, 09:34:31 AM »

That's a 650 frame no?

Silenthunter · « **Reply #4 on:** December 12, 2012, 10:10:38 AM »

Thanks guys.

Yes on the clip-ons. Like you say I am going to wait for the fairing to fit new bars. Ditto on the pegs!

The bike is a 650, not 550. Curious, why did you think it was 550?

cb650 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 12, 2012, 12:48:04 PM »

Sorry Confused it with another thread. OK go with 750 shocks. I been getting dohc 750 f shocks when I can.

Silenthunter · « **Reply #6 on:** December 12, 2012, 02:36:03 PM »

Thanks for the tip

The most important upgrade needed from what I have felt are the forks, they really do kinda suck stock, at least how I have them. They feel mushy at low speed and then at higher speed over expansion joint syle bumps want to jar your teeth out.

Im using ATF as a fluid, maybe should switch to something else?

I'm hoping the emulators will help this...

Bluegreen · « **Reply #7 on:** December 12, 2012, 05:07:56 PM »

Yeah, emulators will sort that out, then you'll notice how hilarious you back end feels

Stev-o · « **Reply #8 on:** December 12, 2012, 06:02:33 PM »

Great looking bike, Blue. I also have liked the Gulf livery. Is it just the pics, your bike looks off white?

Check out the Duc here.....

http://modular4kc.com/2011/04/22/design-friday-the-color-of-gulf-racing/

cb650 · « **Reply #9 on:** December 12, 2012, 10:52:01 PM »

I use 15 wt fork oil in mine. Tranny fluid is about 7 I think. And I have springs out of a 81 custom so they are a little longer than stock. Feels pretty good for all stock parts.
Now the 82 nitehawk I have handles like a turd compared.

Silenthunter · « **Reply #10 on:** December 13, 2012, 10:18:52 AM »

Just the photo's and/or monitor making it look more white ish. Its the real deal light blue # matched color called "Gulfblau"

Lol, well when it gets goofey after I do the forks, then the rear is next

Silenthunter · « **Reply #11 on:** December 13, 2012, 03:03:47 PM »

Thanks for the tips guys, appreciated. Here is a rough draft sheet of the decals I'm having printed up.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #12 on:** December 13, 2012, 03:59:53 PM »

Quote from: cb650 on December 12, 2012, 12:48:04 PM

Sorry Confused it with another thread. OK go with 750 shocks. I been getting dohc 750 f shocks when I can.

Forget the dohc shocks, they are rubbish, they fade very quickly and after 30 years, the only good use for them is in the garbage. And Yes, i have owned a few 1980's 750 and 900 Honda's and even new, the shocks were crap, they got hot faded in 5-10 minutes of hard riding and turned into pogo sticks causing really bad wallowing and rear wheel bounce under brakes.... They were slightly better in the later DOHC 1100F's.....

cb650 · « **Reply #13 on:** December 13, 2012, 07:26:35 PM »

Dont throw them away i'll use the rubish.

On the smaller bike they or ok. Especially if your not riding double. No if I was doing serious track time not the best option.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #14 on:** December 13, 2012, 08:10:16 PM »

Quote from: cb650 on December 13, 2012, 07:26:35 PM

Dont throw them away i'll use the rubish. On the smaller bike they or ok. Especially if your not riding double. No if I was doing serious track time not the best option.

I didn't even get to ride with them 2 up, they didn't last that long, replaced them with Koni's and transformed the handling...
I'm not the only one here that thinks they are crap, anyway, they are also longer than the stock 500-550 shocks, by an inch or so....

cb650 · « **Reply #15 on:** December 14, 2012, 06:35:15 AM »

Yes longer than the 650 shocks too. Another reason I use them. Put the 650 shocks on my 360 and love it too.

Silenthunter · « **Reply #16 on:** December 14, 2012, 02:44:43 PM »

Quote from: Bluegreen on December 12, 2012, 12:40:27 AM

Welcome to the forum.

Subscribed. Looking good so far! I really like full fairings, looking forward to updates!

Oh, and yeah, you're going to need some clip-ons as you already mentioned. The fairing will dictate where your hand controls go from here on in, and your feet as well.

Have you thought about taller rear shocks? It looks like you're running the stockers.

PM sent about your fairing. Is that an Airtech piece?

Bluegreen · « **Reply #17 on:** December 14, 2012, 03:41:13 PM »

PM Sent.

It's an MV Agusta.

Silenthunter · « **Reply #18 on:** December 14, 2012, 04:30:18 PM »

Yours looks awesome

How did you know it would work on the CB? I mean did you see someone else use it or just give it a shot?

I/m also wondering about the windscreens for all the fairings I have seen on the net, like from Airtech. They dont mention them.

Bluegreen · « **Reply #19 on:** December 14, 2012, 05:55:09 PM »

Well thanks again

I wasn't the first. I saw the fairing on Howell's CB500 race bike, he pointed me in the right direction.

As for windscreens. This is the proper one I believe:

http://www.bikescreen.com/proddetail.asp?prod=zzMVAgusta500RRBarbcoClassic

I ordered it and when I got it on I didn't like it as much as the temporary one I fitted off of an old gsxr. The temp was $10....And back on it went. The proper screen is hanging on my shop wall.

Silenthunter · « **Reply #20 on:** December 14, 2012, 06:41:55 PM »

Ahh GSXR, do you know the year/size?

Thanks so much for your help Bluegreen!

Your machine is really inspiration!

Bluegreen · « **Reply #21 on:** December 15, 2012, 03:39:27 AM »

Ha! thanks again!

'86-'87 I believe.

Silenthunter · « **Reply #22 on:** December 15, 2012, 05:23:27 AM »

You did exactly what I want to on mine, Sorry I will continue to bother you for a bit, LOL

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Author Topic: Le Mans Gulf cafe (Read 3390 times)