Topic: TSUNAMI-1978 CB750 K8 DONOR TO CAFE'

[Tsunami]

Actually the ad was for Tracy Fiberglass Works In Santa Cruz Ca back in the 70's. This particular ad showed one of his Cafe' set ups with the seat, tank and fairing.

Below  This was what he gave me for lending him the bike once in awhile for ads & fitment.  The tank on the 750, body with seat and tank, and paint jobs for all.

Or were you talking about another bike & mag?

[BPellerine]

it was in another mag,but I have never seen that exhaust in person.bill

[Tsunami]

Bill good luck on your nomination!

Just a weekend update here.

9-6-14  Started on the rear suspension, 
did every one remember to grease their brake spindle and the pinions the shoes ride on?
How about your brake wear indicator and Rubber washer for the Brake Bar?
Shutting down the shop for the day!

[Tsunami]

09/07/14
mounted the chain and misc., choke cable and holders

[Tsunami]

09/08/14
Installed new neutral safety switch, repaired the wire, repaired one of the connections in the alternator bundle and wrapped them in tape. Installed the chain guard cover and the shifter cover as well as the left rear set.

I call the rear suspension done!

OOP's

[brandEn]

man things are looking GREAT

[BPellerine]

now stick a tank on that thing and make roar!looks nice.bill

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

It's all in the details, and you are bringing them together nicely, Greg.  Like those drag bars.  Everything on this bike is screaming quality.

[Tsunami]

The 9th on I have kept busy with little things like the exhaust, some cables, found out my new banjo bolt crush washers in the 3/8 size are too small.  Of the three drill guides I have I picked the one that said it was 3/8" the other two say the next size up, I think it was 25/64 if it weren't for bad luck I would have no luck at all.  And those puppies aint cheep as you all well know.  Also have set up a paint booth with a table spinner of sorts.  I spent too much money on the Alsa Killer Chrome with less than stellar results, not something for an amateur, save your money.  But I'm toying around with a number of effects to see what I can come up with time will tell.  Anyway some pics. 

[calj737]

Are you happy with the strength of the cap head screws for your motor mounts? Seems a bit underrated for their critical role.

The cockpit of your bike is exquisite. Beautiful details and and choices for the rider. I always have huge admiration for bikes that look great to passersby, and a treat for the rider too. Really a gorgeous build!

[Tsunami]

Thanks CALJ735, You know I never gave it that much thought, didn't know it could be an issue? The two long bolts are original so I don't think it will go anywhere, what can you tell me about your research?  Yes I decided to stay with the stock gauge's as I loved them on my 74 back in the day.  I did update them with new led lights, faces, domed glass cover and the joker trim rings. I also rolled the mileage back to "0". I had a set of the chrome covers that hid the sides and they looked great but wouldn't work with the Trim rings.  So I repainted the black outside and save it to upgrade in the future.  Glad you noticed

[calj737]

IIRC, the stock fasteners in those locations are Grade 8 bolts. The cap head screws, even if SS, probably aren't. It may not be an issue, just something I might give some thought to...

Worst case, if I were concerned, I'd buy the corresponding stock sized bolts from ARP in flange head SS. Those will definitely be stronger than stock, and SS, and the flangehead will also be a mi touch. Stock appearance, but better than stock, like your gauges.

BTW, I really like the grips and controls!

[Tsunami]

Yep nothing is ever easy with these builds.  I'm going to query the people I bought them from and see what rating they have.

  I had a pair of grips with rubber and some gold copper trim as I had thought I might try to do a lot of brass.  What used to be a cheap commodity is no longer as brass has gone from scrap to jewel like prices!  So I saw these grips but they were for Harleys, Honda has a throttle tube to account for.  I tried to get a machine shop to do it but it wasn't worth their time.  I eventually had to get a 7/8" size and spend quite a bit of time with a number of different home made tools to enlarge the inside of the grip to cover the tube.  The controls I stumbled into, ain't the internet great, on line and sent the grip to a fellow in LA with the controls to route out the hole for them.  As yet not hooked up, the electrics will be a real challenge.   

So what's keeping your hands greasy these days?

[Tsunami]

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH  YES!

[calj737]

Oh, only 3-1/2 simultaneous builds, so not much really. After my boy dinged up the "just about completely done" 550, I've had to go back and re-work several things.

His 500 build is stagnant as I await the trans from undercutting before huge motor can be buttoned up. Can't really do the swing arm or seat mods until that gets mocked up. Can't do the body work until the seat hoop is done. Can't do...

My buddy's 572 build is awaiting machine shop work. Working on a swing arm for his bike (will be the same as my 550). Got a long list of parts to buy, mostly waiting on $$$ from him.

My BMW is sitting in the corner, waiting mostly on me because isn't 3 Hondas really enough of a challenge to keep straight at once? I've done some of the swing arm and tank mods. Need to really sit down and solve the seat hoop re-fab. Then rebuild the motor, and machine a new triple tree.

But mostly I'm in a holding pattern due to waiting on machine shops, powder coating, or funding. Kids are all in school again so play bus driver twice a day which throws a nice wrench in my time. And then let's not forget about travel soccer and their games out of town every weekend (3) and their practices nightly (4x). Come Friday night, I rest and get to bed early to prepare for Saturday. Can't wait until Mondays!


Onto a motorcycle topic though...
I've always been keen on the internal cable routed throttles. Have not really looked at them to try and determine if they could be adapted for a push/pull, but wondered if I couldn't pull one off somehow.

And then there's this one from White Collar Bikes in Singapore. Maybe not for everyone...but I think it's among the most elegantly engineered pieces I've seen on a bike. Beauty, function, and purpose. It would take a really significant bike to support it, but pretty darn cool.

Devil is in the details. Or is it "God"? Can't remember.

[brandEn]

That bike is so damn cool. I like it without the tank and seat. Can't wait to see it all buttoned up on the floor though.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Greg,

The bike is really coming together daily.  Love it.

The gear throttle looks cool, but those large gears would have to move like butter to work right.

[BPellerine]

looking great greg .bill

[Tsunami]

Re: that bike on CALJ737 message above----WOW- my grips are KNURLEY but those are GNARLY!!! I like the tank.  Looks like some sort of overlay with faux rivets.  Funny I've been sitting here watching U tube to learn how to airbrush rivets and panel lines for my tanks and seat similar to that.  Wish I had thought of that though, some people are better at thinking outside the box and that fellow looks like he can superbly, my hats off too him.

And yes I will be putting the other cable on soon

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Re: that bike on CALJ737 message above----WOW- my grips are KNURLEY but those are GNARLY!!! I like the tank.  Looks like some sort of overlay with faux rivets.  Funny I've been sitting here watching U tube to learn how to airbrush rivets and panel lines for my tanks and seat similar to that.  Wish I had thought of that though, some people are better at thinking outside the box and that fellow looks like he can superbly, my hats off too him.

And yes I will be putting the other cable on soon

Greg,

The only drawback to those grips is that they will be a bit hard on your hands -- no give to them if/when you squeeze.  But they look cool!

[Tsunami]

Most likely however I'm not taking any cross country trips on it either.  For putting around town, that's what gloves are for I just want to hang on woooo weeeee!  and they do look cool

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Bad-a$$ cool. 

[Tsunami]

Hey All, life is just too busy!  Decided to let the painting go for awhile and start the wiring.  DREADED WIREING I need some help from someone on the board, I don't know how to present a question to everyone?
My 1st problem is I have no engine stop switch.  I have found a always open switch, very small.  It appears on the schematic that the black with white strip wire would need to be grounded to stop the engine?  I don't know how much current runs through it but think it must be quite a bit?  If so could I not run the small always open switch to a STDP relay and using the 87a pin to be able to use the small switch to activate the relay to open the circuit to ground thus killing the engine?  Simple eh?  Could use the help or send me packing on the forum where I should be asking this question.  Mean while some photos for your amusement.  #1 finally found a place for my PDM60, #2 note the huge bundle of wire on the right for the GripAce Switch , #3 The tie wraps are only temp. until everything is place looks like about a 12-15" need to be cut out in the rear , #4 not too crowded yet , #5 this is all the results of my misspent youth where did I go wrong , #6 My head is spinning!

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Hey All, life is just too busy!  Decided to let the painting go for awhile and start the wiring.  DREADED WIREING I need some help from someone on the board, I don't know how to present a question to everyone?
My 1st problem is I have no engine stop switch.  I have found a always open switch, very small.  It appears on the schematic that the black with white strip wire would need to be grounded to stop the engine?  I don't know how much current runs through it but think it must be quite a bit?  If so could I not run the small always open switch to a STDP relay and using the 87a pin to be able to use the small switch to activate the relay to open the circuit to ground thus killing the engine?  Simple eh?  Could use the help or send me packing on the forum where I should be asking this question.  Mean while some photos for your amusement.  #1 finally found a place for my PDM60, #2 note the huge bundle of wire on the right for the GripAce Switch , #3 The tie wraps are only temp. until everything is place looks like about a 12-15" need to be cut out in the rear , #4 not too crowded yet , #5 this is all the results of my misspent youth where did I go wrong , #6 My head is spinning!

Hey Greg,

I didn't notice before that you are using the GripAce gear.  I believe that company is still run by Jason Britton's (Kawasaki professional stunt rider and TV host) brother.  I met the guy a couple of times and his product is pretty cool; it sure allows for clean-looking bars.

[Tsunami]

Correct Don, I spoke with him several times last year when purchasing the product, and likely will again when I get to that part of the installation.  I'm not expecting trouble as the instructions are very good, but you know Murphy's law!  He was very helpful and I sent my grip to him to have it routed out for the button mechanism.  The wiring harness works well through the headlight bucket, wires to the horns need to be shortened.  The rear is a different story, most everything may need shorting excepting some of the Battery connections.  I cant place the Rectifier, start solenoid, led Winker (Blinker) on the pan until I have all the wires worked out.  The fun begins.