Topic: Cafe Racer another level? What could be new in cafe racer market?

[GroovieGhoulie]

Earlier you mentioned wiring harnesses.  Perhaps you could do one that would relocate the electrics and fuse panel and turn the battery, so the CR tank could be used, or the under-seat area could be cleaned up and seen through.

[flatblack]

Interesting, thought-provoking thread...

Here's a question I've been pondering on my 750K8: What air filter options are there beyond the stock airbox and pods? I don't want to run without a filter. The stock airbox is, well, stock, and I think the pods look cheap.

Some kind of chromed metal shroud with a single oiled foam or paper filter seems like a nice option. It doesn't have to be huge and there are a lot of filters out there that would fit.

I'll go take my meds now...

fb

[ChrisR]

Didn't steviemac do a good job on his cafe in relocating battery, wiring etc so the frame was 'see-through' behind the carbs? Though I think his is a 550 not a 750.

[bill440cars]

       Has anyone, with a 750, ever thought about doing some tube replacement so that the oil would be in the frame? Then you could clean up the area between the motor ans the rear wheel. Just a thought, since I'm not sure how else you could do it unless you built a tank and hid it in the hump of a cafe seat and tried to hide the electrics elsewhere. Just a thought.  Later on, Bill

[bill440cars]

       Back on the oil tank thing. If you did a gastank like the one DME did and could seal it properly, you might make the rear section the oil tank. The old Indian motorcycles did that. Worth a thought?

                                             I'm Still Thinking (I know....That's Scary)

                                                               Bill

[6adan]

Something like the Tracy body only in more of a cafe style.Dannie

[pmpski_1]

You missed the point, With graphics costing chicken change, there would be no reason other than wanting to , to have a one color bike.

300 dollars for a 3000 dollar paint job will be great. But if this guy gets a whiff of what others are getting for the same work that he is doing, you're only gonna get about 5 -10 tanks from him before he starts charging more.

(unless he's already won the lottery and doesn't need the money, or he's against the idea of money for some reason or another).

Or maybe you have a secret to prepping the pieces before and during painting? 

Old Bike Barn used to have cafe kits with different stages. No brakes, but I think they offered bushings and mini tachs\speedos. And of course, the required clubman bars.

[Rushoid]

Hey, how 'bout a steering stabilizer? 

Seriously, what do they do? Just act like a shock absorber against wobble? I apologize for my noobness, but I was experimenting while riding yesterday and noticed that with no hands on the bar, there was some wobble. I don't feel anything in my hands or arms though. Just wondering...

Ummm since you mentioned noobness....have ya tightened down the steering bearing nut lately? Slop in the bearings of the steering head will do just that.

Might be time for an adjustment or some tapered bearings in the ol' steering buddy.

Thanks, kghost. No, I haven't tightened it. I've checked for play and freedom of movement. Those seem fine, but I'll go ahead and tighten that bad boy up! Tapered bearings are already on the winter projects list.

[dusterdude]

       Back on the oil tank thing. If you did a gastank like the one DME did and could seal it properly, you might make the rear section the oil tank. The old Indian motorcycles did that. Worth a thought?

                                             I'm Still Thinking (I know....That's Scary)

                                                               Bill

yea,im scared.

[Rhonda750F]

Wouldn't having the oil tank incorporated at the end of the gas tank burn the balls while riding?

I like the idea of making a harness to move the electronics to the back and using blade style fuses.  You should make this product it's pure gold, gold I tell ya!

Now how about a mod for the people with rear disk setups.  That Damn stabilizer bar is too close to my tire.  I want a wider wheel back there.  Any thoughts on how to move it further out, spacers, different bar etc.

How about a better swing arms, tubular like the ones on the Ducati Paul Smart/Sport 1000?
with single dampers?
It maybe too much stress on the OG frame, but I would certainly pay for a nice swingarm that can support wider wheels and more modern shocks (eye/clevis options)

Something I've done for cosmetic purposes only, is lower all the instruments (tack, speedo, dummy lights, ignition, and headlight) about 4 inches maybe more, to get them out of the sky.  They now sit about tank level a little more streamline.  This could be an easy kit to make.  It involves making a lowering bracket for the brakeline junction to make clearance for the headlight, some longer bolts w/ spacers for the instruments and ignition, and some headlight ear brackets mounted upside-down. This kit is pantent pending.  JK


..........or maybe I'm not!

[mlinder]

custom frames.

[ProTeal55]

Turbo option ? 

[chrislib]

 Back on the oil tank thing. If you did a gastank like the one DME did and could seal it properly, you might make the rear section the oil tank. The old Indian motorcycles did that. Worth a thought?


 I'm Still Thinking (I know....That's Scary)

 Bill

Would`nt that heat the gas up a wee bit? The idea of 200 some odd deg F fuel is kinda scary. I havta say, I love the way you folks think "outside" the box, ideas ALL OVER the place...awesome!

[seaweb11]

I've seen on one of those "build shows" a gas tank split in 1/2 with oil on one side, gas on the other.
Doesn't mean it works though.

Better minds than mine will input info

[JP]

My big secret for my 750SS is out

My oil tank will be in the gas tank at the front right corner.  I have two SS tanks that have already been cut open and a tank is being installed.  This is in no way a new concept and is actually used on the true CR750 alluminum tanks and many many older bikes.  With around 4 gallons of gas to spread the heat and a good working oil cooler from Terry in Australia, it will actually provide more performance by keeping the oil at tempratures of around 160F!

Think about it, how hot do you think the gas is on a 100F day?  Fuel being hot or cool doesn't make nearly as much difference as engine temp. 

Also, for whoever asked about a 550- they have no external oil tanks, so the electrics can just be put in the bump stop and that's it.

JP

[bill440cars]

                Just for Info, the old Indians had a 2 piece gas tank and one half had the oil tank built into it.
         That setup worked for quite some time (now the oil part was in the front of the right hand part I
         believe. That's why I made the suggestion and it was just to throw something out there that
         might give someone ideas to create something that would work. Hey, I don't even have a 750
         SOHC but, I'm trying to give ideas to help others.

                                                 

                                                                   later on, Bill

[cafehonda]

The problem with a "box" cafe is the same thing that's wrong with cookie cutter choppers. The style is by definition individual. I'm all for being able to buy parts off the rack, cuz it would cut down on the hundreds of hours I seem to spend prototyping and then trying to convince someone to pay more than $50.00 for a duplicate. The problem is most of us are cheap bass-turds. And I for one am sick of workin' for free!