Topic: Patina Hyena - 550/650 674cc Hybrid Cafe Build

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Maybe I'm weird, I just don't see myself riding another bike. Unless I'm going to be on the highway for more than 3 hours I can see a more comfortable stock 550. But anything else...not really. I feel like with one bike I can focus my attention to that more. If I had more than one, I think I wouldn't give one of them 100%. That's just me, obviously.

To each his own.  I think if you are going to ride one bike and one bike only, make it the best you can to suit your riding style.  I've become a big fan of lighter weight, peppy middleweights -- easy, sharp handling and less mass to stop and go.  With the stock 550, there was just not enough "go" for me.  I initially thought of building a 592cc motor (ported head, cam, etc.) but I chose the 650 because I could do the same mods and have an even more peppy motor. 

You are leading the way with the current "wave" of 650 motor builds here -- seeing that your bike is otherwise complete and your motor is almost finished, too.  Maybe, Rusty Olive will beat you to a runner, but he's running a stock motor.  I am looking forward to you getting this bike back on the road for a ride report! Me and the other "me, too" 674 builds are looking forward to it!

[DaveBarbier]

Maybe I'm weird, I just don't see myself riding another bike. Unless I'm going to be on the highway for more than 3 hours I can see a more comfortable stock 550. But anything else...not really. I feel like with one bike I can focus my attention to that more. If I had more than one, I think I wouldn't give one of them 100%. That's just me, obviously.

To each his own.  I think if you are going to ride one bike and one bike only, make it the best you can to suit your riding style.  I've become a big fan of lighter weight, peppy middleweights -- easy, sharp handling and less mass to stop and go.  With the stock 550, there was just not enough "go" for me.  I initially thought of building a 592cc motor (ported head, cam, etc.) but I chose the 650 because I could do the same mods and have an even more peppy motor. 

You are leading the way with the current "wave" of 650 motor builds here -- seeing that your bike is otherwise complete and your motor is almost finished, too.  Maybe, Rusty Olive will beat you to a runner, but he's running a stock motor.  I am looking forward to you getting this bike back on the road for a ride report! Me and the other "me, too" 674 builds are looking forward to it!

Yeah, I really just ride around town. So a quick fun bike is more my style. Maybe I'll change though, who knows!

The rocker cover should be delivered today, so my motor might be complete by tonight, and maybe even in the frame by this weekend.

[AlekStooge]

How many cams does the dang motor have, Dave? 

That varies Cal.... SOHC stands for 'Several Overhead Cams.' Hmm.... surprised you didn't know that!

                                                                                                                                                                                               Reminds me of a little fun we were having couple weeks ago.                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Excited to see this thing fired up Dave. Hopefully I'll be at that point soon enough. 

[DaveBarbier]

Haha, that's a nice addition. Yeah, I'm going to be a little nervous on the first start up.

[flatlander]

Maybe I'm weird, I just don't see myself riding another bike. Unless I'm going to be on the highway for more than 3 hours I can see a more comfortable stock 550. But anything else...not really. I feel like with one bike I can focus my attention to that more. If I had more than one, I think I wouldn't give one of them 100%. That's just me, obviously.

To each his own.  I think if you are going to ride one bike and one bike only, make it the best you can to suit your riding style.  I've become a big fan of lighter weight, peppy middleweights -- easy, sharp handling and less mass to stop and go.  With the stock 550, there was just not enough "go" for me.  I initially thought of building a 592cc motor (ported head, cam, etc.) but I chose the 650 because I could do the same mods and have an even more peppy motor. 

i agree with both of you here. the 550 is my only bike and i don't see time and space in my life to give the same attention to another one without sacrificing other activities. stayed with the 550 engine as i did want to keep it close to stock looking. if you are a more rational person than the 650 swap is a logical choice.

[Stev-o]

Maybe I'm weird, I just don't see myself riding another bike. Unless I'm going to be on the highway for more than 3 hours I can see a more comfortable stock 550. But anything else...not really. I feel like with one bike I can focus my attention to that more. If I had more than one, I think I wouldn't give one of them 100%. That's just me, obviously.

To each his own.  I think if you are going to ride one bike and one bike only, make it the best you can to suit your riding style.  I've become a big fan of lighter weight, peppy middleweights -- easy, sharp handling and less mass to stop and go.  With the stock 550, there was just not enough "go" for me.  I initially thought of building a 592cc motor (ported head, cam, etc.) but I chose the 650 because I could do the same mods and have an even more peppy motor. 

i agree with both of you here. the 550 is my only bike and i don't see time and space in my life to give the same attention to another one without sacrificing other activities. stayed with the 550 engine as i did want to keep it close to stock looking. if you are a more rational person than the 650 swap is a logical choice.

Years ago, I decided one bike is not enough, especially if one is a project and off the road.  It's nice to have a rider while the other is being worked on.  However, I do like to focus on 1 project bike at a time.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

That's one of my things, too.  I have to have at least one runner at any given time.

[DaveBarbier]

When I was working on my CL200 to sell it was fun to have both bikes to take out. But they were so different.

Anyway, motor is together finally! Ill have to take some covers off again to adjust tappers and such but it's looking good. Tomorrow I'm going to weigh both motors, exhausts and carbs and see actually how much more weight I'm adding. Then hopefully I'll drop it in the frame. Then the fun part of dealing with the CR's clearance...

[Camrector]

Yes!!! Good luck brother.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

When I was working on my CL200 to sell it was fun to have both bikes to take out. But they were so different.

Anyway, motor is together finally! Ill have to take some covers off again to adjust tappers and such but it's looking good. Tomorrow I'm going to weigh both motors, exhausts and carbs and see actually how much more weight I'm adding. Then hopefully I'll drop it in the frame. Then the fun part of dealing with the CR's clearance...

That motor looks great, Dave!  Thanks for doing the weight comparison.  Oil drained on both, I presume?

[DaveBarbier]

Unsure if I'm going to do oil filled on both or not. I may drain the 550 motor but I want to store it with oil in it. Probably best to store with fresh oil.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Unsure if I'm going to do oil filled on both or not. I may drain the 550 motor but I want to store it with oil in it. Probably best to store with fresh oil.

Makes sense.  I just meant for the weigh in.

[DaveBarbier]

Unsure if I'm going to do oil filled on both or not. I may drain the 550 motor but I want to store it with oil in it. Probably best to store with fresh oil.

Makes sense.  I just meant for the weigh in.

Yup, I know. I was just thinking ahead.

If you do store it, drizzle some MMO down the plug holes, stuff ping pong balls in the intake/exhaust ports, then plastic wrap the motor. Critter proof that way and the MMO will prevent any rust from forming above the rings.

Ping pong balls, nice. Thanks Cal

[DaveBarbier]

Motor is out and they're both weighed. People say the 650 is heavier but according to my scale they're both almost exactly 144 lbs.

650 was weighed without oil and I forgot the starter (add 3lbs)

550 was weighed after oil drained for a couple hours. You can see in the 550 shot that the oil filter housing wasn't on, but I put it on top of the motor for the closeup shot of the scale. For all intents and purposes, these motors weigh the same.

650:



550:



Looks cool!

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Hah!! Now who says the 650 is significantly heavier to cancel out the added power and torque??   

[Camrector]

Awesome stuff.
Wasn't the 650 an overall heavier bike than the 550? From brief numbers ive seen the 650 was 60lbs heavier. Wasn't in the motor!

[DaveBarbier]

In the frame. Love the look. Especially love how tight the tappet covers are to the tank.

Shout out to my brother who helped take the 550 out and put the 650 in!

My god I want to start it up right now, haha.

[Camrector]

That doesn't suck!!!!!

[DaveBarbier]

That doesn't suck!!!!!

That's all I'm going for, haha.

[bwaller]

Interesting news on the weights, I figured a little longer stroke crankshaft would have added a little extra meat, but guess not. So this is great news for you guys following the 550/650 path!

Dave, not nit picking but it looks like you've made some rear set pegs because your brake pedal looks a bit too long and wide. Might I suggest considering a 400F pedal? I did this for my wife's bike, had to heat & bend in a couple spots but the length was perfect. I should have a picture if you want a look.

[MRieck]

Interesting news on the weights, I figured a little longer stroke crankshaft would have added a little extra meat, but guess not. So this is great news for you guys following the 550/650 path!

Dave, not nit picking but it looks like you've made some rear set pegs because your brake pedal looks a bit too long and wide. Might I suggest considering a 400F pedal? I did this for my wife's bike, had to heat & bend in a couple spots but the length was perfect. I should have a picture if you want a look.

I see what you are saying.

[DaveBarbier]

Dave, not nit picking but it looks like you've made some rear set pegs because your brake pedal looks a bit too long and wide. Might I suggest considering a 400F pedal? I did this for my wife's bike, had to heat & bend in a couple spots but the length was perfect. I should have a picture if you want a look.

Do you mean from an aesthetic or functional point of view? These pegs are the passenger pegs that I adapted to the stock location just to have them smaller. The brake feels fine and it's very comfortable to step on. Not too long as far as my foot's concerned.

If you could post a picture that would be cool. If the 400 pedal would look a bit better I'm all for it.

[Camrector]

What about actual rearset brackets, like cognito makes? The new aluminum ones are very nice and light. Also any plans for the rear shocks and tires?
Don't you just love us 

[DaveBarbier]

Plans for Hagons and Bridgestone BT45's. A while back I made a set of rear sets similar to the ones that Dustin Kott makes. It was too uncomfortable so I took them off and put these pegs on. I'm too short for rear sets I guess, haha. I had a lot of hand pain and numbness, couldn't ride more than 30 minutes at a time.

Besides, I think the typical aluminum rear sets are pretty ugly, haha.

If the brake lever thing was for aesthetics I'm not so sure I agree. It doesn't stand out to me as being too long.

Edit: in looking at the picture more if it does look too long it's probably just because the exhaust isn't on which would help fill up that area. I love you guys but you're all crazy, haha

[bwaller]

No question about the "crazy".  . Is that the stock pedal? It's a long way from the engine but you're right there are no pipes in place yet. I can't find a good picture from the same angle as yours, but maybe you can see how the 400F pedal fits.

Don't apologize for your pegs, the absolute most comfortable position i believe is to place the pegs directly under your ass. For these bikes nearly under the swingarm pivot bolt, so you're in the ballpark!


EDIT: changed the pic. A lot depends on what you have planned for exhaust. Regardless don't let me change your plans.