Topic: 1st cafe build (need few pointers)

[jprochnow]

It's always better to replace parts right away then wished you did later.

[calj737]

I think your plan of a bright "refresh" is very sensible. Once you got it on the road, and some seat time, you may discover you want a very different bike to pour money into. Or build from scratch while having this as a daily runner. Never can tell which direction the wind will blow....

Keep your build up to date so we can all enjoy your journey with you.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I'm not even aware of any higher performance valves or springs -- I think you are stuck with OEM replacements.  The main performance gains on the 650 are porting and overboring.  That said, porting and honing to use stock pistons should be fine and still offer a performance bump.  The key is to eliminate weight where reasonably possible.  Loss of weight is equal to a gain in horsepower and it makes the bike more agile in terms of handling, too.

[CBR954AD]

Thank u  for everything so far . I am just building this bike as a winter project and then give it my younger brother. I have been riding for over 10 years . Currently i own a 02 954 bored to 980cc a 09 custom vulcan and my k9 650 project. I want build this to. A cafe racer and han d my brother a perdect engine in a cool looking bike. If i make this one a descent looking, next one will be to turn and sell. So i just received my engine case and head and all bolt on covers back from sand blaster.  Will post pix in am.  I need order gasket kit, valve seals , new valves. After cleaning mine they still look pretty bad. About 1mm of ludge on face of valve. Whats a good company order oem valves. honda?? Im going for a front end shopping this weekend at bent bike, a used parts store here in Seattle.  He has two aisles. Of front end w wheels on off w clp ons. Everything, then once i chose right front i need order correct stem bearings

[CBR954AD]

Morning CB lovers,
so I am looking for valves, I went to OEM honda site and it appears that honda does not make them anymore, unless i am blind here is the link
http://www.hondaparts-direct.com/fiche_section_detail.asp?section=2561661&category=Motorcycles&make=Honda&year=1979&fveh=132872
Also I found this gasket kit from; scroll half way down see gasket kit for 120$
http://www.partsnmore.com/parts/honda/cb650/?filters[category]=engine&filters[year]=1979#product-49-0788

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Morning CB lovers,
so I am looking for valves, I went to OEM honda site and it appears that honda does not make them anymore, unless i am blind here is the link
http://www.hondaparts-direct.com/fiche_section_detail.asp?section=2561661&category=Motorcycles&make=Honda&year=1979&fveh=132872
Also I found this gasket kit from; scroll half way down see gasket kit for 120$
http://www.partsnmore.com/parts/honda/cb650/?filters[category]=engine&filters[year]=1979#product-49-0788

NOS valves are not readily available from Honda or dealers.  There are aftermarket sellers who sell stock spec valves on ebay for the 650:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Honda-CB650-Exhaust-Valve-/311114020458?vxp=mtr

Stock springs and retainers are available, as are valve seals (both stock and aftermarket).

[CBR954AD]

hey guys thank you for the valve info, I ordered a set . I am at Bent bike right now i found 3 potential front end. a CBR1000 comp for $400 wheel discs, trees. top bottom. off a 09. on the allbearing site they say that they have bearings that will fit the Cb650. should I buy the CBR1000 front end? and order the bearing from them? also on stock CB the rear tire is 17 inch and front 19? when we make these bikes cafe racers we run a small diameter front rim, like same size as rear correct?

[calj737]

If you plan an USD front end, I'd run 17/17 wheels. If you want more vintage, 18/17 or 18/18.

[CBR954AD]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000GUWO8K/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1416434913&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX200_QL40
What do u guys think about these rear shocks.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I've owned a pair.  I prefer the IKONS.

[CBR954AD]

im am working on a tight budget, The Ikons are $400 for the Cb650. I can get into the the progressive shocks set for $153.00 and $60 for springs. im sure there is a diff in ride but my pockets cannot afford those.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

im am working on a tight budget, The Ikons are $400 for the Cb650. I can get into the the progressive shocks set for $153.00 and $60 for springs. im sure there is a diff in ride but my pockets cannot afford those.

I can respect that.  You might want to consider the Hagons.  In my opinion, they are better than that model Progressive and are about the same price.

[calj737]

Yeah, not too pleased with my Progressives. Hard as a rock and nearly no damping.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Progressive makes a nicer shock with a piggyback reservoir but NOT for Hondas.

[CBR954AD]

thank you, ok here we go so I picked up the 09 CBR1000 front end, came with wheel rotors top bottom tree. calipers. questions. I want to run wire wheels. I found a set of CB750 wheels. can I run those on that front end, and which axle bolt to use for them, if not what are you comments on wire wheels for that front end. I really want wire wheels same size F/R. thank you. next week i will begin assembly on motor, going to be ordering gasket kit, clean up on bolts, porting and polishing head this week.
Cheers,

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

You should use the CBR axle, but swap the bearings in your CB750 hub to the bearings for the CBR to match the axle diameter.  IF the CBR900 brake rotors mount using a 5 bolt pattern, you will need to mill adapters to bolt up to your stock hub. 

See my build string adapting a 2008 CBR600RR front to a CB750K2:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.msg1484973#msg1484973

[CBR954AD]

Great Build. cant wait till I get my front end on my bike... so if I buy CB750 wire wheels they will fit on the 09 CBR1000 front end. just use the bearings that came with the wheel i get. or if it dont come with one, buy a CB750 bearing. also on ur build, you pressed out the Tree neck and swapped for the CB750 one. should I use my 650 neck and use the CBR1000 and get bearings from allbearings.com?

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Great Build. cant wait till I get my front end on my bike... so if I buy CB750 wire wheels they will fit on the 09 CBR1000 front end. just use the bearings that came with the wheel i get. or if it dont come with one, buy a CB750 bearing. also on ur build, you pressed out the Tree neck and swapped for the CB750 one. should I use my 650 neck and use the CBR1000 and get bearings from allbearings.com?

Try fitting the CBR triple on your 650 frame.  You will not need a 750 steering stem (since the 650/550/500 steering neck is smaller than the 750).  Depending on the fit, you may need some spacers.

Check out the diameter of the CBR hub -- the hole for the axle -- and compare it with the same for the CB650.  IF they are the same, you will only need the bearings for the CBR installed into the hub of your 650 wheel.  The bearings for the 650 will not likely work with the CBR axle.

You will need spacers machined to bridge the gap between the 650 hub and where the CBR rotors need to be to match up the calipers mounted on the CBR forks.  You will need precise measurements using a micrometer.

It appears that the 2009 CBR brake rotors use a 6-hole pattern to mount to the hub.  You will want to confirm that this pattern matches the 6-hole pattern on the 650 wheel hub.  If so, this will simplify things (and you will only need the spacers machined).

[CBR954AD]

sounds good. thank you.. I am working on stripping paint of frame right now, waiting on motor gasket seal kit, also ordered swingarm bushings... I really want to run rear disc brake. I read somewhere that my CB650 frame is setup for drum, so doing disc would not work unless I modify something??, any comments on that. Also does the 750 rear wire wheel disc brake or drum? what would be the most budget friendly way of doing a rear disc on wire wheels.thank you guys, and for the USA CB lover happy Thanksgiving..
Cheers,

[CBR954AD]

Hello CB lovers,
So i got in touch with MReick, he gave me a few pointers on what do on the head.. here are the things he said to do
 the 650 is pretty good. Streamline the guide boss and blend the short (low) side into the seat to it is a very smooth transition. Remove casting marks on the short side as well.... thats is all he responded with. what does he mean by guide boss?the rest I understand.
Cheers,

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

sounds good. thank you.. I am working on stripping paint of frame right now, waiting on motor gasket seal kit, also ordered swingarm bushings... I really want to run rear disc brake. I read somewhere that my CB650 frame is setup for drum, so doing disc would not work unless I modify something??, any comments on that. Also does the 750 rear wire wheel disc brake or drum? what would be the most budget friendly way of doing a rear disc on wire wheels.thank you guys, and for the USA CB lover happy Thanksgiving..
Cheers,

If you are looking to fit a 750 Super Sport rear disc with spoked wheels, you will want to focus on the 1975 and 1976 models (since the later models used the comstar wheels).  I haven't swapped a Super Sport CB750F wheel onto a CB750K model or a CB550 as you want to do, but I am sure it is possible.  You will need to weld a mount on the frame for the master cylinder for the rear brake.  If you are planning to install rear sets you will already need to sort out the rear brake pedal linkage.  It will probably help to run a search on swapping the rear drum to disc here on the forum.  I'm sure many have figured out how to do it. 

[CBR954AD]

grear will do, thank you..

[calj737]

what does he mean by guide boss?

What's the old adage? "If you have to ask, you should not undertake the job". The guide boss is the casting area that the valve guide rides in. The appear as "lumps" within the ports. Mike is being awfully generous with his wisdom and experience, so best you heed it carefully. If the bosses are somewhat "square" as the rise from the chamber floor, then he's suggesting you taper the transition to reduce friction and turbulence.

Here's a slightly different condition example as these are KW guides and a Stage 3 head from Mike-

[CBR954AD]

Im sorry that I didn't understand the Lingo. I am in school right now 2nd quarter. I have ported 3 heads in the past, with  my friend and we saw descent numbers on the DOHC heads, on the dyno. we dyno the motor stock timing the VAFC controller was set pretty much stock settings, so I can get some what accurate HP number from port/polish job. I did not do a like a severe porting either. pretty much smooth walls blended the walls edges down about a i think it was a 1.5mm.
anyways I will post pictures of the head work as I go, Even i have a web cam setup in my shop bench so i can make video and upload on my youtube channel.
thank you

[CBR954AD]

Hello guys I am trying to order a gasket kit for the engine I found a couple which one to get or reccomend? this one is for $120 from partsNmore and does not come with valve stem seals.
http://www.partsnmore.com/cart/index.php?main_page=shopping_cart
next 2 are from Ebay and both include valve stem seals. one is $69, other is like $92.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/79-82-Honda-CB650-Athena-Top-End-Gasket-Kit-P400210600600-1-/371166514808?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A1979%7CMake%3AHonda%7CModel%3ACB650&hash=item566b3f8e78&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Athena-Top-End-Gasket-Kits-P400210600600-1-0934-0982-6599-877-/261460891610?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A1979%7CMake%3AHonda%7CModel%3ACB650&hash=item3ce04897da&vxp=mtr
also I found just the valve stem seals for about $5-8 a piece of a kit of 8 for about 30 dollars
thank you