Topic: 1977 CB550K Cafe Racer project "Shinobi"

[jdizon]

Hi, My name is Johann and I've been lurking around this forum for quite some time and actually had a project posted but took it down mainly to losing interest. The project was put on the backburner for some time but I've got the itch again and I think it needs some scratching. Time to finish this project that I dub the "Shinobi". Here is rendering of what I have in mind for this bike.


Some History:

 The donor bike started off as a 1977 cb550k model. The only thing I'm going to use of the bike is the motor/title & registration.  In terms of background, I've got some experiencing rebuilding xs650's and Triumph unit motors from the ground up but I'm a newbie on hondas. So bare with me on the newbie questions.

Some details on the build specs.

Frame:
I've always been a fan of triton's and opted for a custom featherbed style frame coupled with a floating monoshock swingarm.
The frame and swingarm was built by Jamie of ElsewickCycles in CA.

Front end: Ceriani Triple and trying to score a set of 35mm forks.
Exhaust: 4 into 1 with a yoshi style muffler out back.
Electronics: Going crazy with Motogadget ( M-UNIT, Button, buttons, etc..)
Other mods: Dyna 5ohm coils, Ricks Reg/Rec, Shorai battery
Tank: Benelli Mojave and cowl.
Wheels: Kimtab 18/19 or Lester Mages 18/19 not sure yet.


I'm really looking forward to getting my hands dirty rebuilding this motor and learning everything I can to making my vision become a reality.

[Restoration Fan]

First of all, welcome to the forum.

Second, if you did that drawing, you have some drawing skills!

Finally, I'm in.  Looking forward to seeing what happens on this one.  Should be a fun thread to watch.

[jdizon]

 Nice to meet you and Thanks! I used SketchBook on my Iphone to make the rendering.

First of all, welcome to the forum.

Second, if you did that drawing, you have some drawing skills!

Finally, I'm in.  Looking forward to seeing what happens on this one.  Should be a fun thread to watch.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I cannot remember if this is the same Shinobi project that was up on the builds board a WHILE back.

Very nice rendering. 

To avoid title for a custom bike, I assume you are incorporating at least the headstock into the Elsewick frame.  Is the frame completed or being fabricated?  Is it a one-off or a production frame they make?

What type of swingarm are you going to use? The rending shows a braced double sided model of one kind or another with monoshock dampening. 

[jdizon]

Same one posted but took it off as I wasn't planning to update it anytime soon. Frame  is completed and is a one-off custom. Swing arm is double braced and the monoshock is sourced from a CBR1000.

In terms of the title, I've already got the donor bike Titled/Registered and I have the headstock with the original frame. If I get pulled over, worse case I'll get a custom title if I have to.

I cannot remember if this is the same Shinobi project that was up on the builds board a WHILE back.

Very nice rendering. 

To avoid title for a custom bike, I assume you are incorporating at least the headstock into the Elsewick frame.  Is the frame completed or being fabricated?  Is it a one-off or a production frame they make?

What type of swingarm are you going to use? The rending shows a braced double sided model of one kind or another with monoshock dampening. 

[jdizon]

Some pics of the frame and Rearsets built by Jamie of ElswickCycles.

[jdizon]

I've always liked the racy cafe look of the Benelli Mojave tank. Took a while but found a NOS Benelli tank on eBAY but unfortunately it sat to high on my frame and would need to be chopped quite a bit to look right. Instead of chopping the NOS I decided to pickup an Indian re-poop! The quality on the repop was terrible so I knew I wouldn't feel bad cutting it up. I'm also pondering the idea of cutting out the whole tunnel and creating a flat bottom since there's no backbone anyways and could use the extra fuel capacity. Here's a pick of the chopped tank. Took about 3" from the tank

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I think a new tank bottom will help with fuel capacity but you should weld in some sort of baffle on the bottom piece to prevent your fuel from completely sloshing from side to side.

[jdizon]

Great Idea, I was thinking of putting a small tunnel to hide the coils in that should help.

I think a new tank bottom will help with fuel capacity but you should weld in some sort of baffle on the bottom piece to prevent your fuel from completely sloshing from side to side.

[jdizon]

Got the headlight installed with the ceriani short fork ear mounts. Also a pic of the ceriani triple I plan to use.

[jdizon]

What's a ninja without his ninja stars

Process of rebuilding this set of Lester mags with the ever elusive 18" rear drum.
The past owner had the lips on the retainer bearing on the front rim all gone so it took some persuasion to remove. Got it out in the end with the threads in the hub undamaged. Look at the aftermath on that front retainer tho!

[jdizon]

Some cardboard mockup of a rear cowl.

[slikwilli420]

Lots of awesome stuff on this one. I dream of a custom frame so good on you for making it happen for your build. I will keep watching with interest.

[jdizon]

Thank you I appreciate it! Unfortunately the stock frame didn't fit the vision I had in mind. Got big plans for this one so stay tuned

Lots of awesome stuff on this one. I dream of a custom frame so good on you for making it happen for your build. I will keep watching with interest.

[calj737]

maybe just a hint more radius on the rear cowl? something to mimic the back end of the tank-

I agree, this is a very cool project. should look outstanding when rolling past!

[jdizon]

The cowl should have a similar radius as the tank. It'll look good when done. My buddy Adam with Speed Devices will form the actual metal (cowl) when look is finalized.

[calj737]

Yeah, theses pictures show it clearly. Looks really good!

[jdizon]

Yeah, theses pictures show it clearly. Looks really good!

Thanks btw been going through all your build Threads for ideas. Thanks again for answering a lot of my questions as well.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Johann,

Make sure to leave enough space for you to move around the seat.  That space is a little tight on the privates in the mock-up photos. 

[jdizon]

Johann,

Make sure to leave enough space for you to move around the seat.  That space is a little tight on the privates in the mock-up photos.

Yup for sure!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MessnerMoto]

This is impressive! I am really amazed. Please continue

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Is your build thread current to where you are now?

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Johann,

I was able to reach James Elswick.  He provided the following details on your frame:

"The frame is 28 degrees which would put the trail around 4" with a 19" wheel. All of the crucial dimensions were held in the factory locations...neck (other than being raked 2 degrees), swingarm pivot, all motor mounts except the rear upper mounts which I built custom plates for. The frame is 1018 1"x.120" wall mild steel. The seat area is shorter than stock, I just did what looked right to me. The swingarm is 2" longer than stock also and I set it up with a '05 cbr1000rr monoshock and linkage."

It's a very interesting package.

[jdizon]

Already had this info but thanks!

Johann,

I was able to reach James Elswick.  He provided the following details on your frame:

"The frame is 28 degrees which would put the trail around 4" with a 19" wheel. All of the crucial dimensions were held in the factory locations...neck (other than being raked 2 degrees), swingarm pivot, all motor mounts except the rear upper mounts which I built custom plates for. The frame is 1018 1"x.120" wall mild steel. The seat area is shorter than stock, I just did what looked right to me. The swingarm is 2" longer than stock also and I set it up with a '05 cbr1000rr monoshock and linkage."

It's a very interesting package.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I wasn't sure if you did, but I figured there might be some others (like me) interested in the frame geometry and construction.