Topic: 1977 CB550K Cafe Racer project "Shinobi"

[jdizon]

Thanks but I wasn't sure what info people wanted to see? I'll try and provide more detailed specs etc on the parts used moving forward.

I was interested as well, and hoped sooner or later Johan would share it. Then again, I can understand if it's preferred to be kept private. Nonetheless, it's a great looking foundation by a skilled fabricator!

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I'm hoping I'm not beating a dead horse.  I didn't disclose pricing since I was not sure Johann would want that posted.  I presumed that many member are interested in the geometry (rake, trail) on a custom frame as it can affect the handling of the bike, especially as it might compare to the 550 (which many regard as a very-well handling motorcycle).  By disseminating geometry information, members can deduce whether or not the custom frame offers a performance improvement as compared to the stock frame. 

That's all.  End of diatribe!    Thanks for your indulgence, Johann!

[jdizon]

Final look of the rear cowl before the buck goes out to my buddy for the metal shaping. I'm very happy with the look and will NOT change it

[hashvm]

This bike is gonna be a killer! Very nice lines on this design

[jdizon]

Thanks man! Got big plans for this bike

This bike is gonna be a killer! Very nice lines on this design

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

That cowl looks great -- excellent proportions to the tank.

[jdizon]

Thanks Don I appreciate it. The cowl is a little shorter to give me some breathing room.

That cowl looks great -- excellent proportions to the tank.

[Restoration Fan]

Looks really good.
Are you going to leave the exhaust that short or do you plan to put a muffler on it?

[jdizon]

Thanks. I'm still not 100% on the exhaust I plan to go with but  I'm leaning towards a 4 into 1 with the oil filter accessible paired with a Yoshi style rear setup with baffles.

Looks really good.
Are you going to leave the exhaust that short or do you plan to put a muffler on it?

[jdizon]

Thanks for your input! Never new they unclip the way you mentioned. I may reconsider and actually did call Motogpwerks to inquire about purchasing an exhaust system. It doesn't look like Chris has a long enough list of buyers yet to warrant another batch. He mentioned maybe towards the end of the year but I'd like to get my bike on the road within the  2 months. If you got any leads or want to sell one of yours I'd be definitely interested

A comment on exhaust systems if I may; too many get worked up over access to the filter. With a MotoGP/Yoshi, the header  unclips in seconds by releasing the springs. It's not worth worrying about because it will take longer to change the oil then remove the header.

My input.

[jdizon]

That's very gracious of you I am on the list for a set but definitely could use one sooner. Let me follow up with Chris to get an exact timeframe of when he expects to make the next batch and get back to you. I would hate to take your set and find out he won't make another by the end of the year.

If you genuinely need a set sooner than he has one ready, I have a new on box set sitting and awaiting the 500 build. It won't be needed until late Spring, so we can swap the order (done it 3 times already). If you decide that's what you need, just PM me and I'll ship them along. They're not going anywhere before then. No rush, no risk.

[jdizon]

Got some goodies today! Normally I hate wiring bikes but I'm actually really excited about hooking up this Motogadget M-unit and M button. Got the m-blaze signals and switches also on the way. Planning to tuck a Shorai Lithium battery inside the rear cowl and the rest of the electronics underneath the seatpan. The seat pan will only be about 2" inches deep so it won't be view-able with the exception of the Rick's reg/rec wich I might mount underneath for some additional cooling. I also picked up a pair of Dyna coils I plan to mount underneath the tank.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Bike porn!

No M-Lock?

[jdizon]

I'll have to look into that and see what it does and if I can use it. Right now I'm saving up for one of their motoscope pro digital dashes

Bike porn!

No M-Lock?

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[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

It acts a master key -- and replaces the need for a physical key turning the ignition switch.  It uses RFID technology to switch the bike's electrical system on/off when passed near the sensor.  Without it, a thief cannot power on your bike.  It makes hotwiring a bike difficult. 

You can place it in your jacket or pocket so that it simply turns on the bikes electrical when you get on it. 

[jdizon]

Damn.. That's fancy. I must have one of those thanks for the info.

It acts a master key -- and replaces the need for a physical key turning the ignition switch.  It uses RFID technology to switch the bike's electrical system on/off when passed near the sensor.  Without it, a thief cannot power on your bike.  It makes hotwiring a bike difficult. 

You can place it in your jacket or pocket so that it simply turns on the bikes electrical when you get on it.

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[SF]

Great look front to back, nice lines and nice products you picked out. I have the M-lock for my 550 project and it makes for a clean look.


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[SF]

What are your plans for motor work? Sorry if I missed it somewhere


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[jdizon]

Ditch the M-Button and use that money towards the M-Lock. Using the M-Button with clip on bars is a major pain and doesn't really gain you anything in simplifying the harness. Every wire from the m-switches is a "Ground" and I use 22awg to run straight to the input side of the m-unit. The output of the m-unit is switched 12v, so use 18awg directly to the component. Simple.Done. You also can simplify the alternator 8-way plug. Remove the Oil and Neu wires from it, and consolidate the remaining wires into the female plug provided with the Ricks. The Regulator side RED should be removed from the plug and the loose WHITE goes in its place. The loose RED to battery POS, loose GREEN to chassis Ground, and loose BLACK to LOCK/AUX on the m-unit.

Aren't you done yet? 

As for the the MotoScope Pro, very cool. It's supplied with 2 multi plugs. Our bikes can basically only use about 9 of the input/output wires, as most of the others are sensors for more modern bikes. Ditch them!

Actually I was thinking about the m-button with the clip-ons. It would be tough as I'm running switches on both sides. I should have thought about this a little more before pulling the trigger. I'll be referring to your notes when I begin wiring. Appreciate the feedback. Also in terms of the motoscope pro, do you mean I should ditch this altogether?


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[jdizon]

Great look front to back, nice lines and nice products you picked out. I have the M-lock for my 550 project and it makes for a clean look.


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Plan is to get the bike running and ride it a few months with some basic tune up carb refreshing before a full winter rebuild. Thinking 600 bigbore but I'm still going through other build threads to see what upgrades are worthwhile. Suggestions always welcome.


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[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

When it comes to engine upgrades, you will need to have 2 things in mind: 1) budget and 2) the extent of performance gain you want to gain. Then balance those two.

It appears that you are not adverse to spending some money so it will come down to how much "go" you want to buy.

Best big bore performance: Wiseco or Dynoman high compression kit; Mike Rieck stage 3 or 4 pit job with Kibblewhite oversize valves; 650 cam or Megacycle 126-20 cam; back-cut transmission; heavy duty cylinder studs; new primary and cam chains, cam chain guide and tensioner; CR26 carburetors; MotoGP 4-1 stainless exhaust.

[jdizon]

She's a keeper and I've gone this far.. No point in half steppin... So I'll pay to play

My main goal engine wise is 1) reliable 2) streetable 3) city riding capable and just a blast to rip around town in.

When it comes to engine upgrades, you will need to have 2 things in mind: 1) budget and 2) the extent of performance gain you want to gain. Then balance those two.

It appears that you are not adverse to spending some money so it will come down to how much "go" you want to buy.

Best big bore performance: Wiseco or Dynoman high compression kit; Mike Rieck stage 3 or 4 pit job with Kibblewhite oversize valves; 650 cam or Megacycle 126-20 cam; back-cut transmission; heavy duty cylinder studs; new primary and cam chains, cam chain guide and tensioner; CR26 carburetors; MotoGP 4-1 stainless exhaust.

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[Restoration Fan]

cal,
What type of mirrors will you use in conjunction with those bar end m-blaze discs?  Is it possible to also use bar-end mirrors with them somehow or do you have to have mirrors that come up from the handle bars?

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

That MotoScope might be a little difficult to read in bright sunlight, but it does look nifty. I opted for the Chronoclassic Dark. Screw it and get a Motec!

[jdizon]

Cal,

Thanks for clarifying. I really like what you did with the wiring and will be referring to this when I get started. In terms of the motoscope dash I'm still thinking about it and seeing how I can incorporate it into the frontend without breaking the lines. Also thanks for the references, The bike will definitely be used more as a "weekend adventurer" but I live in Sunny California so weather is pretty good year round and would like to be able to put it to use daily if I could. In the meantime, I'll go checkout those build threads for ideas.

For a great performing motor that is super street able, I'd check out Flatlander's 550 thread. My 500 motor is a bit more over the top, and not yet running, but I'm suspecting it's less "daily rider" and more "weekend adventurer".

As for the MotoScope, I was referring to "ditching" the stock wired plugs and connectors and reassembling them into smaller Molex connectors for the configuration of wires you actually use, not restrict yourself to how MotoG has them sorted.

My son wants the same gauge for his 500, but I'm not sold on it yet. The shape is spectacular, but it's an awfully lot of red LEDs on the face 

Using MotoG switches and components with clip ons, I've wired and routed things in this way: