Topic: 1976 CB750F - first bike, first build - mild cafe

[70CB750]

That was my wet dream when I was a teenager 

It's a vintage Porsche 934.5 race car - not my car, but it's a monster.

Pics??   

and a quick dyno video:

[riffman12]

Yes the thing is insane. Lot's of fun to watch it race at the Monterey Historic races at Laguna Seca with all the period cars.

As for the bike, my new brake splitter arrived so the plans for this weekend are:

- paint the rear frame where the new hoop was put in
- figure out how to mount the new splitter. I suppose make some sort of bracket. Not quite sure how I'm going to do that yet.
- figure out how short of a front brake line I need
- maaaybe bob the front fender a bit

[riffman12]

I'm curious to see what ideas you guys have for mounting a tail light / license plate on this bike. I'm a little stumped. Here's a couple of pictures to show the back of the bike:




 (ignore the different bike here. same seat:




I don't think I have enough tire clearance to do anything under the seat cowl, so I either need to mount something on top of the back of the seat, or hanging way off the back. Sucks because I feel like either way it will mess with the lines of the bike.

I suppose there's a SLIGHT chance I could fit something like this, but unlikely:



Another option is one of these "hooded" lights like what dime city sells:

http://www.dimecitycycles.com/vintage-cafe-racer-caferacer-bobber-brat-chopper-custom-motorcycle-electronic-lighting-parts-hooded-chrome-lucas-taillight-light-20-1081.html

I'm tempted to mount the plate vertically down the side of the bike, but it's not technically legal in CA. Not sure how much I'll get pulled over for it.


Any ideas? I'd love to see other people's solutions.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I think you should consider 2 options:

The extreme oval light you posted is a good option and should tuck under the curve of the rear of the tail.

Alternatively, you could mount an LED strip, which can double as turn signals to follow the rear curve of the edge of the tail. 

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

What are the state rules/laws for a mounted license plate? I've seen many sport bikes with a plate mounted much more closer to horizontal tucked up under than vertical. Saw one the other day that was actually folded. Not sure if it was intentional or the tire hit it. It can be part of your splash guard/fender.

Does that air tech have built in turn signals too? I only see 2 wires.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

What are the state rules/laws for a mounted license plate? I've seen many sport bikes with a plate mounted much more closer to horizontal tucked up under than vertical. Saw one the other day that was actually folded. Not sure if it was intentional or the tire hit it. It can be part of your splash guard/fender.

Does that air tech have built in turn signals too? I only see 2 wires.

The AirTech light is simply a LED taillight -- not set up to signal turns.

[riffman12]

I think you should consider 2 options:

The extreme oval light you posted is a good option and should tuck under the curve of the rear of the tail.

Alternatively, you could mount an LED strip, which can double as turn signals to follow the rear curve of the edge of the tail.

Yes the oval could be cool, but I'm still worried it will hit the tire. I'll take a pic this evening when I get home to show what I mean.

LED strip is an interesting option. Is the wiring simple with that? I hate wiring haha

What are the state rules/laws for a mounted license plate? I've seen many sport bikes with a plate mounted much more closer to horizontal tucked up under than vertical. Saw one the other day that was actually folded. Not sure if it was intentional or the tire hit it. It can be part of your splash guard/fender.

Does that air tech have built in turn signals too? I only see 2 wires.

I believe the California law states the plate has to be at least 12" off the ground and mounted right side up. Not sure what it states in term of how flat the plate can be, I'm sure it's ok if it's within reason.

I don't need to worry about turn signals as I have some little shock mount brackets to mount them.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I'm curious to see what ideas you guys have for mounting a tail light / license plate on this bike. I'm a little stumped. Here's a couple of pictures to show the back of the bike:




 (ignore the different bike here. same seat:




I don't think I have enough tire clearance to do anything under the seat cowl, so I either need to mount something on top of the back of the seat, or hanging way off the back. Sucks because I feel like either way it will mess with the lines of the bike.

I suppose there's a SLIGHT chance I could fit something like this, but unlikely:



Another option is one of these "hooded" lights like what dime city sells:

http://www.dimecitycycles.com/vintage-cafe-racer-caferacer-bobber-brat-chopper-custom-motorcycle-electronic-lighting-parts-hooded-chrome-lucas-taillight-light-20-1081.html

I'm tempted to mount the plate vertically down the side of the bike, but it's not technically legal in CA. Not sure how much I'll get pulled over for it.


Any ideas? I'd love to see other people's solutions.

Another stupid idea.  Have you asked Ian what kind of light he recommends for that seat and how to mount it?  He has sold quite a number of them, so he might have some suggestions.  Just sayin'.

AS FOR THE LED STRIP, several members have done it here, most of them mounting them into a frame hoop or tail edge.  Devin at Cognito sells them:
https://cognitomoto.com/collections/lighting/products/led-turns-and-brake-z-flex-array

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

LED strip is an interesting option. Is the wiring simple with that? I hate wiring haha

Depends entirely upon upon whether you use the integrated turn signals within the LED strip. Otherwise, its a 3-wire light fixture (TAIL, BRAKE, GROUND). If you want the indicators integrated, it gets a wee bit trickier but still doable by someone at home, with a tad of care and patience.

Cal,
Isn't Devin's kit pretty much turnkey?

[riffman12]

I already have turn signals so I won't be using the integrated ones - sounds like it should be pretty plug and play otherwise? My biggest concern with the LED strip is that it will look too modern/chopper for the bike. I suppose it's worth a shot.

As for Ian's suggestion, I've seen him use the cat eye tail light under the seat, but the issue is that i cut my seat quite a lot shorter than what he shipped me, so the end of the seat is almost right over the top of the tire - less clearance.

[riffman12]

OK so I think I'm going to try the LED tail light route. I'll post pics once I get it on.

My next issue is mounting the brake splitter. The triple clamp I have is from a '76F so there is nowhere to mount a splitter. It looks like this:



This is the splitter I have:




Any ideas on the best way to mount the splitter centered? I've been trying to think of a bracket to make, but I'm scratching my head with the offset bolt.

[Roach Carver]

Why don't you get the splitter that fits that tree. If you do stainless lines I believe you can stack the two exiting lines with a longer bolt.

[riffman12]

Why don't you get the splitter that fits that tree. If you do stainless lines I believe you can stack the two exiting lines with a longer bolt.

There isn't a splitter that fits the tree. That tree is from a '76F which had a single front brake. All it had was a brake switch junction that was not centered in the tree. It didn't need to be as the brake line just went down one side.

With that splitter I have, I will be using a long banjo bolt on one side. Like this (but with SS lines):

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Perhaps he is thinking of a double output banjo bolt using the stock splitter?

[riffman12]

Perhaps he is thinking of a double output banjo bolt using the stock splitter?

the problem isn't the splitter, it's that the factory location for it is offset so the brake lines wouldn't be centered. I mocked it up and it looks weird.

Trying to think of a bracket I can use that will center the splitter. Maybe even attaching to the upper fork tubes.

[przjohn]

Do you have the 76 single disc fitting that mounts on the tree? I see what is being said about a longer bolt and doubling up on the lines to make your own splitter. If I am remembering right the OEM 76 single disc line to the caliper exits the bottom of the fitting and has a stop to tighten against. It may be slightly off center but if you doubled up on the lines at the bottom and used a back up wrench to tighten you could point your lines where you wanted. Did I make that clear? It sounds confusing to me even reading it back. I have my 76 loosened up right now to replace the brake light switch on that fitting and will take a look tomorrow to see if what I am talking about would work.

[seanbarney41]

You could also use the double banjo bolt right at the master cylinder and just get custom brake lines run straight to each caliper.

[Roach Carver]

I agree. One line would go straight down and the other would have to go over to the side. If that's a no go then I would say change trees. The 77 78 f trees will have the splitter in the middle like you want with two studs. 1 inlet and 2 outlets

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

If it's a café, I'm not sure what the aversion is to using banjo connectors. . . . 

[riffman12]

Do you have the 76 single disc fitting that mounts on the tree? I see what is being said about a longer bolt and doubling up on the lines to make your own splitter. If I am remembering right the OEM 76 single disc line to the caliper exits the bottom of the fitting and has a stop to tighten against. It may be slightly off center but if you doubled up on the lines at the bottom and used a back up wrench to tighten you could point your lines where you wanted. Did I make that clear? It sounds confusing to me even reading it back. I have my 76 loosened up right now to replace the brake light switch on that fitting and will take a look tomorrow to see if what I am talking about would work.

If I'm honest...not sure I follow 

You could also use the double banjo bolt right at the master cylinder and just get custom brake lines run straight to each caliper.

I was trying to avoid this as I have a nice set of lines already. Trying to use as much as possible without buying $100 more worth of brake lines. I suppose it will be my only option if I can't find a way to mount this.

If it's a café, I'm not sure what the aversion is to using banjo connectors. . . . 

Not sure what you mean? I am using banjo connectors either way.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

If it's a café, I'm not sure what the aversion is to using banjo connectors. . . . 

Not sure what you mean? I am using banjo connectors either way.

I meant by using a dual banjo bolt fitting at the MC.

[riffman12]

I meant by using a dual banjo bolt fitting at the MC.

Ah yes see above. It's really just a case of using what I have already. Suppose I could always sell the kit I have already.

Does it not look messy having the 2 brake lines? How do you route them?

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I meant by using a dual banjo bolt fitting at the MC.

Does it not look messy having the 2 brake lines? How do you route them?

Not messy at all.  I used braided steel lines that route directly down to the respective brake rotors. 

[riffman12]

Not messy at all.  I used braided steel lines that route directly down to the respective brake rotors. 

Wow, beautiful bike man. Don't think I've seen you post pics before.

You're right...maybe I should go that route. Where did you get the brake lines? I emailed slingshot cycles but haven't heard back yet. All of their off the shelf kits are for specific bikes, splitters etc.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

The build thread is older, but there are lots of photos.  See my Nine Lives build thread link in my signature. 

The brake lines were ordered custom.