Topic: 1974 CB/CL450 TRACKER/CAFE/STRIPCLUB RACER BUILD - * UPDATED 9/11/14 *

[Roach Carver]

I've got some barend mirrors of EvlBay, and they were crappy. I've seen them on a suprising number of bikes here. Even on some real nice bikes. They work but they have some kinks. Lots of vibration, Poor mounting design, They can slide out of position.
 

I think I had some of the same mirrors. The cheap napolean bar end type. The kind I bought had a metal sleeve that expanded in the tube. They vibrated like crazy and never stayed where i put them. I think the same kind with the expandable rubber tube a probably better.

[physician]

if you feel like doing some custom fabrications, you may take something like this:


it need to be a decent size, but it can look great
and stick a mirror on the back side, and install it as a bar end mirror.

[Jeff]

So which brand of the traditional type bar ends are good? I'm thisclose to getting some, but don't want to have to deal with a return if they're crap.

Jeff

[ProTeal55]

So which brand of the traditional type bar ends are good? I'm thisclose to getting some, but don't want to have to deal with a return if they're crap.

I still have to say those CRG mirrors are the best (for what they are).
I would just rather not spend the $50+ on a mirror for a bike which I might be selling (even though the closer it gets to being finished the more I like it). So I might just have to bite the bullet and buy the same CRG I have on my CB750 

* CB450 Update 4-15-07 *

Lots of progress was made on the project yesterday (which is a good thing).
1. We attempted to bleed the front brake, and after about an hour of pumping that damn master we realized the brake piston is stuck/jammed. No compressed air in the post office so my buddy (and fellow Chicago Ton-Upper) Steve took the caliper home to clean it and get it ready to go back on the bike. He is also going to help me go thru/clean the carbs and get the bike running the best he can..
2. The electric starter issue is now resolved !  I cant tell you how happy I am to have that working. All it ended up being was a non-connected positive wire  . That along with the new battery fires that bike right up on the 2nd or third spin. This bike is L O U D ! After alittle playing with the carbs we got it to lope at a nice idle, and the thing sounds like a pro-stock car. I am def. happy with how it sounds, although I am seriously considering wearing ear plus while I ride it  . Def. gonna be a hit at local shows and cruising around the city on a nice summer night..I went to good ol' Home Depot as well and bought some straight cut copper caps for the exhaust. I was gonna go with 45's but the straights look so much better. I am gonna wrap the pipes the next time I am down their..

The list of things that need to be done is growing smaller and smaller each time we work on the bike. The next project is the brake side rearset. Once that is done I can actually take the bike out for it's maiden voyage, and start working on the actual riding issues...

[dagersh]

In the immortal words of Larry the Cableguy......   Git 'Er Done!

[Jeff]

So which brand of the traditional type bar ends are good? I'm thisclose to getting some, but don't want to have to deal with a return if they're crap.

I still have to say those CRG mirrors are the best (for what they are).
I would just rather not spend the $50+ on a mirror for a bike which I might be selling (even though the closer it gets to being finished the more I like it). So I might just have to bite the bullet and buy the same CRG I have on my CB750 

* CB450 Update 4-15-07 *

Lots of progress was made on the project yesterday (which is a good thing).
1. We attempted to bleed the front brake, and after about an hour of pumping that damn master we realized the brake piston is stuck/jammed. No compressed air in the post office so my buddy (and fellow Chicago Ton-Upper) Steve took the caliper home to clean it and get it ready to go back on the bike. He is also going to help me go thru/clean the carbs and get the bike running the best he can..
2. The electric starter issue is now resolved !  I cant tell you how happy I am to have that working. All it ended up being was a non-connected positive wire  . That along with the new battery fires that bike right up on the 2nd or third spin. This bike is L O U D ! After alittle playing with the carbs we got it to lope at a nice idle, and the thing sounds like a pro-stock car. I am def. happy with how it sounds, although I am seriously considering wearing ear plus while I ride it  . Def. gonna be a hit at local shows and cruising around the city on a nice summer night..I went to good ol' Home Depot as well and bought some straight cut copper caps for the exhaust. I was gonna go with 45's but the straights look so much better. I am gonna wrap the pipes the next time I am down their..

The list of things that need to be done is growing smaller and smaller each time we work on the bike. The next project is the brake side rearset. Once that is done I can actually take the bike out for it's maiden voyage, and start working on the actual riding issues...

I really like the CRG's too, but I am a tight wad. I'd prefer to spend $20 instead of $50+.

Not to sound like a parent or anything, but you should wear earplugs anyway. Wind noise will totally kill your hearing.
Jeff

[xtalon]

The list of things that need to be done is growing smaller and smaller each time we work on the bike.

I can't wait until I get to this point.  My list just seems to get longer and longer.   

Get those copper caps mounted and post some more pics! 

--xTalon

[ProTeal55]

Get those copper caps mounted and post some more pics! 

I know I know 
I spent $30 for two sets of copper bends this past weekend.
I bought a pair of 45 bends as well as a pair of straights.
After much talkings and mockups I think I am gonna go with the straight caps and call it a day.
Sometime this week I need to get down to the shop and warp & cap the pipes so that part of the project can be put on the "done" list. I hate having parts of a project in limbo, it bothers me...

I need to get the right rearset/brake lever finished this week so I can ride the bike, and start dealing with all the little issues that come with the first few shakedown runs.. The Rockers Reunion bike show/run is 2 weeks away , and I gotta get my ass in gear to get this bike finished...

[xtalon]

PT, everytime I see the rear cowl on this bike I think of an 8-ball (no, not cocaine... pool  ), so I mocked this up.   

--xTalon

[ProTeal55]

 

[ProTeal55]

* 1974 CB/CL 450 Tracker/Cafe Project Update - 4/18/07 *

Project "SLiM" got it's first thrashing down the mean streets of Chicago last night !  . After getting the front brake bled, and a few other things sorted out it was time to turn my hat backwards and take the bike out for it's first spin down Western Avenue (a VERY busy street).. So needless to say I was more than nervous taking a brand new, basically unproven bike for it's maiden voyage down that busy/congested of a street. With a push of the starter button the Franken-Exhaust roared to life and instantly put a smile on me and my buddies faces  After I let it warm up for awhile I was off down Western. The rearsets def. need to me moved (way too far back), but I can deal with them for the time being. The bike pulls and pulls and pulls and doesn't seem to stop ! This bike has crazy RPM which is addicting..I was only riding with a front brake at the time (rear linkage isn't finished yet), so I didn't go to crazy speed wise. The bike sounds like a friggin pro-stock bike with the exhaust, and will def. get everyones attention within a 4 block radius  This bike on decell will shake the fillings outta your teeth, which is exactly what I was looking for when I first thought up the exhaust. No one is gonna expect this bike when they her me ripping towards them  I am gonna have to start doing "fly-bys" at shows before I actually park the thing..I cant tell you how happy I am that the first ride went as well as it did. I have send a HUGE thank you out to My buddies Chris Brenner (Cursed1) and Danny Haselkamp (Triumph bobber) for helping me out as much as they have/did on this little racer.

Tonite I am going straight from work to the post office to get a small list of things completed on the bike, as I plan to ride it all day this coming Saturday (said to be dry and 70 out). Things like wrapping the pipes, cleaning up the electrical under the seat, finishing up of the rearsets and so on will be done tonite. I will have some better/completed pics later this evening or tomorrow morning.

It looks like I am def. gonna keep this bike for at least the summer, and make little changes as the season goes along. Just from the 1st ride I had a blast, as this bike is the def. of a cafe racer/ street terror !!! The rearsets are eventually going to be moved to the little hole in the factory pass. peg brackets, to get my knees up alittle, and I might put a 21'' wheel and dual discs on it as well.

More updates to come - stay tuned 

[andy750]

Sounds good Joe and Id love to hear that exhaust so get a video online! Anyway glad to hear its running well and Im with you on this weekend...Im hoping to have BOTH my bikes finished by then and be riding Saturday which is forecast for sunny and 60`s.

cheers
Andy

[ProTeal55]

Sounds good Joe and Id love to hear that exhaust so get a video online!

I will work on getting a video of me blasting down a street for you guys to hear. The sound this bike makes def. doesnt fit it (which is killer in my opinion). I am new to the whole online video craze, but I am sure I can figure it out 

[xtalon]

Congratulations!!!  Sounds like all your hard work and planning has paid off... in spades!

A vid would be cool to see.

--xTalon

[ProTeal55]

Just make it a point to be at the Rockers Reunion or Mods Vs. Rockers III event and you can see the bike in person 

[ProTeal55]

* 1974 CB/CL 450 Tracker/Cafe Project Update - 4/19/07 *

The bike is getting real close to being finished. Last night me and Danny attacked the bike full bore and got allot accomplished.

The pipes are wrapped and capped and on the bike. The wrap looks kinda loose in these pics, but once the bike is fired a few times it will constrict aittle..I actually used an entire 50 foot roll of 2'' headerwrap on those things (hard to believe eh ? )..The part of the exhaust that goes under the carbs was wrapped twice (thus the difference in thickness) to help keep the heat down as much as possibile. I also used to 45's for end caps instead of straights to help get the exhaust out and away from me that much more. I got my hands on some badass copper straps and used them to hold the wrap in place. Once the bike is tuned and running I am gonna use the same straps to hold my airfilters in place as well..

The wiring was gone over one more time to insure everything is tight and where it needs to be. Underneath the seat is the last place that needs to be cleaned up, and then the wiring will be complete.The right side brake lever is almst done, and is going to get the speed-hole treatment to get it looking alittle "lighter" so to speak.

Here is how the bike stands at the momment...

The wheels were taken off so I can have my new Avon tires mounted up, and so we can do alittle speed holin on the rear hub, brake stay and other misc parts..

More updates to come 

[tsflstb]

I wansn't sure about the exhaust when you were describing it, but you really pulled it off. 

Looks pretty tough all wrapped up with the copper accents.

[xtalon]

Looking great PT!  I'm glad you decided to go w/ the 45 degree end cap vs. the straight (just my personal opinion though).

VERY NICE!

--xTalon

[ohiocaferacer]

PT........good to hear you have that thing ripp'n!!

Been away from the boards for awhile.....good to come back and hear the good news. Definately have to get some pics posted up...dieing to see it.

Sounds like your ready for one of those fancy alloy gas tanks.....HINT HINT!!!

[ProTeal55]

The bike has come leaps & bounds from when I first brought it home -->

To how it currently sits --->

Now all my friends who made fun of me for having it are asking me if they can buy it ! 

Sounds like your ready for one of those fancy alloy gas tanks.....HINT HINT!!!

Make one up custom for me for $100 and u gots yourself a deal buddy ! 

[chrisf]

I'm truly floored. I cannot believe how well that exhaust came out. It's crazy.

Some close-up, higher res pics would be great. Let me know if you need me to host them

--Chris

[ProTeal55]

I'm truly floored. I cannot believe how well that exhaust came out. It's crazy.
Some close-up, higher res pics would be great. Let me know if you need me to host them

Thanks for the kind words man, they always are appreciated. I am happy with how the exhaust turned out, and especially sounds. The 45's will keep the exhaust off my pants, and the double wrapping should keep the heat down to a minimum. If I plan to keep the bike I am gonna tear the wrap off, have the pipes professionally ceramic coated, and then wrap again (if need be).I had the intentions for making a badass little stoplight racer and I think I did just that !

Once the bike gets finished and riding I am gonna get it out in the sunlight and take some better/up close pics that I will post. The post office is cool, but not the best place for taking pictures (low light).I am also gonna host a little video of me blasting down the street to show you guys just how loud this little #$%* is ! 

[dagersh]

    AWWWWWWSOME!!!!!

The ceramic coating is a great idea, I have one of my Guzzi exhausts done with it, and could not be happier.  I think the heat transfer out of the engine is much better, and as a result, the bike runs much better.  With that and the wrapping, I think your potential heat problems will be alleviated.

My $0.02 - strip the paint on the tank and have it copper coated!

Gersh

[xtalon]

My $0.02 - strip the paint on the tank and have it copper coated!

Gersh

Keep in mind the Statue of Liberty is made of copper, so you will be back to green eventually anyway!   

--xTalon

[andy750]

Excellent Joe! The video makes it come alive and yeah it sounds loud (and good!) and by the looks of it, can also shift as well! I think you have certainly accomplished what you set out to do so congratulations!!

Keep those pics and vids coming!
cheers
Andy