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

[ProTeal55]

Will the inner part of your left leg not constantly touch the pipes?

We are gonna make the pipes "dive" into the bike as far forward as we can, to avoid my left leg from sitting on the pipes themselves. I am sure they will rest on my leg alittle, but nothing too crazy. I plan to double and even triple up on the headerwrap in places I am gonna come in contact with the exhaust...

Should be the main focal point on the bike when all is said and done...

[andy750]

Will the inner part of your left leg not constantly touch the pipes?

This reminds me of the scene in "Worlds Fastest Indian" where Burt Munro is going for the record and his leg is getting burnt by the exhaust.....

Cant wait to see these pipes finished.
Andy

[ProTeal55]

* CB/CL 450 Project Update 4/09/07 *

I was home "sick" last Friday  and got allot accomplished as far as parts ordering for the 450 goes. Why is it when you think u are getting close to getting a project done the little nickle and dime things kill ya ??  Things like a custom front brake line from HEL-USA (outstanding service), front brake pads from CRC2, and so on were all ordered up and should be here this week. I also took a trip to my old V-Twin shop and bit the bullet and ordered some new rubber for the scoot. The tires on their now are ok, but I wouldnt ride on them over 10mph so new tires had to be bought..I had a hell of a time finding a brand and make of tire that offered both sizes I wanted/needed, but eventually ended up going with some Avon's in a 100/90/19 up front and a 120/80/18 out back. This is the biggest rear tire the stock swingarm can accept (i have been told) , and should fill up the gap back their nicely..

The exhaust is getting built tonight !  I can't wait to finally see how my vison will come to life after so long. A friend of my buddy Danny who welds for a living is gonna help a brother out (myself) and weld up the much talked about "Franken-Exhaust".We are first gonna mock it up, then tack it in place. Once all assorted tabs and fitments are done the exhaust will come off for final welding and what not. Then I get the task of wrapping the entire thing (which is always fun ). Not sure which is gonna be worse, me wrapping that long of an exhaust or my buddy Steven's job of making the bike run right with those pipes and little air filters!  I will have fresh exhaust pics for ya guys later tonite or tomorrow morning.

Until then --->

                                             

[xtalon]

PT, you're such a tease!   

--xTalon

PS  Please get the pipe pictures posted before my bedtime or I won't sleep!   

[ProTeal55]

* PROJECT UPDATE 4-10-07 *

Just got home from the post office. Why u ask was I at a post office at 11pm ? Becuase the space that my buddy Danny and 6 other guys are renting out for bike building/drinking/parties and other things that have yet to be deterimed was at one point in time a Chicago post office. The place is massive, and is turning out to be quite the bike builders heaven. Everything from welders to drill presses to a powdercoating/painting room are available at this place. My CB450 is the first bike that will be completed their, with many other badass/bare bone scoots to follow....

Progress was made, but not enough to get the pipes finished. I didnt realize how late it was (didnt get down their till 8pm), and before I knew it it was getting close to midnight. The actual design and main welds are done, and all we need to do now is work on the exit/tips (right side of the bike). I am happy with how it is turning out, as the transition from the stock CL pipes to the Triumph pipes wont be noticeable once all is done and wrapped up. It is no-where near "perfect", as one pipe slightly has a different look then the other, but the bike itself is not perfect. Kinda like the mentallity of how I built my cb750, it is what it is, and you can either appreciate it or not (doesnt matter to me what people think).. I think this is turning out to be a badass little scoot, and in reality that's all that matters...



We also "speed holed" the cover (as seen below). I plan to speed hole whatever I can get my hands on to make this bike look "lighter", and give it that oldschool racer feel..

Also got the modified GSXR linkage back today from my chassis shop budy, and slapped that on the bike. Alittle sanding and some good ol' black spraypaint and I was done (looks factory). He had to sleeve it in order to get an additional 3'' we needed. So now as far as the rearsets goes all we need to address is the brake side and that part of the project is complete.


I am going to bed...

[cben750f0]

as always mate, things are looking good, but you really need to post more pictures!!!!! lol

keep it up... cheers.... BTW i want a sound file of that exhaust when its done!!!

peace

[xtalon]

Looking awesome PT.  Exhaust is going to be wicked.  I can't wait to see what you do with it on the other side.  I like the way you drilled your holes with larger diameter down to smaller diameter.  Looks professionally done.

Keep up the good work and keep the pictures coming!

--xTalon

[ProTeal55]

The speed hole-n went very well.
As you said it looks very professional which is what I was going for.
After seeing the speed holes on Carpy's bike in person I wanted to step mine up a notch (so to speak).
Many more things are gonna be speed holed on this bike , just wait and see 

I am going back into the city tonite to finish up the building of the pipes, and try and get alittle more accomplished on the bike. I would like to get this bike done for the upcoming Rockers Reunion show in the city on the 28th, but I think that is kinda cutting it close.

As usual, more pics to come 

[CBGBs]

Godspeed, Proteal! 
The bike is killer!
I just got a powder coat quote for a frame today. $100 Seems cheap

[masonryman]

Looks like a cool shop you fella's have there. It's easier to stay motivated when there is more than one guy on the same page.

Mark

[ProTeal55]

* Project "SLiM" Update 4/11/07 *

The pipes are done (well almost)...

All the main fabrication is done, and I just did a quick spraypaint job to make them look alittle better for these pics (I was kinda excited ) The pipes are now welded together for easier removal (as shown in the pic above). I cant count how many times I messed with these damn pipes taking them on and off the bike, getting them lined up , etc. So we just solved the problem and welded them together They tuck in real nice and close to the motor, and shoot out right under my right leg (as u can clearly see). Shouldnt have any issues with my left leg getting too hot (as far as I can see)...



I am def. happy with how they turned out. All I really need to do is wrap them, and figure out some kinda copper/brass end cap deal to finish them off..

The warehouse is a killer place to be in, as everyone bring alittle something to the overall finished product. I have to stop and thank my good buddy Danny Haselcamp (Triumph Bobber) for helping me out as much as he has on this project, and getting me "in" with the the other guys in the post office. He is a fellow Ton-Up Chicago memeber, a great bike builder, and an even better friend. Below is a pic of his current project (a 69 BSA bobber). Gonna be wicked once it's done...


Need to finish up the rearsets next....

[chrisf]

ProTeal:

Those pipes came out very nice! That was not at all what I was envisioning. Aesthetically, the bike retains the cafe look, but also has an American flare to it. Well done on mixing the two. I'm interested in seeing a pic from the right side of a person on the bike--specifically to see how the exhuast ouput works with the rider's right leg.

I too need to buy some exhaust wrap. Are you buying the 1" or 2"? How much of the stuff are you buying?

CBGBs: That is a great price on PC the frame. At that price, you cannot go wrong.

--Chris

[andy750]

Thanks for the photos Joe and looking interesting for sure. Are you going to be fitting horizontal tubes to attach to the exhaust ends - sort of like machine gun mounts? At the moment it looks a little odd just hanging there (well to me anyway)....I though it would come out further and then go horizontal towards the back....anway will be interesting to see what you have planned next!  How about exhaust heat shield on the left side to prevent leg burn? Or do the rearsets allow your leg to hang back from the exhaust?

keep the photos coming! (and really liking that Post office space - very cool!)

cheers
Andy

[xtalon]

That looks killa...and I like the way you guys welded them together.  Again, very professional looking.

It looks awesome on the left had side, but I tend to agree a little with Andy750 that it looks a little unfinished on the right hand side.  I too thought you would do another bend back towards the back, even if for only 4-5 inches, but hey... it's your bike and if you like it, it's all cool!  I don't dislike how it looks, I think it's just I was expecting another bend toward the rear.  I'm sure it will grow on me.   

Still waiting the finalization with the copper/brass and the header wrap.     

--xTalon

[Jeff]

I too was expecting another bend on the pipes, but aesthetically I definitely prefer the way they are in the photos.

I would definitely be interested in seeing how the rider's right leg interacts with the pipes.

Jeff

[ProTeal55]

I wanted to keep the pipes "tight", and not have them stick out too far from the frame. As I said the pipes still need to be wrapped, and I am going shopping for Copper/Brass end caps to "speed hole" tonite. As far as them just "hanging" their, that is exactly the look I was going after. I wanted the pipes to be right in the middle of the space (where the sidecovers used to be), as they are now. I want to be able to park next to a stock CB450 and have people notice how many changes this little bike has gone thru..I am def. gonna have a warm right leg and stoplights, but I think that when I am actually moving it shouldnt be an issue  .

How about exhaust heat shield on the left side to prevent leg burn? Or do the rearsets allow your leg to hang back from the exhaust?

I do have the stock CL/Scrambler heat shield, so I might adapt that over the headerwrap and see how it looks. Would require some more welding and such but it wouldn't be a big deal at this point. With sitting on the bike with the pipes on, my leg seems to be far enough to not have my leg burn too bad. Def. gonna be warm (thus me going postal on the headerwrap), but I am sure I can deal with it.. We shall see once I ride it I guess...

I too need to buy some exhaust wrap. Are you buying the 1" or 2"? How much of the stuff are you buying?

I bought 1'' wrap for the CB750 and it took me forever. This time around I bought a 50ft. roll of 2'', which will make wrapin the pipes allot easier/faster. I actually got a deal on a 2nd 50ft. roll the other day (just incase I run out )...

I too was expecting another bend on the pipes, but aesthetically I definitely prefer the way they are in the photos.I would definitely be interested in seeing how the rider's right leg interacts with the pipes.

I was going to have the pipes bend around the frame and exit towards the rear but I wanted something more aggressive (as I think I got). I want this bike to somewhat stand out at a show in a sea of cafe bikes, and have them notice more and more little things that have been done as they look the bike over. I def. feel the exhaust itself will get people's attention (weather I am riding it or the bike is parked). Next time I am at the space I will get a pic with me on it, so you can see just how much room I have (pipes 2 leg clearance)..

[kuyarico]

I think it looks great. How does it sound?

[ProTeal55]

I think it looks great. How does it sound?

The bike still needs some areas addressed before it actually gets started (wiring/starter/carbs/etc)..
I have been focused on the overall "look" of the bike more than how well it runs. I am now at the point where the main building is done, and now I need to get the thing moving under it's own power..

But to answer your question, I am sure it is gonna be loud. I had it running with just the open scrambler headpipes and it was wicked 

[dagersh]

Sweeeeet!  Get that beast running PT!  Looks really cool and interesting - it will definitely be a big hit at RR!

One of these days, you are going to have to give us a tutorial on Speed Drilling.  I think that it dramatically improves the looks, and adds so much interest for the viewer.

Keep it up!

Gersh

[ProTeal55]

One of these days, you are going to have to give us a tutorial on Speed Drilling.  I think that it dramatically improves the looks, and adds so much interest for the viewer.

I am a huge fan of speed hole's on everything, as long as they are done tastefully and with care.
My clutch cover on the 450 came out much better than I expected, prob. for the most part I took my time, had a drill press at my disposal, and my buddy Danny showed me the right way to space the holes and keep a uniform pattern...

I tried speed holin stuff in the past with a hand drill and their is just no way to get the holes straight. A drill press is a must, along with time. We did a few small "speed holes" on the brake caliper arm last night, and plan to drill allot more as this bike gets closer to being finished 

[dt77]

Amazing job PT!!!   As my 21 month old would say. "WOOOWWW."

[ProTeal55]

* Project SLiM Update 4/14/07 *

1. My new tires for the scoot came in yesterday, and should be mounted up sometime next week. I had a hell of a time finding a decent tire in the sizes I wanted. I ended up going with Avon's in a 100/90/19 up front and a 120/80/18 out back. Susposidly the 120 is the biggest you can cram in the back of these bikes, and should fill up that space nicely. I wanted to go bigger on the front but I also didn't want to ruin the "slim" feel I have going on this bike either..While the wheels are out getting the tires put on I am gonna speed-hole the drum cover, brake stay and other misc. pieces...

2. The brake lever for the right rearset still needs to be addressed and built. Shouldnt be an issue, just need to spend the time and get it done. The post office is a great place to build a bike, but it is hard to get done when their are 10 guys their playing pool and bullsh*tt*ing about bikes/women/cars/etc 

3. The list of things to do to this bike is getting smaller and smaller by the day . Little BS stuff like bleed the front brake, wrap the pipes, figure out the electric starter issue and so on arent huge tasks, but still need to be done. Once all that is addressed I still need to get the bike running, as I am guessing I am gonna have some jetting issues with those filters and pipes  :-\As I said I am shooting to have this bike done and sorted out before the Chicago Ton-Up's Rockers Reunion vintage bike show and run on April 28th (see flyer below 4 details), but it is gonna be close. I wont ride the bike into the city if I dont trust it will get me home 100%, so I want to make sure the bike has had a few shakedown runs and I can trust it..If not I can always take the CB750...

4. Still need to figure out something cool to do for a mirror..?

[Jeff]

For the mirror I'd suggest using the same CRG you have on your 750. That would keep with the slim feel.

Jeff

[ProTeal55]

For the mirror I'd suggest using the same CRG you have on your 750. That would keep with the slim feel.

I like the CRG mirror I have, but I don't feel like spending that kinda cash on a mirror for a bike I might sell once it is done. I saw a few different sportbike bar end mirrors in the $20 range on Evilbay but I am afraid they are crap. I hate buying something without physically seeing it first..

[CBGBs]

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.