Topic: Vote for Bike of the Year 2018

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

January 2018 BOTM
Harald F's Supercharged and EFI CB550K
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,164491.0.html

Jan 18 Harald CB550K by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

Jan 18 Harald CB550K (2) by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

Jan 18 Harald CB550K (3) by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

Jan 18 Harald CB550K (4) by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

Jan 18 Harald CB550K (1) by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr


February 2018 BOTM
ziokahn's (aka Ivor’s) CB500 Racer for the Road
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,138367.0.html














March 2018 BOTM
Mirko Messner's (aka MessnerMoto) CB750F2 Café Racer
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,149894.0.html

bikeE1 by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

honda-cb750-cafe-racer-7 by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

honda-cb750-cafe-racer-6 by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

honda-cb750-cafe-racer-5 by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

honda-cb750-cafe-racer-4 by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

honda-cb750-cafe-racer-3 by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

honda-cb750-cafe-racer-1 by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

honda-cb750-cafe-racer-2 by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

honda-cb750-cafe-racer-10 by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr


April 2018 BOTM
MauiK3's 1973 CB750K3
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,163354.0.html

IMG_1038 by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

IMG_1230 by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

IMG_1246 by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

IMG_1233 by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr


May 2018 BOTM
Hasenkopf’s Supercharged CB550
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,152536.0.html

IMG_2354 by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

IMG_2355 by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

IMG_2356 by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr


June BOTM
Vincent's CR750 for the Street
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,98177.0.html










July 2018 BOTM
slikwilli420 AHRMA Sportsman 750 Racer
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,158461.0.html









20180603_145532 by Sean Barney, on Flickr

20180603_145540 by Sean Barney, on Flickr

20180603_145603 by Sean Barney, on Flickr


August 2018 BOTM
HondaAddict's 1975 550K Restoration
forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,152139.0.html
























September 2018 BOTM
Beemerbum’s 1971 CB750K1 Barn Find Basketcase Restoration
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,173467.0.html

DSCF6908 (2) by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

DSCF6906 (1) by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr


October 2018 BOTM
Old Scrambler's CBR - Classic Bonneville Racer
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135473.0










November 2018 BOTM
Camrector’s 1976 CB550/1979 650 Daily
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,163736.0.html

44171245_10217130160390673_6016583590614138880_o by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

44047490_315029995942038_3713887967794692096_n by [url=https

[beemerbum]

Nice bikes all but wasn't my 1971 K1 BOTM for September?

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Nice bikes all but wasn't my 1971 K1 BOTM for September?

I'm very sorry about that, beemerbum.  SOHC4.net lost a bunch of posts from yesterday.  I had to scramble to re-do the poll from scratch this morning.  In my haste, I omitted you.  It's been corrected. 

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

For those who have bikes up for voting, it wouldn't hurt for you to post a brief summary about your bike (what you started with, what you did, etc.) and any additional photos!

[beemerbum]

Couple more photos of the "Barn find" (actually a pump shed) 1971 K1. I owe a debt of gratitude to this forum for good answers to many dumb questions and  very useful information.
. Not the least of which was the use of Rustoleum Appliance epoxy in lieu of powdercoat. I wish I had taken more photos at the start. Being my first SOHC bike, it took some time to figure out what is what. There were several duplicate parts in the mix. It is an honor to be included among the other beautiful BOTMs.

[slikwilli420]

This started as a 1977 K model that I acquired the stuck engine, frame, rear wheel and beat to death gas tank for $35 about 10 years ago. I had been moving this thing with me and it mostly just took up space. Fast forward to just over 2 years ago, when I watched my uncle race at Road America and decided to build a bike. I had the frame, and I knew the rest would come as time passed. I had lots of parts on hand and got started. I decided that I wanted something that was dialed in suspension and geometry wise but with stock engine as I learned how to race. I chose Race Tech to help with front/rear suspension and designed custom triple trees to get my trail just right. I picked up a fresh stock engine to run that year.
In the days leading up to the first race in June of 2017, I got the bike running but it wasn’t running quite right. Eventually the engine just quit and locked itself up. Come to find out later that it was a spun rod bearing and it needed some help. Luckily I had the stock engine from my street bike to use, so off came the starter, alternator rotor and such to get some weight out of it for racing/ground clearance. Of course it started right up as I had expected it to, and it was only a day or two before race time.

Another fast forward to October 2017, the season is over and I wanted to go next level on the engine. I worked closely with Ken at Cycle X to have custom pistons developed and make the engine as reliable and powerful as it could be. The work was affirmed this year at Road America where I brought home 3rd place in my class both days! I was also fortunate enough to bring home 2 wins this year at Little Talladega as well.

Here is everything (at least that I can think of) that has been done:
Front end:
Goldwing 37mm forks
Race Tech springs/emulators
Custom damper rods
Removed right side caliper mount
GPS racing dirt track hub/stainless Buchanan spokes, Borrani wheel
20mm hollow axle from Honda CBR
Custom triple trees
Scitsu tachometer
Woodcraft clip on bars
Grimeca 2 piston caliper with Ferodo race pads/12mm Brembo master/cast iron rotor on custom carrier (AP Racing caliper coming for 2019)

Engine:
Stage 4 cylinder head by Mike Rieck
CX7 cam/adjustable sprocket/cryo treated HD flat plate cam chain
Custom billet 62mm pistons, 12.5:1 compression
Cylinder bored to match with windage windows cut to match cases
Cycle X pork chop crank
Cycle X rods with ARP bolts
HD Cryo treated flat plate primary chains
Rebuilt primary cush drive
Undercut transmission, ISF processed after
HD cylinder and main studs, HD nuts
Cases had starter box removed to make room for breather
MotoGP Werks stainless 4-1 exhaust, custom flanges/rear hanger
Dyna S ignition (replacing with Dyna 2000 for 2019)

Rear end:
Calfab swing arm
20mm hollow CBR axle
GPS racing quick change hub
Ducati Monster rotor on custom carrier
Vortex 7075 sprocket w/ 520 chain
Buchanan spokes and Borrani wheel
Race tech G3S shocks

Frame:
Detabbed, added bracing above swingarm, between downtubes and spine tubes, between engine mounts in front, where tubes meet above swing arm pivot
Fiberglass tail piece, custom upholstered
Airtech Read Titan tank, custom wrap (painting same blue for 2019)
Slipstream Cycles rear sets, lightened and angle cut for reduced weight on custom brackets
Custom hand formed oil tank with one-off lines running to Setrab 13 row oil cooler, rubber mounted under headstock

I finished 2018 in 6th place out of 19 riders, and the highest out of guys with less than 10 races. I also finished 4th in Masters of the Midwest out of 15 guys.

There are a number of changes (mostly small refinements) coming for 2019 to get everything just right. I want everything to look as good as it functions, meaning a show-quality bike that requires no wrenching at the track beyond plug checks and basic upkeep.

I know that’s a lot to read, but there are tons of one-off touches that even I cannot remember. Ill let pics do the talking now.

Bike as it was for the 2017 season


Bike now:


Everything in between:
Oil tank:


Frame:


Close up of rear end:


Engine with breather system:


Chassis awaiting engine:


Big Bob, Steve Pettinger and me at Gingerman:



Proof a CB can compete in the class:


Fly-by at RA, look for me on the left of the track at 0:09 seconds.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/apt8Cimebazn1Epa6


Bike as it was at Barber for the end of 2018:



Dyno sheet from pull at Barber, Oct 2018:



Dyno run video:

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipPviLpYmRKr6ZVZiXgNecTV0LbLVohA9nccngTuELUGtLgMU4_mhpQ7ulBlmZRABg/photo/AF1QipMXJz-tKKB7_NbpBgfkzOCX8Na-cAPuK1pdImxg?key=eXREdGo5QW1Oa3FHSXYxOEFTYkQwWlNGMkMwWjN3

[greenjeans]

Now that was a tough f'in vote.   Well done lads.  Well done.

[scunny]

I struggle month to month to decide on one, two or three bikes and you do this to me.
Most of them would be more than welcome in my garage. Congratulations to the winner, and all the contenders, and the other bikes that missed out. Damn.

[kap384@telus.net]

Another stellar year. Will have to review a number of these before I can vote.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

So far we are halfway to the end of the month (end of voting) and each bike has at least one vote.  The leader presently has 8 votes, so every vote counts!!

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

FYI - only 61 votes cast so far.  Two bikes are tied.  Please remember to cast your vote before the end of the month!

[MessnerMoto]

Here is the article about my bike on BikeExif http://www.bikeexif.com/honda-cb750-cafe





AS SOON AS WE LAID EYES on this Honda CB cafe racer, we knew there was more to it than meets the eye. Mods like the mono-shock rear end and sleek bodywork had us curious—but the story behind the project turned out to be equally remarkable.

The Honda belongs to Mirko Messner, who builds under the moniker MessnerMoto. Mirko lives in Belgrade, Serbia, where he holds down a nine-to-five as a mobile app developer. He only worked on the CB750 after hours, so it took him a whopping three years to complete. And it’s his first build.



Then there’s how he built it. With limited time and hardware available, Mirko admits that he outsourced CNC machining, 3D printing and fabrication work to over 20 different individuals and companies—creating a few new friendships along the way.

To get that right and still maintain total creative control, he first taught himself 3D modeling software and researched mechanical engineering principles, before meticulously designing each part.




So Mirko acted as creative director, parts designer and project manager, and put everything together as the components rolled in. But he handled the mechanical duties himself, rebuilding the 1977-spec motor and boosting it with trick internal upgrades.

Inside you’ll find forged Wiseco pistons, bringing the capacity up to 836cc. There’s also a lightened and balanced crankshaft, a lighter flywheel from an 2009 Yamaha R6, and forged connecting rods. The full list is extensive, but other highlights include ported and polished heads, upgraded valves and springs, and a race cam.



The primary and cam chains are running on fully custom-made tensioners and sliders, CNC and laser cut from PA 4.6 polyamide plastic. Mirko says the mod has eliminated unwanted noise, upped power and given him more control over timing.

There’s also a new ignition system running four preprogrammed timing curves, which the rider can select via hidden switches. Even the oil pump rotors are upgraded, custom-made units.



A set of Mikuni RS34 race carbs sucks air through a custom filter setup. And when designing the exhaust system, Mirko had wooden bucks laser cut to spec; the final headers were then hand bent from stainless steel using the bucks.

The mufflers are custom too, and the whole system hangs off hidden mounting points on the frame. All in all, Mirko reckons there’s about 90 horses at the rear wheel now.



Naturally, the CB750’s also sporting a brand new electrical system. A Motogadget m.unit 2.0 is packed into a box underneath the seat, along with two Lithium-ion batteries. There’s a Motogadget dash up top too, but more notably there’s also a full complement of sensors in play, so that data like engine temperature, and oil temperature and pressure are on hand.

The charging system’s also been upgraded to a Yamaha R6 model; the engine cover on the alternator side had to be modified for everything to fit. For lighting, Mirko installed a 45w LED headlight with integrated turn signals up front, with custom-built taillight and turn signal combos embedded in the frame tubes out back.



Mirko has thankfully upgraded the chassis to match the Honda’s newfound performance. For starters, he’s ditched the forks for a set of upside-downs from a 2007 Suzuki GSX-R 750, attached via custom triples.

Then there’s that mono-shock rear end arrangement—built around a 1981 CB900 swing arm with a custom brace. The shock itself is an Öhlins unit from a Yamaha R1, but Mirko had the spring chrome plated.



The 18” front wheel is a one-off, featuring a custom-machined aluminum hub and rim, and laced with stainless steel spokes. It’s hooked up to the GSX-R’s brake calipers and Brembo rotors.

Out back, Mirko fitted the 18” wheel and disc brake from a KTM Adventure 1290R, along with its braking system, a Brembo rotor and a custom-designed rear brake mount. Both the front and rear sprockets are—you guessed it—custom.



All the CB750’s original bodywork’s now in the bin. There are fluid new shapes from front to back, with a new headlight bucket, tank and tail. Again, all were crafted from wooden bucks, which a metal-shaper then used to hand-form new parts from aluminum.

The seat hump is actually the oil tank, and if you look closely you’ll spot matching caps for it and the gas tank. The seat pan was cast using a mold based off a 3D printed model, then covered in faux leather. Embossed in the leather is the only MessnerMoto logo throughout the entire build.



The frame was trimmed at the back to match the new seat, then repainted in a semi-gloss black. Everything was else was left with a raw brushed finish, except for the 3D printed parts—which are clear-coated to protect them from UV rays.

There are fenders at both ends, 3D printed from reinforced ABS plastic. The front fender’s brace was 3D printed too, along with the headlight mounts, but both are supported by carbon and stainless steel bits.



There are yet more custom-designed parts rounding out the Honda, including the clip-ons, controls, switches, and throttle body. The rear-set foot controls are actually from Tarozzi, but they’re mounted on bespoke brackets.

It’s clear that a staggering amount of thought, hard work and love went into this CB-based café, making it one of the best examples of the genre that we’ve come across. Here’s hoping we won’t have to wait another three years for the next MessnerMoto project.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Has anyone heard from Harald to see if he got his bike tuned?  I saw a video of it running roughly; it definitely needed to get the EFI and supercharger sorted out.

I suppose once the bike is completed, the owners may choose to not post the shakedown/tuning process.  I still have not seen how much "gain" you can get from a supercharger over the stock CB motor from Harald or Hasenkopf.

[SKTP]

This was an extremely difficult choice

[Tintop]

While I'd not so no to any of these bikes, 4 official land speed records makes for a special bike...voted

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

With 3.5 days to go, 3 votes separate the two bikes with the highest vote counts.  Remember to cast your vote; it could decide the winner.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Congratulations to Harald -- your Supercharged CB550 is the 2018 SOCH4.net Bike of the Year!

[beemerbum]

Congratulations to Harald -- your Supercharged CB550 is the 2018 SOCH4.net Bike of the Year!

Excellent choice for BOTY. Honored to have been included. I'm hoping a calendar with all the BOTM's will be available soon. I'm ready to buy a bunch of them.

[Harald F]

thanks guys, really stoked to win among these amazing bikes! I dont feel worthy. 

[SKTP]

It was the first time I ever voted for a 550...

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

thanks guys, really stoked to win among these amazing bikes! I dont feel worthy.

Great looking bike.  I remember watching the video made right after you completed the build.  Did you get the bike tuned and (if so) how much additional power did you gain from the supercharger?

[Stev-o]

Hi Guys....once again, I have made calendars featuring the BOTM winners.   $15 shipped to U.S, here is the thread...

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,169181.0.html

[beemerbum]

Sorry for multiple responses, I will take 5. Need Paypal address.

[Stev-o]

Sorry for multiple responses, I will take 5. Need Paypal address.

Replied to your email....

[Stev-o]

Harald F,

On behalf of SOHC4, I would like to present you with this trophy for having
the 2018 SOHC4 Bike of the Year!

Congratulations on a job well done!!




[check your mailbox for the hardware]