Author Topic: G’day! I’m an Aussie in Canada with a 1979 CB650! Cafe Resto-Mod style build. (Read 13283 times)

DANFROMOZ · « **on:** February 25, 2019, 09:01:25 AM »

G’day,
I had already posted in the new member section late last year, but I've now started my project and wanted to update everyone! I've added my intro below again just in case it was missed or forgotten:
I’m DanFromOz and I have a 1979 CB650 that I’m about to modify, actually I think it’s going to be more of a ground up rebuild and modification with the plans I have in mind. I’m looking forward to sharing as much of the process as I can and I’m hopefully going to get started fairly soon.I'll try adding some pics shortly. She’s done about 30k and it was passed on to me from a close family friend, as I was looking for a while for a few possible options and this just kinda fell into my lap! I’m an Aussie living on an island off the Atlantic coast of Canada, so if there’s anyone whose close by let me know.

DANFROMOZ · « **Reply #1 on:** February 25, 2019, 09:14:40 AM »

I’ve made some progress, so thought I’d show the progress. Received a bunch of stuff I ordered. GSXR forks with Cognito Moto conversion, Brembo Calipers dual front and single rear, rear disc brake conversion hub from Cognito Moto also, Galfer discs, Sun Rims 18x3.5 & 18x4.25, Pirelli tires.

DANFROMOZ · « **Reply #2 on:** February 25, 2019, 09:31:16 AM »

More Pics

DANFROMOZ · « **Reply #3 on:** February 25, 2019, 09:32:26 AM »

And the rear Brembo caliper and custom bracket.

DANFROMOZ · « **Reply #4 on:** February 25, 2019, 09:34:24 AM »

Tearing the bike down and did a bit of measuring for the cafe rear end that’s getting fabbed by Cliff at Meyerbuilt Metalworks. Rear end should look something like the pic attached.

DANFROMOZ · « **Reply #5 on:** February 25, 2019, 09:35:45 AM »

More pics.

DANFROMOZ · « **Reply #6 on:** February 25, 2019, 09:38:19 AM »

Pulled the front end off. Put the new jack to good use. I tried to disconnect the front end and keep it together as much as possible. I won’t be using virtually any of it, but just felt like it might be useful to someone sometime. The plastic electrical connections were pretty brittle but still got them apart. Someone did some work to the indicators and lights at some point I think and there was no connections so they got clipped.

DANFROMOZ · « **Reply #7 on:** February 25, 2019, 09:40:10 AM »

More pics.

Xander^ · « **Reply #8 on:** February 25, 2019, 09:41:20 AM »

nice parts! going to be a great looking bike!
where at in canada?

DANFROMOZ · « **Reply #9 on:** February 25, 2019, 09:43:03 AM »

More pics.

DANFROMOZ · « **Reply #10 on:** February 25, 2019, 09:45:02 AM »

Quote from: Xander^ on February 25, 2019, 09:41:20 AM

nice parts! going to be a great looking bike!
where at in canada?

Hi Xander, I’m on the Atlantic Coast in New Brunswick!

DANFROMOZ · « **Reply #11 on:** February 25, 2019, 09:46:38 AM »

Finally time to put something new onto the bike rather than just pulling it apart. I feel like I’m getting somewhere now! It took me quite a while to make sure I had it all correct, hopefully.... double checked spacers and wanted to get the lower bearing spacing right because it’ll be a pain to have to get it off and add one. After measuring and pondering for a few days I went with the two supplied spacers that come with the All Balls bearing kit, as one spacer looked to be just a little too close. It looks like I’ll need to use both supplied spacers for the top bearing, so the threads match up for the top section too.

DANFROMOZ · « **Reply #12 on:** February 25, 2019, 09:47:57 AM »

More pics

DANFROMOZ · « **Reply #13 on:** February 25, 2019, 09:49:23 AM »

More pics

DANFROMOZ · « **Reply #14 on:** February 25, 2019, 10:07:58 AM »

Oh yeh, here’s some pics of a similar cafe rear end that Cliff is doing, if mine looks likes this I’d be pretty happy I reckon.

DANFROMOZ · « **Reply #15 on:** February 25, 2019, 10:16:01 AM »

So that’s about it for now, I’m going to work on the rear wheel next and the disc conversion, here’s a few extra pics I have for now. I’ll take some more pics once I get going on the rear end!

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #16 on:** February 25, 2019, 02:53:06 PM »

Those are some nice components.

How is the motor? Have you done a compression test? Is it a runner?

DANFROMOZ · « **Reply #17 on:** February 26, 2019, 06:15:43 AM »

Hi SOHC4,
I got the bike from a friend for a token amount, he was happy to see something done with it. It was sitting in a barn for about 8years but was running fine before that. He put some CB750 carbs on it and had it running. I’m planning on pulling the motor and doing some cosmetic work to it when I powder coat the frame, etc, then hopefully get it running. At some point I may get a new motor built, if it needs it. It’s likely I’ll be reaching out for advice when the time comes to get it going, YouTube videos can only help to a point.... I’m enjoying the process so far though!
I’m currently working on transferring the original rear hub items onto the Cognito Moto disc conversion hub. Need to find the best way to get that bearing cap retainer thing off that you need a special tool for. Saw the Hackaweek guy using needle nose pliers, but wondering if I should just buy a specific tool on amazon and wait a bit, we’ll see, I don’t like taking chances usually.

DANFROMOZ · « **Reply #18 on:** February 26, 2019, 07:26:21 AM »

Ok, so I went out to the shed and had another look at the bearing retainer on the rear hub, decided on a couple of hex wrenches in two holes and a bar between them, it worked out fine, no damage caused. Tapped the cush drive hub off and now I’ll have to work on getting at least the bearing on the cush drive hub plate off, the others can stay in the old wheel, as the new wheel already has them installed.
I’ve noticed that the rubber pieces in the Cush hub and the shape of the Cognito Moto hub are different, I suppose there were different shapes for different models..... as this was universal for but based on a CB750. I’m thinking I’ll need to order some new rubber pieces for a different model to fit.
I’ll probably give Cognito Moto a call and see if there is anything else I’ll need to source as there didn’t seem to be any paperwork on this conversion and it may just save some time.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #19 on:** February 26, 2019, 08:42:44 AM »

In my opinion, you picked the best year for the 650 because the frame is more suited to your resto-mod modifications and the 1979-80 model heads can use the 750K carburetors as a performance upgrade. If you can get it running, do so and enjoy it before having to get bogged down in an engine rebuild. There are go-fast upgrades for the 650 motor (porting the head, 674cc high compression piston kit, and 126-20 cam) if you decide to do that down the road.

DANFROMOZ · « **Reply #20 on:** February 26, 2019, 09:14:05 AM »

Quote from: SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan on February 26, 2019, 08:42:44 AM

In my opinion, you picked the best year for the 650 because the frame is more suited to your resto-mod modifications and the 1979-80 model heads can use the 750K carburetors as a performance upgrade. If you can get it running, do so and enjoy it before having to get bogged down in an engine rebuild. There are go-fast upgrades for the 650 motor (porting the head, 674cc high compression piston kit, and 126-20 cam) if you decide to do that down the road.

Thanks for the info, the bike just kind of fell into my lap and at first I realized there were a lot less part options on the market than the CB750 & CB550, but was pleased when I found that the frame was a good option for the project as you mentioned.
I’m not too bothered being bogged down with the build, it’s kind of my favourite part, I just love the build and the feeling of progress. Any advice on rear sprocket sizes? Is there any reason to go for a different ratio or tooth size? With the rear sprocket being so noticeable, I was going to invest in a new one and thought if there was a better tooth option I’d consider it.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #21 on:** February 26, 2019, 09:30:51 AM »

I went with a 17-tooth offset sprocket for a 520 chain -- offset since I went with a wider than stock wheel/tire.

DANFROMOZ · « **Reply #22 on:** February 26, 2019, 09:38:11 AM »

Quote from: SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan on February 26, 2019, 09:30:51 AM

I went with a 17-tooth offset sprocket for a 520 chain -- offset since I went with a wider than stock wheel/tire.

Ok, I think I’d follow suit then. So I don’t think I need the offset sprocket because I have the disc brake conversion hub, and I’m pretty sure they already took into account the 4.25 rear wheel as it came in the same order, something else I’ll double check. Thanks again.

DANFROMOZ · « **Reply #23 on:** July 28, 2019, 07:48:33 AM »

Hello all, just a quick update. Ive been waiting on my hoop/cowl combo from Cliff Meyer and he’s just emailed some progress pics, so it looks like it’ll be on its way to me shortly. I’ll add the pics for something to look at. I haven’t really done much else, I really want to get it welded on so I can take a look at it before making any decisions on the rest. I’m still eyeing off the monoshock conversion kit from Kinetic Motorcycles:

http://www.kineticmotorcycles.com/monoshock-conversion/cb500-monoshock-kit-coming-soon

But I still have mixed feelings about it, though I’m leaning towards doing the monoshock project mainly due to the clean look, which is the initial vision that inspired me to start the project.... I’m looking forward to getting things moving again with the build though.

I’ll include some pics of how the bikes looking at the moment too.

DANFROMOZ · « **Reply #24 on:** July 28, 2019, 07:56:37 AM »

Pics to come. I'm having trouble dumbing them down from about 8mb to the required 4mb or so...

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Author Topic: G’day! I’m an Aussie in Canada with a 1979 CB650! Cafe Resto-Mod style build. (Read 13283 times)