« previous next »
Pages: [1] 2 3 ... 5   Go Down

Author Topic: Cb650 Cafe racer  (Read 14281 times)

0 Members and 3 Guests are viewing this topic.

Offline dkihlgren

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 79
Cb650 Cafe racer
« on: April 19, 2020, 11:33:15 AM »
I got the bike from my dad. It stod there sad with flat tires. Blue smoke from one exhaust. A fast fix up later and she was on the road

I've wanted a Cafe racer for decades.. So now was the time. Installed a frame hoop with led light. Threw on pod filters and bigger jets. Made a crappy seat and sprayed it black.




Took my license with my black Cafe racer 2018. During winter I started looking at CR750 and went that road. Took some measurements and hoped I could make a CR750 seat fit.

Should fit....


Cut some crap away and it fits


Red is faster!

Found Kellerman Atto 3 in 1 lights. Super small



Had some strange noice from the engine before winter 2019 so a small service was needed.


Charging is an issue on these bikes. VFR800 conversion was decided. New primary chain when I hade it apart. Painted it black.. Now I'm waiting for seals for crank and transmission.. Corona delayed.

Vfr and CB does not have the same size taper. Made an adapter in my lathe.




Today I sprayed 3 layers of clear on the tank. First time with a spray gun. Happy with the result. Some wet sanding will be needed...


Next week I get the cylinder head back after a valve job. Valves are grinded. One was in to bad shape and has to be replaced. Seats are cut with correct angles.

Skickat från min Mi 9T Pro via Tapatalk
« Last Edit: April 19, 2020, 11:39:55 AM by dkihlgren »
Logged

Offline Sigmund

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 80
Re: Cb650 Cafe racer
« Reply #1 on: April 19, 2020, 03:19:54 PM »
Great work. The ol' 650 is very clean/neat for 40 year old.  ;)
Logged
CB450t, CB650, CB750 dohc, CB900 dohc.
Music, Motorbikes, Technology and Creativity.
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,177987.0.html

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

  • Speak up, Whipper-Snapper! I'm a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 15,733
  • SOHC/4 Member #1235
Re: Cb650 Cafe racer
« Reply #2 on: April 20, 2020, 09:43:56 AM »
Is this a 1979 frame or did you mod a later year frame?
Logged
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them — but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one.... Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba." Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature, Cycle World, March 1995.  (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html and https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/3/1/song-of-the-sausage-creature)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline dkihlgren

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 79
Re: Cb650 Cafe racer
« Reply #3 on: April 20, 2020, 09:45:36 AM »
Quote from: SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan on April 20, 2020, 09:43:56 AM
Is this a 1979 frame or did you mod a later year frame?
1980

Skickat från min Mi 9T Pro via Tapatalk

Logged

Offline dkihlgren

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 79
Re: Cb650 Cafe racer
« Reply #4 on: April 25, 2020, 09:06:34 PM »
Got my cylinder head back. The guy gave me some hints on improvements. There is a pretty big step where inlet ports and valve seat meets. Now that is removed! Ports are smooth all the way. Smoothed out exhaust ports also. Probably makes a ton of hp :)
Tried my new tig welder. Will go throug alot more scrap metal before welding on my bike..
« Last Edit: April 25, 2020, 09:08:14 PM by dkihlgren »
Logged

Offline dkihlgren

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 79
Re: Cb650 Cafe racer
« Reply #5 on: April 26, 2020, 08:01:21 AM »
Head is now nice and smooth. Some cleaning left before assembly.




Skickat från min Mi 9T Pro via Tapatalk

Logged

Offline dkihlgren

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 79
Re: Cb650 Cafe racer
« Reply #6 on: May 06, 2020, 09:43:17 AM »
Some progress. Made a new battery box and started frame bracing. Welds are not pretty, but I'm learning this Tig stuff. New steel and good fitment works. Will be some grinding and rewelding. Now I'm out of argon and Tig rods.

Bracing will be a cross above swing and triangles in all of the vees. Swingarm will get a Brace and I'm thinking of welding a tube from the front of the seat to steering neck.


Skickat från min Mi 9T Pro via Tapatalk

Logged

Offline dkihlgren

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 79
Re: Cb650 Cafe racer
« Reply #7 on: May 10, 2020, 09:17:25 AM »
Did some work on my lathe today. Really hope this Corona crap could pass. The whole world has stopped and most important of all my engine seals are stuck at royal mail...



Also got my hands on a welding table. 1" thick steel and an enormous vise.
Logged

Offline MRieck

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 10,577
  • Big ideas....
Re: Cb650 Cafe racer
« Reply #8 on: May 10, 2020, 12:01:43 PM »
Nice work. The only thing I'll add is it is not good to grind the OEM valves. The steel is relatively soft and they will pound the margin out of the valve in about 500 miles( I have seen this). Better to replace them.
Logged
Owner of the "Million Dollar CB"

Offline dkihlgren

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 79
Re: Cb650 Cafe racer
« Reply #9 on: May 10, 2020, 12:48:18 PM »
Quote from: MRieck on May 10, 2020, 12:01:43 PM
Nice work. The only thing I'll add is it is not good to grind the OEM valves. The steel is relatively soft and they will pound the margin out of the valve in about 500 miles( I have seen this). Better to replace them.
Good info! I'll order new valves then.
Logged

Offline MRieck

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 10,577
  • Big ideas....
Re: Cb650 Cafe racer
« Reply #10 on: May 10, 2020, 03:57:07 PM »
Quote from: dkihlgren on May 10, 2020, 12:48:18 PM
Quote from: MRieck on May 10, 2020, 12:01:43 PM
Nice work. The only thing I'll add is it is not good to grind the OEM valves. The steel is relatively soft and they will pound the margin out of the valve in about 500 miles( I have seen this). Better to replace them.
Good info! I'll order new valves then.
       👍👍
Logged
Owner of the "Million Dollar CB"

Offline dkihlgren

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 79
Re: Cb650 Cafe racer
« Reply #11 on: May 17, 2020, 08:46:34 AM »
Some minor stuff done today. Cleaned up the frame some more before mounting the battery box where the central stand used to be.
Logged

Offline dkihlgren

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 79
Re: Cb650 Cafe racer
« Reply #12 on: May 18, 2020, 11:21:45 PM »
Starting to look like an engine. Stainless bolts looks nice.


Logged

Offline dkihlgren

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 79
Re: Cb650 Cafe racer
« Reply #13 on: May 20, 2020, 10:51:38 AM »
550 dyno cover is a bit bigger, but hole pattern matches. Think I'll cut a piece of aluminium that also work as a spacer. VFR800 flywheel is a bit deep. It has to work since 650 dyno cover is to small to fit the new flywheel



I'm still waiting for new valves so I can not assemble the engine. Had to se how it looked. Will be even nicer with my stainless external oil pipes.
Logged

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

  • Speak up, Whipper-Snapper! I'm a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 15,733
  • SOHC/4 Member #1235
Re: Cb650 Cafe racer
« Reply #14 on: May 20, 2020, 06:01:39 PM »
Damn! DaveBarbie and I might be interested in your VFR800 upgrade to the charging system.  Let us know the specs and what's involved OR if you're willing to turn out a couple more for us!  I assume this is a 32 AMP upgrade, right? 
Logged
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them — but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one.... Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba." Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature, Cycle World, March 1995.  (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html and https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/3/1/song-of-the-sausage-creature)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline dkihlgren

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 79
Re: Cb650 Cafe racer
« Reply #15 on: May 22, 2020, 03:44:40 AM »
Quote from: SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan on May 20, 2020, 06:01:39 PM
Damn! DaveBarbie and I might be interested in your VFR800 upgrade to the charging system.  Let us know the specs and what's involved OR if you're willing to turn out a couple more for us!  I assume this is a 32 AMP upgrade, right?
I'll post a more detailed description when I'm done. If it works
Logged

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

  • Speak up, Whipper-Snapper! I'm a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 15,733
  • SOHC/4 Member #1235
Re: Cb650 Cafe racer
« Reply #16 on: May 22, 2020, 02:18:55 PM »
Quote from: dkihlgren on May 22, 2020, 03:44:40 AM
Quote from: SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan on May 20, 2020, 06:01:39 PM
Damn! DaveBarbie and I might be interested in your VFR800 upgrade to the charging system.  Let us know the specs and what's involved OR if you're willing to turn out a couple more for us!  I assume this is a 32 AMP upgrade, right?
I'll post a more detailed description when I'm done. If it works

Fingers crossed!
Logged
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them — but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one.... Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba." Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature, Cycle World, March 1995.  (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html and https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/3/1/song-of-the-sausage-creature)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline dkihlgren

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 79
Re: Cb650 Cafe racer
« Reply #17 on: May 26, 2020, 05:33:21 AM »
Finishing up swing and frame as I wait for new valves...

Battery box almost done. Have to make a lid for it. Planning on mounting the regulator on the box so it's hidden. Later I'll switch to a lithium battery and regulator.


« Last Edit: May 26, 2020, 06:34:18 AM by dkihlgren »
Logged

Offline dkihlgren

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 79
Re: Cb650 Cafe racer
« Reply #18 on: May 28, 2020, 07:38:38 AM »
Finally I got the new valves! Tonight it is Times for final assembly of the engine
Logged

Offline grcamna2

  • Not a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 15,214
  • I love to restore & travel. Keep'em Going Strong !
Re: Cb650 Cafe racer
« Reply #19 on: May 28, 2020, 07:06:48 PM »
Very nice work you're doing on that blue CB650 'dkihlgren'.
I was enjoying the stock look of it before you started: is that 1980 the same style/design as the 1979' Honda CB650Z model you started with ?? I like the design of that model:how many years did they have that exact model over there ??
Do you know if that model?year was also available in all of Europe and other countries ? I like that model,would like to search for one sometime and have it shipped to the USA,if possible..
I like how the seat is shaped,tank,the dual front brakes and the tubeless compatible Comstar wheels;I also like that blue color very much.  8)
« Last Edit: May 28, 2020, 07:18:29 PM by grcamna2 »
Logged
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline scunny

  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 4,618
  • don't call me expert
Re: Cb650 Cafe racer
« Reply #20 on: May 28, 2020, 08:06:45 PM »
The Z model came to New Zealand, Australia as well I think.
Logged
past-cb100,ts250,cb500,cb500,gs1000,gs650g.phillips traveller
present-CB 650 retro
            VTR1000F3
           XL250S riverbed rocket
           TS250[sold]
           TS185[sold]
           XL125S[sold]
           MT50 (white)
           MT50 (red)[sold]
           KN250/XS400 project
           XR/XL250 bitsa under construction
           SL100[sold]
           XL250R
           pedal(pub bike) leaks oil
my gallery http://gallery.sohc4.net/members/personal/scunny

Offline Korven

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 297
Re: Cb650 Cafe racer
« Reply #21 on: May 28, 2020, 11:45:49 PM »
Really cool conversion on the charging system. from what i can remember the vfr reg/rec is of the more modern mosfet typ, perhaps wouldnt be bad to incorperate that aswell? Looking forward to se the results.
Logged

Offline dkihlgren

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 79
Re: Cb650 Cafe racer
« Reply #22 on: May 28, 2020, 11:51:56 PM »
Quote from: Korven on May 28, 2020, 11:45:49 PM
Really cool conversion on the charging system. from what i can remember the vfr reg/rec is of the more modern mosfet typ, perhaps wouldnt be bad to incorperate that aswell? Looking forward to se the results.
Yes that might be the case. It's bigger anyway.

But I'll upgrade to an even more modern regulator later. It's in the plan to switch to a 4 cell lithium battery. A bit small maby, but it's cooler to do a run start of the bike if needed I have a small 7Ah lead battery now and that works great.
« Last Edit: May 28, 2020, 11:56:46 PM by dkihlgren »
Logged

Offline dkihlgren

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 79
Re: Cb650 Cafe racer
« Reply #23 on: May 29, 2020, 09:04:12 AM »
Quote from: grcamna2 on May 28, 2020, 07:06:48 PM
Very nice work you're doing on that blue CB650 'dkihlgren'.
I was enjoying the stock look of it before you started: is that 1980 the same style/design as the 1979' Honda CB650Z model you started with ?? I like the design of that model:how many years did they have that exact model over there ??
Do you know if that model?year was also available in all of Europe and other countries ? I like that model,would like to search for one sometime and have it shipped to the USA,if possible..
I like how the seat is shaped,tank,the dual front brakes and the tubeless compatible Comstar wheels;I also like that blue color very much.  8)
Thanks! I don't know how many years they had this design. When I look at bikes for sale usually post 1980 is another blue color.
Logged

Offline DaveBarbier

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 5,620
Re: Cb650 Cafe racer
« Reply #24 on: May 29, 2020, 06:48:40 PM »
Quote from: dkihlgren on May 22, 2020, 03:44:40 AM
Quote from: SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan on May 20, 2020, 06:01:39 PM
Damn! DaveBarbie and I might be interested in your VFR800 upgrade to the charging system.  Let us know the specs and what's involved OR if you're willing to turn out a couple more for us!  I assume this is a 32 AMP upgrade, right?
I'll post a more detailed description when I'm done. If it works
Liking the build so far! What’s the benefit of upgrading the charging system? My 650 charges fine and makes a surplus at idle. I’ve only heard people say these have charging problems but haven’t seen anyone post about an issue. Before the tear down did yours have problems?
Logged
Pages: [1] 2 3 ... 5   Go Up
« previous next »