Topic: Huntersville, NC FNG (56k warning)

[ronlarimer]

I have been on the site for a little while and have asked some questions, I guess I should do a proper introduction.

My name is Ron Larimer.  I live in Huntersville, NC about 10-15 miles north of Charlotte.
 
I have a wife of nearly 7 years that puts up with my motorcycle habit, a 21 month old son that has a motorcycle habit far worse than my own (He has 7 toy motorcycles that have replaced his blanket, the favorite being a Ducati; a rocking motorcycle that he does stunts on; and he is always carrying around a motorcycle magazine) and I have a daughter on the way at the end of the month.   For a living, I am a procurement consultant, but I have also worked for KTM and Accenture.

About 2 weeks ago I purchased a 1973 CB750 that has been café’d (nicknamed the “Space Heater”).  Coming from new, fuel injected, sport bikes this bike doesn’t really start easily, it’s cold blooded, it doesn’t stop well, it feels heavy, the clubmans are at the wrong angle, it has been wired as a chopper so it has no signals, the brake light only works with the rear brake, there is no kill switch or starter button, the clutch is horrible and I scrape the pipe constantly.  And that pretty much explains why I bought it.

The current plan is make over the bike into a hardtail chopper, with a Cycle X Boxer style frame (or possibly something with a 4” stretch in the tail instead of what appears to be 6”) dual front brakes, clip-ons, 16” rear tire, minimal real fender, and if I feel too squished up forward controls.

Currently I plan on doing this is steps.  I should have all of the front end components here by the end of the week, minus brakelines and clutch pearch.  The next step will be the exhaust, carbs and to verify the electrical systems status.  Then I will gather all of the major components for the swap in a new frame in new frame.  Lastly I will strip down the current bike, freshen up the appearance of the engine, replace the head gasket (it is weeping a bit), and do any work I see while it is out and put everything together on the new frame.
Please feel free to comment on the bike, my build plan, or both.  Here are some pictures of how it looks today.

[edbikerii]

I quite like the looks of that bike.  Couldn't you find something crappier to turn into a chopper?

[xtalon]

Welcome fellow North Carolinian!  I'm in Hickory.

Now I know how 'purist' feel when someone wants to turn a stocker into a cafe.  I feel the sameway about seeing a nice cafe turned into a chopper.     But to each there own.  It's your bike and you should do with it whatever makes you happy. It looks like you at least have a good base to build from.

I'm sure you probably already know about the Honda Chopper website, but if not, here's the link:

http://hondachopper.com/

Good luck and keep us all up to date with your build.

--xTalon

[nickjtc]

I quite like the looks of that bike.  Couldn't you find something crappier to turn into a chopper?

Ditto

[ezroller]

Hey Ron. I am a fellow NC rider as well. I live in Charlotte(University). Good to see someone from the area. I have a 550F that I am in the process of rebuilding into a cafe. If you need to unload any parts as your build moves forward I would certainly be interested. Have a good one.    Jason

[ronlarimer]

EZ,

You may want to check out Roadrashsucks.com too.  It is a Charlotte based board and while they are mainly racers and european bike riders, it is a pretty cool group.

[Cvillechopper]

That is one nice bike even though the clubmans are on backwards, not just at the wrong angle, and it looks like the header pipes were mixed up making the pipe sit lower.  You swing those clubmans around and get the proper angle, play with the header pipes (looks to me like the 1&2 and the 3&4 have been reversed) and you should notice a real improvement in handling.  Even the clutch is likely to get better as the cable won't have that nasty bend like it does now. 

Just my 2c but that bike is well worth tweaking as is IMHO.

Of course, I've built a chopper and love them so go for what you want and keep the pics coming.

[dusterdude]

welcome,nice bike,if you should decide to sell the seat/pan combo,please let me know.

[ohiocaferacer]

Ron....what ever happened to that CB450 you had???

Good to see you on here!

Greg

[ronlarimer]

Wow.  Good Memory.

I sold it before moving to Charlotte along with my SV.  I have checked out your site a number of times to see if there has been any more progress and because it came up a few times when I was research cb350F's.

How is you 350T?  Still taking it out frequently?

[playinsafe44]

umm are you sure those clubmans are on backwars? maybe it just looks funny because the gauges arent filling them up

[neil young]

I quite like the looks of that bike.  Couldn't you find something crappier to turn into a chopper?

im with you Ed.thats a nice looking bike man

[ohiocaferacer]

How is you 350T?  Still taking it out frequently?

Dont ride is as much now that the CB500/4 is almost finished.

Keep us updated on the new bike progress.

Greg

[fuzzybutt]

i'm just south of you in columbia sc. SWEET looking cafe you have there, if you do chop it would you consider selling me that pipe?

[ronlarimer]

Sweet, I have buyers for lots of stuff!

I should have busted out the spares crate.

[ZetecOwns]

I will only repeat what has already been said: it's such a nice cafe bike to simply chop up.
Hell, I got my rusty old '68 CL350 for free. It needs a lot of work though?

I'm in NC. Want to trade, plus a little cash on my end maybe?  I mean, since you're going to chop it all up anyway? 

Good to see another North Carolinian on board, and good luck with your project.