Topic: My 750k8 cafe project

[ekim98]

 I'm making slow progress but it's progressing. Got the oil system flushed, front brake freed up and working, handle bars changed. The new 4 into 1 came the other day but waiting for exhaust seals. The air pods are here and I've cut the seat pan and started cutting the foam like I want (Steve F's seat is what I'm trying to copy ??). It's been so hot here in KY it's like an oven out in my shead so it's been slow going. Will get a few pictures later to show some progress. According to my digital scale I've removed 33 lbs. from the as I got it weight. Got a long way to go, but it feels good to be wrenching on a bike again.

[russouno]

Would you let me know how the seat mod goes?  I am wanting to modify my seat but I am really hesitant on attempting it !!! 

[ekim98]

Would you let me know how the seat mod goes?  I am wanting to modify my seat but I am really hesitant on attempting it !!! 

 The wife just told me her sewing machine won't handle sewing the heavy material so I have to find someone to sew it, but I've made good progress cutting the pan and foam. I'm going to try taking a couple of pic's and post them if they look ok.

[xtalon]

In case no one's told you... We like pictures.   

Good luck w/ the project.  Keep us posted.

--xTalon

[ekim98]

 Here's a few pictures,(hope there not to big ) as you can see it's a slow work in progress, but hopefully it will go a little better now that parts are coming in!!!

As I got it;


Seat profile;


Seat pan;


Foam cut down;


Bars;


Back;

[russouno]

ok, give me some details on the rear fender..... : ) looks good.. i'm also trying to get as much info as possible on the rear fender and seat before I cut or touch anything.

[ekim98]

 I just cut 7-1/4" off the stock fender and am in the process of scuffing it up so I can get it painted, after I relocate a smaller brake/tail light. I also cut the front fender. I'm to cheap to buy custom fenders or seats. I've got so many things I'm working on it's hard to see much progress and between trying for a cafe/custom look and weight reduction and making sure everything is mechanically right and safe I'm about to go crazy. But a good crazy.

[steam-powered man]

i like it!  your seat was nearly as fugly as the one my bike had on it, ma and pa upstairs/downstairs levels.   found a stock seat w/a good pan that i'm gonna cut shorter (it's already lower) as soon as i get the nerve.

excellant job on the seat shaping.  are you going to go with the side mounted license plate? 

i love the profile of these bikes, except the seat.  am tempted to pick up a really used sportser solo and give it a go.  too narrow at the front maybe.

whatkindareartireisthat?  looks cool.
bobp           

[ekim98]

 No, I plan on mounting a smaller tail light on the fender. The rear tire is a Cheng Shin  5.10 - 16". I don't know the actual tire # but it was the only 16" tire that size they listed, and they didn't list a matching front. The rear tire is in excellent shape but the front is an IRC that is dry rotting bad(lots of cracks) so I'm thinking a Cheng Shin c833 100/90 - 19 up front.

[old750]

is that a stock seat pan? mine is plastic i think...

[ekim98]

As far as I know it's the stock seat pan. I hated to cut it, but I didn't have any luck finding an old beat up seat, so I just cut it.

[ekim98]

Made some more headway, got the front brake working again and put the 4 into 1 exhaust on tonight. Figured out where the turn signals will go and got the wires figured out. I only had my small battery charger hooked up with out the battery so the signals wouldn't flash but they do light up at least. Finally ordered a new clutch cable and the seat goes for a new cover Saturday. Mounted a different brake/tail light but I'm not to crazy about it - it's to big. May have to get an old Lucas tail light.

Is there a hole pattern for drilling the front disc that is better or does it really matter as long as I don't make them to close together and make it weak? What's the "right" hole size to use?

[RSV12K]

About those pod filter: You may already know this (I found out the hard way) that your run-of-the mill pod filters will not work on the K7 and K8. The middle filter interferes with the choke lever. What you need are pod filters that have a longer flange so the lever will clear. Someone here turned me on to these guys: http://www.cyclexchange.net/Filters%20Page.htm

And for the seat, I shaped the foam on my K7, had the seat pan powder coated and sent them both to Sargent Cycle. They added a thin layer of foam to make it a bit firmer (that's how I wanted it) and wrapped it in a carbon-fiber-looking vinyl. It was about the same price as a new seat but worth it to me to get the look I wanted. Here's the result:

[seaweb11]

You can just bend the choke lever over 1/8" and it will work.

[capnspif]

RSV, Nice looking bike, any info on those rearsets? Both bikes have the seat shape I'd like to use.

[RSV12K]

Those are Raask's rearsets, obtained from Omar's Cafe for about $250, as I recall. I didn't care for them--couldn't get comfortable--and sold them.

[ekim98]

Yes RSV, nice looking bike  , what color is the tank, almost looks like a Kaw. green, I like that. I'm still not sure about a color for mine yet. My tank is in good shape but the paint isn't all that good so no problem changing it.

Thanks seaweb for the info, I knew there was going to be a clearance problem with one of the air pods but I have gotten that yet.

[ekim98]

A quick update; got the 4 into 1 exhaust on, air pods on, and the recovered seat on. Right now the fenders and side covers are being primed. I'm still not sure about a color yet. I posted in another thread that I'm trying not to rejet for the pods and as it's working out right now the bike seems to be running pretty good with the stock 110 jets - I don't understand why? I haven't ridden very far as it's not liscened yet and I can't mount the brake light without the rear fender. The idle is a tad high(I don't have a tach - it was broke) and it seems to rev up pretty good, but I can't really wind it up yet on my short little runs up my street. Here's a couple of pictures with the seat and exhaust and me - don't laugh to hard.

[wornknobby3]

its looking good, say where'd those bars come from?

[seaweb11]

Certainly lighter than before

I'd ride it like that for a bit    K8s rule!, or is it K2s now....

Personaly, I think your ass is going to want to slide off the back end.
Ride it try it, but having a blunt rear on a cafe seat has a reason     Your not sitting up and holding a stock set of bars with the wind in your face and chest.

You are in a much more prone possition which does 2 things.
#1 makes you ride the Sh*t out of it and drive it like you stole it due to the race stance and your brain.
#2 phisicaly lays you down on the seat a bit more with a ton more acceleration than you rode it before.
#3 your ass is going to slide..........



This was one of Carpys 1st cafe seats sold. I wanted to double up but also wanted a tuck in feel. I sent him a stock seat and he made this.   You seem good with seat pans  foam and covers.........just an idea for you
 

K8 Photos





Nice work

P.S. did you ever find a smaller tail light?

[ekim98]

its looking good, say where'd those bars come from?

Got them off ebay - drag bars. 28" across, 5-1/2" center straight and approx. 3-1/2" pull back. I got another one still in the package if any one is interested $12.00 plus shipping.

"seaweb11",
 Yes I saw that bike on his website, very nice, but out of my price range. I'm not as wild as I was 10/15 years ago, so maybe I can stay in the seat . I don't know what it weighted when I got it but by my digital scale I've taken 36 + pounds off so far. I got a brake light off ebay but it's still bigger than I want. I'm going to look for a small Lucas lite if I can find one. I've only ridden up and down my street a couple times, but I like the ridding position so far. Once I get it running better I would like to take it to Beach Bend Drag Strip over by Bowling Green once to see what I can do thou, but it's been 22 years since I've done that before.