Author Topic: Pics of CB500/CB550 Cafe racers? (Read 9659 times)

Irishguy · « **on:** September 10, 2007, 03:45:18 PM »

I have looked on the gallery and have pictures of a few of the forum member's bikes, but I was wondering if anyone has some nice links to pictures of nice CB500 or CB550 Cafe Bikes? I can't wait to get my project bike down here and wanted to stockpile some inspiration pictures to get me motivated and keep me motivated during the upcoming build. I will probably print some out and hang them on the wall of my garage.

736cc · « **Reply #1 on:** September 10, 2007, 04:02:22 PM »

bwaller · « **Reply #2 on:** September 10, 2007, 05:32:59 PM »

The first ones mine whether you want to call it cafe or not is up to you.

The second is a tidy little roadracer I snapped at Daytona in 73. I didn't know the owner but thought it was really sharp. Total loss ignition, but the interesting feature is he's running a dry sump on that 500 with the oil tank in the tail section. Don't see that every day.

Not a cafe but maybe worth hanging on your wall!

Irishguy · « **Reply #3 on:** September 10, 2007, 06:39:39 PM »

Great bikes you guys keep them coming.

Bwaller,

You showing me a picture of your bike when I say that I am looking for inspiration for my first cafe project, is like a guy saying he wants to learn to swim and you showing him the English Channel.

You see... We work up to that.

Seriously... that is one sweet bike and just looking at the picture one can tell that you have put and extreme amount of creativity, ingenuity and craftsmanship into the bike. It is beautiful.

I'm sure this has been asked before, but what bike is the body work from?

Regards,

mark

WJL75 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 10, 2007, 06:47:18 PM »

Here's my '76 550K.

Derek B. · « **Reply #5 on:** September 10, 2007, 07:06:06 PM »

Hey Bwaller! Where'd you get the tank/tail/seat for your 500? I've never seen anyone do that to a SOHC. Kinda a 70s/80s hybrid. Looks cool.

bwaller · « **Reply #6 on:** September 10, 2007, 07:28:15 PM »

Thanks for the kind words. The seat, fender & tail are 750 Interceptor. The tail is stretched 2.5" to allow for full rear wheel travel inside the fender and the sidecovers I made to fit.

Master Ted · « **Reply #7 on:** September 10, 2007, 08:05:20 PM »

This is the only cafe bike that has managed to push all my buttons. It was posted here a couple of days ago and is now my wallpaper.

paulages · « **Reply #8 on:** September 11, 2007, 12:14:34 AM »

turtle · « **Reply #9 on:** September 11, 2007, 01:47:02 AM »

Search this site.
http://www.dotheton.com/

forwheeldrift · « **Reply #10 on:** September 11, 2007, 05:10:37 AM »

SClay115 · « **Reply #11 on:** September 11, 2007, 05:23:02 AM »

I know you said specifically 500/550, but keep hitting 'forward' on this site:

http://www.caferace.com/cafepix.html

And I'm sure you'll find something for inspiration,

Steve

ProTeal55 · « **Reply #12 on:** September 11, 2007, 06:32:18 AM »

That looks like a Benji tank/seat combo (which if it is is HUGE $$$$)..

SClay115 · « **Reply #13 on:** September 11, 2007, 07:53:47 AM »

Quote from: ProTeal55 on September 11, 2007, 06:32:18 AM

That looks like a Benji tank/seat combo (which if it is is HUGE $$$$)..

I believe that's actually from the BCR website. I have it saved on my HD somewheres...and I think that's where it came from.

Steve

Simplyj · « **Reply #14 on:** September 11, 2007, 09:01:42 AM »

Quote from: WJL75 on September 10, 2007, 06:47:18 PM

Here's my '76 550K.

This is exactly the look I'm going for with my new (to me) cb550. Did you pound in the tank or cut and weld?

Swede · « **Reply #15 on:** September 11, 2007, 09:07:17 AM »

Check out Carpy's site he has an area dedicated to readers cafe's that are some very nice bikes in there most of them are 750's but there are a few 550's as well.

Here is a pic of one of my favorites that I found on line. I love this tank and seat!

malcolmgb · « **Reply #16 on:** September 11, 2007, 09:41:33 AM »

Quote from: Swede on September 11, 2007, 09:07:17 AM

Here is a pic of one of my favorites that I found on line. I love this tank and seat!

with what looks like a Yamaha TD/TZ 4LS front brake too, very impressive.

Irishguy · « **Reply #17 on:** September 11, 2007, 09:53:19 AM »

Quote from: WJL75 on September 10, 2007, 06:47:18 PM

Here's my '76 550K.

WJL75,

You have a nice bike. Not too polished and pristine, but not too "rat bike" either. I will be going for something similar to this. I think I have about decided to try to keep my total budget to about $1000 including the price of the bike [$500] so unless I sell some parts I am looking at about $500 to spend on the build.

Irishguy · « **Reply #18 on:** September 11, 2007, 10:02:07 AM »

Quote from: Swede on September 11, 2007, 09:07:17 AM

Check out Carpy's site he has an area dedicated to readers cafe's that are some very nice bikes in there most of them are 750's but there are a few 550's as well.

Here is a pic of one of my favorites that I found on line. I love this tank and seat!

Yeah... I've been to Carpy's site. It is what got me started on the whole SOHC 4 thing in the first place. I started out looking at the Yamaha XS650's first. [I know...Shame, shame.] Now I am so glad I got the CB650 and now the CB500 instead. My CB650 is such a smoother, more powererful, road bike than the XS Yamaha. The Yamaha's a cool bikes, but they are no SOHC 4 Honda.

You guys keep 'em coming.

OH... PS: The girl on the bike is SHWEET!!! DO I understand correctly that that is actually her bike and she is not some model just sat on the bike to look good? Regardless... It is now my wallpaper. Everyone that comes by my computer ask about it... erm... her.

dagersh · « **Reply #19 on:** September 11, 2007, 10:06:23 AM »

Don't forget Doug ID's awesome bike.....

turboguzzi · « **Reply #20 on:** September 11, 2007, 10:29:51 AM »

This german guy's tool is not bad either....

http://www.sohc4.us/forums/index.php?topic=18806.0

tail is of a TZ350

TG

736cc · « **Reply #21 on:** September 11, 2007, 11:45:11 AM »

CYCLE magazine: Gentleman's Express started this cafe thing w/ Jap bikes BIG-TIME and hooked alot of folks to this day. Read it foward and backwards; give us a report in the morning.
http://www.sohc4.us/forums/index.php?topic=20601.0

Theres another CYCLE article called "The Mantlepiece" reprinted on this site but I can't find the link. Another 500/4 tastefully tricked-out

turboguzzi · « **Reply #22 on:** September 11, 2007, 12:16:48 PM »

now that I had a second look, I got to wonder about the angle of the clipons in the green bike..... how can anyone ride like that? rubber wrists? :-)

+ the skinny rear tire in the cool girl's scoot isnt too convincing either....

IrishG, Forgot to add that you could have a look at mine, though its just a racer, no cafe.... Since I live in italy I usually have my small espressos in the bar around the corner.

More ot the point, although some of the big racing gas tanks look cool, they usually stretch you quite a bit over the bike and others have rear ends that will dig into you inner thights. Tried a few before settling back to an original tank on my bike just because of that. If you build the bike to really ride, you might do well to check how you feel with that tank between your legs (no pun intended). If it's mainly for show, then that's another story.

TG

Irishguy · « **Reply #23 on:** September 11, 2007, 02:06:18 PM »

After careful consideration and being realistic about my budget I hope to be able to build something like Len Wong's bike:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lenwong/1056144713/

It's not too tricked out, but still has a nice clean appearance. I doubt I will go with clip-ons or rear-sets either, probably just go with european or superbike bars. I plan on riding this bike a lot and I want to be comfortable and still have fun.

hymodyne · « **Reply #24 on:** September 11, 2007, 04:26:45 PM »

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Author Topic: Pics of CB500/CB550 Cafe racers? (Read 9659 times)

Derek B.

Simplyj