Author Topic: Let The Fun Begin! (Read 4101 times)

AK Cafe · « **on:** August 13, 2008, 08:44:01 PM »

Hi Everyone, Just wanted to start documenting my rebuild and introduce myself. My handle is AK Cafe and I own a 1976 CB550F that I will be converting to a cafe racer this winter. I live in Anchorage, Alaska and I am an aircraft mechanic by trade. I am going to try my hand at fabricating some of my own parts for this project so expect lots of questions as we go. Here will be the before, during and after pictures as my project takes form.

Before....

Currently.....

What I am hoping to end up with.......

Stay tuned!
AK Cafe

rachet · « **Reply #1 on:** August 13, 2008, 09:19:01 PM »

Good for you taking those bold first steps to a cafe' racer! If you are doing your build during the winter months, I would think you would have Plenty of time in Alaska! The winters up there are like 10 months long right!?!

anyways, Good Luck and keep us posted with Pics! (I'm illiterate, so pics help

)

Rachet~

mrbreeze · « **Reply #2 on:** August 13, 2008, 09:35:42 PM »

Glad to see your after pics don't include that #$%* bar or that crazy looking windscreen from hell!!!! That after bike hasn't been seen in awhile (wasn't it Doug something?). Anyhow...have fun making it yours and keep the progress pics and questions coming.

captaincrash80 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 14, 2008, 09:32:10 AM »

Lookin forward to the end result

kghost · « **Reply #4 on:** August 14, 2008, 04:40:32 PM »

Least you live in Anchorage.....I used to live in Nome....can't imagine trying to get parts there.......

heffay · « **Reply #5 on:** August 15, 2008, 09:33:27 AM »

here is doug_id's project gallery.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/doug_goodenough/sets/72157594349938594/

excellent choice there AK... both on the before and to become.

Kev Nemo · « **Reply #6 on:** August 15, 2008, 10:19:14 AM »

So are you doing an exact copy and if not, how is yours going to be different?

AK Cafe · « **Reply #7 on:** August 15, 2008, 05:41:17 PM »

I am planning on fabricating my own seat. I am going to stay with the drag bars and I am planning to relocate the battery and wiring to the rear and open up the side panels. I also have an idea for my paint and colors that will be tied into my "Alaska" theme.
My engine is in good shape and runs strong, so I don't plan to do anything there, although the pesky cylinder and head oil seep my change those plans in the long run.
AK Cafe

AK Cafe · « **Reply #8 on:** August 20, 2008, 08:08:28 PM »

Found a tab on the headstock that I want to ask about. I know that the lower tab is your steering stop but what is the upper tab for? It looks just like the steering stop, but there are no stop tabs that it hits.

I am going to grind it off unless someone knows why I shouldn't.

AK Cafe · « **Reply #9 on:** August 23, 2008, 09:22:27 PM »

Ok fellow gearheads, here's the latest progress. The frame is completely stripped and I have ground off all of the useless and unnecessary tabs and brackets. I even bobbed the rearend. I am going to fabricate a new rearend for it later this next week on my weekend. Once I'm done with the frame, it's off to the powdercoat shop for a new look.

Also, that thin piece of metal on the tab you just ground off, don't touch it! It's sharp!

AK Cafe

TheFox · « **Reply #10 on:** August 24, 2008, 09:40:03 PM »

Good job on the build so far. I'm working on my own 500 cafe right now and I'll be keeping an eye on yours to see how things are going. Make sure you take lots of pictures of that modified frame piece you're making and make sure you keep your dick feelers away from the sharp #$%*.

Brad

Dirk_M · « **Reply #11 on:** August 25, 2008, 04:33:50 AM »

Quote from: AK Cafe on August 23, 2008, 09:22:27 PM

Also, that thin piece of metal on the tab you just ground off, don't touch it! It's sharp!

ya and put on some shoes, too!

AK Cafe · « **Reply #12 on:** December 14, 2008, 07:43:30 PM »

Hi Everyone! I've been busy with working and hunting season and the bike for the last several months and I wanted to update the project some. Here is the new look of the rearend of the frame that I chopped off.

The "peak" was not planned. I wasn't able to bend the tubing in a tight enough bend, so I compromised and bent two tubes and then welded them together at the centerline.

I also drilled my front brake rotor to help eliminate that annoying squeek while braking. The frame and other components are all ready for powdercoating, I just need to get past the holidays and find the time to do it. The last big job is the seat fabrication. I have already installed a rail for the battery mount under the seat, now I have to build the seat and mount it to the frame.
AK Cafe

AK Cafe · « **Reply #13 on:** February 23, 2009, 08:10:08 PM »

Here is the latest progress fellow gearheads! All of the parts have been powdercoated and are in final assembly. Tha engine has been reinstalled in the frame and the headstock bearings have been installed. I installed an inner fender that I stole off of an old CB500T that I have and took the old electrical mount and attached it to the battery box and then mounted it under the seat hump. The front wheel has been reassembled with new wheel bearings and relaced, it still needs to be trued up and tightened though. I am hopeing to finish the build within the next week and be ready for the local bike show at the end of March.
Her's some pics!
AKCafe

Really? · « **Reply #14 on:** February 23, 2009, 08:50:44 PM »

I musta missed a lotta pics, they are gone now.

FunJimmy · « **Reply #15 on:** February 23, 2009, 09:16:42 PM »

Of all the pictures that you have posted, only three are still available.
Could you consider posting directly to the SOHC4 site instead of using a host site?

From what I can see, you are getting a lot done. Good work.

FJ

AK Cafe · « **Reply #16 on:** February 23, 2009, 11:43:57 PM »

Yeah, I'm not sure why it dropped those pictures. Here's a few more to make up for it.
AK Cafe

AK Cafe · « **Reply #17 on:** February 25, 2009, 03:26:41 PM »

Major Visible Progress today. Front end is coming together nicely. I also started building the controls today. I had completely disassembled the left and right controls. I powdercoated the housings and then painted the lettering and marks by hand. I have also started installing the electrical system in the rear. Hers some pics.
AK Cafe

Frankencake · « **Reply #18 on:** February 25, 2009, 03:33:17 PM »

I forget. What part did I sell you? Can you put my name on it during your build? (just kidding)

AKCafe · « **Reply #19 on:** July 20, 2009, 12:52:43 AM »

Hey everyone, Alot has happened since this project began. I have been offline for awhile due to an unexpected divorce from the misses. Now my email address dosent work, so I had to create a new account and start over. I am going to start an entire new thread and reload the photos to it. I have also had a hard time getting motivated to get working on the bike since the divorce, I need some motivation here!
AKCafe

captaincrash80 · « **Reply #20 on:** July 20, 2009, 07:04:39 AM »

That sucks man, had a scare like that at the end of last year. It really does kill and motivation to do anything. But fear not, going for rides on your newly rebuilt bike will help take your mind off things

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