Author Topic: Restore or Build a Cafe? (Read 3981 times)

Stevevo8 · « **on:** March 24, 2008, 09:14:27 AM »

The 400f I just bought is together but non running and had a problem with the front disc when it was parked at 17k.

I bought with the intention of makeing it into a cafe racer.

What are everyones thoughts?

rachet · « **Reply #1 on:** March 24, 2008, 09:34:43 AM »

I've heard a lot of arguments to preserve these classic SOHC bikes, and some arguments to cut them up into cafe racers, in the end you have to decided what's best for you. I love customization and have no qualms turning them into a Cafe Racer. that's my vote!

Rachet~

goon 1492 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 24, 2008, 09:36:09 AM »

bobber.

Joel · « **Reply #3 on:** March 24, 2008, 09:42:29 AM »

Sell it to me.

bwaller · « **Reply #4 on:** March 24, 2008, 09:47:37 AM »

It's yours decision and I can't read your mind but since you're asking for some thoughts I'll bite.

In my opinion if you have a bike that is very original, keep it that way. Sometimes restoration is needed, sometimes they can be cleaned up and run in original condition. If you customize at least store the original parts properly so someone else can use those parts, or sell then outright.

If your desire is to customize, go for it, but try to keep in mind that these bikes are "mature" and the source for parts will continue to dry up so save what can be.

I bought a basket case, most parts were included but had been crashed several times and a lot of the sought after stuff was junk. I fiqured this was a good candidate for the non-stock bike I had in mind to build.

Any brake issues are usually an easy repair.

Good luck deciding.

cafe750 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 24, 2008, 10:02:06 AM »

If it has potential to be a really nice stocker, I like to leave them stock, because there are fewer and fewer unmolested examples of these old bikes. In the case of my 750F, it was in such a shape where I didn't have any qualms about going more "full-blown" cafe with it. I still kept all of the stock parts though, (tank, seat, side covers, etc.) in case there would happen to be a day that I wanted to restore it to stock. In the end, just do what makes you happy.

Stevevo8 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 24, 2008, 10:12:39 AM »

Thats my problem, This is a bike that has been un-molested. The tank needs a little metal work and there are things that are needed but everything is original. From what I can tell this bike has also never been dropped or wrecked.

Does anyone have a 400f Frame with a title so I can build a cafe from that and also restore this one??

Gordon · « **Reply #7 on:** March 24, 2008, 10:17:26 AM »

There are lots of "cafe" things you can do to a bike without permanently altering it. Things like tank, seat, fenders, bars, exhaust, lighting, can all be swapped out with custom parts so it can be fairly easily put back to stock when needed.

.RJ · « **Reply #8 on:** March 24, 2008, 10:18:14 AM »

Quote from: Stevevo8 on March 24, 2008, 10:12:39 AM

Does anyone have a 400f Frame with a title so I can build a cafe from that and also restore this one??

A friend has one in my garage - where are you located?

okie · « **Reply #9 on:** March 24, 2008, 10:18:35 AM »

It is simple. Just get another one so you can restore one using the best parts and cafe the one that is left over.

Stevevo8 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 24, 2008, 10:19:50 AM »

Quote from: .RJ on March 24, 2008, 10:18:14 AM

Quote from: Stevevo8 on March 24, 2008, 10:12:39 AM

Does anyone have a 400f Frame with a title so I can build a cafe from that and also restore this one??

A friend has one in my garage - where are you located?

Near Orlando Florida. Let me know how much you might want for it.

.RJ · « **Reply #11 on:** March 24, 2008, 10:21:40 AM »

Quote from: Stevevo8 on March 24, 2008, 10:19:50 AM

Near Orlando Florida. Let me know how much you might want for it.

Long way from DC...

Stevevo8 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 24, 2008, 10:23:56 AM »

Quote from: .RJ on March 24, 2008, 10:21:40 AM

Quote from: Stevevo8 on March 24, 2008, 10:19:50 AM

Near Orlando Florida. Let me know how much you might want for it.

Long way from DC...

To walk, yes.....FedEx or UPS no.

gregk · « **Reply #13 on:** March 24, 2008, 01:09:36 PM »

Stevo

I am going through the same thing with my 400 parts bike. Was going to part it out after restoring the first one. Took a second look at the parts bike and decided to build a cafe. I will however, not destroy or modify anything that can't be taken back to stock. The next guy may want to restore it! Bike has no fenders, headlight or seat so those are the only parts i will add on for the racer. Easily restored then.

Greg

Stevevo8 · « **Reply #14 on:** March 24, 2008, 01:44:46 PM »

Thats why I am having a hard time;

I want to cut anything off thats not needed. I dont want to kill an otherwise restorable bike but its mine right? lol

I wish I could find a second frame with title that I can use also.

Do you guys have any good places to look for a parts bike??

Joel · « **Reply #15 on:** March 24, 2008, 01:46:45 PM »

Quote from: Gordon on March 24, 2008, 10:17:26 AM

There are lots of "cafe" things you can do to a bike without permanently altering it. Things like tank, seat, fenders, bars, exhaust, lighting, can all be swapped out with custom parts so it can be fairly easily put back to stock when needed.

I think this is a great route to go. Take a list of what you want to do and look for bolt-on solutions for each one.

DarkRider · « **Reply #16 on:** March 24, 2008, 02:41:57 PM »

This is the route im looking at as well when it comes to my 550..the bike is mostly original but disassembled at the moment..i know where i can get ahold of a 550F thats been modfied into a bobber style bike. Right now im seriously considering just doing a restomod style build on my K and buying the F and building a full out cafe racer out of it. Thing is the F is part of a package deal that would also include an 80' 650 which i know for a fact runs...that was the bike that reawakened the urge to ride when it was still my roommates bike..kinda angers me that its been all chopped up in the rear...

Stevevo8 · « **Reply #17 on:** March 24, 2008, 04:12:21 PM »

Quote from: DarkRider on March 24, 2008, 02:41:57 PM

This is the route im looking at as well when it comes to my 550..the bike is mostly original but disassembled at the moment..i know where i can get ahold of a 550F thats been modfied into a bobber style bike. Right now im seriously considering just doing a restomod style build on my K and buying the F and building a full out cafe racer out of it. Thing is the F is part of a package deal that would also include an 80' 650 which i know for a fact runs...that was the bike that reawakened the urge to ride when it was still my roommates bike..kinda angers me that its been all chopped up in the rear...

Thats the exact reason Im contemplating not doing the racer with this bike and finding another frame that I can build on for the racer.

Klark Kent · « **Reply #18 on:** March 24, 2008, 04:35:47 PM »

i know you've already chosen the path of the righteous, and agree, so no need to post except that I have never heard it put this way: right now if the parts to restore to stock are both available and affordable to you- restore it. in the (maybe not so distant) future we will be forced to modify these bikes for lack of available parts in our tax bracket, so restore while the restorins good, and save that mad max cafe racer for the postapocalypse where it belongs.

Tim. · « **Reply #19 on:** March 24, 2008, 04:41:12 PM »

While mine isn't a 400F, I went the route of no-return modification. My XS650, and your 400F are not so rare that I'd be overly concerned with keeping all the tabs etc. intact. Lots of room for some modified bikes out there. Mine was in pretty poor shape. 1972 frame (which as the first XS650 design frame might have had some intrinsic value as they redesigned it the next year) with a 1978 engine that had zero compression. It wasn't doing me any favours, but I think I greatly improved on it.

I sold off the tank, sidecovers, seat and ears to someone who wanted to restore one. Covered 80% of what I paid for the bike. The only bits I've used from the original bike are the frame and engine.

Note how clean the frame looks with no rear footpeg mounts, no tabs for sidecovers, battery boxes, fenders etc. etc. etc. Not trying to persuade you - if you're going all-out and are intending to hide electrics etc, then chop away. If you're going to leave most of the fundamentals in place, then don't cut anything off.

BTW - once I cut off all the bits from the frame, I could comfortably walk around with it in one hand. Didn't weigh it before and after, but I must have cut 30 pounds off it.

My XS650 before (March 2007):

And as of Sunday March 23 2008:

Stevevo8 · « **Reply #20 on:** March 24, 2008, 06:12:08 PM »

LOL you are making it alot easier to chop away.

I would prefer to chop on a bare frame but if the opportunity to get a decent frame with a title I will begin to cut away.

I was liking the idea of having a stock representation of what my cafe looked like.

Stevevo8 · « **Reply #21 on:** February 18, 2009, 07:53:40 AM »

Well the decision has been made.....I know its been a long time since I posted but I just got into the bike lat weekend.

The bike is in such bad shape that restoring to original is going to kill me in cost and time to source parts.....plus I am currently in S Florida and the bike is in Orlando so I only get limited amounts of time to work on it when I am up there once a month.

I already have a GSXR front end for it and I am going to be banging out my own tank at some point. SO I guess its Cafe Style/Street Fighter for this 400f.

j-conn · « **Reply #22 on:** February 18, 2009, 09:02:16 AM »

i got my 550 with intentions of doing a cafe project (still am). after spending couple month on sohc4 i started regretting going the direction i did. spending time on here helped my appreciation for these old bikes and how cool the stockers really are.
if i would do it again i would restore the one i have and ride the hell out of it while slowly peicing the 'ultimate' cafe project together.

but im still just happy to have a bike!

swan · « **Reply #23 on:** February 18, 2009, 09:59:30 AM »

Cafe. I made three CB400f's into cafe bikes. They could be returned to stock if someone wanted to do so .

It is your bike and do want you want.

pablo78cb550 · « **Reply #24 on:** February 18, 2009, 01:36:38 PM »

if it's all there with good rubber pieces... restore it.
if not... cafe it.

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Author Topic: Restore or Build a Cafe? (Read 3981 times)

okie