Author Topic: Squirley's 550 CAFE Build  (Read 160352 times)

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Offline Spikeybike

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Re: Squirley's 550 CAFE Build
« Reply #75 on: August 04, 2008, 11:21:27 PM »
got your jets all packed up and ready to go  ;)

Offline bradweingartner

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Re: Squirley's 550 CAFE Build
« Reply #76 on: August 08, 2008, 09:30:58 AM »
I've found that when I have money, I have no time.

When I have time, I have no money.

It's an evil cruel trick...

But you're right, you CAN do it pretty inexpensively if you wait for the right deals to come along. Unfortuntely for me, I don't have the time right now to wait for the really good deals, knowing I have about three weeks till I'm done with work for a while. And once I'm done with work I'll have all the time I need to build the thing but I'd like to build it before winter!

So my hand was forced and I had to buy some more expensive parts just to ensure I had them when I was ready to build.

 >:( I'll feel better once the forks are bolted up!

Offline Spikeybike

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Re: Squirley's 550 CAFE Build
« Reply #77 on: August 08, 2008, 10:00:53 AM »
speaking of good deals , your jets where sent standard mail today, you should have um in 3 to 5

Offline Stevevo8

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Re: Squirley's 550 CAFE Build
« Reply #78 on: August 08, 2008, 07:23:22 PM »
What do you guys think about the front end from a newer honda like a 929 954 or 1000rr?

Is there anywhere that lists the fork lengths and degree of the trees if any?

Offline pablo78cb550

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Re: Squirley's 550 CAFE Build
« Reply #79 on: August 09, 2008, 01:25:21 PM »
Well, there are updates, but none that I am really happy with.  I got the rear tire mounted and put on so it is a roller now, however, I am not agreeing with it's look.  When I originally began building, I was using just rims to proportion the stance.  I invisioned tires on there and took measurements, but it clearly wasn't good enough.  Now that it is all mocked up, it looks very short and tall.  I will lower it about 2 inches in the front and 1 in the rear, but it still looks very short.  Please let me know what you guys think.  If you agree that it looks too short, please drop some idears on me on how I may be able to make it appear more proportioned. 
When I take on the tank, I will be cutting large knee indents down the side and will narrow it down probably almost 3/4 the way up it to try and give an appearance of length by less width, other than that, I may just cut the whole back off and do it again which would be a bummer and a time killer. 
Lets hear some 2cents


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Offline bradweingartner

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Re: Squirley's 550 CAFE Build
« Reply #80 on: August 09, 2008, 10:37:25 PM »
What do you guys think about the front end from a newer honda like a 929 954 or 1000rr?

Is there anywhere that lists the fork lengths and degree of the trees if any?

Good luck!

Finding hard factual information about any modern sportbike is nearly impossible. You can likely find total rake somewhere, but finding what portion of that is in the trees and which is in the head... not likely.

I can tell you that most of them use a 30mm lower and upper steering stem. And most of the modern upside down forks are 50mm at the top of the fork. Beyond that, it's buy and try for me.

Offline Stevevo8

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Re: Squirley's 550 CAFE Build
« Reply #81 on: August 12, 2008, 10:18:38 AM »
Well We will see what happens. I just bought some forks from a 2007 GSXR. If anything I can resell them,.

Offline squirley

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Re: Squirley's 550 CAFE Build
« Reply #82 on: September 07, 2008, 05:25:27 PM »
well, here is a little update.  I have been working on the body parts.  I cut some large knee reliefs in the tank and layed on the first layer of bondo today.  Still have a lot of sanding to get done. 
The tail is almost ready, still need to sand down the bottom for a smooth fit along teh frame, and then spray and polish to be used as a mold plug, there was just too much filler required for me to not do a female and male mold on this one.  Anyhow, it is getting there, the tank is looking really good but it is hard to see the knee cutouts in the pics.  I still need to add a flip style gas lid to the top and weld in a panel to cover the back tunnel opening. 


Offline Spikeybike

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Re: Squirley's 550 CAFE Build
« Reply #83 on: September 07, 2008, 08:34:21 PM »
very cool,  love the frame, love the tank, love the stance, ....... can i have it when your done ?  ;D

Offline FunJimmy

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Re: Squirley's 550 CAFE Build
« Reply #84 on: September 07, 2008, 11:48:12 PM »
Looks great Jens!
Any thought on color yet?

FJ
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Offline squirley

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Re: Squirley's 550 CAFE Build
« Reply #85 on: September 08, 2008, 09:19:05 AM »
Thanks guys for the kind words.  The body work is taking a little longer than expected as I haven't had a lot of experience with it, but it is moving slowly.

Color? Yes, I know exactly what it will be, but I can't give it away now as people only want to see a finished product and I don't want to spoil that now do I?  Sadly it won't be very original, but it will hopefully scream vintage and classy at teh same time.

Offline CALI500

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Re: Squirley's 550 CAFE Build
« Reply #86 on: September 08, 2008, 12:26:17 PM »
great progress and look,  can't wait for the final pixs. 


Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: Squirley's 550 CAFE Build
« Reply #87 on: September 08, 2008, 09:07:21 PM »
Squirley,

I might have missed an earlier post, but what kind of shocks did you use (Koni's?) and where did you source them from?
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Offline seaweb11

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Re: Squirley's 550 CAFE Build
« Reply #88 on: September 08, 2008, 09:10:52 PM »
Nice work.

I've missed a lot of summer builds in the "project threads" with my ongoing garage building :P

 Keep it up looks  8) 8) 8)  ;D

Offline squirley

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Re: Squirley's 550 CAFE Build
« Reply #89 on: September 08, 2008, 09:34:48 PM »
The shocks are showa from a cb900 or 1100.  I got them from ebay, and then rebuilt and powdercoated them black.  I got them for about $40, but just like everything else on ebay that has the word "CAFE" is going to cost way more right now. 
Just a heads up they are longer than stock shocks.

Offline nedtheviking

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Re: Squirley's 550 CAFE Build
« Reply #90 on: September 24, 2008, 07:25:18 PM »
Hey man i was really enjoying this build. any updates? i would love to see pictures or videos of this when its done. although the build itself has been awesome. peace. Ned.

Offline Flying J

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Re: Squirley's 550 CAFE Build
« Reply #91 on: October 06, 2008, 11:58:42 PM »
Id like some details on that tank. I love it. I would like to do it to mine. Did you run into any problems or did you just cut out and weld in sheet metal?

Offline squirley

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Re: Squirley's 550 CAFE Build
« Reply #92 on: October 07, 2008, 11:23:04 AM »
Alright guys, I feel like I have fallen off the edge of the world when it comes to progress on the bike; somehow I am letting life get in the way of the build.  Hopefully I will get a lot done this coming weekend, but only time will tell.

As for the tank, I began by cuttinG out large knee reliefs in the side.  The cutouts go in as far as the inner tunnel would allow, and all the way up to just shy of the petcock fitting.  I then cut the back seem of the tank where the top of the tank meets the tunnel.  Now that the back portion of the tunnel was free from the upper section of the tank, I bent in the rear tunnel edge walls until they were narrow enough to match the 550 frame.  I didn't want to just cut it narrower becuase the formation of the tunnel wouldn't allow it.  It is hard to understand what I am saying by just imagining it, so I can try and take some pics to show details. 
I then cut two flat panles that fit the new cutouts and welded them in.  I decided to do each individual side in two pieces:  One large one the was flat and covered the side cutout, and then one more that was placed to make the transition back into the original tank appear sharp.  It is possible to form one piece to contour to the coutout, but two pieces are much easier to work with, and helped get the sharper image that I was going for. 
Next, I just welded up all the seems that I had cut open to allow shape shifting of the tank.  All in all, it was sort of a pain due to me wanting to make it flush at the narrow end with the frame and seat to allow a smooth transistion between them. 
Hope this helps.  Any more questions just ask, I will try and get some pics of the end tank result that will help my terrible explanation make some sense.

« Last Edit: October 07, 2008, 11:25:15 AM by squirley »

Offline squirley

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Re: Squirley's 550 CAFE Build
« Reply #93 on: November 02, 2008, 01:48:23 PM »
Ok, not much more to add to the build, things have been just too busy.  However, to hopefully keep you interested, here is a short video (nothing too exciting)

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value=" name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always">
« Last Edit: November 02, 2008, 01:49:59 PM by squirley »

Offline Ecosse

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Re: Squirley's 550 CAFE Build
« Reply #94 on: November 02, 2008, 02:03:58 PM »
Good God man, where are your priorities?! Life getting in the way of progress? Perish the thought.
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Offline FunJimmy

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Re: Squirley's 550 CAFE Build
« Reply #95 on: November 02, 2008, 03:59:06 PM »
Nice teaser Jens!

Now I think I'll have to toss my muffler too.

Cheers
FJ
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Offline squirley

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Re: Squirley's 550 CAFE Build
« Reply #96 on: November 03, 2008, 08:21:41 AM »
Yep, life getting in the way...I know I know, gotta get by priorites set.

Yep, it sounds better in real life, but it gives you an idea.  It is kinda funny though when watching the video, when I give it gas nuts start falling to the ground...it's only a kickstand nut but still...

Offline Dunstall_74

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Re: Squirley's 550 CAFE Build
« Reply #97 on: November 03, 2008, 09:21:13 AM »
Nice Bike!  I can's say enough about those inverted forks, Looks gorgeous.  Thanks for posting all the info as you build.  Will be great resource for those of us trying to duplicate your success ;D

Time to start parts hunting ;D
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Offline Ecosse

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Re: Squirley's 550 CAFE Build
« Reply #98 on: November 03, 2008, 09:50:26 AM »
 ;D
Watched again for falling parts. Man, that motor is tough! It shakes parts right off the darn thing!

The look of the unfinished bodywork is growing on me and...

I'll second the forks too; and the swing arm!
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Offline StrongPerf

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Re: Squirley's 550 CAFE Build
« Reply #99 on: November 10, 2008, 07:50:36 AM »
Alright man. I'm posted and keeping informed. That's a sweet build. It'll be fun riding with you on that thing!