Topic: To cut or not to cut-cafe single seat fitment on stock frame?

[Kev Nemo]

Pretty much every cafe seat I've seen attached or built goes on a bike that has been cut from the upper shock mounts back. My friend says not to cut and I'm on the fence. I'm wondering
a) will a cafe single seat fit without cutting the frame
b)how much weight does one lose by cutting the frame from the shock mount back?

I might save b) for a post to get ya'll's opinion on cafe bike anorexia or how much unnecessary metal can I shave off this beast?

[void909]

airtech has a single cafe seat that will bolt on to the original hardware on my cb750. so i would imagine you wouldnt need to remove anything from the frame. i will be getting one soon and i will post my results when i install. i wouldnt cut the frame on mine just for the cafe seat. if you ever want to revert to stock you will probably need a new frame.
my two cents
void
http://www.airtech-streamlining.com/hondaz/CB750SOHC1969-77.htm

[Kev Nemo]

Did a search on 'weight'-question answered

Still wondering about a) though. Would cutting the frame effect the resale value that much?

[super pasty white guy]

you can spend some time on ebay to answer this, but from what I've seen it takes a really excellent cafe to exceed the prices paid for good stockers.  But that's just my opinion, do what ever will make you happy with your bike.

spwg

[seaweb11]

What did you pay for the bike?
Are you looking at it as an investment?
They are only worth a few of grand in really great condition........, the next guy will either care or not care. Probably depends on how well a job you do of it

It's yours now, do what you want.

you didn't post your age.
 If your under 25 you may sell it and regret it when your 40
 If you are 25-35 you may sell it and regret it when your 40
 If you are 40 just ride the thing till you die

Any way you look at it you should do what you want and ride it with a smile

[mark]

dang. I hope I'm that smart when I get that old.


 

[seaweb11]

If you listen and learn along the way, it's a natural progression.

[DME]

What bike do you have?
Assuming it´s a 750, you much more to choose from than the smaller bikes if you´re looking to buy a seat.
And if you want to make your own seat, the 750 seems much easier to work with considering the flat upper rear part of the frame.

I made my seat to fit without cutting the frame due to these reasons:

- to get your MOT in Sweden, a bike registered to take passengers MUST be able to do so.
Out comes the stock tank, seat and pegs.

- i know myself well enough to know that every once in awhile i want to take a passenger.
Out comes the stock tank, seat and pegs.

- someday i might want to put it back to stock.
Out comes the stock tank, seat and pegs.... and a few more parts....


Cheers
Dan

[Triffecpa]

it's best if you keep some sort of brace between the rear shocks.  Stock there is a cross over brace that sits about 4 or 5 inches behind the shock mount.  Either cut behind that or if you want to cut right at the rear shocks, then add some additional cross over brace.

I just did a single person bubble baack cafe seat on a CB650 Custom.  The "bubble" on the seat fits nicely over the curved cross brace just behind the chocks.  I cut the extra frame tabs off behind there.

Tracy

[voxonda]

I agree, for what it is worth, with, almost, all of the above! I have grinded up some frames along the way, even the last one. Then I bought a fresh one, just a few bucks, to keep it standard....... for a few weeks and then I removed some parts of it. What I am trying to say is, do whatever pleases you and when, or if, you want to return to standard get yourself another one, there are enough lying around.

Let's get the grinder out!

cheers.

[troppo]

What bike do you have?
Assuming it´s a 750, you much more to choose from than the smaller bikes if you´re looking to buy a seat.
And if you want to make your own seat, the 750 seems much easier to work with considering the flat upper rear part of the frame.

I made my seat to fit without cutting the frame due to these reasons:

- to get your MOT in Sweden, a bike registered to take passengers MUST be able to do so.
Out comes the stock tank, seat and pegs.

- i know myself well enough to know that every once in awhile i want to take a passenger.
Out comes the stock tank, seat and pegs.

- someday i might want to put it back to stock.
Out comes the stock tank, seat and pegs.... and a few more parts....


Cheers
Dan

+1
I did the same thing, i made a fibreglass base using an old seat base so i could make use of the stock hinge and seat lock etc. You may plan on only using it as a single seater but you never know whats going to happen in the future

[andy750]

- i know myself well enough to know that every once in awhile i want to take a passenger.
Out comes the stock tank, seat and pegs.

- someday i might want to put it back to stock.
Out comes the stock tank, seat and pegs.... and a few more parts....

+2 Dan hits it spot on. I have a cafe seat (see Andys cafe project shop) and take it off now and again to get the g/f on the back. Also once its cut off its gone forever. I probably wouldnt buy a hacked up frame bike - so yes unless it was an amazing bike it will likely hurt re-sale (if its an investment for you).

cheers
Andy

[Geeto67]

there is a stock frame under here:



personally I think cutting is a bad idea generally, but if you are adding a brace back there or something else to stiffen up the chassis then it makes sense.

Actually a majority of cafe seats don't require cutting the stock frame. If you get a Benjie seat it requires the back portion to mount the seat.

Personally cutting actually limits your options unless you are handy with the fab work.

[joeb]

Got my rear section from air tech love it.

[jason teamshralp]

i got mine from bikebandit.com it was made by airtech but the cost was cheaper. It was a 750 seat but fit on my 550.

[hopterfixer]

Just make a seat with a factory pan 

[void909]

you got any pics?

[void909]

joeb (of your airtech seat) sorry

[Gregorymoto]

Geeto,,,,, Nice tank what is it.