Topic: Phaedrus: CB750 RestoMod - Update: 09/23/21 w/ new video

[Really?]

Wow, that is one hot looking rim/tires/spokes n stuff.  So, when are you and your shop moving to Texas? lol.

[Terry in Australia]

That looks great Ron, well done! Now that I've just finished my Suzuki GS1000 project, I must get off my butt and finish truing that front wheel with your "Phaedrus" rim!

[MCRider]

Terry this is for you and others (754) who asked for a close up of my 1971 K1 Cafe Racer built 1972. Here you can see the triple AAA exhaust better.

[Terry in Australia]

Hey thanks for that Ron, I love that pipe, what was the benefit? Tuned length headers? Cool!

[MCRider]

Hey thanks for that Ron, I love that pipe, what was the benefit? Tuned length headers? Cool!

Yes, tuned length or "equal length" that was the idea. Sort of gone by the wayside, but it was a cool pipe. never seen one since. I just know that somewhere in somebody's basement or storage shed on an old rat bike or maybe even new in the box, one of those pipes still exists.

I'd like to get it.

[MCRider]

Terry had asked for some pictures of Phaedrus I, built in 1980. Here goes:On its maiden voyage to visit friends in NM, 1980, me with the Abe Lincoln beard:  It was a Powroll 888cc kit eminently reliable and very fast.

again in NM. The honker on the right side of the headlight is the worlds first radar detector made for motorcycles (waterproof).

About 1983, with the RB Racing Bol Dor replica pipe.

1982 trip around Lake Superior from Indy. Phaedrus in middle. 8 days camped by the Lake every night. You've never lived till you camped in a ferocious thunderstorm at Thunder Bay, the kind of thing that sunk the Edmund Fitzgerald.

About 1987 packed for a trip with a Kerker and a modified Mac muffler. The Kerker megaphone would upsweep and hit my saddlebags, hence the Mac. The gold leaf wolfs head is splotchy as I hit it with the car wash and some of it came off. 

And actually my wife on her ZL600 Eliminator. Phaedrus nose is sticking out behind her. About 1987

[moham]

Different house but is that the same red hatchback as the previous photo? Nice timeline on your ride, I'm digging the old pics...

[MCRider]

Different house but is that the same red hatchback as the previous photo? Nice timeline on your ride, I'm digging the old pics...

Very observant. The first house was where I was renting as a bachelor, the second one was bought by my new wife and I. Yes that was a 1983 Honda Civic "S", the first year they made a Sport version of the Civic. Hers (the blue one) was one of the first Honda CRXs, she likes to scoot around too.

[Ecosse]

Thanks for the retrospect. That radar detector is a hoot! I remember how big those things were and the hissy fit cops put up in some states about 'monitoring' police transmitted radio signals (radar) in an effort to ban detectors. I liked the old CRX's too.


Ah, the eighties....

[MCRider]

Thanks for the retrospect. That radar detector is a hoot! I remember how big those things were and the hissy fit cops put up in some states about 'monitoring' police transmitted radio signals (radar) in an effort to ban detectors. I liked the old CRX's too.


Ah, the eighties....

Yes I was so proud of that thing. Problem was...above 80MPH it was virtually impossible to hear the alarm. It did have quite a visual display of warning lights on the drivers side though.  But at that speed I wasn't looking in that direction so much...

[Terry in Australia]

Beautiful pics Ron, we should start a "Good old Days" thread, I've got a couple of albums of faded photographs and near forgotten memories that I must pull out and have a look at again.

I love that "Bol Dor" pipe too, it looks a bit like the Yoshimura pipe I scored recently, very nice indeed!

Well I've taken a "sickie" (sick leave) today, the doctor is reasonably happy with me, so I might take the GS1000 for a ride, it's on EBay now and finishes tomorrow night, so this might be my last chance, ha ha! Cheers, Terry.

[MCRider]

Beautiful pics Ron, we should start a "Good old Days" thread, I've got a couple of albums of faded photographs and near forgotten memories that I must pull out and have a look at again.

I love that "Bol Dor" pipe too, it looks a bit like the Yoshimura pipe I scored recently, very nice indeed!

Well I've taken a "sickie" (sick leave) today, the doctor is reasonably happy with me, so I might take the GS1000 for a ride, it's on EBay now and finishes tomorrow night, so this might be my last chance, ha ha! Cheers, Terry.

Yup doesn't hurt to remember every now and then.

The Bol Dor pipe does look like a Yosh pipe, I would guess larger piping as that was a 900cc endurance racer i think. I ran it on my 750cc road racer and it was sweet. Like the Yosh pipe, it will not touch the pavement before you do. But couldn't use the centerstand so it was replaced on Phaedrus which was a practical street bike.

I'll use the pipe again on a Cafe Racer i hope to do next.

I searched on GS1000 but there were 385 hits. Got a link? Too lazy to search through all those.

Next post is my gas tank fix.

[MCRider]

Puttin in a little overtime this weekend on the project. Prior posts explained how my mystery gas tank did not go far enough forward on the frame to allow the seat to close. Lacked about 3/8 of an inch, weird.

There's got to be a reason, I think it may be a CB450 5 speed tank. There were no identifiers on it when i rescued it from a scrapyard of tanks. Just my visual ID.

So I hacked out the front mounts and that let it come forward some. But the way those brackets were welded in they still kept it from coming forward.


So on a whim I touched the dremel to the rubber bumpers and turns out they grind down real nice. so that was the final fix.



Now it goes forward a tad more than my original tank did.


But you can see how much forward it sits on the forward mounts.


I may not even use this purple tank in the final analysis, but to get it running I have two tanks I can use.

One final shot to remind me of where this project is headed....

[DollarBill]

LOVE IT!  Love the history some of you guys have with your bikes...thanks for sharing.  I think Terry had a great idea with the "Good Old Days" thread.  DO IT!  I love the way the original Phaedrus looked so I can't wait to see it's reincarnation completed.  That new wheel is setup is beautiful.

[Ecosse]

I'd have to agree with DollarBill, the rear end set up is very sharp; this thing is gonna be a stunner when done. Also, I have to say it took guts to cut into a nice tank like that! 

I'm interested partly because I think your build criteria is a bit unique and your experience shows in the quality of the work as far as I can tell.





BTW, how ya liking that Hawk?

[Terry in Australia]

I searched on GS1000 but there were 385 hits. Got a link? Too lazy to search through all those.

Hey nice work on the tank mounts mate, very neat! Here's a link to the GS1000 Ebay Auction. 

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=140282126782

[MCRider]

I'd have to agree with DollarBill, the rear end set up is very sharp; this thing is gonna be a stunner when done. Also, I have to say it took guts to cut into a nice tank like that! 

I'm interested partly because I think your build criteria is a bit unique and your experience shows in the quality of the work as far as I can tell.





BTW, how ya liking that Hawk?

Thanks guys. The comments help to keep me going. The front wheel is done, was done many years ago when the project first started, then got stalled. It's a 2.5" x 17" Excel rim with 110/70x17 tire. Smaller wheel should quicken the steering, enhance the suspension with less unsprung weight. But it may be too much, an 18" may have been better, we'll see. Overall ride height may be 1 to 2" lower, but i can adjust that with shocks and longer fork tubes if necessary. So after sending the frame off for final mods, I'll be working on the forks.

Obviously not a Cafe Racer, I call it a custom but that's awful generic. Maybe an "enhanced standard". Similar concept to Phaedrus I, but I want to do everything that could have been done up to 1978, keep it "period". (Lots of chrome and shiny bits) Luggage rack from Ventura in NZ. (When I called them on the whim they may have a rack for that vintage, they told me that was one of the first bikes they ever made a rack for and they still had some in the warehouse). and backrest, but much more dainty as I won't be doing week long 2 up camping trips. Above the tree handlebars for day long comfort, small removable shield depending on the climate. lots of "parking lot" appeal.

The Hawk is a joy. Bought it new in 1988, one of the first in the state. Have about 50,000miles on it, been on many overnighters, trackdays, etc. It has a 5 gallon Carbon Fibre gas tank, for 200+ mile range. Its been enhanced from many angles as well. Didn't ride much this year. Working on Phaedrus.

[MCRider]

I searched on GS1000 but there were 385 hits. Got a link? Too lazy to search through all those.

Hey nice work on the tank mounts mate, very neat! Here's a link to the GS1000 Ebay Auction. 

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=140282126782

That's a nice bike, I've always liked the big GS. Hope you get what you want and the buyer appreciates it!

[Ecosse]

So how will you address your speedo, not the bathing suit, with the wheel change?

Howabout 'super standard'... or SS, or is that a bit pretentious? I love things like your luggage rack score. Some might think it trivial but little things like that get this simpleton excited! Like too you're keeping it period true. A practical hotrod? What an idea.

Hawk: I hear the Bros tank is 5gal. as well. I'll have to pester you another time and post about the Hawk. 

[MCRider]

So how will you address your speedo, not the bathing suit, with the wheel change?

Howabout 'super standard'... or SS, or is that a bit pretentious? I love things like your luggage rack score. Some might think it trivial but little things like that get this simpleton excited! Like too you're keeping it period true. A practical hotrod? What an idea.

Hawk: I hear the Bros tank is 5gal. as well. I'll have to pester you another time and post about the Hawk. 

Darn! I hadn't thought of that. Phaedrus I Speedo never worked. Everyone is changing the faces of instruments these days. maybe i can figure out where to put the numbers that way. I'll install a dummy instrument and worry about it once it on the road.

I like Super Standard. I may use that.

Scoring parts is a big part of this to me. I'll post a quote next post.

The Bros has a longer chasis so the tanks won't interchange. And more expensive with shipping and stuff. According to the HawkGT List, like SOHC4.net but for Hawks, the low buck set up is an CBR600 F3 tank, which is 4+ gallons and almost a drop on. Small mod necessary to the front of the seat. Or use a Ducati Monster seat. I'd already commissioned the CF tank when I found out.

[MCRider]

From "Rebuilding the Indian" by Fred Haefele: ca: 1996
"In the lives of most cyclists, parts are a driving force, a common currency, a lingua franca. The search for a '41 Chief shift lever is the reason for late-night trips to bars, for dozens of long distance calls, the reason for combing through junkyards, garages and chicken coops. Parts are a never ending quest. They are the fever and the cure, the question and the answer, the reason for road trips that transcend time lines and even international boundaries."

Nuff said.

[Ecosse]

I've seen speedo calibrators offered for cars; it 'plugs in' so to speak if memory serves. By that I mean its in line between spliced cable. And I recall it not being very big. With it you can make adjustments to correct for changed ratios.

BTW: excellent quote! So true.

[MCRider]

I've seen speedo calibrators offered for cars; it 'plugs in' so to speak if memory serves. By that I mean its in line between spliced cable. And I recall it not being very big. With it you can make adjustments to correct for changed ratios.

BTW: excellent quote! So true.

Never heard of such a thing. That would be cool to have a custom cable made with that gadget in it.

Am I thinking wrong bout just recalibrating the face? I could have a GPS give me 70MPH, note it on the face, then divide the distance between that mark and the 0 peg. And add the same increments up to 150 or so...

Either way, it can wait till I'm on the road.
Thanks.

[Ecosse]

I did some hunting around. Unfortunately I didn't come across the specific item I had in mind. I'm reasonably sure one of the hot rod suppliers offers something; just have yet to locate it. I'll keep on it if for no other reason than to ease my curiosity. I've seen calibrators where you have a range of ratios to choose from. This one is specifically for autos. Just for an idea check out this company link, I'm not promoting, just for reference, and the gadget looks like this below.

I do think your idea has serious merit and I'd like to hear from one of our gang who offers gauge faces for an opinion. Your idea might be the more cost effective route too. Especially if ya want to do something with the faces to begin with.



http://www.transmissioncenter.net/speedometer_calibration_______va.htm?gclid=CM7ki5uCj5cCFQNvHgodvx9l-g#gm%20ratio%20adapter

[Terry in Australia]

Those ratio adapters look like what you might need Ron, I remember them being for sale here in Oz when we went metric in the early 1970's. The cheaper "fix" was a stick on guage face in KPH.

I wouldn't mind a speedo calibrator mate, I have little faith in the accuracy of any of my bike's speedos, even my BMW.

My GS1000 speedo is around 15% "optimistic", even with standard front wheel and tire combo, I only found this out yesterday when I went for a ride and went thru a radar speed trap, at 120 Kilometers per hour, my actual speed was only 105.

It did explain why I was being passed by little old ladies in Econo-cars, ha ha!