Author Topic: 77 750f cafe project, chop cut rebuild (Read 15935 times)

cafe2be · « **Reply #25 on:** January 18, 2009, 11:09:15 AM »

Len - thanks for the words. I am very much a rookie at this. This is my first bike owned and first bike building. I love to mess around and fabricate. Keeps me up at nights thinking. Huge motorhead. lol

Broshi - the gold is not as delicate as you think it would be. The problem I am having now. Is I think I went to heavy on the first couple coats of clear, turning the gold into a mustardy color and not maintaining that brillance from the gold as is. What do you mean by old fashioned paint?

The reason for this approach was. 1 I love satin paints and 2 my mother gave me about 500-700 sheets of this gold leaf. Figured I would use it for something. Let me tell you, I am hooked on it. Told the gf, I am going to leaf everything. haha

Thank you guys for the nice words and constructive criticism. This is my first bike and has been a great experience. All of your knowledge and help is making this build fun and knowledgable. If anyone is in the NYC area and would like to help me reassemble the bike. I will buy all meals and supply beverages.

cafe2be · « **Reply #26 on:** January 18, 2009, 03:38:02 PM »

so here are the latest pics from today:

this is on a ruler screwing around while waiting on drying of other pieces. Engine turning with my thumb. Can you say bored?

cafe2be · « **Reply #27 on:** January 18, 2009, 03:39:12 PM »

seat has to go back to the upholstry guy again. dont want the seat to look so bulky.

fastbroshi · « **Reply #28 on:** January 18, 2009, 04:04:34 PM »

What I meant was using a gold paint scheme vs. the gold leaf. But I bet it'll make people take a second look up close. That red pinstripe RAWKS!!

cafe2be · « **Reply #29 on:** January 18, 2009, 04:35:34 PM »

oh I gotcha. i pretty much only used the leaf, cuz I had it. Thanks for the comments

cafe2be · « **Reply #30 on:** January 28, 2009, 06:51:04 PM »

Oil tank. 4.5" round with karmen ghia filler neck. This tank will be mounted directly under the pod filters to keep the bike looking as stripped down as possible.
This is an update. Got all the stuff back from powdercoater. Will start assembling soon.

karmasic · « **Reply #31 on:** January 28, 2009, 11:06:07 PM »

tell me a bit more about your oil tank. looks like only a single fitting. i was under the impresion 3 was the min.

cafe2be · « **Reply #32 on:** January 29, 2009, 04:34:14 AM »

Kar -
The pic only shows 1 AN fitting. There is actually another next to it, making it 2. The 3rd line will go into the filler neck. The piece my finger is hold is the drain plug.

Geeto67 · « **Reply #33 on:** January 29, 2009, 04:57:23 AM »

I don't know where you got the tank from of if you made it but remember you need a stock oil line size (I think one inch) and orifice size so you don't accidentally starve the top end for oil and cook the motor. it isn't just about keeping the same line size the fitting opening size has to be the same also.

cafe2be · « **Reply #34 on:** January 29, 2009, 06:06:55 AM »

Geeto. I intend on using the stock lines. The AN fittings are the same size as the oil lines. The 3 line that comes out of the casing is just a rubber line that will connent into the filler neck. The stock tank has the same set-up. Inside the stock tank the tube runs straight to the top of the tank.

Thanks for the advise though. I will double check again.

Geeto67 · « **Reply #35 on:** January 29, 2009, 06:46:33 AM »

just making sure - I've seen a lot of guys put triumph or hd oil tanks in their hondas and scratch their heads when the camshaft bearings wipe out due to lack of oil.

cafe2be · « **Reply #36 on:** January 29, 2009, 07:21:35 AM »

Hey Geeto, thanks again. I had a friend of mine make the tank for me. I was going to buy a tank from another guy, but decided to make it how I want it.
Does anyone see any issue with where it would be mounted. It will be about 2" off the engine case and sit directly under the pods.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #37 on:** January 29, 2009, 11:35:05 AM »

Looks great! I'm looking forward to more progress pictures!

cafe2be · « **Reply #38 on:** February 16, 2009, 05:31:05 PM »

Well, I am back on track with the bike. With everything back from the powdercoater. the assembly begins. Today the motor went in after getting a total respray of low gloss black (satin). the frame is satin black as well. NO CHROME at all. Tomorrow the forks will be going on with the new fork gaitors, freshly black coated headlight ears. Also will be fitting the wiring harness reworked, courtesy of Kings Customs (thanks mike). Have to go out and get a new battery. Waiting to get the swing arm bolt and lower motormount bolt back from the machine shop (rethreaded) after shortening both of them. Will post pics tomorrow.

KB02 · « **Reply #39 on:** February 17, 2009, 06:09:25 AM »

The body work is looking sweet, man.

Where did you get that oil tank? I'm still trying to decide what I want to do with my oil tank - whether keeping it stock or going aftermarket and hiding the electrics...

timdhawk · « **Reply #40 on:** February 17, 2009, 08:18:33 AM »

Quote from: cafe2be on January 29, 2009, 06:06:55 AM

Geeto. I intend on using the stock lines. The AN fittings are the same size as the oil lines. The 3 line that comes out of the casing is just a rubber line that will connent into the filler neck. The stock tank has the same set-up. Inside the stock tank the tube runs straight to the top of the tank.

Thanks for the advise though. I will double check again.

Hey...you are replacing the stock fittings at the tank with the AN's, correct? and then using new AN fittings on the hoses? or ar you thinking the stock hose ends that goto the tank will work on AN fittings?

kerryb · « **Reply #41 on:** February 17, 2009, 09:42:22 AM »

Great project, great progress. I've been trying to start similar work on a '78 'k'. Where do you plan to put the battery and electrics? The oil tank is quite nice! After a month of arguing with myself about the cafe seat attachment, I cut the tabs off last night and figured out I'll find a way when the time comes. This morning I learn I'm just a crappy amateur. This is how we learn! I was under the impression that here in new york, turn signals are required if they were on the bike originally. Can they be removed and still pass inspection?

good luck, great stuff!

kerry

Johnny5 · « **Reply #42 on:** February 17, 2009, 10:44:07 AM »

Nice work on the body. Looking forward to seeing your progress.

shaprok7 · « **Reply #43 on:** February 18, 2009, 04:54:39 PM »

Cant wait to see the pics!

cafe2be · « **Reply #44 on:** February 18, 2009, 05:22:19 PM »

Here is the latest as of yesterday. Enjoy.

just something that was at the shop.

cafe2be · « **Reply #45 on:** February 18, 2009, 05:58:24 PM »

hey kerry, turn signals here in NY are required after 1978. Lucky me, mine is a 77 and will result in hand signals and a loud exhaust. Also I have/had no idea what I was getting into. This is my first bike and love fabricating. While some say plan and then cut. I like to cut and then replan and try to alter. Not sure why, just like to be difficult.
The battery is now mounted under the tail section in a custom battery tray a friend welded for me. Works great. I will take more pics of the electrics but they are mounted right underneath the battery, hidden away. I tried to hide mostof the wiring.
The horn under under the tank
The oil tank was custom made by the same friend who made the tray and did all of the other welding I needed. The fittings are -10 AN fittings. I am going to remake the oil lines for it. Just realized that one of the fittings on the stock tank are -10 and one is -12. So I will be cutting and rewelding.
Thanks for the compliments on the bike and the bodywork. I am very meticulous on stuff and building this bike pretty much by myself and with the help of the shop manual.
Waiting on the wheels and some other parts to get back from the powdercoater.

kerryb · « **Reply #46 on:** February 19, 2009, 12:29:39 PM »

I like the battery trick, now i have to go back out and measure to see if there is enough room for my battery and a planned glovebox under there. Alas, mine is a '78 so I guess I'll be getting a little more creative for signals. The original theme was to have a Buck Rogers flavor to the bike.

Good pics, looking forward to the next installment.

Ender81 · « **Reply #47 on:** February 19, 2009, 01:10:27 PM »

Curious as to where you got the seat from and how you plan on mounting it. Thanks.

cafe2be · « **Reply #48 on:** February 19, 2009, 03:39:53 PM »

bought the seat and the upholstry pan from Airtech (took about 4 weeks) to get. Real pain in the ass. I plan to mount it with 2 bolts all the way to the rear and velcro for the part under my butt. hope that makes sense. I will take better pics for you.

nokrome · « **Reply #49 on:** February 19, 2009, 05:40:27 PM »

great build...im doing a similar oil tank on my cafe build, you said its 4.5 od, how long is it? do you have a standpipe inside for the return?
that skyline is cool....havent seen one of those since i was in japan....very popular with the street racer crowd over there.

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Author Topic: 77 750f cafe project, chop cut rebuild (Read 15935 times)

shaprok7