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Author Topic: 1979 CB650 (The redhead of the CB line) Cafe Racer Project [UPDATED July 14th]  (Read 9789 times)

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Offline Strife

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1979 CB650 (The redhead of the CB line) Cafe Racer Project [UPDATED July 14th]
« on: April 29, 2009, 11:50:19 PM »
Ok, so I've actually been working on this project for a couple of months now, but I am just now getting around to posting about it. But I have pictures!

Anyways, a bit of history. This CB650 was the first bike my good friend had, and learned to ride on. He bought it from some idiot for $500 who had done a bunch of crap to the thing. When he got it, two cylinders didn't work, the wiring had been all jacked up, and several other issues. Anyways, he got it in running condition, and learned to ride on it. After awhile he sold it to my other friend as his first bike. It bascially sat in storage until I forked over $200 and made it mine. It's my first project bike. I have never worked on a motorcycle before, and have limited experience with cars as well, so it would be fair to say that I am a mechanical noob. This does not mean that I am a robotic newbie, no. I am a human being, but I suck at working on cars, motorcyles etc. That was kind of the point of this project (aside from getting a badass bike), to teach myself to be more mechanically inclined.

So right off the bat, the bike battery is dieing after riding for under 30 min, the third cylinder won't fire, it leaks oil, the wiring of the bike is all messed up, the turn signals don't work, it takes 5 min to warm up before I can even begin to put the choke in, and it runs super lean. Super. So I get to work with my brother, who is very well versed in mechanics.

We take off the seat and tank, and get started:






When we opened the poor bike up, it was pretty bad. Rust, mud, spiders nest. Bad. And freaky on account of the spiders (I hate spiders). After running compression tests, we found that the third cylinder had good compression, and since the bike was already running lean, it looked like a rebuild and cleaning of the carbs was in order. After some painstaking work, we managed to tear them down, clean them, and replace worn parts. We also opened up the fuel line to compensate for both the bike running lean, as well as help balance out the additional air flow the bike would be getting once we installed pods on the bike.

Rebuilt carbs!
« Last Edit: July 14, 2010, 11:23:09 PM by Strife »
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Offline Strife

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Re: 1979 CB650 (The redhead of the CB line) Cafe Racer Project
« Reply #1 on: April 29, 2009, 11:59:46 PM »
Once we got the carbs back, and cleaned the spark plugs, we fired the old girl up.....

VAAROOOOOOOOOOOOM!!! Cold started without a problem, I could put the choke in 5 SECONDS after starting her.... oh man, it brought a tear to my eye. And lo and behold, that silly 3rd cylinder decided to join the party. The bike sounded a million times better! Ok! Time to tear her apart!  :o

We took apart the front and sent the front forks in the be rebuilt. They were original, and had lost pretty much any suspension that they once had. While that was happening, my brother and me torn the old girl apart:



Stripped all down...

Tank and engine:



Well now the real fun begins. The engine was in really good shape for its age, so we began the rebuild with high hopes. Sure enough as we took it apart, we looked and found that we wouldn't need to do much more then replace gaskets, oil and compression rings, basic stuff, so that was great news.




Anyways, I decided that I was going to go with a dark metallic red for the frame, metallic black for the tank and seat, and the same metallic red running down the top of the tank and seat for a nice racing stripe. The leather seat will also be black with a matching dark red stripe so the stripe will run the length of the bike. Should look hot. The engine is getting blacked out with glossy black (actually just finished this).
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Offline Strife

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Re: 1979 CB650 (The redhead of the CB line) Cafe Racer Project
« Reply #2 on: April 30, 2009, 12:07:17 AM »
So after the engine got torn apart, I started priming it for the gloss black.




Then put on the gloss black and clear coat:




Finally, my brother detailed the lettering with dark red paint. We ran into a couple of hitches here. First, while letting the paint dry, I apparently left the valve stack sit too close to the edge, AND THE DAMN THING FELL! I have never let a barrage of expletives so fierce as the night I walked out to discover it on the floor, picked it up, and saw that a fin had been bent. Upon trying to bend it back, it of course snapped off. *&@(*$&@(*&$#(*@#&%$%!!!

After punching the air, kicking things (which ended up just hurting my foot) and thoroughly scaring my cat, I calmed down, grabbed the worlds greatest tool, the Dremel, and got to work. I cut the fin at an angle, thus making the break a strait edge. Then I rounded the corners and edge. At the end of that, it looked like the engine had been made that way, plus, it would be hardly noticeable once the engine was put back together. Luckily, the cylinders were unharmed, just that broken fin and my broken foot (j/k).
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Offline Strife

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Re: 1979 CB650 (The redhead of the CB line) Cafe Racer Project
« Reply #3 on: April 30, 2009, 12:17:31 AM »
And here is the engine, all put back together and painted. There is still a bit of detailing work to do on it, but it is roughly finished. I am really happy with how it turned out.







Next up was to strip the paint from the tank and frame. Man, there is nothing more fun then stripping and sanding paint.  ::) You haven't lived until you accidentally spray yourself with that paint stripper and have what I can only compare the the worlds worst rug burn. But wait, there's more! You get to spend countless hours sanding too! If there is one thing I've learned, its this: BUY AN ANGLE GRINDER! I did not learn this until the end of my paint stripping days, but good lord, with a sanding attachment, that thing cleans up stubborn paint like nobody's business.

So this ALMOST catches us up to where I am today. I ordered a seat, tail light, and turn signals from Carpy (www.cb750cafe.com), and I love them. Last weekend I cut the holes for the lights and my super special custom seat mount (aka a bar tack welded across the frame just behind where the tank bolt goes, high tech and fancy I know). But anyways, the mounting system works and that seat is snug as a bug in a rug (Which coincidentally, likely isn't very snug snice the little bugger could prolly just crawl out, but I digress).

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Offline Strife

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Re: 1979 CB650 (The redhead of the CB line) Cafe Racer Project
« Reply #4 on: April 30, 2009, 12:27:33 AM »
So (man I'm on a posting spree. This is what happens when you put off posting), the next step is to get my paint and get cracking. I went with a custom color from Shermin Williams automotive paint division, and man does it kick ass. I can't wait to show you guys the finished parts, they are going to look great. But the down side is there are five layers. An etch primer to seal and prevent rusting. A Urethane grey primer, the base coat (which is the black with metallic flakes in it), the midcoat (the dark red) and the clear coat.  :-\

So yesterday I sanded, and I sanded, and then I sanded some more. Then I cleaned the balls off my tank, seat, and frame and started paitning.

I built myself a little painting booth (It is now sealed with visqueen, but in this pic I hadn't put it on yet):


And I got cracking:


Etch primer! Good lord does this stuff smell bad...




This this brings me to today. As we speak, I am waiting for the 2nd coat of Urethane primer to dry, and I will apply the third and final coat. Then tomorrow, I get the FINALLY lay down some actual color, aka the black paint with metal flecks, and I am really excited. I will post pictures of the primer and black paint tomorrow night, but I wanted to get all of these pics up so you could see how it was coming along. I'd love to hear your comments and thoughts!

Oh and this is my friend who originally bought the bike, about to get his ass kicked for standing that close to my car with an axe.... he tends to break things... alot....

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Offline Soos

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Re: 1979 CB650 (The redhead of the CB line) Cafe Racer Project
« Reply #5 on: April 30, 2009, 05:26:09 AM »
nice project.
I like seeing '79 cb650's being transformed into something unique.

l8r
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(61mm)652cc 1979 cb650

Offline my78k

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Re: 1979 CB650 (The redhead of the CB line) Cafe Racer Project
« Reply #6 on: April 30, 2009, 05:40:22 AM »
Cool project...keep the updates coming as you get through it. Looks really good so for!

Dennis
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Offline DollarBill

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Re: 1979 CB650 (The redhead of the CB line) Cafe Racer Project
« Reply #7 on: April 30, 2009, 05:51:44 AM »
Nice job so far!  I'd like to know where you got that adjustable engine stand? 

Speaking of axes and Mercedes....I was chopping wood and chunck flew off and hit my wifes C230 Kompressor about two months after she got it.  It's got a nice little ding in it now.  Axes and Mercedes...not good bedfellows :)
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Offline papp101

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Re: 1979 CB650 (The redhead of the CB line) Cafe Racer Project
« Reply #8 on: April 30, 2009, 08:29:43 AM »
Looking great man! Nice job with the primer and all, wish I had your shop setup!
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Offline MosquitoJones

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Re: 1979 CB650 (The redhead of the CB line) Cafe Racer Project
« Reply #9 on: April 30, 2009, 08:58:41 AM »
Sweet.  You lucked out, having a '79 to cafe.  The 80-82 have a different frame which makes it impossible to bolt one of those flat seat pans on without cutting.  :-\  Looking forward to seeing the finished product.
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'82 CB650, 65 CP77 Superhawk in chunks

Offline Soos

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Re: 1979 CB650 (The redhead of the CB line) Cafe Racer Project
« Reply #10 on: April 30, 2009, 09:37:05 AM »
Quote from: MosquitoJones on April 30, 2009, 08:58:41 AM
Sweet.  You lucked out, having a '79 to cafe.  The 80-82 have a different frame which makes it impossible to bolt one of those flat seat pans on without cutting.  :-\  Looking forward to seeing the finished product.


You know I had never thought of that.... a '79 is a better candidate for the flat pan cafe seats.
Good to know!



l8r
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(61mm)652cc 1979 cb650

Offline Strife

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Re: 1979 CB650 (The redhead of the CB line) Cafe Racer Project
« Reply #11 on: April 30, 2009, 10:32:13 AM »
@Soos and MosquitoJones

Actually I had to do some cutting on mine, but nothing major. If you look at the pic of the frame with it's etch primer on, you can see that the passenger peg mounts are gone, but in order to put the seat on there, I had to cut off the two mounting points for the seat on the left side, and the two helmet hooks on the right side. Fortunately I had a tiger saw and a angle grinder, so doing that was no problem. I haven't seen the frame of a '80 or later, would you need to do more cutting then that?

@DollarBill
It's a K&L MC25 Metric Engine Stand which you can find online pretty easily. I got it here: http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/4/75/4925/ITEM/KL-MC25-Metric-Engine-Stand.aspx?SiteID=CSE_GBase_075&WT.mc_ID=80003&zmam=88421133&zmas=1&zmac=2&zmap=4925

It's a tiny bit more expensive there, but they are doing a free shipping on orders over $75 deal, so you end up ahead of the other online stores. And yea, I don't like hard objects near my car, lol.

Thanks for the comments so far, I'll post pics of the primer I did last night plus the black I'm doing tonight. The black and red paints are so freaking hot, it's ridiculous. I can't wait to get them on there. Assuming I don't screw it up lol.
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Offline MosquitoJones

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Re: 1979 CB650 (The redhead of the CB line) Cafe Racer Project
« Reply #12 on: April 30, 2009, 11:18:12 AM »
Yeah, on the 80-onward frames, the frame bends upward at an angle right after the battery box area.  I'm currently trying to work out how to do a cafe-style seat on my '82, and the "seating area" is only about 11" before the frame bends upward.  If it were just the mounting bracket for the fender and mudguard I might cut it, but the frame itself has the upsweep.  None of the premade fiberglass or metal pans I can find online will fit.  :'(  I guess the upside is once I can figure this out and fabricate something, I might be able to make a master mold and sell them to 650 owners everywhere for big bucks!  ;D
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'82 CB650, 65 CP77 Superhawk in chunks

Offline Strife

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Re: 1979 CB650 (The redhead of the CB line) Cafe Racer Project
« Reply #13 on: April 30, 2009, 11:25:34 AM »
Haha, there ya go, see you just have to find the silver lining. Man, that sucks though, not only do you have to deal with the bear of trying to find parts for a 650, you have that to deal with too? Ah well, that's part of the fun (read: frustration) though right?
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Offline MosquitoJones

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Re: 1979 CB650 (The redhead of the CB line) Cafe Racer Project
« Reply #14 on: April 30, 2009, 11:27:50 AM »
I guess it's a tradeoff.  I've never had any real trouble finding parts for the '82, as it has CV instead of mechanical carbs; plus cables and whatnot have been no issue.  The 80-82's are all similar, while the '79 is the bastard redhead of the bastard redheads :)
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'82 CB650, 65 CP77 Superhawk in chunks

Offline Strife

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Re: 1979 CB650 (The redhead of the CB line) Cafe Racer Project
« Reply #15 on: April 30, 2009, 11:44:17 AM »
God a fact that I am WAY too familiar with. *sighs*
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Offline Soos

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Re: 1979 CB650 (The redhead of the CB line) Cafe Racer Project
« Reply #16 on: May 02, 2009, 08:39:29 AM »
Well strife, here is a bit of "encouragment" for you.

Found a cafe cb650 on youtube!


l8r

http://
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Just think to yourself what would Alowishus Devander Abercrombie do?
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(61mm)652cc 1979 cb650

Offline Strife

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Re: 1979 CB650 (The redhead of the CB line) Cafe Racer Project
« Reply #17 on: May 13, 2009, 10:10:29 PM »
Ok guys, it's been waaaaaaay to long, but I FINALLY got to a point where I have more to show. I've finally finished painting the tank, seat, frame, and the swing arm and boy do they look good! Everything else has the etch primer and the urethane primer on it, so my next step is to both finish painting those parts but more importantly: tomorrow I start to put the bike back together! In about a week or so I'll have a running bike!

Anyways, I wouldn't just tease you guys, the clear coat is still curing, but I snapped some impromptu pics. The lighting isn't the best, but you can get an idea of how the paint turned out. Once the bike gets a bit more together I'll take some better pics. But tell me what you guys think!

















Man, painting is a #$%*, but it sure is worth it in the end.
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Offline martino1972

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Re: 1979 CB650 (The redhead of the CB line) Cafe Racer Project [UPDATED May 13th]
« Reply #18 on: May 13, 2009, 10:36:31 PM »
nice job..... :o :o
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Offline scunny

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Re: 1979 CB650 (The redhead of the CB line) Cafe Racer Project [UPDATED May 13th]
« Reply #19 on: May 13, 2009, 10:46:05 PM »
it truely will be the red head, looking good so far.
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Offline Hush

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Re: 1979 CB650 (The redhead of the CB line) Cafe Racer Project [UPDATED May 13th]
« Reply #20 on: May 14, 2009, 12:42:52 AM »
Lovin that paint man, looks like blood! ;D
Nice start to a great looking bike, you've altered without destroying the 650, well done.
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Offline cb750fbomb

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Re: 1979 CB650 (The redhead of the CB line) Cafe Racer Project [UPDATED May 13th]
« Reply #21 on: May 14, 2009, 12:53:00 AM »
OOOOO damn that looks good. The engine all blacked out with the red trim and the frame/tank/tail with the 2 toned sparkley goodness is HOT!!!
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Offline KB02

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Re: 1979 CB650 (The redhead of the CB line) Cafe Racer Project [UPDATED May 13th
« Reply #22 on: May 14, 2009, 05:04:15 AM »
Sweet lookin' paint, man. Nicely Done.
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Offline RM81

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Re: 1979 CB650 (The redhead of the CB line) Cafe Racer Project [UPDATED May 13th]
« Reply #23 on: May 14, 2009, 06:30:25 AM »
Looks good.  Nice work.
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Offline Soos

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Re: 1979 CB650 (The redhead of the CB line) Cafe Racer Project [UPDATED May 13th
« Reply #24 on: May 14, 2009, 06:44:10 AM »
I like it so far, can't wait to see it assembled!



l8r
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Just think to yourself what would Alowishus Devander Abercrombie do?
"Brix will be shat by your neighbors." - schwebel
(61mm)652cc 1979 cb650
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