Topic: Which bike to 'cafe'

[Vexed]

Hi there,

New to the forums, but have had great fun reading them quietly over the past week or so. Very helpful so far.

A few questions, having had a GSX-R600 and not enjoying the 'full on' riding style or look, I've decided on having fun turning an old CB into something that reflects me.

Is the 750 the best choice for this? Much difference in the frame size/weight with all the bikes? I have also been looking at the 400F but not sure I'd be too big at 6'1" and 190lbs? Do the inbetweener 500's or 650's offer anything?

Going for a very clean and simple look, much like:



But prettier Would have used a better example but that was to hand.

Anyway, thanks for any input, I am looking forward to getting stuck in and documenting the project as and when I get going.

[FunJimmy]

Part of the decision might be based on what you can find at an affordable price.
I went the 550 route because of articles that claimed it has the best balance of weight, power and handling.
I was also able to find a good 550 candidate to build on.

If you are looking to build without a lot of custom one-off work, the 750 has a lot more parts and accessories readily available and that might weight your decision to go with the bigger bike.

Either way….welcome to the club.

FJ

[uptworedline]

A lot of people do the 750, personally I have and I love every moment of it.

[RM81]

Parts can be hard to find for a 650, which isn't the case with a 550 or 750.

[Vexed]

Thanks for the replies.

I think the 400 may be a bit small for me, I love the handling of lighter bikes but I'm going to look like a giant on one I feel.

I guess I will look for a cheap 550/750 and see what comes first.

[750Caferider]

There are ways to make the 750 feel lighter and smaller, I'm 6' and 205.  I've ridden 350's cute for around town/ and 550's very nice bikes, but ended up with a 750.  Here is a very helpful post that I think you'll find interesting!

Cheers!

Anders


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CB750 Handling in a Nutshell (thanks Hondaman)
« Reply #10 on: January 24, 2006, 12:55:40 pm »
   
I've often been asked, by those who've ridden mine, why my 750 "feels" like a much smaller bike. Yours can be made to "feel" like the hotrod CB450 with 750 power by doing these things.

#1. Replace the steering head bearings (little balls and tracks) with VERY HIGH QUALITY tapered roller bearings. DO NOT use the Japanese or other oriental ones: use Timken. There IS a significant performance difference. And, set them up slightly tight, as they will wear in after about 500 miles.

#2. Replace the rear swingarm bushings with tight-fitting, oil-impregnated bronze bushings. Change the oriental-style grease zerk fitting(s) with US-style zerks so the grease can actually be forced into the bushings. Lube those bushings generously when assembling them, and use new felt seals when you do.

#3. Get Timken or Reynolds wheel bearings for the front wheel (2 each) and the rear (3 bearings back there). They cost nearly 3 times as much as the oriental ones, and they are worth every cent.

#4. All of the CB750K-K5 models I have seen have the "optional" steering head damper mounts. Get one from Fox or a BMW shop and install it. Set the damping to medium for startup, then adjust to suit when you get used to it.

#5. Tires. Use ONLY ribbed tire pattern in the front of a CB750K2- or later model. You can get away with a blocked pattern on a K or K1 model, because they don't "shake their heads" during deceleration. A ribbed front tire pattern helps make the bike run more stably under most street conditions, and it does not "wash out" suddenly in corners. The rear must be a symmetric pattern, preferably a block pattern. The new "sideslash" patterns on today's crotch rockets will cause sideways drift under heavy acceleration on wet (or slick) surfaces with the 750 geometry. Sizes: K5 and earlier: front must be 3.25 or 3.50 by 19". Rear is usually 4.00x18, some later ones had 17" rears and should be 4.50x17. IF YOU USE TT tires, use the 4.10x19 front and 4.50x18 (or 5.10x17) rear, AND ON BOTH ENDS. DON'T use a TT on one end only, and DON'T use them for heavy touring loads, they'll be all over the lane. These tire size combinations preserve the already-short 3.25" trail on the front end of these bikes, as well as the load rating. Larger rear tires will cause wobble, every time, because they shorten the trail.

#6. For those of you who have short inseams: your first choice should be to install 12" length rear shocks. Get 110-lb straight-wound or 90/120-lb progressive springs. If you install "lowering blocks", you will get a VERY stiff rear suspension, because the increased cant of the rear shocks will not allow them to compress over bumps. Shy away from those blocks. After installing these shocks, lower the front triple clamps about 1/2" on the front forks.

#7. Use teflon-mixed oil in the front forks. Get teflon-coated seals that are slighty shorter in length (1/4" instead of the stock 5/16" to 3/8" stock units). These will "float" up and down slightly between the top of the fork retainer and the upper C-clip, which makes them seal better and respond to minor road irregularities MUCH better. Install the optional steel washer ABOVE the seal (good kits include these washers). Drill and tap the fork caps and install threaded Shraeder-type air valves (found at tires stores, used on mags), one in each fork. Run about 10 PSI pressure if riding single, 15-20 if carrying heavy loads.

If you do ALL of these things, you will not believe the difference the next time you hit a corner. It will feel like the bike lost 100 lbs somewhere...   Wink
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