Topic: a real noob question about cafe racers

[hooverhonda]

I would like t0 turn my bike into a cafe racer(1973 Honda cb 750).  i have very little knowledge and very little disposable cash.  I don't really even know where to start.  the bike on this site are extremely cool \and have given me great ideas but where do i start.  I am a custom welder by trade so I can make some parts but as for the rest. I am willing to learn as i go and I am in no real hurry to get this project completed.  I bought this bike for very little money so i can afford to learn as i go.  With some of the work on the bike on this site; i can tell some of the members here are true masters.  Maybe some day for me but for now i just want to ride o cool bike.  Thanks in advance.

Sean

[robdrobd]

I would like t0 turn my bike into a cafe racer(1973 Honda cb 750).  i have very little knowledge and very little disposable cash.  I don't really even know where to start.  the bike on this site are extremely cool \and have given me great ideas but where do i start.  I am a custom welder by trade so I can make some parts but as for the rest. I am willing to learn as i go and I am in no real hurry to get this project completed.  I bought this bike for very little money so i can afford to learn as i go.  With some of the work on the bike on this site; i can tell some of the members here are true masters.  Maybe some day for me but for now i just want to ride o cool bike.  Thanks in advance.

Sean

I am sure everyone will be willing to help. Especially for some custom welding skills! 

[750Caferider]

I'm in the same boat with you!  I've started with getting the motor to run properly.  Rebuilt the carbs myself with a NOS Honda rebuild kit off ebay for $75 off ebay and an accelerator pump kit for like 30 off ebay as well.  I replaced the points but in hindsight I would have gone with a Dyna S kit for on about $30 bucks more than new points and condenser.  You can typically find them on ebay too for about $125 plus shipping.  Adjust the valves and cam chain tensioner, make sure your airbox has a clean filter and is sealed up tight against the carbs when tuning them!  Other than that
I'd say check the brakes rebuild if necessary, make sure your chain/sprockets are in good shape then replace the bushings on the rear swing arm.  Check the forks/seals/fluid and if you want replace the bearings in the wheels and steering spindle.  Read up on Thoughts of the Hondaman in the FAQ section!

[Johnny5]

My build thread might give you some ideas and pointers. Check my signature.

[hooverhonda]

Thanks everyone.  I dont have the welder anymore but if im within a short drive i would be happy to lend a hand with my skills if i can.  I work at a custom fab shop(industrial) but im sure i can work something out for anyone in need.  where is the best place to look for parts?  Ebay?  Distributing companies?  I understand it is a matter of my preference for the style of bars, seat, tank ...etc but are there certain sites that carry cafe parts?  I would like to see what is out there.  Thanks again.

[Gorms]

For cafe tanks and seats, check out benjiescaferacer.com and www.airtech-streamlining.com

These are pricey parts though so for less money, you are better off banging knee dents in your stock tank an either keeping the stock seat, building your own cafe seat, or just buying a seat.

[Old Scrambler]

The basic advice about getting you bike to run well is right-on!  Before you customize any parts, remember that if your part is in good shape you might sell it to a restorer and use the money to buy the custom item.  Before you start, make a list of the items you think you would like to change.  Make sure they are compatible and will result in a good theme from front to rear. One of the big decisions is if you want rear-sets or will stay with stock pegs.

[hooverhonda]

see this is why i came to this site in the first place.  thanks.  I think i want my pegs moved back because the previous owner looks like he modded the pega already.  I like the race look but i want a daily driver so if its gonna cramp im not interested.  Cool or not.  Again thanks for all the great advice.

sean

[seaweb11]

My signature links may also give you some ideas
Change out the bars with some inexpensive clubman bars and see if you like the feel.

As you do that it will force you to clean up your any front wiring issues. A good start!

[Gordon]

see this is why i came to this site in the first place.  thanks.  I think i want my pegs moved back because the previous owner looks like he modded the pega already.  I like the race look but i want a daily driver so if its gonna cramp im not interested.  Cool or not.  Again thanks for all the great advice.

If you're gonna go with handlebars that are a lot lower than stock, like drag bars or clubmans, rearset pegs will probably be more comfortable than stock pegs.  With your feet in the stock position and your hands on a set of clubmans, your body is folded in the middle with your knees up near your chest rather than your body being slightly stretched out and angled forward.   

[Johnny5]

I agree with Gordon. It also depends on your height, length of arms, legs, ect. I had a low cafe style seat with clubmans, and couldnt ride for more than 30 minutes. I put drag bars on and just finished a 650 mile ride over 3 days. Zero arm, back and shoulder fatigue.

Im 5'10".

[Gordon]

For my height, 5' 7", I've found the Euro Cafe bars to be the most comfortable while still being much lower and less pull-back than stock bars.  I've tried everything on my 750 from mini-apes to clubmans, and I definitely like the Euro bars the best. 

I have drag bars on my 550 mainly because I like how they look on it, but also because I normally only ride it short distances so comfort isn't as much of an issue.  I rode it about 180 miles today (longest ride I've taken this bike on), and while my hands and arms were fine in that position, I realized how much I need rearset pegs if I want to do any more longer rides on it.   

[seaweb11]

My K8 has clubmans with stock foot pegs.  4000 miles easy.............

My Tracy has more aggressive bars with rear sets, and I wouldn't try those kind of miles on it   But it is a lot of fun on the twistys or track

If you play withe the horizontal swivel from your stock bar clamps, I believe you can make one of these comfortable for yourself without rear sets to start.  I would never change up the 78K with rear sets now.

[Gordon]

My K8 has clubmans with stock foot pegs.  4000 miles easy.............

Something tells me you have a bit of an advantage on my 5' 7" frame.  Taller guys tend to do well with clubmans and stock pegs, while us short folk have to bend ourselves in half to "assume the position".

[seaweb11]

My K8 has clubmans with stock foot pegs.  4000 miles easy.............

Something tells me you have a bit of an advantage on my 5' 7" frame.  Taller guys tend to do well with clubmans and stock pegs, while us short folk have to bend ourselves in half to "assume the position".

Yeah, about 7 inches

[Gordon]

Yeah, about 7 inches

Hey now!  Let's not get personal!!

[KB02]

Well, I'm assuming that the bike you're talking about is the one pictured in your avatar.

First thing I would suggest: Loose the seat.
I've ridden on a seat like that and they are not comfortable. Keep an eye on ebay and Craig's list for either a stock seat or a cafe seat that you like.

Second suggestion: Get some new bars.
Clubmans, drag or clip-ons can all be had for cheap. It's amazing what simply changing out the bars can do for the stance and feelings of performance. 

From there, it's really up to you as to which direction you want to go. Rearsets, knee dents, crazy paint, $1200 exhaust... (oh wait... that last one was me... ).

Make it personal. Make it yours. Ride the tires off of it.    We will be here to help with questions when you have them.

As for places to get things, just hop on Google and type in "Cafe Racer Parts" or something like that.
http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/common/Frontpage.jsp The every present supply place.
http://www.bikebandit.com/ I like these guys, too. They give a discount to AMA members (See my signature to JOIN!!)
www.mikesxs.com Mostly designed for the Yamaha XS 650 bikes, BUT some good parts we can use, too.
http://www.yamiya750e.com/ Good for some cool stuff you never though to replace until you saw a shiny new one.
http://www.cb750cafe.com/ Carpy's site is great with some cool stuff (He's a member here, too, and stops by from time to time).
And once you've saved up your pennies and it's time to dive into the engine:
http://www.cbrzone.com/ Prepare a bib before entering, as there will be drool if you have any enthusiasm for hopping up the power from your 35+ year old engine. 

Good luck and keep us up to date. We love seeing new projects get underway - and then get completed. 

[hooverhonda]

Thanks everyone fo rthe great advice definitely a help.  The seat is going and so are the bars.  If it is about comfort and for me it is ( im 6 ft) then i will try the bars first and see how it feels.  the wiring on the bike is a mess.  I might just rewire the whole bike, wait and see.  there are splices everywhere.  anyway when i start the first thing i will do is start a project thread.  Thanks again everyone.