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Author Topic: Cafe Racer???  (Read 4283 times)

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NE550

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Cafe Racer???
« on: October 17, 2009, 10:51:34 AM »
I have a 75CB550 In good condition but I was thinking of transforming it into a cafe.  I have limited tools and budget and am curious if anyone here can persuade me to do it.  What type of budget should I be looking at, and on a scale of 1-10 what would a project like that rank?
this is what I have now, I also have a 72 CB 350 that I just restored last winter
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Offline Shenanigans

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Re: Cafe Racer???
« Reply #1 on: October 17, 2009, 11:39:04 AM »
The bike looks to be in nice original shape. Might be a shame to chop up such a nice bike...

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   This pretty much sums it up.   76' CB592 cafe. 69 750 project, 03 CBR954, 75 750 super sport.

Offline Pinhead

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Re: Cafe Racer???
« Reply #2 on: October 17, 2009, 12:16:33 PM »
Quote
...and on a scale of 1-10 what would a project like that rank?

There have been a ton of Cafe's built on the forum with some REALLY stiff competition. It'd have to be done really well to be able to rank up there with the greats. ;)
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Offline Industrial Rat400f Killer

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Re: Cafe Racer???
« Reply #3 on: October 17, 2009, 02:00:24 PM »
Might I suggest finding a more molested bike to modify? My 400 was in poor condition and pretty rough so I figured I could modify it as much as I want and not feel bad for destroying a piece of history. If I were you I'd either change very little about that bike or buy a cheap abused runner and go to town.

It's just my opinion of course so do what you want.

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Offline ProTeal55

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Re: Cafe Racer???
« Reply #4 on: October 17, 2009, 02:04:54 PM »
Chop It !
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Offline Industrial Rat400f Killer

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Re: Cafe Racer???
« Reply #5 on: October 17, 2009, 02:11:03 PM »
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Offline SanDogDewey

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Re: Cafe Racer???
« Reply #6 on: October 17, 2009, 02:37:03 PM »
Quote from: NE550 on October 17, 2009, 10:51:34 AM
I have a 75CB550 In good condition but I was thinking of transforming it into a cafe.  I have limited tools and budget and am curious if anyone here can persuade me to do it.  What type of budget should I be looking at, and on a scale of 1-10 what would a project like that rank?
this is what I have now, I also have a 72 CB 350 that I just restored last winter


Nice bike. Don't chop it, ride it!
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Offline nippon

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Re: Cafe Racer???
« Reply #7 on: October 17, 2009, 02:44:25 PM »
If I would chop it, I would save the stock parts and would not modify them.
There are many cafe parts out there.

nippon
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Offline CBGhia

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Re: Cafe Racer???
« Reply #8 on: October 17, 2009, 07:45:37 PM »
Get a new tank, seat, bars and side covers.  Swap it all out for the cafe look you want, and you can put it back to stock with no worries.
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CB550 Cafe, GL1000, Buell Ulysses
Quote from: dave500 on February 14, 2014, 03:53:33 AM
if you dont trial spin the camshaft in the head and cover you are a novice,with no natural mechanical appitude,destined for destruction.
"The cleaner the dipstick, the closer to God." -Rev. Horton Heat
“Faster, Faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death.”  - Hunter S. Thompson

Offline kerryb

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Re: Cafe Racer???
« Reply #9 on: October 17, 2009, 08:19:25 PM »
I'm with CBGhia, wrap the stock stuff in proper packaging and bolt on the cafe parts.  Someday when you restore it to stock condition people will say "wow, where'd ya get such a nice bike"
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Offline KB02

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Re: Cafe Racer???
« Reply #10 on: October 18, 2009, 06:03:09 AM »
Didn't someone finally find Guillari style seats for the 550's somewhere? Get one of those and a set of clubman bars and you have a really nice, classic looking cafe ride and very little needed in the way of mods.


...


... or chop it...  ;D
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Offline brett_bike

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Re: Cafe Racer???
« Reply #11 on: October 18, 2009, 06:53:36 AM »
Classic Cycle City makes them.  I got one earlier this summer, very well made and comfortable.  I've been riding so much I haven't even had time to get it painted yet, or write them to tell them how much I like it.

I should mention that the one I have is only a prototype and they are not actually available for sale yet.  They will be available soon and I'm sure the guy's at Classic Cycle City will keep everyone on the SOHC forum posted when they become available.
« Last Edit: October 18, 2009, 08:04:00 PM by brett_bike »
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cafetimmy

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Re: Cafe Racer???
« Reply #12 on: October 19, 2009, 01:58:16 AM »
Make it a cafe! Doing the actual transformation to cafe style would not take much time, work, or money. slap some clubman bars on it and get a cafe style seat and your done. Plus simple stuff like that is all bolt on so you can always put the original parts back on. You'll have a bad ass cafe racer and all the "don't chop it!" die hards can sleep better  :)
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Offline Pinhead

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Re: Cafe Racer???
« Reply #13 on: October 19, 2009, 02:59:02 AM »
I don't know, maybe it's just me but I don't think adding Clubmans and a seat will transform an otherwise stock bike into a "cafe racer." Maybe a "cafe-style" bike but definitely not a "Cafe Racer."
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Doug

Click --> Cheap Regulator/Rectifier for any of Honda's 3-phase charging systems (all SOHC4's).

GM HEI Ignition Conversion

Quote from: TwoTired
By the way, I'm going for the tinfoil pants...so they can't read my private thoughts.
:D

Offline CBGhia

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Re: Cafe Racer???
« Reply #14 on: October 19, 2009, 06:02:44 AM »
Quote from: Pinhead on October 19, 2009, 02:59:02 AM
I don't know, maybe it's just me but I don't think adding Clubmans and a seat will transform an otherwise stock bike into a "cafe racer." Maybe a "cafe-style" bike but definitely not a "Cafe Racer."

Call it cafe style then.  Even in the 50's though, a lot of cafe bikes didn't have a lot of internal mods.  Velocity stacks and carb work, exhaust,  maybe a cam and then it was all about cutting weight and getting the style.  Clubmans are there to give you more control in the twistys. Bam. Cafe racer.
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CB550 Cafe, GL1000, Buell Ulysses
Quote from: dave500 on February 14, 2014, 03:53:33 AM
if you dont trial spin the camshaft in the head and cover you are a novice,with no natural mechanical appitude,destined for destruction.
"The cleaner the dipstick, the closer to God." -Rev. Horton Heat
“Faster, Faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death.”  - Hunter S. Thompson

Offline Dead Bound

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Re: Cafe Racer???
« Reply #15 on: October 19, 2009, 09:13:09 AM »
Make it a "Gentleman's Express".... read the article. 

Your bike is in way better shape than the one I ended up with.  Very nice.   
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Offline Toxic

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Re: Cafe Racer???
« Reply #16 on: October 19, 2009, 10:03:42 AM »
i love a well done "cafe" but that is too nice to hack up.
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Offline j-conn

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Re: Cafe Racer???
« Reply #17 on: October 19, 2009, 10:22:12 AM »
Quote
i love a well done "cafe" but that is too nice to hack up.
agree 100% with shenanigans too


enjoi it!
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NE550

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Re: Cafe Racer???
« Reply #18 on: October 19, 2009, 10:30:07 AM »
I enjoyed reading everyone's opinions, they helped me make a decision.  I like the idea of having a cafe-racer and I'm not one to do a half ass job and some of you are right, it is too nice to chop.  So, I will enjoy it until I find something worth chopping.

Thanks, Matt
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Offline Bonafide

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Re: Cafe Racer???
« Reply #19 on: October 21, 2009, 08:48:18 PM »
Change the seat and handle bars and according to some opinions, WA-LAA .. you'll have a "cafe." yeah .. well .. not really, but it'll be a cool ride and you won't feel so guilty about modifying it. Just keep all you take off parts in case you ever decide to go back to stock.
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onesickrace

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Re: Cafe Racer???
« Reply #20 on: October 21, 2009, 10:08:23 PM »
why cafe it when you could chop it... like this. ;D

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Offline clayman74

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Re: Cafe Racer???
« Reply #21 on: October 21, 2009, 10:56:10 PM »
completely agree with the bolt on and save the originals idea. but %$@& that thing is in great shape! my 550 isnt even close and i kept all the originals. maybe toss clubmans or drags on it and call it done.
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Offline andy750

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Re: Cafe Racer???
« Reply #22 on: October 22, 2009, 05:02:07 AM »
You can slap a seat on there and put some clip ons or racing bars and call it a cafe or whatever you like. You dont need to outsource your builds like some to make it a "cafe" racer  ::).  All this BS about what is and what is not a cafe racer...its whatever you want it to be. There is no one right answer ;-)

Ride it and enjoy it,
cheers
Andy
« Last Edit: October 22, 2009, 05:04:11 AM by andy750 »
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