Topic: "Little Horse," and "Little Dragon" the war of the 500's

[Little_Horse]

Cool!
Is the Nighthawk her's as well?

I see she has the Scorpion's Pink Paradise helmet. One ebay seller was closing out a bunch of them for cheap earlier this year. If it weren't going to void the warranty you could buy one and then repaint it to your tastes...
2 yr warranty voided if you modify or paint the shell.
Skullskins to the rescue...?

Your little sister's smile says it all.

She actually bought it from that guy on ebay, paid like $75 shipped for a helmet that retails for $150, She even likes the way it looks so it was a double win, it kind of off sets her all black bike and jacket too.

The person who was kind enough to take the picture above rushed over to my dad and sister right when the stopped and exclaimed his surprise in how cool the cx had become.

My dad's bike is a 82 cb750c, just before the nighthawk era. He also has a vtr1000, can you guys tell we are a honda family?

[theofam]

Your sis' ride turned out AWESOME!  She's clearly ecstatic.  How cool is it that you've enabled her to ride with her/your pops?!

Good work, big doggie.  I'll be starting again on Seamus as soon as my kids go back to school later this month (can't wait).

[traveler]

So cool you managed to get the ugliness out of the CX.  My older brother used to have a serious jones for them.   Now, he is building a KZ650 cafe.

Neat stuff!  How is the power?

~Joe

[Little_Horse]

Power on it is great. Tons of low end power for a small bike and I was able to get it above 90 mph without trying to much. It was stomping on my dad's 750 off the line too.

[bruisedlee]

HEY! i saw your bike at the last bikefire moto meet in ballard!! bad ass bike!

[Little_Horse]

Sweet, my dad took it there though. My sister wasn't able to in go when she left for work, but then was able to, but my dad was already gone. I am sure she will eventually ride to the backfire with it again, maybe once it is actually done. Glad you like it. It is a very different bike so very much easier to spot. That is theory at least.

[Grnrngr]

heh..I can hear it now.."I wanted to go but my daddy ran off with my bike.. "    
I'd imagine when she does get to ride it more, and you and her leave him in the dust when you do ride together, dad will want something better than an old slow 750...got plans for the next one yet?

[Little_Horse]

yeah my dad has been um... borrowing the bike from her... maybe a little too often. She likes to keep people happy so it isn't hard to get yes's from her. My dad actually also owns a vtr1000 superhawk so there shouldn't be any problem keeping up. The next project idea may end up being a cafe'd generation 1 goldwing. Scrap the fake tank for a real one change the geometry of the bike to make it more race ready then streamline it. Maybe get a chance to set the bar a little higher yet again even past "Little Horse". Probably less budget and more time though. I also wouldn't mind a shot at a "rd" or an older beemer to offend the that group by cutting up. I have even considered a hardtail old school bobber just for giggles. Maybe a sidecar rig... is that enough  I have a few other oddities floating around up there that I will eventually do and share if I ever get a hold of some machining equipment.

[The_Crippler]

Is that one gonna get it's own build thread?   

Seriously, though, I'd be really interested in seeing that project.  Never thought of a cafe'd 'Wing.  It just doesn't compute...like "Hot rod Camry."  However, either of those would be something I'd totally be interested in seeing, just because it's different.

[RAFster122s]

Naked Wings look cool on their own when properly tarted up with good paint and polish...

David

[The_Crippler]

Naked Wings look cool on their own when properly tarted up with good paint and polish...

David

Isn't that called a Valkyrie? 

[Little_Horse]

Well the wing idea draws me in just because of the motor being different again. I liked the cx because of the very different motor as well. So I am trying to start with something that has a different motor and build a bike that I like around it. Meaning good handling and light eventually, or at least the weight being really low. I have seen a few Goldwing cafe's but I find them still looking "heavy." Most of you have probably seen goldwing drag bike or muscle bike builds, but I want to make it look almost as light on its feet as "Little Horse" with the open frame single seat and a cowl. This was also what happened with the cx it looked heavy with stock frame so I replaced it with a design that looks more agile light and sleek. All in all it would be a fun build.

Oh and I probably would give it its own thread  . 

[Little_Horse]

Today my sister's bike was totaled ...

Luckily she was not on it and it was parked, but from the sounds of it a total loss. Clip on's destroyed tank destroyed front end obliterated valve covers gone... its finished...

I don't know what to think.

[theofam]

SHEYOT!     About the only good news is that your sister wasn't hurt.  Hit while parked?  Or, was she on it?  Maybe she'd have better luck with an RD (insert prompt for your next build here)!

Kids are back in school, so I started back on Seamus yesterday.  I'll keep you posted w/ progress on my thread.

[Little_Horse]

well I feel pretty much in the dumps right now. I actually would feel better if the rebuild could begin tonight. A problem I can't fix bothers me much more then one I can fix.

[RAFster122s]

Sorry to hear about the bike being totalled. At least no one was injured, I hope the settlement is decent.
You could always do her another one, or something similar. The CX500s are inexpensive and many of them are being parted these days from the looks of Ebay.

Having the skills you could make it better than before with a new blank slate; having learned what you did the first time it would also go build quicker; provided you didn't stray too far from the original.
There's pretty close to zero upgrade market for performance on the CX-500...so starting with it there's not much you can do that you don't do yourself to lighten it, etc.

The CX650Turbo is the bike that the CX-500 should have been from the start.
I like my CX-500 but I would prefer taller seating height (something I'm getting ready to fix...).

David

[Grnrngr]

Damn....so sorry to hear that, and glad she wasn't on it. It was an inspiration, insurance company will probably have fits since it was truly a one of a kind...somebody back over it or what?

A couple of cheapies if you decide to resurrect it...

http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/mcy/1923076177.html

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/mcy/1921840746.html

[Little_Horse]

Actually a guy in a lifted truck decided to not back up but instead turn his wheels right and drive out forwards so I am assuming the bike got knocked over at about his passenger door then was dragged for 20 to 30 feet. I will be looking at the damage tomorrow. Really is a shame and I am totally bummed. You kind of prepare yourself for the possibility the bike could end up getting destroyed, but somehow destroyed while parked hadn't crossed my mind. The extent of the damage seems pretty high and all considering the fact it was a parking lot.

[FrankenFrankenstuff]

This may sound cheesy, but the first time I saw a pic of that bike "my heart just stopped"is all I posted. I honestly had a  motivation and awe moment (wont use the word epiphany) with that bike. I even started looking for one myself. Anyway, the point is....thank you for sharing that bike, and your current bike with us. Through this thread MANY of us have seen your work and have been motivated and inspired. So at least the CX was shared with all of us, we know that it actually existed. The proof is in this forum. Thanks and I hope your sister can get to borrow one of your dads bikes for a change.

[Little_Horse]

Thanks frankenbike I had just repaired my aluminum welder and was about to begin welding your cowl when I got the news. Hopefully I can get it done when I get back in town on Tuesday. I am hoping we can get some cash from the guy before I go back down so I can at least begin repairs instead of just looking at the bike sitting in my shop.

I looked it over today and the worst part is that it may have bent forks. The wheel is damaged both clip ons where destroyed her drivers peg was bent beyond repair, shift lever was broken her master cylinder was destroyed her clutch cable was torn up. The tank has a really large dent. The headlight brackets are both bent, the seat pan was bent, the valve cover on the passenger side has a large gash and tear. The front fender is folded in half and the blinkers destroyed.

The good news is the bike started right up today. I am hoping the frame isn't bent and I am pretty sure it didn't. I got a chance to watch the video of it happen on the surveillance he actually ran over the bike then dragged it for 20 feet.

[Little_Horse]

Just looking at the bike sit in my shop is driving me nuts. I can't touch it until I have the money... still waiting

[theofam]

Sorry, dude. If the frame is straight, it's just a matter of money for parts and time. Post pics of frankenbike's cowl (unless he wants to debut it to us).

[Little_Horse]

I will post a pic on his thread when I finally find some batteries for the camera.

So at least the guy agreed to pay $2300... which is the amount for parts if I don't repair any of them. I am just getting antsy to fix the bike is all and he is dragging his feet for paying.

I am planning on doing a few more upgrades to the bike now that I have it again. The drivers side peg was destroyed so I am going to build my styled rear sets like the ones on LH. I am also going to form some clip on cut outs in the tank to give it a more aggressive look and to hide the big dent. Since the dent is right there anyways. I need to get a horn hooked up for her, and also build a fork brace since the fender is toast that will replace it structurally. I wanted to do a 70's style ducati front fairing but she likes it the way it is. I may do it anyways and leave it as a bolt on and off option. Thats the plan.

[rickmoore24]

That totally blows, sorry to hear that. I'm glad your sister wasnt on the bike, the bike can be fixed easily enough and probably better than before considering your skills. Good luck!

[Little_Horse]

Thanks guys for the encouragement. It was funny my father in law looked at the wrecked bike asked how many hours I had worked on it then looked at me in disbelief... he is a paint guy. A nice motorcycle to him is one with flashy paint lol. He wasn't very impressed with LH but the paint on that is subtle, I should have painted it creamsicle orange with flames and skulls  .