Topic: If you had your choice what would you build?

[Kong]

I've got it in my mind that I want to build a cafe style bike.  It will be a Honda-4 but I don't particularly want a 750, something smaller will do me just fine.   I'm not very big, about 5'7" and 150.   In general money is not much of a problem but I'm not about to go hog wild on this.  I'd like to do a bike that I can find easily enough (I'm 75 miles south of Pittsburgh) and get built before next summer, so let's say 6 or 7 months, which means anything with hard-to-find parts is out.  Oh, a requirement is that the bike be 1986 or earlier, I want to be able to run an antique plate on it, but at the same time I don't want to butcher a bike that would be better left to a restorer - which I ain't.

So, in this part of the country what would you look for?  Keeping in mind that this is my first Cafe build why do you suggest the one you do?

[cb650guy]

I have wondered the same question.  I hope you get tons of responses.

[Stev-o]

I highly recomend a 550, great bikes, good supply of parts and run forever [and I have one!]

If I were you, I would be headed to Pleasant Hills with about $1K cash in my pocket:

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/mcy/2022712437.html

[jakecb420]

im pretty sure that i did a once over on that bike a couple years ago for a lady. it was a nice bike then and looks to be now. its been on craigslist for a while now. i thought someone would have bought by now. im also seem to remember that she only paid 500 or 600 for it. if its the same bike. who really knows without seeing it in person.

[pdxPope]

So, in this part of the country what would you look for?

And which part of the country are you referring to? Or, better yet, which country are you referring to?

 



-JP

[Stev-o]

So, in this part of the country what would you look for?

And which part of the country are you referring to? Or, better yet, which country are you referring to?

 



-JP

75 miles south of Pittsburgh  [it was in the original post]

[the technological J]

i think its closer than that... they come up on there from time to time

[pdxPope]

Oops. Remedial reading classes, here I come. 

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/mcy/2022712437.html

Too nice to chop up!

Here's one already done for ya.
 http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/mcy/1988315520.html


-JP

[camelman]

CB400F.  They are light and very nimble.  You can bore them out to almost 500cc without an issue (and bore the carbs to flow as needed).  Lighter set of wheels, a sexier tank (maybe a Benelli Mojave), cafe seat, hidden electrics, single tach with a digital speedo hidden away, modern front end (think upside down anodized gold), and a handmade exhaust.  I'd either get new rims to swap in, or a whole new wheel set.  All of this can be done surprisingly low cost, and the bike will be STUNNING!!!  I just did a similar build on a 350 twin, and I've had loads of people come into my garage exclaiming how beautiful it is. 

Camelman

[Lars]

I would also recommend a CB 550 1974-1976 models. It is really a gret bike to ride and easy to find parts for it.
Or maybe the CB 400 F, but not sure of parts supply on that one.

It depends a bit on your use, kind of roads, you know. CB 500 or 550 would be my choice, K models.

[lrutt]

I'd have to say, I've always had a real soft spot for the simple things, like big simple singles.

If you could find an SR500 yammie that would be good but take a look at this.

http://rycamotors.com/

Not saying buy one of their kits, but the bike itself. Those Suzuki singles go back a long ways, not sure if they go to 86 but I think they might. Would make a damn fine cafe and with your light wieght and size would be kickass quick. Parts and bikes are plentiful and cheap.

Just did a quick search and they do date back to the mid 80's.

[The_Crippler]

I highly recomend a 550, great bikes, good supply of parts and run forever [and I have one!]

If I were you, I would be headed to Pleasant Hills with about $1K cash in my pocket:

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/mcy/2022712437.html

NO!  That's mine...when...I....have $1K to spare.   


It's been listed for awhile and I've really been thinking about getting it secured to do a cafe for my next project.  However, that's a long way off, and I know it's just a pipe dream right now.

[the technological J]

i think its closer than that... they come up on there from time to time

oops i just reread the opening post i thought you were reffering to pleasant hills

[MoMo]

Agree with the 500/550 recommendation for a first go at it, somewhat plentiful and parts are still reasonable.  I own 4 CB400fours. Parts can be a bit hard to find and usually expensive, but they sure are fun to ride.  I weigh 160, if you're over 200 or taller than 6 feet stick with the 550. My .02, Larry

[Really?]

I want a 750K8 to cafe with a piece of something from many of the bikes I have seen in the BOTM.

Just finding a 750 in my part of down is rare, at least to me.

[Kong]

Well, consensus seems to be building around a 550, and that works just fine for me.  That South Hills bike look very nice, and I like the idea of buying a running bike, but it may be a little too nice to start with - in my mind's eye I was picturing starting with something in a lot rougher shape - and maybe a little less expensive just because a lot of it was going to be cut off and tossed.  Like I said earlier, I'd hate to chop up a bike that might better be left for a restorer to find.

Maybe I should have added a bit to the first post.  I'm old and retired, hence the lack of need for great speed in the bike.  So I have plenty of time.  I have adequate tools (including a MIG and air) and a place to work.  I also have been painting bikes for a couple of years so finishing is no problem - in fact with luck I might find a basket case bike I can trade for a custom paint job.

Oh, and I'm not hard pressed to have a bike to ride either, I've got a bike now, here's a picture - I just can't help but show off my baby:



On Edit:  2002 Harley Davidson FXSTD/I, Softail Deuce, 88 inch (1450cc) fuel injecte and counterbalanced.

[The_Crippler]

Great paint job.

[tango911]

550 is a great bike.  Im really wanting an early 70's 750 to mess with tho.   eventually after my 550 is done and ive ridden it a lot i will do it.

[the technological J]

here man perefect bike, title, seems to run 500 bucks
http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/mcy/2029542976.html

 finders fee id like to buy that seat though if your not gonna use it.. if its in good a shape as it looks and if your gonna get rid of the side covers as well i need em also... just saying ... dibbs

 nice paint job by the way

[The_Crippler]

here man perefect bike, title, seems to run 500 bucks
http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/mcy/2029542976.html

*Mutter, grumble*  Me and my wallet are starting to not like you very much...

[sangyo soichiro]

I'd have to say, I've always had a real soft spot for the simple things, like big simple singles.

If you could find an SR500 yammie that would be good but take a look at this.

http://rycamotors.com/

Not saying buy one of their kits, but the bike itself. Those Suzuki singles go back a long ways, not sure if they go to 86 but I think they might. Would make a damn fine cafe and with your light wieght and size would be kickass quick. Parts and bikes are plentiful and cheap.

Just did a quick search and they do date back to the mid 80's.

I like the singles too.  Me and the girlfriend just got three CB125s to play with.  They are cheap and they run without the battery!  (Although, you may need it if you're running with the headlight - not sure yet...)  The downside is that they're slow.  But you can still have a ton of fun and not feel the pressure to try to soup it up because after it's souped, it'll still be slow.  

Oh, and they are a wet sump - so no oil tank to mess with.

I never seen the Ryca before.  I like it.  Maybe that's the style I'll shot for with the 125....

[Kong]

here man perefect bike, title, seems to run 500 bucks
http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/mcy/2029542976.html

 finders fee id like to buy that seat though if your not gonna use it.. if its in good a shape as it looks and if your gonna get rid of the side covers as well i need em also... just saying ... dibbs

 nice paint job by the way

Thank you very much - that looks like it may be just the thing.  The price is right and while it might be a good restoration candidate there are better around for that purpose, not to mention I may be able to recoup some of the initial cost by selling unneeded parts.

[P_Camps]

let us know if you buy it!! 

[Kong]

I shot the guy an E-mail a couple of hours ago asking if I could come up and take a look at the bike tomorrow.  I haven't heard back from him yet.  I will probably give him a call tomorrow if I don't hear from him tonight.   The bike is actually a bit to the east of Washington, PA, which is good for me, I could be there in a couple of hours.   The price is no problem presuming it is a running bike and has good paper, which is what he says it is and has.

Have F-250, Will travel.

[FunJimmy]

As you will see from the build forum at the bottom of this post, I'm a 550 guy.
They're light, nimble and easy as ever to find parts for.
You can even find some of the reproduction guys making stuff for the little 550.

Good luck.