Author Topic: K8 into a cafe help!!!  (Read 837 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline officersdr

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 10
K8 into a cafe help!!!
« on: November 05, 2010, 02:47:42 PM »
I want to make my 78 CB750 K8 into a cafe bike, but I don't know how to make the hoop in the rear. Can someone post how to and where to cut the frame and how to install the hoop?? What size tubing do you use?? And how do you re-locate the electronics to the rear too??

Also anyone know where a good place for a tank and seat combo is?? I have been looking at the cafe style seat ( not the fiberglass pan )

Offline Alan F.

  • We remember the Night Rider, and we know who you are.
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 7,387
Re: K8 into a cafe help!!!
« Reply #1 on: November 05, 2010, 02:50:06 PM »
Set aside a few hours to read the entire project shop section of these forums, you'll be much wiser in the ways when you've seen how others have considered, and creatively overcome those same questions.  There are no simple cut and dry answers to hand you.

Offline MilehighCB

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 83
Re: K8 into a cafe help!!!
« Reply #2 on: November 05, 2010, 05:28:03 PM »


Here is a pic of my electronics that just fit under my cafe seat. 
As far as making a hoop, I used the stock grab bar, cut it into a arch and weld it together. It is very stout and will be more than I will ever need as far as strength.  If you have the grab bar, cut it in half and then turn the curves to make a better arch, some detail work to get it to be a smooth radius, but it worked great.

My suggestion is to first figure out what seat hump you want, as this will determine the length of hoop you will need, then firgure out what electronics and battery you will want.  All of these need to fit together, and if you don't have space with the seat choice, you may have to rethink things.  I think going to modern electronics is not only smart and a good investment, but gives you more space when things get tight under the hump.

There are many posts about almost any part of the building a cafe, just think ahead before you go cutting and welding.
Hope it helps!

Offline KB02

  • Take it easy there, Sonny, I'm an
  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,759
Re: K8 into a cafe help!!!
« Reply #3 on: November 07, 2010, 06:36:13 AM »
Here is my K8 Cafe. Took me three years and around 5 grand (and climbing) to get it to this point.


Take your time, read, ask questions, use the search function and you will overcome.

I used an older tank on my bike as I liked the looks better. After some of the recent projects that have come up on this site though I'm kind of wishing I had held onto the old K8 tank. With the right paint, they can be made to look pretty bad ass.
1978 CB750K Project
2000 Ducati ST2
...and a pedal bike

Join the AMA today!!

My project thread Part I: K8 Project "Parts Bike"
My project thread Part II: Finishing (yeah, right) touches on Project "Parts Bike"

Offline mcuozzo

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 311
  • Bottle in front of me or frontal labotomy?
    • 77 CB750K - needs total rebuild
Re: K8 into a cafe help!!!
« Reply #4 on: November 07, 2010, 06:42:39 AM »
Well you could just buy this...kinda pricey though...http://www.benjiescaferacer.com/battbox.html  The picture shows where to cut for installation.

As people said the search function will help but here's a couple other places for parts/ideas...

http://www.roccitycafe.com/store.php
http://www.cb750cafe.com/carpy.php