Topic: Got some questions before I buy a bike

[ghankerson]

Recently got it in my head that I want to build a cafe style bike. I have some ideas as well as questions.

What are the CB frames made out of? Maybe mild steel or chromoly? I plan on modifying it and was thinking about a monoshock. Any build threads on that?

Do you need to keep the oil reservoir? Where are they putting these?

Any differences with CB and KZ cafes that stand out? Special years? Was thinking I like the 400-550 models. CB550 seems the bike of choice though.

About how much is a tuneup and carb sync?

Was thinking about copper or chrome plating the frame.

[Whaleman]

Really, Copper plating the frame? Dan

[Kevin400F]

Frames are mild steel.

Somewhere I've seen a build thread on adapting a single-shock rear suspension, perhaps off an early CBR600 Hurricane.  Happy searching...whether you find it here or somewhere else in the web-o-sphere, it sounds doable and fun (although for a "traditional" cafe bike....dual shocks would be equally fine).
 
Only the SOHC CB750 was dry-sump with a separate oil tank.  CB550, CB500 and CB400 were wet-sump, so no oil tank to fool with.

KZ as in Kawasaki? 

Tuneups are dirt cheap if you learn how to do it yourself.  On the early Honda fours, you adjust the valves with a "screw and locknut" method, and if it still has the original points ignition, you can file and regap the points, then set the timing.

Have fun...welcome to the fold!

Kevin

[ghankerson]

Yah was contemplating copper. Don't know why, maybe because it's different. I build industrial furniture for a living and am always looking for something unique.

The single shock doesn't sound that hard to do, would look pretty nice too.

Yes KZ as in Kawasaki.

Thanks for the info Kevin, didn't know that about the oil.

[seaweb11]

The single shock doesn't sound that hard to do, would look pretty nice too.



Thanks for the info Kevin, didn't know that about the oil.

I will wait with anticipation for the build thread.

[shizzomynizzo]

I have both a cb and a kz 550.

The honda parts are more available, and imo look better as cafe's.
The kz is MUCH faster, dohc instead of single. Tune up is a lot easier on the honda...no cams to remove for valve adjustment.

I thought about a polished frame, but copper would be awesome!

[ghankerson]

I figured CB parts were easier to get. And I saw cafe CB parts all over the place. Was thinking of gusseting and modifying the frame in a few places. And I just got an ironworker so I'll be punching holes everywhere I can. That is if the wifie lets me get a bike.

I'm not really looking for speed and easier to work on sounds better so it's looking like a CB 550 or smaller.

[bollingball]

If you can build a bike like your talking about then you can do a tuneup in the dark. Well maybe a night light

[the technological J]

There are plenty of people here that have done the mono shock.... I'll post a thread later that has done it... his name was industrial cafe..... as far as the kz I have no idea as to the forums for em but there is a great support network here.... I mean scientific genious answers if u want em..... I vote cb all the way

[shizzomynizzo]

If you plan on doing some highway riding, get a 550. It's big enough to not get blown around on the highway and has plenty of power for spirited riding around the curves. My buddies 350 seems too small (for me) and slow to do any highway runs longer than a few miles. (not trying to beat on the smaller bikes, but I'm well over 6 feet and 200)

There are plenty of people here that have done the mono shock.... I'll post a thread later that has done it... his name was industrial cafe..... as far as the kz I have no idea as to the forums for em but there is a great support network here.... I mean scientific genious answers if u want em..... I vote cb all the way

as far as the forums, kzrider is pretty good, but nothing compares to the knowledge, members, and search resources here.
If you have the question, it probably has been asked and answered before. Just search to find the answer.

[ghankerson]

A monoshock should be easier than my truck build, probably...

[Hondawggie]

If you can find one, I'd go with the 1975, '76 or '77 cb550f Super Sport.  This was the sportier model of the standard cb550k and it had a narrower appeal back then as an 'off the showroom floor' cafe racer. 

If you put low bars and a slip-on muffler onto the stock 4-into-1's exhaust (remove the stock muffer/leave the 4-into-1 header/add a louder, better-breathing slip-on muffler) then go up on the mains a bit you have a little cafe monster on your hands that already looks like a cafe bike of that era.

Here's a 1975 cb550f SuperSport, all stock except a slip on and low bars.  I did exactly this to my cb400four back in 1976 (although the 400f *came* with low bars) and its similar to this 550four:


Compare that near-stock 550F Super Sport with the (in my opinion bland 'everyman' looking) standard Honda 550k of the same year (1975):

[Stev-o]

I'd hardly call a 550F with differant muffler and bars a "cafe", but they are a good place to start.
Here is my stocker:

[ghankerson]

What about the A models. Read the automatics are detuned or something.

[Hondawggie]

Here is my stocker:

Nice SS there, is that a '76?  I have the same color on my '76 cb550f.  Not sure if that color scheme was available on the '75 and '77 SS.

I need left and right side covers in that paint scheme.  Well I need side covers period.  These 550 SuperSports seem to be more rare than the cb400f Supersport, which come up all the time in parts and bikes on ebay.  I have not seen 550 SuperSport side covers come up on ebay.

Any idea where I could find this same color of both left and right side covers?  Or just any color really, if I have to paint them back to stock I'll do it.

I like this blue metallic better than the orange -- your bike's is great shape, how many miles?  (sorry not to take the thread, I like that blue SS)

[KingCustomCycles.com]

If you have to ask your wife to buy a bike, get another wife.

[ghankerson]

If you have to ask your wife to buy a bike, get another wife.

Lol! Money is tight right now. I just need to find a deal out there. Found a CB400A for $500, leaks a little oil though and I'd prefer a clutch.

[Kevin400F]

If you have to ask your wife to buy a bike, get another wife.

I kinda like that idea.....if the two of them argue about it long enough, maybe one of them will side with you....hell, you can't haul both of them around on the bike at the same time anyway!

[ghankerson]

Lol, I think I'd choose my wife over a bike. Sorry to hear you don't feel that way about yours. 

[Stev-o]

wiggie - yes, my 550F pictured above is a '76, color is Flake Sapphire Blue, only available that year:

http://www.sohc4.net/index.php?q=node/205

My bike has 14K miles, bought it about a year ago and have been restoring it since.
Bought those sidecovers on ebay and had 'em painted. They are hard to find, but Frankie is making them:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=74022.0

[Duanob]

If you're gpoing to cafe it go for something that has been bastardized as in non OEM seat, exhaust, etc maybe needs some body work, but still runs good, low miles. You will get it cheaper and you won't piss off us guys trying to resto our bikes back to factory spec. It's a tragedy and a shame when someone takes a perfectly good original low mileage bike like the ones in Hondawggie's post and modifies it.

[shizzomynizzo]

If you're gpoing to cafe it go for something that has been bastardized as in non OEM seat, exhaust, etc maybe needs some body work, but still runs good, low miles. You will get it cheaper and you won't piss off us guys trying to resto our bikes back to factory spec. It's a tragedy and a shame when someone takes a perfectly good original low mileage bike like the ones in Hondawggie's post and modifies it.

The less factory restored bikes there are, the more money they are worth.

So if I had a nice resto, would not bother me one bit if every other was chopped. I would eventually have the one of a kind!

[Hondawggie]

wiggie - yes, my 550F pictured above is a '76, color is Flake Sapphire Blue, only available that year:

http://www.sohc4.net/index.php?q=node/205

My bike has 14K miles, bought it about a year ago and have been restoring it since.
Bought those sidecovers on ebay and had 'em painted. They are hard to find, but Frankie is making them:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=74022.0

My god I'm there, man -- what a lifesaver that is, thanks dude, I have 2 cb550fs and both need a ful set of sidecovers.  I'm ordering 2 sets tomorrow when business hours commence.  Can I ask, where do you go to find the stock paint, the sapphire blue?

[Bluegreen]

I'd look for a 78 CB550, and then look into a different tank, the stock tanks are WIDE, way more chopper than cafe. But the 78's have the better carbs and short intake runners.

[Stev-o]

wiggie - yes, my 550F pictured above is a '76, color is Flake Sapphire Blue, only available that year:

http://www.sohc4.net/index.php?q=node/205

My bike has 14K miles, bought it about a year ago and have been restoring it since.
Bought those sidecovers on ebay and had 'em painted. They are hard to find, but Frankie is making them:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=74022.0

My god I'm there, man -- what a lifesaver that is, thanks dude, I have 2 cb550fs and both need a ful set of sidecovers.  I'm ordering 2 sets tomorrow when business hours commence.  Can I ask, where do you go to find the stock paint, the sapphire blue?

My painter found it, acually it's not paint, blue flake mixed in clear. Try calling an auto specialty store. I called my painter last week, buy he's MIA.