Author Topic: Project "Cafètracker"  (Read 18135 times)

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Offline SixGun

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Project "Cafètracker"
« on: January 14, 2011, 01:07:05 am »
Here is my projectthread about my two CB550K`s. Both are from 1977 (born one year before myself), and with pretty close chassisnumbers.  (Recently bought them)...
I will concentrate on the brown bike for the first build. But both bikes will get a rebuild...
 
First thing i will do is to rebuild the rear frame, strip down the wheels an get them de-chromed and powdercoated. Lower legs on the front will be powdercoated too. All the original lights, instruments etc will be put in a box and forgotten.
New exhaust, lights, tires, seat...







You are all welcome to comment or make suggestions  :)
« Last Edit: January 14, 2011, 01:13:18 am by SixGun »

Offline Kong

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Re: Project "Cafètracker"
« Reply #1 on: January 14, 2011, 06:37:16 am »
Just from a quick look at the pictures, and you'd know a lot better being there in person, but I'd say restore the brown one and build the blue one (without taking any parts off the brown one).

That brown bike looks way to nice to cut up, that blue bike looks way to beat not to cut up.
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Offline Syscrush

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Re: Project "Cafètracker"
« Reply #2 on: January 14, 2011, 07:54:28 am »
And I'll counterbalance Kong's thoughts...  The world doesn't need more stock CB's.

Anyhow, good luck to you, really looking forward to watching your progress on this!
Life is precious: wear your f'n helmet!
There's nothing more expensive than a free bike...
FWIW, I'm not a shill for Race Tech - I've just got a thing for good suspension and the RTCE's are the most cost-effective mod for these old damping rod front ends.

Offline SixGun

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Re: Project "Cafètracker"
« Reply #3 on: January 16, 2011, 08:25:21 am »
The brown bike isnt that good (pictures can lie), so i`m gonna stick with my plan.

Im lookin around for parts now, so if anyone can help me with some good sources i would be very happy  :)
First of all i want to replace the bulky 4-1 with a shorter and better looking exhaust. I dont like chrome, so stainless would be great :)

Offline SixGun

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Re: Project "Cafètracker"
« Reply #4 on: January 17, 2011, 12:40:11 pm »
Btw...my main inspiration is this bike (from the country of Tuborg) by Wrenchmonkees.


Offline Elan

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Re: Project "Cafètracker"
« Reply #5 on: January 17, 2011, 12:43:38 pm »
Btw...my main inspiration is this bike (from the country of Tuborg) by Wrenchmonkees.



Ive been very interested in the same sized wheels look. I hear it decreases handling, not sure how much. And you probably have to get a wider triple tree and spacers to the axle?
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Offline greenjeans

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Re: Project "Cafètracker"
« Reply #6 on: January 17, 2011, 07:21:45 pm »
that tire would fit...  you'd lose your fork brace - that tire is taller than the stock tire height.

It is a pretty tight fit.    Love the brat style.
Yep, I'm the kid that figured out how to put things back together...eventually.

Offline SixGun

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Re: Project "Cafètracker"
« Reply #7 on: January 18, 2011, 01:18:20 am »
It will fit...if not, i`ll make it fit :)
Also im not a big fan of laying down fast in the corners, its more about the wrenching, and to make a good lookin bike with the correct lines...
I have ridden many old and rebuilt bikes that actually handle very bad compared to todays standard, but the great feeling of riding it makes it a much better ride than any new bike i have tried.
For the "safe" and great handling ride, i have a -06 CBR1000RR...can go 290km/t and still goes straigh as an arrow, but no soul  ;)

Back to topic;... gonna post pics as soon as im rollin. Right now im about to move into a new house, so not much time for motorcycles these days. However, i can always order parts  ;D

Offline Nikkisixx

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Re: Project "Cafètracker"
« Reply #8 on: January 18, 2011, 05:42:53 am »
Hi SixGun!  I thought of Wrenchmonkeys when you introduced yourself. 

Some people call a bike that puts style first a "bar hopper".  It is OK to ride, but is best for going from bar to bar and looking good  8)
It is a proven fact that modifying a SOHC Honda in any way will bring on the apocalypse.

Offline SixGun

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Re: Project "Cafètracker"
« Reply #9 on: January 18, 2011, 06:05:29 am »
Hi,
Yeah i know they call it "bar hoppers" - but i dont go to the bars with my bike. Temptation for a cold beer is to big... ;D


(i hate to leave the bike behind when crawling home early in the morning...hehe)

Offline lordmember1969

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Re: Project "Cafètracker"
« Reply #10 on: January 18, 2011, 09:19:19 am »
Here is my projectthread about my two CB550K`s. Both are from 1977 (born one year before myself), and with pretty close chassisnumbers.  (Recently bought them)...
I will concentrate on the brown bike for the first build. But both bikes will get a rebuild...
 
First thing i will do is to rebuild the rear frame, strip down the wheels an get them de-chromed and powdercoated. Lower legs on the front will be powdercoated too. All the original lights, instruments etc will be put in a box and forgotten.
New exhaust, lights, tires, seat...



Hi :)

Did you buy your bikes in Trondheim? :) God luck with the bikes :)





You are all welcome to comment or make suggestions  :)
1977 CB 750 SS Cafe
1977 CB 750 Basket case
1971 Mustang Grande
1928 Model A Pheathon Hot Rod
1977 Harley Custom FXE

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=70333.0

Offline strynboen

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Re: Project "Cafètracker"
« Reply #11 on: January 18, 2011, 09:37:09 am »
it pain"me a bit that you cut  that brown 550 dovn..in denmark there is no more of the origenal 550 back..i have used 2 years to rebuild my...but ok its an free world..hope yoy sell the parts to an beliwer of facktry looks..and have an nice build..think ve must have an meting this summer..i kome anyvay to hønefoss this summer
i kan not speak english/but trying!!
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Offline SixGun

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Re: Project "Cafètracker"
« Reply #12 on: January 18, 2011, 10:32:05 am »
Hi :)

Did you buy your bikes in Trondheim? :) God luck with the bikes :)

Thanks :)
Yeah, Krangnes - i guess you are from Trondheim or nearby since you recognize the shop?
« Last Edit: January 18, 2011, 10:47:34 am by SixGun »

Offline SixGun

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Re: Project "Cafètracker"
« Reply #13 on: January 18, 2011, 10:46:43 am »
it pain"me a bit that you cut  that brown 550 dovn..in denmark there is no more of the origenal 550 back..i have used 2 years to rebuild my...but ok its an free world..hope yoy sell the parts to an beliwer of facktry looks..and have an nice build..think ve must have an meting this summer..i kome anyvay to hønefoss this summer

Hi strynboen, if you would like to buy the bike before i start working on it - we can probably make a deal, i can get another "donor". I understand that others have feelings for the originals, but unfortunatly my passion are more on the customized side.
But on the other side, i guess you could get a nice original from UK or Germany (both my bikes are imported).
Hønefoss isnt that far away from me (about one hour), so that could be possible :)

Btw: the shop i got them from has other bikes that you might be interested in...and new bikes are added all the time as far as i know. I got mine for 13.000 and 15.000 nok, something i can live with, even though they are considered as projects.

This 750 was added for sale after i got the two 550`s, and im counting buttons .... looks pretty nice from the pics:


« Last Edit: January 18, 2011, 11:13:34 am by SixGun »

Offline Syscrush

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Re: Project "Cafètracker"
« Reply #14 on: January 18, 2011, 12:56:32 pm »
Hi strynboen, if you would like to buy the bike before i start working on it - we can probably make a deal, i can get another "donor". I understand that others have feelings for the originals, but unfortunatly my passion are more on the customized side.
Don't let them stress you out - these bikes are not rare, there's nothing wrong with putting the torch to one.  And there's nothing wrong with starting a project with the best-condition bike you can afford.
Life is precious: wear your f'n helmet!
There's nothing more expensive than a free bike...
FWIW, I'm not a shill for Race Tech - I've just got a thing for good suspension and the RTCE's are the most cost-effective mod for these old damping rod front ends.

Offline SixGun

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Re: Project "Cafètracker"
« Reply #15 on: January 19, 2011, 01:00:19 am »
Don't let them stress you out - these bikes are not rare, there's nothing wrong with putting the torch to one.  And there's nothing wrong with starting a project with the best-condition bike you can afford.

I dont... but if i offer to sell the bike before i rebuild - you cant complain about it later  ;)

Offline strynboen

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Re: Project "Cafètracker"
« Reply #16 on: January 19, 2011, 01:14:59 am »
hey,, dont stop your procjekt..this hondas are an mass produktion ..its not an nimbus or indian..
the point are to..sell the good parts..fenders lights ,,så on..not to cut in it ..and veld in some after markets parts..then evrybody are happy..its for all best to have så many hondaes driving..to get spare parts made..and cafees are vith to hold honda alive

my 550 kosts 16.000 danske kroner vith reg.and plate on..but tank and all vas paintet vith spray..cant find any vith org paint in denmark
i kan not speak english/but trying!!
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Offline lordmember1969

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Re: Project "Cafètracker"
« Reply #17 on: January 19, 2011, 06:28:51 am »
Hi :)

Did you buy your bikes in Trondheim? :) God luck with the bikes :)

Thanks :)
Yeah, Krangnes - i guess you are from Trondheim or nearby since you recognize the shop?

Yes.. 20 mil nord for Trondheim:) Namsos..
1977 CB 750 SS Cafe
1977 CB 750 Basket case
1971 Mustang Grande
1928 Model A Pheathon Hot Rod
1977 Harley Custom FXE

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=70333.0

Offline SixGun

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Re: Project "Cafètracker"
« Reply #18 on: January 19, 2011, 11:31:12 am »
...your only some 70km away then  ;D  Im just north of Oslo..

Just ordered some new Firestone tires today  :)

Offline Syscrush

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Re: Project "Cafètracker"
« Reply #19 on: January 19, 2011, 12:10:14 pm »
Just ordered some new Firestone tires today  :)
Those things look so awesome, I might go that way despite the prevalent criticism of their performance.
Life is precious: wear your f'n helmet!
There's nothing more expensive than a free bike...
FWIW, I'm not a shill for Race Tech - I've just got a thing for good suspension and the RTCE's are the most cost-effective mod for these old damping rod front ends.

Offline Raef

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Re: Project "Cafètracker"
« Reply #20 on: January 19, 2011, 01:12:38 pm »
Don't sweat cutting one up it just makes the 10 million or so left worth about .02 more.

One of my projects started out a orginal 74 550 k with 8000 miles on it, I gave the side covers and headlight assembly away ;D

Offline SixGun

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Re: Project "Cafètracker"
« Reply #21 on: January 21, 2011, 05:30:04 am »
More parts ordered...
Although i wasnt planning for a cafe seat on the brown bike, i might want to use it on the blue.
Was going to order clipons anyway (hope they are good), so i got the seat at the same time.

From Roc city cafe:


Offline SixGun

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Re: Project "Cafètracker"
« Reply #22 on: January 22, 2011, 03:39:55 am »
Im really in love with this tank and i've saved it for a special build... how about i put it on a "brat" cb ;-)

Offline strynboen

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Re: Project "Cafètracker"
« Reply #23 on: January 22, 2011, 04:00:35 am »
looks like there is inof of high for frame tube in front of that tank..must go right on..if you can get it low inof to hit the seat,,on back..anywat kut and weld can alvays do it.
i kan not speak english/but trying!!
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=60973.0
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i hate all this v-w.... vords

Offline lordmember1969

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Re: Project "Cafètracker"
« Reply #24 on: January 22, 2011, 04:04:40 am »
Im really in love with this tank and i've saved it for a special build... how about i put it on a "brat" cb ;-)


Nice tank:) I would keep it like that:) Paint an all :)
1977 CB 750 SS Cafe
1977 CB 750 Basket case
1971 Mustang Grande
1928 Model A Pheathon Hot Rod
1977 Harley Custom FXE

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=70333.0