Author Topic: 79 CB650 Cafe with modern upgrades  (Read 28991 times)

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Offline 65Ch3v3LL3

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Re: 79 CB650 Cafe with modern upgrades
« Reply #25 on: May 19, 2012, 11:17:57 pm »
Well its been a while since I've updated but while in Afghan there isn't much I can get done unfortunately. When I was home in March I had to work on my mancave and I'm still not done with that. I did get my compressor and well wired up. Next trip I just need to get my welders all wired up and I should be able to move forward with the fabrication side.

I did get my MicroSquirt ECU in the mail. I've got it with me in Afghan so I can bench test some things. I need to get the PWM IAC signals converted to run my IACV which has a stepper motor. I have a board configured to do it I just need to get the code written and test it. Hopefully I will get that done soon.

My buddy Ron that does the head work for Star sent me this pic the other day. My head is back after having the 750 sleeves machined to fit and bored to 65mm. Also in the shot is the Wiseco pistons we will be using. The gasket in the background came with the pistons so its for a 750 and won't be used.



As for head work he is going to port the head and install larger valves. Stock was intake 31.5 mm and exhaust 26mm. He is going to custom make some valves from blanks and increase the size to 32.5 mm intake and 28.5 mm on the exhaust. Apparently that is the largest you can go on the stock seats.

So that's all for now. Updates will be slow but hopefully when I'm home in October I can get a few things together. I did get a chance to lay the stock front end next to the 600rr front end and just eyeballing it the steering stems appear to be the same length. I know the bearing sizes are the same so I think its going to be a direct drop in for the front. Working on the trail numbers it seems that if I want a quick turning bike I'm going to have to machine some triple trees. I don't have the figures in front of me right now but I was going to end up with somewhere around 5" of trail which would be fine for a cruiser but not what I'm going for. With a little more offset on the triples I can get the 4" of trail that I will need.
1979 CB650
2011 Harley Road King
2008 Harley V-Rod VRSC DX
2012 Sierra Denali 2500HD
1965 Chevelle Malibu SS
1922 Ford T-Model

Offline Retro Rocket

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Re: 79 CB650 Cafe with modern upgrades
« Reply #26 on: May 19, 2012, 11:46:48 pm »
Stay safe Chevelle.... ;)
750 K2 1000cc
750 F1 970cc
750 Bitsa 900cc
If You can't fix it with a hammer, You've got an electrical problem.

Offline sinister902

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Re: 79 CB650 Cafe with modern upgrades
« Reply #27 on: July 13, 2012, 07:49:28 am »
sounds like you have an awesome machinist, and I'm doing the exact same build.........wonder if it's cost effective to ship down my parts for machining since he'll now have experience from doing yours...... could you possibly PM me what his pricing is/was for getting the 750 liners into the 650 cylinder case, the piston shoulder modifications, and oversized valves/port work on the head?

:) :)

Offline Syscrush

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Re: 79 CB650 Cafe with modern upgrades
« Reply #28 on: July 13, 2012, 11:02:38 am »
Wow.

Watching with interest.  Count me among those who are lusting after those hubs - I am surprised that the hub alone is heavier than a whole RR wheel, though!
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 Retro Rocket

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Re: 79 CB650 Cafe with modern upgrades
« Reply #29 on: July 13, 2012, 05:00:27 pm »
Gday Chevelle, hope all is well in Afghanistan, just getting some 2003 GSXR 600 throttle bodies sorted out {modded to suit the 750}, should have them {if all goes well} in a month or so..
When do you get back home mate..?

750 K2 1000cc
750 F1 970cc
750 Bitsa 900cc
If You can't fix it with a hammer, You've got an electrical problem.

Offline Flying J

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Re: 79 CB650 Cafe with modern upgrades
« Reply #30 on: July 13, 2012, 06:08:17 pm »
Interesting build. Subscribed

Offline 65Ch3v3LL3

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Re: 79 CB650 Cafe with modern upgrades
« Reply #31 on: July 13, 2012, 07:43:00 pm »
Gday Chevelle, hope all is well in Afghanistan, just getting some 2003 GSXR 600 throttle bodies sorted out {modded to suit the 750}, should have them {if all goes well} in a month or so..
When do you get back home mate..?

I won't be home for vacation until October. As for coming home for good.... I have no idea. If it doesn't get too dangerous during the draw down of troops then I'll probably stay another year or two.
1979 CB650
2011 Harley Road King
2008 Harley V-Rod VRSC DX
2012 Sierra Denali 2500HD
1965 Chevelle Malibu SS
1922 Ford T-Model

Offline Retro Rocket

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Re: 79 CB650 Cafe with modern upgrades
« Reply #32 on: July 13, 2012, 09:54:59 pm »
Gday Chevelle, hope all is well in Afghanistan, just getting some 2003 GSXR 600 throttle bodies sorted out {modded to suit the 750}, should have them {if all goes well} in a month or so..
When do you get back home mate..?

I won't be home for vacation until October. As for coming home for good.... I have no idea. If it doesn't get too dangerous during the draw down of troops then I'll probably stay another year or two.

Stay safe...
750 K2 1000cc
750 F1 970cc
750 Bitsa 900cc
If You can't fix it with a hammer, You've got an electrical problem.

Offline JimJamerino

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Re: 79 CB650 Cafe with modern upgrades
« Reply #33 on: July 13, 2012, 10:26:11 pm »
Way cool description of the build!  When I'm done with my wife's bike, I'll start working on my chopped cb650.  I'd love to do a big bore mod in it, so if you have any information and/or pics on how you did it, I'd really appreciate the input.  I've read through Paulages description, but considering that I know jack-all about machining, all available information is useful to me.

Stay safe over there, and come back soon with more pics of this build!
~ Jim

formerly "emperorspartacus"

There are old bikers.  There are dumb bikers.  There are no old, dumb bikers.

My CB650C rebuild http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=74212.0

Offline 65Ch3v3LL3

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Re: 79 CB650 Cafe with modern upgrades
« Reply #34 on: July 14, 2012, 01:34:07 am »
Thanks for the support guys. I started this just before I got an offer to come back overseas to work so I got the ball rolling but then headed out. It's killing me to not be at home working on it though. As I make progress I will make sure to document every bit of it especially the EFI side portion. Whatever parts I make for the EFI conversion will also be available if anyone decides to duplicate my build.

Oh and I wanted to add that the 80hp goal I have for the engine was based on trying to match the power to weight ratio on my VROD. I'm happy with that performance level so 80hp should get me in the ball park. It will probably end up producing more than that but I won't mind LOL.
« Last Edit: July 14, 2012, 01:36:53 am by 65Ch3v3LL3 »
1979 CB650
2011 Harley Road King
2008 Harley V-Rod VRSC DX
2012 Sierra Denali 2500HD
1965 Chevelle Malibu SS
1922 Ford T-Model

Offline 65Ch3v3LL3

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Re: 79 CB650 Cafe with modern upgrades
« Reply #35 on: October 18, 2012, 07:49:00 am »
Well I made it home from Afghan for a short vacation but haven't had much time to work on the 650. I do however have some nice shots of the head work that is being done. Valve guides still need to be installed and the valves haven't been made yet. Also the chambers are going to be opened up for the larger pistons and the head needs to be surfaced. We are shooting for a 11.1 CR. My head guy thinks we are going to be in the 100hp range. Much more than I expected. I can't wait to get it on a dyno and see.


Exhaust port stock


Exhaust port opened up


Intake ports opened up with adapter rings epoxied on




Re-ground cam with more lift and duration


65mm bore CB750 sleeves installed


New pistons


600RR throttle bodies mounted to head





« Last Edit: October 18, 2012, 08:24:46 am by 65Ch3v3LL3 »
1979 CB650
2011 Harley Road King
2008 Harley V-Rod VRSC DX
2012 Sierra Denali 2500HD
1965 Chevelle Malibu SS
1922 Ford T-Model

Offline apetersonboy

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Re: 79 CB650 Cafe with modern upgrades
« Reply #36 on: October 18, 2012, 09:15:14 am »
Holy cow dude. Don't even know what those throttle body things are but it looks pretty impressive!

Offline Syscrush

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Re: 79 CB650 Cafe with modern upgrades
« Reply #37 on: October 18, 2012, 11:13:21 am »
Awesome.
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 Retro Rocket

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Re: 79 CB650 Cafe with modern upgrades
« Reply #38 on: October 18, 2012, 03:01:07 pm »
Looking good Chevelle.... ;)
750 K2 1000cc
750 F1 970cc
750 Bitsa 900cc
If You can't fix it with a hammer, You've got an electrical problem.

Offline HonderCB

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Re: 79 CB650 Cafe with modern upgrades
« Reply #39 on: October 18, 2012, 04:28:30 pm »
you need to get home for good so you can finish this thing up, its going to be SWEEEEEEET
-Scott, just a F'er from Illinois-

77' CB750F
81' CB650C - SOLD

Offline 65Ch3v3LL3

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Re: 79 CB650 Cafe with modern upgrades
« Reply #40 on: October 18, 2012, 04:37:53 pm »
Thanks guys. I know it is going slow but it is making progress. I promise it won't be left undone. I've got too much money in parts at this point. The engine work is not cheap but I like the challenges it presents.
1979 CB650
2011 Harley Road King
2008 Harley V-Rod VRSC DX
2012 Sierra Denali 2500HD
1965 Chevelle Malibu SS
1922 Ford T-Model

Offline sinister902

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Re: 79 CB650 Cafe with modern upgrades
« Reply #41 on: October 19, 2012, 12:57:21 pm »
I can't beleive the TB's spacing is THAT PERFECT for the 650 head. I'm stoked on this build, I really want to do similar mods to my 650/836kit hybrid motor....my goal was always to try to break 100hp with it, I hope you set the bar!

Offline 65Ch3v3LL3

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Re: 79 CB650 Cafe with modern upgrades
« Reply #42 on: October 28, 2012, 08:11:51 am »
The throttle bodies are pretty close. They are 1 or 2 mm off from the 650 spacing but the rubber boots allow for that much difference as you can see in the pics. The spacing in the middle is wider than the 600RR throttle bodies but its easy to make the spacers for it. So far its coming together really well. I'm pleased to say the least.
1979 CB650
2011 Harley Road King
2008 Harley V-Rod VRSC DX
2012 Sierra Denali 2500HD
1965 Chevelle Malibu SS
1922 Ford T-Model

Offline redbarchetta

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Re: 79 CB650 Cafe with modern upgrades
« Reply #43 on: March 12, 2013, 01:26:15 pm »
bump for updates

Offline Tews19

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Re: 79 CB650 Cafe with modern upgrades
« Reply #44 on: June 24, 2013, 08:48:19 pm »
Bump
1969 Honda CB750... Basket case
1970 Honda CB750 survivor.

Offline 65Ch3v3LL3

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Re: 79 CB650 Cafe with modern upgrades
« Reply #45 on: June 27, 2013, 05:51:21 am »
I'm still in Afghanistan guys so there is nothing to report. The project is still alive though. I should be leaving here for good in August. I still need to get my new shop setup so I can start getting the frame setup but there will be some progress once I get home.
1979 CB650
2011 Harley Road King
2008 Harley V-Rod VRSC DX
2012 Sierra Denali 2500HD
1965 Chevelle Malibu SS
1922 Ford T-Model

Offline HonderCB

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Re: 79 CB650 Cafe with modern upgrades
« Reply #46 on: July 15, 2013, 07:01:28 pm »
good to hear, get home safe.
-Scott, just a F'er from Illinois-

77' CB750F
81' CB650C - SOLD

Offline jpfrk2001

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Re: 79 CB650 Cafe with modern upgrades
« Reply #47 on: July 16, 2013, 06:19:16 pm »
Now this is the type of stuff I like to read about!! Definatly got me thinking of doing late model EFI on my 1978 CB750 for sure. Looking forward on how you do fuel delivery and engine managment. Im thinking of the basic MAP sensor, Oxygen sensor, Water temp. you doing a IAC? Basically, what basic sensors you plan on using to control the fuel management process of the motor?

I love this Stuff!!! You really got my mind thinking of endless possibilities with modern EFI use.

Love the out of the box stuff.
I do tasks the most difficult way. My life is interesting.

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2009 Ducati Monster 1100
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Offline Kemp

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Re: 79 CB650 Cafe with modern upgrades
« Reply #48 on: July 17, 2013, 07:08:37 am »
What are you using for pistons in the 65mm bore, are they stock Honda CB750?

Offline FunJimmy

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Re: 79 CB650 Cafe with modern upgrades
« Reply #49 on: July 17, 2013, 09:31:28 am »
Subscribed!
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