Author Topic: 74 CB550 Cafe le'Indiana (Read 15489 times)

wedoo2 · « **Reply #75 on:** February 07, 2012, 12:07:55 PM »

Thanks guys. I don't think that the wood will be a problem. For one, I doubt I'll ride too much in the rain. And secondly, I will probably sell this when I'm done so I can have something else to work on. We'll see. The wood is pretty easy to cut and stain anyway.

This is how it might look. Maybe stripes right down the middle? Poor photoshopping, but you get the idea.

Tews19 · « **Reply #76 on:** February 07, 2012, 12:19:21 PM »

Cover the wood up or paint black. IMO it just doesn't fit.

wedoo2 · « **Reply #77 on:** February 07, 2012, 02:54:16 PM »

Hadn't considered painting the wood. Will think about it.

Mcwilliams570 · « **Reply #78 on:** February 07, 2012, 05:40:18 PM »

I like the wood is different but not sure it will go with your build with the colors and stripes you want to do. I think what Tews said would work paint it or cover it..one idea can lead into another beer or two

hapakev · « **Reply #79 on:** February 07, 2012, 10:04:21 PM »

I say upholster the wood, for a bum stop.

wedoo2 · « **Reply #80 on:** February 08, 2012, 05:10:34 AM »

OK, do you like the strap? I thought that it would raise more eyebrows. Never mind the color for now.

Tews19 · « **Reply #81 on:** February 08, 2012, 06:03:49 AM »

Strap has got to go. If you are welding why not weld a piece of sheet metal in place of the wood? Or somehow make the wood part be a trap door for a compartment.

Cheffish · « **Reply #82 on:** February 08, 2012, 08:05:09 AM »

Quote from: Tews19 on February 08, 2012, 06:03:49 AM

Strap has got to go. If you are welding why not weld a piece of sheet metal in place of the wood? Or somehow make the wood part be a trap door for a compartment.

A little glove box would be awesome. And definitely upholster the wood. What's that strap for anyway?

wedoo2 · « **Reply #83 on:** February 09, 2012, 05:04:57 AM »

I kind of thought that the strap would be questioned. I did see a couple of bikes in the Inspiration thread with something similar and that is where the idea came from. It does look kind of cool in person, kind of a retro look. Now, whether I can pull that off remains to be seen. If I can get the transition from wood to metal around the half moon top seamless, then it will go. I still intend to go with the wood, only because it is different. Pretty easy to change if it turns out cheesy. Slap a pad over it.

I like the idea of a little glove compartment, but not sure how to do it. Brain cells now burning.

Thanks for the input. Tews, your build is almost a mirror of mine. Your blue is very close to my frame, although mine is more of a satin finish.

Cheffish · « **Reply #84 on:** February 09, 2012, 09:08:48 AM »

You'd have to weld a tray in the tail like others do to hide the electrics. Then you hinge the wood on that tray. And voila! You have a little trap door that you can stow things in.

Flying J · « **Reply #85 on:** February 09, 2012, 09:30:57 AM »

Stick with the look of that BMW as your inspiration and you will have a fine looking bike. Keep it up.

wedoo2 · « **Reply #86 on:** February 11, 2012, 09:08:11 AM »

Thought I would do a mock up this morning. Coming along.

A couple of things I might mention. First of all, even though I am putting some cafe design touches to the bike, I have not altered anything on the motorcycle; haven't cut it up, unless you count cutting up a seat that was crappy. I still have the old parts (unless someone wants something bad). So some future owner will be able to put the bike back to stock if they so desire.

Also, I doubt that I will ever be able to ride the thing with the handlebars that are on there now. Good lord, how do you guys do that? I have a V-Star 1100 that is like a recliner.

The bike is going to get a fairing. The naked cafe bikes are okay, but I think they need a fairing to complete the look.

What you think so far?

Mcwilliams570 · « **Reply #87 on:** February 11, 2012, 09:39:11 AM »

Looks good I like the blue frame it really jumps out..

Matt

Tews19 · « **Reply #88 on:** February 11, 2012, 02:39:30 PM »

Looks very good. Great job on the hubs

wedoo2 · « **Reply #89 on:** February 11, 2012, 07:49:51 PM »

Thanks guys. Got a fairing today from a salvage guy in the area, Good rectifier and a cool fairing for $40. Not bad. I have tried this evening to thread my wiring through these clubman handlebars, It has a 90 degree bend. I've already cut the holes, so I'm going to do it that way if it kills me.

Tews19 · « **Reply #90 on:** February 11, 2012, 07:56:12 PM »

Quote from: wedoo2 on February 11, 2012, 07:49:51 PM

Thanks guys. Got a fairing today from a salvage guy in the area, Good rectifier and a cool fairing for $40. Not bad. I have tried this evening to thread my wiring through these clubman handlebars, It has a 90 degree bend. I've already cut the holes, so I'm going to do it that way if it kills me.

Pics of fairing or it didnt happen!

Flying J · « **Reply #91 on:** February 11, 2012, 09:30:37 PM »

There are many different ways to pull wires. I do it on all my clubmans. One thing that helps get things started is a piece of string and a vacuum.

hapakev · « **Reply #92 on:** February 11, 2012, 11:03:59 PM »

Spoken like a true Electrician!

dagersh · « **Reply #93 on:** February 12, 2012, 11:44:23 AM »

Vacuum - That is brilliant! Never thought of that, and I will use it!

wedoo2 · « **Reply #94 on:** February 13, 2012, 04:59:52 AM »

I was not prepared to loose my religion so I just ground out a channel and the wires just tunnel under both of the switch deals and out the other side. The hole is hidden and, with the short bars, hardly any wire shows. After all they were $25.

I got to the point I was using Climax Personal Lubricant to help things along. Suffice to say a little goes a long way and I still couldn't make that 90 degree bend. I would love to see something slicker than that stuff.

I call bullshiat on the in-the-bar-wiring idea. Next problem.

Scott S · « **Reply #95 on:** February 13, 2012, 05:08:34 AM »

Why do you have the bars tilted up so much?

wedoo2 · « **Reply #96 on:** February 13, 2012, 12:57:44 PM »

Pretty close to normal now. I just had it kind of sitting in there.

wedoo2 · « **Reply #97 on:** February 19, 2012, 06:12:13 AM »

I took a phone picture this morning with the stuff painted and pin striped. I have since removed the tank stripes because they were too vertical. I know that I cut the front fender too short too. But, it is what it is.

Seat, carburetors, brake, wiring tuck, decals, pipes, grips, gauges (I'm getting there hoodellyhoo) and whatever else.

Flying J · « **Reply #98 on:** February 19, 2012, 02:29:38 PM »

I wouldn't say the fender is to short, it is just to square. The front edge needs to be rounded like a normal fender.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #99 on:** February 19, 2012, 02:33:03 PM »

Quote from: ffJMoore on February 19, 2012, 02:29:38 PM

I wouldn't say the fender is to short, it is just to square. The front edge needs to be rounded like a normal fender.

I would also lower the fairing as well, IMO it is sitting far too high....

News:

Author Topic: 74 CB550 Cafe le'Indiana (Read 15489 times)