Author Topic: New Member with First "Cafe" build from Chicago!  (Read 10461 times)

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Offline Snakebyte

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New Member with First "Cafe" build from Chicago!
« on: April 19, 2013, 10:11:38 am »
Hey Members!

My name is Robert and I currently work for THMotorsports, we are a leader of aftermarket car parts. I have been into the bike scene for quite some time. However, only until last November, I have never built or owned a bike older then 2006 or even remotely thought about building a "cafe" style bike. Most of the bikes I have owned have been race bikes, one off choppers and import rockets. I have been drag racing now for only 2 years and thats when I realized my passion is motorcycles and not cars. I have owned 26 cars, 8 motorcycles excluding the CB750 and have always been a big gear head. Might I add I am only 24. However, I have never been to happy building and working on cars. Once I started getting heavily into motorcycles, then I realized it was my true passion. About 5 months ago, my friend had this Honda CB750 that was sitting in his garage since 1981! The bike only has 12K miles on it with the original tires and not even dry rotted! Well, he said he was going to sell the CB750, I did some research and seen the potential it could be so i offered him 800 bucks and he took the deal. Thats when the project began, this has been a 5 month journey and I was only expecting to change the seat, bars and tires and to ride it. Well, that all changed once I started taking things apart.

Sorry for the lack of quality photos, most are taken from my iphone. First, here are a few bikes I have owned in the past 3 years .

Offline Snakebyte

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Re: New Member with First "Cafe" build from Chicago!
« Reply #1 on: April 19, 2013, 10:21:43 am »
My last "Bar Hopper" Revtech 110CI, 300 tire, 3 Inch BDL open primary, Springer Front end etc.







My 2 DRZ400SM's "Supermoto" 2 of the funnest bikes I have ever owned







My previous rocket 2004 gsxr 1000, custom paint, stretched, exhaust and race cams.






My Current Race bike, +2/+3 motor, Race cut trans,14:7.1 Compression and makes 219WHP on Motors and will be dyno'd soon for Nitrous.







« Last Edit: April 19, 2013, 11:12:00 am by Snakebyte »

Offline Frankensteins Bride

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Re: New Member with First "Cafe" build from Chicago!
« Reply #2 on: April 19, 2013, 10:32:20 am »
Very nice bikes. Can't wait to see your 750! :)
Working on: 78 Cb750k
Waiting for arrival: 73 Cb750

Frankensteins Wolf

Offline Snakebyte

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Re: New Member with First "Cafe" build from Chicago!
« Reply #3 on: April 19, 2013, 10:36:23 am »
And now onto the CB!!

How it looked when I got it, some parts were already in the garbage. (Excuse the messy garage)



I really wanted to replicate this bike until I found out the insane price of the tank and seat section.




I had a set of Renthal bars I slapped on immediately and started ripping it apart, the bike ran perfectly so I knew the motor would not need to torn down since it had perfect compression and leak down.




I then dished out over 1200 on new parts with the guys over at Dime City and purchased everything new.

Redid the fork seals, new progressive fork springs, new dust boots, caliper rebuild, new Honda Hard brake line and brand new Stainless Steel braided brake lines that are also teflon coated.



New Bar controls, new cables, new Master cyl, grips, bar end mirrors






Offline Snakebyte

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Re: New Member with First "Cafe" build from Chicago!
« Reply #4 on: April 19, 2013, 10:42:05 am »
I then scored a AMAZING deal on a Honda gas tank, no tank rust, fresh Black Magic Pearl paint, new Joker gas cap shipped to me for 225 (he was asking a reserve of 350) on ebay!








When it arrived to me





I then purchased a Thurxton seat and cushion which will be wrapped in leather to give it a sleek look. The seat is being painted as we speak to match the tank and will have a nice silver set of 3 pin stripes running down the back, cant beat a free paint job from my Fiances husband who has been painting for 30 years





Offline Scott S

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Re: New Member with First "Cafe" build from Chicago!
« Reply #5 on: April 19, 2013, 10:50:56 am »
 Your finances husband?!

 I liked what you started with. I'd have slapped on the Renthals or superbike bars and ridden off!
'71 CB500 K0
'17 Triumph Street Scrambler
'81 Yamaha XS650

Offline Snakebyte

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Re: New Member with First "Cafe" build from Chicago!
« Reply #6 on: April 19, 2013, 10:52:32 am »
I even purchased the "Cafe Seat Install kit" from DCC and had it mocked up with a new headlight, HID lighting, new headlight brackets etc. I started to mock it all up before I had to send it to be painted. I had to make my own tank bracket since the original one was 2 inches off, not bad for my first time welding.






I then mocked everything together to get a feel for it, I need to get the seat back to see how much room I have to mount my electronics in the "Tail Section" and here it how it looked mocked up.









I then took it all apart to paint the frame from all the tabs I have cut off etc. I then decided to strip the frame and use High Temp paint on the frame to give it a shiney powder coated look.



Then I decided to wrap the headers since they were very rusted and pitted, the exhaust is a Hooker Exhaust with a Harley exhaust pipe that I welded on.




I then decided, well I have everything apart, I might as well paint he motor. I originally wanted to polish the valve covers and side covers until i read that the motor has to come out to remove the valve cover. That idea went out the window and I started looking for painted cb motor pictures and found something I liked so I painted the motor and covers.

This was the motor I wanted to replicate



So I gave it my best, high temp paint of course.





I then put the exhaust onto the bike and mocked a few parts back together to see how it would look. Dont mind the pod filter





Now I am just waiting to send my carbs to Ken over at Cycle X to have them rebuilt and polished, rear tail hoop, and to figure out how to wire the damn handle bar switch for the starter.



Offline Snakebyte

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Re: New Member with First "Cafe" build from Chicago!
« Reply #7 on: April 19, 2013, 10:53:58 am »
Your finances husband?!

 I liked what you started with. I'd have slapped on the Renthals or superbike bars and ridden off!


Fiances Father****** wow! That would have been a interesting one to say the least...I wanted to do clip on bars but only being 5'6 I like the feel of the dirt bike bars better.

Offline Snakebyte

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Re: New Member with First "Cafe" build from Chicago!
« Reply #8 on: April 19, 2013, 11:02:23 am »
I also wanted something really cool for an oil tank, since I didnt want to pay a arm and a leg for a oil tank to be made, I decided to call one of my vendors to get some crazy deals. I ended up going with 3 Moroso(1qt each) " Breather tanks" that will be used as 1 oil tank, each tank will feed into 1 line for the feed and will be staggered Here are the tanks I am using.



Also the headlight brackets I am using



And the Starter switch that has me stumped on wiring.


Offline Stilltime

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Re: New Member with First "Cafe" build from Chicago!
« Reply #9 on: April 19, 2013, 11:24:12 am »
Great progress, bike is taking shape quick!  After seeing your pics of previous bikes I am look forward to see how this build ends up.  Keep it up!
'78 CB550 - Orange Crush

Offline Snakebyte

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Re: New Member with First "Cafe" build from Chicago!
« Reply #10 on: April 20, 2013, 09:09:41 am »
Small update, the current shocks on the bike are beyond bad so I decided to give these a try. For the price I paid, if they suck then oh well. I really like the look but I am not expecting an Ohlins type ride.


Offline chris mcshifty

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Re: New Member with First "Cafe" build from Chicago!
« Reply #11 on: April 20, 2013, 11:35:17 am »
Very nice build. A lot more progress than where I'm at. When your done tell me how the shocks feel

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: New Member with First "Cafe" build from Chicago!
« Reply #12 on: April 20, 2013, 02:59:57 pm »
Small update, the current shocks on the bike are beyond bad so I decided to give these a try. For the price I paid, if they suck then oh well. I really like the look but I am not expecting an Ohlins type ride.


Hopefully, you got the ones with the clevis mounts on the bottom.
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them — but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one.... Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba." Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature, Cycle World, March 1995.  (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html and https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/3/1/song-of-the-sausage-creature)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline Snakebyte

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Re: New Member with First "Cafe" build from Chicago!
« Reply #13 on: April 20, 2013, 03:49:23 pm »
The clivis came separately just my mounted in the picture.

Offline Snakebyte

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Re: New Member with First "Cafe" build from Chicago!
« Reply #14 on: April 22, 2013, 07:30:05 pm »
Small update, got my oil tank set up mocked up, its a rough mock up so I can fabricate a bracket.

This is all that came in today, Some heat wrap since I ran 2 feet short, the Moroso cans, and some T bolt clamps for the intake and carbs



Then yesterday we went to pick up a buddies new .40 S&W toy...



Then I just mocked up the tanks, the breathers are being replaced with actual caps and the breathers will be up back on for aesthetics







Also over the weekend, we were working on a buddies 550 and we mounted his new bars while he wasnt home.




Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: New Member with First "Cafe" build from Chicago!
« Reply #15 on: April 22, 2013, 10:09:16 pm »
I'm sure he's going to love his new bars!!   :o
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them — but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one.... Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba." Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature, Cycle World, March 1995.  (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html and https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/3/1/song-of-the-sausage-creature)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline Snakebyte

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Re: New Member with First "Cafe" build from Chicago!
« Reply #16 on: April 23, 2013, 06:06:36 am »
Im sure he will, compliments of a IS300 Lexus Lol ;)

Offline Roach Carver

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Re: New Member with First "Cafe" build from Chicago!
« Reply #17 on: April 23, 2013, 11:01:35 am »
looks like a sway bar

Offline cabrala

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Re: New Member with First "Cafe" build from Chicago!
« Reply #18 on: April 23, 2013, 11:16:57 am »
You happen to keep any of the stock parts? Particularly the stock seat and chrome trim along the seat and rear cowl?

The bike(s) look sick, too. I'm liking what you're trying to make of the bike; definitely keep giving it your own twist and personality.
-Alex

'75 CB750F
'77 CB550K
'78 CB550
'93 FZR600

Need a better, newer points cover gasket? How about rubber washers for the headlight bucket? Click the link below:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=122308.0

Offline Toxic

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Re: New Member with First "Cafe" build from Chicago!
« Reply #19 on: April 23, 2013, 11:26:52 am »
Please explain how the oil flow is going to work on those canisters?  How are they connected?

That is the sharpest looking oil tank I have seen in awhile.

Good job of thinking outside the box

Online Bankerdanny

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Re: New Member with First "Cafe" build from Chicago!
« Reply #20 on: April 23, 2013, 01:14:02 pm »
The oil cans are an interesting mod. I look forward to seeing how they work.

A word of warning, after what you are used to that 750 is going to feel VERY slow. When you get out for the first ride don't let the low power (compared to your other bikes) make you think something is wrong.
"The problem with quotes on the Internet is that you never know if they're true" - Abraham Lincoln

Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200

Offline andy750

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Re: New Member with First "Cafe" build from Chicago!
« Reply #21 on: April 23, 2013, 02:05:45 pm »
If you still have the original tank and seat shown in the pic of how the bike was before Id buy them...let me know please.

Thanks
Andy
Current bikes
1. CB750K4: Long distance bike, 17 countries and counting...2001 - Trans-USA-Mexico, 2003 - European Tour, 2004 - SOHC Easy Rider Trip , 2008 - Adirondack Tour 2-up , 2013 - Tail of the Dragon Tour , 2017: 836 kit install and bottom end rebuild. And rebirth: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,173213.msg2029836.html#msg2029836
2. CB750/810cc K2  - road racer with JMR worked head 71 hp
3. Yamaha Tenere T700 2022

Where did you go on your bike today? - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=45183.2350

Offline Snakebyte

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Re: New Member with First "Cafe" build from Chicago!
« Reply #22 on: April 23, 2013, 08:29:40 pm »
Few questions to answer, for the Oil tank, here is general horrible picture of how they will work. The tanks are hollow and just have fittings on the side and on the bottom. The 3 will be connected on the bottom via a 1 inch aluminum tube with 3 fittings on top, the return will be routed to the last container. The top red section will have all 3 connected as well.



As for the stock parts, 99% of them are sold and yes, that is a factory Sway bar that I replaced with a Hotchkis set up. As far as feeling slow, Im not worried since the bar hopper was a cruiser with just torque and the DRZ400SM would not do much over 110. The main reason I am building this bike is to simply be my daily driver so to speak. My Trailblazer SS is not the most fuel efficient and the race bike only runs on Q16 fuel.
« Last Edit: April 24, 2013, 06:05:17 am by Snakebyte »

Online Bankerdanny

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Re: New Member with First "Cafe" build from Chicago!
« Reply #23 on: April 24, 2013, 01:21:18 pm »
Well the bike should make for an excellent commuter. They do well in the cut and thrust of traffic and get good mileage too. If you spend lots of time in stop and go I would install an oil cooler though. I can tell you from experience with my 550 stuck on Lake Shore Drive in a huge jam that overheating can be a problem.
"The problem with quotes on the Internet is that you never know if they're true" - Abraham Lincoln

Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200

Offline Snakebyte

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Re: New Member with First "Cafe" build from Chicago!
« Reply #24 on: April 24, 2013, 03:41:22 pm »
I have thought about that as well, once I finish that tanks etc, I will mock up a oil cooler system. I would like to make my own with parts from my last gsxr or even a kit from Cycle X