Topic: 1977 CB750K Cafe Racer Project - $$ Can't Take It With You

[BRAD CHIEDUCH]

Hi All,

Last year I finished a V-twin project (hope the picture doesn't get me booted from the forum) and now I've turned my attention to this cafe racer project.  I've never worked on these bikes before so I thought I would post my progress here and lean on you guys for a little support - I've learned from experience not getting it right the first time can get costly.

So I picked up the bike about a year ago as a runner but it needed some TLC.  I've stripped the bike down, tore the engine apart, and am now getting into assembly.  I've cleaned up the frame and upgraded the swingarm to a Cr-Mo unit from Denis at CMR.  I picked up the Supersport tank on ebay which had a few pinholes that needed fixing and then I modified the filler to a popup cap - I always thought the Honda flipup cover was always a bit of an eye sore.  The seat and tail was done by Ian Halcott.

I had the engine vapor blasted by Rocket Performance in Ontario and then polished the engine cases to a satin finish.  Crank machining and balancing was done by APE.  The engine was punched out to 915cc by CycleX and head porting/polishing was done by JMR.

I picked up a set of GSXR forks from a wrecker and will be installing with the conversion kit from Cognito Moto.  I am also installing 18" Sun Rims with a rear disc conversion from Cognito Moto.

That's kind of where I am at with this project and my schedule is kind of dictated by time and money - there is never enough of either.

I will continue to post my progress and I greatly appreciate your comments and questions.

[slikwilli420]

Wow I really like what is going on with the frame and tank. Can you detail more about your frame bracing efforts as well as the CMR swinger?

[Jnel]

Nice. Was that an F tank?

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[Jnel]

What are yoir plans for an oil tank and electronics

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[Jnel]

Looks great.

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[BRAD CHIEDUCH]

The stock swingarm was sent to CMR and they used it to jig up the new Cr-Mo swingarm - it uses a Cr-Mo center bolt and axle as well as tapered roller bearings versus bushings.  The new swingarm is dimensionally the same as the stocker (just beefier).

As for the frame bracing, I just borrowed from what I have seen done previously by other forum members.  I can't say that I did the math to determine how stresses have changed or how rigidity is improved.  Attached are pictures where I have added the bracing as well as a mount for an oil cooler from a Triumph Trident.  The bracing is just tacked in place for now in case I have to make changes as things develop.

[BRAD CHIEDUCH]

What are yoir plans for an oil tank and electronics

I have an oil tank coming from the boys at Cognito Moto which mounts at the rear of the seat triangle.  I am also going to install an electronics tray under the seat.

[BRAD CHIEDUCH]

Nice. Was that an F tank?

It is an "F" tank - paid a handsome price for it on ebay.  I love the lines on the tank versus the old "K" model.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Those are some quality parts.  I can vouch for the CMR swingarm (I have one) and Ian's (one of my friends, who's made me a few parts, too) seat.  The bracing looks great too.

[BRAD CHIEDUCH]

Those are some quality parts.  I can vouch for the CMR swingarm (I have one) and Ian's (one of my friends, who's made me a few parts, too) seat.  The bracing looks great too.

Thanks for the kind words.  I agree the CMR swinger is top-notch.  As for Ian, he's a great guy - I really enjoyed working with him and he does fantastic work!

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Those are some quality parts.  I can vouch for the CMR swingarm (I have one) and Ian's (one of my friends, who's made me a few parts, too) seat.  The bracing looks great too.

Thanks for the kind words.  I agree the CMR swinger is top-notch.  As for Ian, he's a great guy - I really enjoyed working with him and he does fantastic work!

I'm a little biased since he's a close friend, but I think he does great work.

Denis is also a great guy to work with.

[slikwilli420]

What did the swing arm set you back? I am looking at something like that for my racer.

[Camrector]

I have the same CMR swing arm for my "592". Denis is a pro.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

For my 550 project (with CMR tank and Halcott seat):

image_zpsbghlukp2 by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

[BRAD CHIEDUCH]

What did the swing arm set you back? I am looking at something like that for my racer.

Willi, the swingarm was pricey - around $1400 CAD.  However, you will be hard pressed to find anything comparable as it is a solid race component.  Since this was a one-of unit I'm sure part of the cost was to set up a jig etc.  There's not many options out there for aftermarket swingarms and you get what you pay for.  Give Denis at CMR a call if you are interested, he's very nice and really knows his stuff! 

[BRAD CHIEDUCH]

Don, love the 550 project.  BTW it was your work on your CB750 resto-mod that prompted me to look up Ian.  He is a master on the sheet metal for sure!  Next time you see him, tell him Brad in Edmonton says hello.

[MRieck]

 I'd like to add that Brad is a great fella to work too. 

[BRAD CHIEDUCH]

I'd like to add that Brad is a great fella to work too. 

Likewise  Mike - it's always a pleasure to work with you.  Plus, your knowledge and quality of work is well known by everyone here.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Don, love the 550 project.  BTW it was your work on your CB750 resto-mod that prompted me to look up Ian.  He is a master on the sheet metal for sure!  Next time you see him, tell him Brad in Edmonton says hello.

He mentioned you to me already.  I didn't realize you were the guy in Edmonton.  Ian enjoyed working with you, too.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Don, love the 550 project.  BTW it was your work on your CB750 resto-mod that prompted me to look up Ian.  He is a master on the sheet metal for sure!  Next time you see him, tell him Brad in Edmonton says hello.

Thanks, Brad. That's very flattering.

[BRAD CHIEDUCH]

Thanks to Devin and Nick at Cognito Moto for helping me put together a stunning combination for rims and skins.  Rims are Sun 18" with 150 and 110 Avon RoadRiders.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Thanks to Devin and Nick at Cognito Moto for helping me put together a stunning combination for rims and skins.  Rims are Sun 18" with 150 and 110 Avon RoadRiders.

Are the hubs anodized or powder coated?  The wheels look GREAT.

[slikwilli420]

Wheels do look great. I am less than thrilled by the GSXR conversion, since there are other more period options available that can work just as well. This bike has a real period racer thing going on that is awesome, and the front end detracts in my eyes, but that's just me.

[BRAD CHIEDUCH]

Thanks to Devin and Nick at Cognito Moto for helping me put together a stunning combination for rims and skins.  Rims are Sun 18" with 150 and 110 Avon RoadRiders.

Are the hubs anodized or powder coated?  The wheels look GREAT.

Hubs are anodized.

[BRAD CHIEDUCH]

Wheels do look great. I am less than thrilled by the GSXR conversion, since there are other more period options available that can work just as well. This bike has a real period racer thing going on that is awesome, and the front end detracts in my eyes, but that's just me.

Willie, I did consider at one point some Ceriani road racing forks but they were a bit on the spendy side and parts availability was another question.  In addition, I'm not sure from a handling perspective how the old Ceriani's would compare to the GSXR forks.  Maybe I should have investigated the Ceriani forks further but I'm also quite pleased with the GSXR forks.