Topic: Freezingprocess' 76 CB550k Cafe build - SOLD...

[lordwhimsey]

Thanks for the excellent pics.

Do you think it would be possible to mount the electrics under the seat without chopping the rear brackets if a smaller battery was used or is that one as small as they get?

[freezingprocess]

Thanks for the excellent pics.

Do you think it would be possible to mount the electrics under the seat without chopping the rear brackets if a smaller battery was used or is that one as small as they get?

The battery I used (It's an Interstate; I can get the model # and dimensions if you want.) is the smallest AGM battery I could find that would do the job. They absolutely do make smaller batteries, but they probably won't have the amperage to crank your motor.

As for the rear brackets and such, I'm not sure what your exact setup is. (What kind of seat?, which brackets?, etc.)

[NE550]

How much did the project cost? If you don't mind me asking.  I am thinking about transorming my 75 550.

Thanks, Matt

[lordwhimsey]

Thanks for the excellent pics.

Do you think it would be possible to mount the electrics under the seat without chopping the rear brackets if a smaller battery was used or is that one as small as they get?

The battery I used (It's an Interstate; I can get the model # and dimensions if you want.) is the smallest AGM battery I could find that would do the job. They absolutely do make smaller batteries, but they probably won't have the amperage to crank your motor.

As for the rear brackets and such, I'm not sure what your exact setup is. (What kind of seat?, which brackets?, etc.)

I'm planning to knock up a seat similar to yours from glass fiber, and then try to fabricate some sort of tray in between the rear brackets.

I wasn't planning on using a starter so perhaps I could get away with a smaller battery? Thanks for the help; I'm feeling my way in the dark a bit on the electrics so I need all the help I can get

[onesickrace]

fp, plus two on the dimensions and specs for the battery please. im about to buy a 12v 8ah batter to run starter, headlight taillight and brakelight.  im totally uneducated about electrical systems, so im trying to get the best size to still crank over a 350/4... thanks!  looks killer!

[freezingprocess]

Lordwhimsey/onesickrace-As for the electrical help, I wish I could be of more assistance to you. I myself had a lot of help from a friend with my electrical system. From what I know, Two Tired is one of the electrical wizards around here, so you might want to ask him what kind of battery you'd need for your application. Interststate has pretty good customer service too, so if you call them and tell them what you're working with, they might be able to find something that will work for you.

The battery I have is manufactured by Yuasa, and I guess Interstate slaps their name on it. The model # is YTX14AH-BS. In case you were unaware, it's an AGM (absorbed glass mat) battery. It's completely sealed and maintenance-free, and you can mount it at any angle. The dimensions: 5 5/16(L) x 3 1/2(W) x 6 9/16(H). I'll also list it in lordwhimsey's language as well : 134mm(L) x 89mm(W) x 166mm(H).

Here's a pdf link to Yuasa's spec sheet for their batteries. The info above is from physical page 9. http://www.yuasabatteries.com/pdfs/2008yuaapp.pdf

Hope this helps you guys...

[freezingprocess]

[/quote]

I'm planning to knock up a seat similar to yours from glass fiber, and then try to fabricate some sort of tray in between the rear brackets.

I wasn't planning on using a starter so perhaps I could get away with a smaller battery? Thanks for the help; I'm feeling my way in the dark a bit on the electrics so I need all the help I can get


[/quote]

Also, Lordwhimsey- Here's my Flickr link. http://www.flickr.com/photos/14429764@N03/sets/72157602235789797/.You can kinda see what I did with the back section in a few of the bare frame pics. If you're going to do something with the stock frame in the back, the only thing I'd suggest is that whatever tray you make; make sure it's not lower (closer to the back tire) than where mine is. My tire has rubbed the bottom of my tray a few times over some large bumps (and I'm only 140lbs). I think the stock seat configuration was a little concave underneath to accommodate the suspension travel.

[lordwhimsey]

Also, Lordwhimsey- Here's my Flickr link. http://www.flickr.com/photos/14429764@N03/sets/72157602235789797/.You can kinda see what I did with the back section in a few of the bare frame pics. If you're going to do something with the stock frame in the back, the only thing I'd suggest is that whatever tray you make; make sure it's not lower (closer to the back tire) than where mine is. My tire has rubbed the bottom of my tray a few times over some large bumps (and I'm only 140lbs). I think the stock seat configuration was a little concave underneath to accommodate the suspension travel.

Thanks for all the info and the heads up on that. My shocks are slightly longer than stock but at 170lbs it could be a problem. I'd better do a mock up with a battery shaped block of wood!

Just out of interest there's an artical here about a chap wiring together 3 tiny batteries to power his CB350 http://www.motofiaccone.com/moto/39-cb360-cafe-racer/88-hiding-cafe-racer-batteries

[brett_bike]

Again, nice bike.  

I have a couple more questions for you.  What carb is on you bike?  And what are the setting for the slide needle, slow jet, main jet, etc.?  The reason I ask is I have a CB500, and I was wondering how much you had to modify the jets, etc., to get it to run well.  Assuming it does.

[yellowbirdrs]

Wow! That's a real nice bike! 
congrats!

What kind of clip ons are you using? Where can I found some of those?
 

[freezingprocess]

Wow! That's a real nice bike! 
congrats!

What kind of clip ons are you using? Where can I found some of those?
 

Thank you. They're Telefix "racer" clip ons. Here's the link to where I bought them. There's another company (forget their name) that has them, but they were a pain to deal with. These guys were on their game: http://www.whaccessories.com/Handle%20Bar%20Telefix.htm

[NE550]

Very sharp looking bike there!  Thanks for the budget info as well.  A very nice investment too


Matt

[zef933]

hey man, just like everyone killer bike! i was dually surprised. i expected just another clubmans bar " cafe racer...but yours is truly a custom cafe racer. 

a couple of suggestions that i did to my former bike.

1. i took an extratriple clamp for the top and totally cut off the handlebar mounts and ground them down smooth-that would help with that "clean, nothing above the tank look" you are trying to get.

2. i also am a sucker for dual disks up front!  IMHO  so did you consider that and opt not to? 

3. i also deleted my started and made a block off plate(i really wanted a light bike!) 

4. one of the best details i liked on my old bike was my chopped front fender. i love your chop on it but i would suggest cutting the brackets on the side that hold it, tape some type of tubing down on the tireto get the proper gap btwn fender and tire, lower the bracket on the tire, mark off the height and then reweld the brackets.  this lowers the fender to hug the front wheel. 

5.  also you removed the chainguard, which i love, another step further would be to take the cover off the rear sprocket to fully expose it.  i really like the look of that.

love that you hid your ignition switch! love the tach, love the bike. i just thought i would give you some more subtle ideas that turned out quite well for me.

sorry if i missed it but are you running electronic ignition??

[manjisann]

AWESOME BIKE!! I'm just starting form what I want to do in my head and I will definately be using some of your ideas! I love how you hid the battery and electrics in the tail section, I was already thinking that but seeing it done just cements it in place.

I'd be interested in more detailed info on the rear sets if your buddy wouldn't mind. I'd really like to make my own but am a bit fuzzy on how to connect everything and get things to move properly.

Anyhow again, dig everything about the bike!

Brandon

[GoatBaSS]

WOW!!!

[lendog]

Holy Crap!!! Awesome build bro! Whad did you use for a master cylinder?      

[fastbroshi]

Looks like one of these...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FRONT-BRAKE-MASTER-CYLINDER-CB400-CB450-CB550-NIGHTHAWK_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem1c0d7dbaebQQitemZ120485427947QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

Thinking about this one for my clubmans:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FRONT-BRAKE-MASTER-CYLINDER-FZR750-FZR1000-XS650-XJ650R_W0QQitemZ140355671812QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotorcycles_Parts_Accessories?hash=item20add99704

[Surfinglbi23]

Wow -- what an amazing bike!  Congrats on the build, very motivating thread!

[h8nate12]

Hey man love the bike.
Im doing a bcr project too!
where did you get the wheels?

[freezingprocess]

Hey man love the bike.
Im doing a bcr project too!
where did you get the wheels?

The wheels are stock. I had to cut the old rusted spokes with an angle grinder, then took the rims to have them powdercoated. Polished the hubs and re-laced with Buchanan Stainless spokes.

Good luck wih your build....

[brett_bike]

Don't do it....

[ace1204]

What parts from the Pinas BCR bike did you use? just the tank?  Also did you lower the front or use different springs in the rebuild? I have a cb550f and it appears to sit higher?

[freezingprocess]

What parts from the Pinas BCR bike did you use? just the tank?  Also did you lower the front or use different springs in the rebuild? I have a cb550f and it appears to sit higher?

Yeah, just the tank essentially. I didn't want to bite off of his bike completely, but I do like it a lot. As for the height, I did replace both front and back sets of springs, but they were the same length as stock. I didn't lower (or raise, actually) the fork tubes in the trees or anything either. I was going for that low look, and I think it's just an optical illusion. I did lower the headlight ears as far as they would go, and sunk the tach down into the tree so nothing would be sticking up. I think those few little things go a long way to make the whole bike look a little lower.

[freezingprocess]

SOLD... I've been dreading writing this on my build thread, but it has to be done.

After a year-long struggle with myself deliberating whether to sell my baby or not, I decided on the former. I only had it out a couple of times last summer, and just didn't have the urge to ride it, and I thought it's not doing anybody any good sitting in my garage. It deserves to be ridden; to be loved again. So earlier this week it went to a new home. I have urged the new owner to become a member here, so hopefully he can benefit from the give-and-take of this incredible forum. (And I can keep tabs on my(his) bike )

I think it was all about the build for me; chasing that light at the end of the tunnel. You know how it goes when you get to that light....now you need something else to chase, and you take for granted what you've got. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has felt like this at the end of a build....

With all the countless hours spent grinding, welding, wrenching, painting and polishing, I feel like I gave a piece of my soul to that motorcycle, and in a way, it will be terribly missed; but like I said, it's meant to be ridden, and it does feel good to have someone else appreciate the thing that I put so much work into.

Thanks for reading my dramatic ventings, and farewell to my baby......

[Greggo]

Buy another.  Chase the light!