Topic: Modern Cafe Build

[ChadLeMeur41]

I have recently graduated college and have time and little bit of money to start my long awaited cafe build. I purchased a 1974 cb750 from a guy in Kansas City. I love the old school look and intend to build a true to form cafe soon. But being that i have raced motorcycles since i was little this bike i intend to integrate modern technology and performance but keep the old school look.

So i striped the bike down and purchased a modern front end and rear end. I hoped to find a gsxr front end or cbr front end but got a really good deal on a 07 zx10r front end. I have studied squirlys build and industrial cafe's build, and it seems to be if i want to keep the spoked wheel i will need to run a narrow glide hub. My only concern is if the zx10r axle size is the same size as the narrow glide???

For the rear end i ran across a SV650 rear swing arm and shock assembly. And im currently fabricating the linkage mounts and shock mounts for the rear end.

[ChadLeMeur41]

Here are some pictures of where i started and current progress.

[ChadLeMeur41]

and some more

[Retro Rocket]

Hi Chad, if you have raced as much as you say you have you will know what little changes in rake and trail and swingarm length do to handling, not to mention a swing arm that looks to be 6 to 8 inches longer. I have 43mm Gixxer forks and a gixxer 1100 swing arm but i have had the monoshock section removed and the arm shortened to get the arm as close to stock specs as possible and am also having billet triple clamps made to get the trail in a better set of numbers. Another forum member here has a friend that has done the modern front end swap and has trouble with the bike wanting to fall into corners because the trail is all wrong. I know its done regularly the way you are doing it but in my experience, most people wouldn't have a clue about what is actually a good handling bike.
You can change the triple clamp offset but not as much as the modern bikes and a slightly longer swing arm will improve stability but a much longer arm and shorter triple clamp offset won't give you a modern handling bike.

[shaunzo]

unless you can do the numbers like RETRO is suggesting than perhaps the upgrades are more for aesthetics rather than "modern" handling.  i have done such an upgrade and my '76 750and it handles absolutely amazing.  however, i attribute this to luck.  i did do a lot of research before hand to make sure i wasnt completely off with the rake and trail.  check my bike out:  http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=95775.0

[ChadLeMeur41]

Retro- i very much understand that these changes are going to completely change the handling of the bike and in some circumstances if done wrong could make it worse. Im not building this bike to race it i have other bikes for that. When i say modern im just looking to build a cafe bike with more modern influence and ascetics. But i appreciate the input.

Shaunzo- Very cool bike! i can tell you truly had your own vision with that bike and its inspiring to see that you went after it and made it happen. You def have allot of information in you thread that will be helpful.

Right now im still trying to figure out my front wheel issue. I want to run the spoke rim but having a hard time figuring out the a hub combination. Dose anyone know if harley makes a dual disc hub that will accept a 1 inch axel??? or if there are any other options?

[Retro Rocket]

No worries Chad. I am having custom hubs made up for the front and i am using CB750 F disc brake hubs for the rear, not too sure what rear discs i will use yet, i have one Hurst airheart one that may find its way onto the rear of one of them...

[ChadLeMeur41]

Very cool, i never thought of using the cb750 F rear disc mode hub. I might have to look into that. I would be interested in the progress of that bike. Do you have a thread on it?

[Retro Rocket]

Very cool, i never thought of using the cb750 F rear disc mode hub. I might have to look into that. I would be interested in the progress of that bike. Do you have a thread on it?

Very soon mate, its all in boxes at the moment and i am still buying parts. I never started with a whole bike, just bits and i now have almost enough bits for 3 bikes.......

[ChadLeMeur41]

Ya i hear ya i keep buying parts bikes and telling my self that im going to sell all the extra to help with cost. But im afraid that im going to need a part or the nagging want to start another build. It never ends...

[ChadLeMeur41]

Well I've started on another build for a friend that has taken time and focus from my build. But i have gotten the new steering stem machined and front end bolted up and the new swing arm machined and assembled. Plan to upload pics soon!! But I've been trying to decide on a wheel and tire choice and happen to come across this pic. Ive never seen wheels like this before, wondering if anyone would know what they are and where i could find some?

[MCRider]

Think i saw that on a Yam Super Tenere. The nipples are in the hub. The spokes attach to a flange on the rim, so it can run tubeless tires.

[Roach]

too me they look like the same wheels that are on my dads bmw gsa 1200

[Goofaroo]

too me they look like the same wheels that are on my dads bmw gsa 1200

That's where I think I've seen them.  They are probably not inexpensive.