Twin Twins - CB175 Cafe Build

jakeZ · Posted: Sun Sep 19, 2010 10:16 pm Post subject: Twin Twins - CB175 Cafe Build

I picked up the '72 CB175 on the left this spring with intentions of turning it into a cafe style bike, but it was in such good shape it didn't make sense to chop it up.
Two weeks ago I found a listing on craigslist for the CB175 on the right. 200 bucks. It runs, but it is in rough shape for only 3900 miles. The last owner had it for ten years, drove it once a year in the back yard, and never changed the oil the entire time he owned it. It also looks like it spent a fair amount of time outside.
So this one is going to get cafe'd. I'm going to start tearing it down this week. If anyone is looking for some 175 parts let me know before I put them on ebay. Parts that are probably going to go are the tank (I have a Cb200 tank that I'm going to use on this build), turn signals, tail light, mirrors, bars and possibly the seat.

paul66 · Posted: Sun Sep 19, 2010 11:44 pm Post subject:

I'll watch this one with interest.

I want to cafe the Z440, so I'll be interested in how you go about it.

Post pics!!

Paul

Freaky_1 · Posted: Sun Sep 19, 2010 11:58 pm Post subject:

Nice find!

Now if I could only get so lucky!

Have a blast with it!

Frank

DRC1 · Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2010 2:20 am Post subject:

I'd like the mirrors please Very Happy

What do you reckon pricewise?

jakeZ · Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2010 5:31 pm Post subject:

DRC1 · Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2010 5:59 pm Post subject:

PM sent. Thanks.

jakeZ · Posted: Sun Sep 26, 2010 4:43 pm Post subject:

Finally had some time to start the tear-down. Exhaust is toast. Rotted right through. Looking at going with some shorty exhaust anyway.

It looks like the cb200 tank will drop right on with only slight modification to the rubber mounts. It also looks like I'll be able to use the cb175 seat with some slight modification. I just need to chop a little off of the front. Good news!

Looking forward to painting the frame. I'm on a pretty tight budget here. I can't afford sandblasting and powder coat. This is going to be a rattle can job. I found this product PJ1 Fast Black Epoxy Paint. Has anyone used this? I've read that it's some of the best paint (for rattle cans) for frames.

If anyone is looking for cb175 parts shoot me a private message. I'm selling off the tank and petcock, the four blinkers, tail light, bars and front fender.

zjeppe · Posted: Sun Sep 26, 2010 10:46 pm Post subject:

Perhaps put some air in the rear tyre Wink

jakeZ · Posted: Sat Oct 02, 2010 3:53 pm Post subject: CB 175 Tear Down Update

I'm still working on the tear-down. All of the electrical is finally off. That's going to be fun to put back together.
Hopefully the engine will be out tomorrow, followed by the bars, wheels, forks, shocks and swing arm.
I'm debating on getting the frame sandblasted. There's rust in a lot of hard to reach places.
Any ideas on what an average price is for getting a frame sandblasted?

DRC1 · Posted: Sat Oct 02, 2010 9:38 pm Post subject:

First off, thanks alot for the mirrors. It's amazing what some SOS pads and a little time can do. Came out great. Wink

When I got my frame blasted, I paid $40. Pretty chead I've heard, usually it's about double that.
I also had mine powder coated and that cost $180 (for swing arm and frame), if you were thinking of going that route.

mixer · Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2010 9:07 am Post subject:

when i did up the 360, i got PC and prep for 250 Prep consisted of bead blasting (guy refused to use sand it warps parts) and he was upfront with me and told me no matter HOW good my frame was prepped, he was going to do his thing to it, it was the only way he could be sure of the work. so there really was no "price break" possible. no arguments however, it came out looking better than factory.

jakeZ · Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2010 2:13 pm Post subject: CB 175 Cafe - Brake Pedal

Engine is out!! It was much easier than I was expecting. Just suspension and wheels left.

I think at this point I'm going to get the frame and some of the small parts sandblasted. The amount of time it would take to get rid of the rust just isn't worth it. Probably not going to go with the powder coat though. I'd like to. It's just not in the budget.

Does anyone know how to get the brake pedal off? I've removed the washer and the cotter pin and it seems like it should slide right off, but it appears to be stuck on the post. I can't find info on how to remove it in the shop or Clymer manuals. Thanks for any help!

theboxrules · Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2010 2:19 pm Post subject:

New to the boards, found your build thread and following with interest. I too and doing a CB175 Cafe build with a thread over on another board. To answer your question on the brake pedal, it is mounted on the same tube the center stand is attached with. I had to take off the exhaust pipe to get clearance and I tapped the tube out with a rubber mallet and socket wrench extension. Took a bit of time but it eventually came out and both the brake pedal and CS came off.

jakeZ · Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2010 12:19 am Post subject:

I still couldn't get the center stand mounting peg out. I tried everything. Ended up having to cut it out. The brake pedal is bent, so it looks like some pretty good pressure was put on it at some point. That was the only piece that had to be destroyed in order to be removed, so I guess I can't complain.

theboxrules thanks for the input. Send me a link to your project. I'd like to see the progress.

I ended up skipping the sandblasting. I purchased an angle grinder instead to do the rust and paint stripping. It did a great job and I'll be able to use the grinder throughout the project. Seemed to make sense.

The frame has primer now. Moving on to the swingarm and paint this week, followed by a pile of rusty parts:)

Thanks for all the input so far.

jakeZ · Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2010 4:35 pm Post subject: Update

Update! The frame and swing-arm have been primed painted. I used self etching primer and several coats of VHT "epoxy" paint. It looks decent enough. Time will tell if it was a mistake or not. I read good things about rattle can epoxy as far as durability.

I've started work on the tank. I've added bondo to the badge points and primed to prevent any rust from returning. Still plenty of sanding to do to smooth things out. The inside of this tank is really clean. Should I cream coat it regardless of the condition it is in? I'm on the fence.

I chopped this fender earlier this year for my other bike, but I've decided to use it on this project instead. I may have jumped the gun on painting this, but it's starting to get pretty cool up here. This is the paint scheme I'm going to go with for the rest of the bike. A few more coats of clear, some buffing and this will be finished. Again, not perfect, but not bad for rattle cans.

I'm working on getting paint on all of the little bits and pieces at this point and cleaning up some other rusty parts. I believe I'll be able to salvage a lot more than I originally thought, which is good.

Looking for some new rubber now, which hasn't been easy. Any ideas if I can run a 90/90 on the front and a 110/90 on the rear? I've had a hard time finding a matching set of 90/90 front and 100/90 rear.

Thanks for any input.