First Cafe Racer Project

damonsdesign · Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:50 pm Post subject: update

Alright been a while since I've updated.
Got the title and passed emission still dragging my feet on getting it registered/insured.
Oh yah still need to get my "motorcycle learners permit"...
So anyway I thought I'd post some pics of my new favorite place.
I'm sure its hard to grasp the size of this place based on the pictures, but I'm standing in the center of the 2nd lot and just a 360, the lot I'm in is half the size of the lot next to it, all of which is as you would guess is motorcycles. The main building is 30-40 foot isles of bins of parts and all electrical stuff behind the counter.

So I was having trouble finding the return springs I needed in the bins, so I walked out to the yard, over to the honda section, found a 80 cm400t and pulled the springs I needed. Now I'm probably gonna grab the headers and mufflers from that same bike cause they were in much better shape then mine.

Other then some other repair stuff I wanna get fixed on the bike(fork seals, and engine head gaskets, clean the carbs)
So next steps find a tank I like, fiberglass my seat, get clubmans, rear-sets, air pods, 18" spoke wheels, acewell digital speedo/tach, LED brake and turn signals oh and a123 battery, and all the stuff I'm forgetting and all that is gonna entail.
Main goal is for the bike to loose weight heh so once parts are in I'm gonna start the tear down, chop of the ugly stamped part of the rear frame, and bend/weld/fab some new rear section hoop for seat battery and electrical tray underneath.

billbike114 · Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2011 8:05 pm Post subject:

I have a CB350K4 that I bought from a guy on Craigslist w/ a bent frame.The rest of the bike is in very good condition & I have put in a temporary frame(unregistered,but using the reg.from my bent frame)and plan on getting my frame straightened later w/ the help of a fellow on a forum;he has straightened frames before. I like my CB350 & have taken long rides w/ it even on the interstate,I just stay in the right lane & look forward to getting back on NICE 2 lane roads which are less stress anyway.
I am 6'2" 210lbs. and it is good transportation for me w/ great gas mileage from the small power plant.I've decided that I really don't need way more power than I will ever use;it's got plenty for what I'll ever need & it sure handles great w/ the short wheel base of a 350.

damonsdesign · Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2011 9:32 pm Post subject:

That's awesome bill, I definitely have a love for cb350s. My hopes would be to pick one up for my next build.
You can tell I've already fallen for cafe's when I'm talking about my next one before my first is done lol.

billbike114 · Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2011 9:45 pm Post subject: The salvage yard !

Damon,
From the pics you took I can see a good panorama of that yard;is that around you in Scottsdale,Az.?
I live in Bethlehem,Pa. & there isn't any yards around here,it's taken me all summer & into the fall to get my bike ride-able.Isee some motorcycle sculpture? on the top of one pile.Do they have anything removed & put inside that is still reasonable$ for you to pick thru ? I wonder if they do shipping & if I can get anything that is still good for my 72' CB350K4 ?
I wanted to ask you; do you enjoy the motorcycle that you chose to purchase ? How is the project coming along ?

damonsdesign · Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 12:16 am Post subject:

Yah bill, its all "pickable" just takes some "climbing" heh.
They have everything in sections so like Honda's are all together Yamaha's, Suzuki's...
It is a Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Owner's PLACE OF ZEN
I haven't really picked through hard enough looking for British bikes but I would imagine they don't have much if any.
Not sure about shipping or what not, it is a salvage yard so its mostly come in and find what you want type of a deal.

If you want I could get there number for you?
If they have what you want or need and can ship great, if they don't ship or w/e I'd be happy to try and find something and ship if you really need.

MR.CHocko · Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 1:41 pm Post subject:

For your project there are two tanks currently that the Cafe guys want. The 1980-1 Suzuki GS450ST tank and the 1975 Honda CB500T Tank. The Suzuki tank looks like a Norton tank and the Honda tank looks like a Triumph tank. You can also do what some of the cafe guys did back in the day, which was to drill out their bolts. Not all cafe bikes had the fiberglass nose cone tail. That look came much later.

damonsdesign · Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 9:42 pm Post subject:

Word those both would work, I'll see if I can find one cheap.
I've had my eye on a benelli tank I'm pretty sure from a 360cc mojave idk but it looks good.
When I pick a tank imma start on the seat, ordered my cloth, mat, and resin the other day.
Still not sure what imma end up doing to the frame the more I look at it the more I wanna hack off the stamped backend and give it a flatter cleaner profile we will see.

MR.CHocko · Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2011 1:50 am Post subject:

All of those tanks will work. Saying that because my shop is very popular with the Kustom Kulture guys on the East Coast. Currently the guys who are into GS450s are not very happy that the Cafe guys have driven up the price of the ST tanks. If you can find a ST Tank in very good condition a Cafe guy will pay top dollar for it.

yflyer · Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2011 7:02 pm Post subject: CB350

I'm doing a CB350 E right now.