1974 CB200 build (late) update

[wildfirexxl]

Hey guys!
This CB200 is my first bike, first time working on a bike and much more.
Pulled it out of a southwest VA barn for $300 back in May of 2012. Not running but it turned over and it was close to where I live.
I joined this forum a few months into my build so I didn't really take many pictures, but I'm sure I'll still be working on it.

 

[wildfirexxl]

This is just after I got it home. Had to loosen the bars to fit it under the camper top so it looks a little goofy.

Haha it looked so funny. Falling apart. Missing the carb tops, drive gear cover, tool set and a few other things. But mostly all there.

It hadn't been inspected sense 1986 and it looked like it hadn't bee cleaned sense then either.

I believe it had been used as a dirt bike or something equally rough. Mud caked on the frame and motor casing.

 

[wildfirexxl]

At my buddy's shop a month later.

Removed: Air boxes, turn signals and mufflers (muffs are only temporarily).

Adjusting timing, new sparts, checked electrical, changed the oil; you know, that kinda stuff.

Lots of cleaning done. Lots more to go.

 

[wildfirexxl]

About a month later.

New stuff: Clubmans, grips, kreemed the tank, new tires, new front brake line and caliper. New pot air filters, float bowl overflow lines, headlight ears, drive sprocket cover and carb tops/throttle cable.

Got a 4 cell ballistic lithium ion EVO 2 battery to replace the lead acid and so I can hide it for the cafe look.

Had to lower the back springs from where they'd used it as a dirt bike.

Removed the tool box, battery box, the stock headlight ears and the huge tail light assembly(replaced with smaller bullet turn signal for a tail light). Also simplified to just a speedo.

Still needs: Mirror and rear brake pads to pass inspection.
Still not charging the battery properly. I believe the diode is worn out.
It is only running on one cylinder too.

 

[wildfirexxl]

 

[byrdo444]

Awesome, great to see another cb200. I'm in the same boat, first bike I'm working on seriously. This forum is great, lots of wisdom here

 

[wildfirexxl]

Some more cleaning, some on frame painting, made a new seat cover, got it running on both cylinders(turned out one of my replacement spark plugs must have been drop or something), pipe wrap and put a oak wood grain overlay on the tank.
If you knew me you'd know that I'm a sucker for wood grain.

Had to go back to lead acid battery because the lithium ion didn't work out so well... I like the idea but the battery I got was weird. Started with needing a "smart charger" then the battery wouldn't charge so I called ballistic, they're awesome and sent me a new battery. Put that battery in and the new battery wouldn't charge on the the smart charger either. So yeah.. I decided to cut my losses and just go back to good ol' lead acid.

 

[wildfirexxl]

Ok, now we're up to current day.

New: Redid the pinstriping around the wood grain on the tank. Recessed the speedo. New brake shoes for the rear drum.

Only problems now are: Still need to get a mirror, inspection and new regulator diode. As well as I'm sure I can still clean some more haha

Hopeful upcoming upgrades: Going to make me some rear-sets. Maybe some clip-ons.

By no means is it a show piece, but I don't think I'll ever want it to be one.
I want a bike that can live.

 

[wildfirexxl]

Awesome, great to see another cb200. I'm in the same boat, first bike I'm working on seriously. This forum is great, lots of wisdom here

Hey man!
Yeah it's funny you see my thread because I was looking through your build last night!
I like that you went with the CL exhaust and I also liked you're rear-set lay out.

 

[deepwaterimports]

Be stoked to jump on this one.

 

[byrdo444]

Love the seat man, is it the stock seat pan with no padding?

Woodgrain looks sick

 

[wildfirexxl]

Love the seat man, is it the stock seat pan with no padding?

Woodgrain looks sick

I took the stoke seat, removed the stock cover, cut down the foam a few inched then put my own cover back over it. The cover was super easy. Not even 2 hours of work.
Got the vinyl and upholstery thread from Joann Fabrics for about $16 and had a %50 off coupon so only cost me about $8. My girlfriend has a nice sewing machine and we put the tuck and roll pattern in by doubling the fabric over a bit on the backside every 2". Then I had a big square of vinyl with the tuck and roll pattern in it that just stretched across the stock seat/pan and I pop riveted it down. In hindsight I wish I'd put some cotton batting in between the foam and vinyl to help in stand up a bit better, but it's the first seat cover I've ever done so who cares.

And thanks! I'm a sucker for wood grain. I've got woodgrain on my phone and on my laptop too haha