1979 Honda 125CB cafe mod

crowe77

New Member
Hi all-

Posted a few weeks back..

turning this little bike into a cafe racer. I have the handle bars on and they are good to go. Some adjustable clubmans I found on the net.

Hit a snag with the airbox/filter. The boot going from the carb to the air box is shot. I want to use a Pod filter that clamps right onto the end of the carb...but I also want to keep the air box because I dont want to find a new place for the battery. Any suggestions on size of pod filter and some good resources.

I also tore the seat cover off and want to shave down the existing foam and put a new seat cover on. any suggestions in this area.

also...what is the best way to take off tank decals.

Sorry for all the questions....new to this but loving it! Thanks all!!
 
Empty the tank and try using a heat gun (or blow dryer) to soften the adhesive. But please don't blow anything up.
 
As for the air filter Im not sure but i think a 1.5" Uni filter like they use on the pit bikes will work. You could always lose the air box and get a sealed batery and mount it where the airbox is but laying down under the seat.


Removing decals? Why, are you going to paint the tank? otherwise im sure the paint under the decals is not the same color as the rest.


The seat, well for me i think a seat can make or brake a custom bike so i always take it to an upholstery shop and have it done. All the home done jobs i have seen, look like home done jobs.


It all depends on how nice you want your bike to look and how much you want to spend. You can build a great looking bike or build a cheap bike but you cant build a great looking bike for cheap. I have both... well my "great" looking bike is not finished, but it was defiantly not cheap.


Oh and lets see some pictures. I love 125s i have 2 now.
 
I'll have some pictures up later today.

The tank's decals are peeling of and there was also a small pin hole that used J&B weld over (looks like shit). I'd like to seal the inside and have it painted a grey color.

As far as the air system....the boot going from the carb was bad when I got the bike. Also the air filter casing was bad. I was able to find, on ebay, a filter case, boot, and airbox (which I wont need). The actually airbox on the bike is in great shape.

As far as the seat..I ordered one from hondaclassics31 off ebay (not cheap, but wanted a good looking seat). Got the seat and it did not fit. So now I am in the process of either returning for a refund or returning for him to fix.

The original seat was ratty so I took the vinyl off, shaved down the foam a bit and put the cover back on. It looks decent but the vinyl cover is not as tight as it should be. Not sure what to do there. I like the flat bently style seats now, as opposed to the ones with the butt stop.
 
Yeah i like the flat seats on the 125s better. Thats why i still have a stock seat on my CL125. I do want to shave it down like you are talking about but i think i want to use a higher density foam. My upholstery guy will do a seat like that for 100-120. Not as cheap as just buying a cover but the work is done, and done right. Plust you get to have a little say in how the thing looks in the end.


Good call on sticking with the stock airbox, most people wouldnt buy the parts to fix it an would just slap on a pod filter. Its easier to get the bike to run well with the stock setup.
 
ffjmoore- Not sure if anyone around my parts would do re-upholstery. I have a picture of how I want the seat. Do yo think he could re-foam and reupholstery it for me? or just shave the foam down?

The seat def. needs to be re-done
 
In this economy, if you take it to an upholstery shop they will do it. I took a helmet that needed to be relined and asked if they could do it. He said he had not done one for 20 years but would give it a shot. I gave him 50 bucks and was happy with the job. Just take it to a local shop and ask what they will do it for. Then act like its way to much and talk them down. :D
 
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