1979 Honda XR500's - Winter conversion

[blackandblue]

Amazing builds on this site - New to the group - been contemplating a cafe' build for some time - decided to be difficult and just purchased 2 1979 Honda XR500's (RUNNING) with an extra '79 XR500 motor - all 3 for $300! I looked at CB's, XS's, RD's and much more. 2 main elements in my decision: power and uniqueness. I had $600 in hand for a 1971 CB750 last week, and just didn't feel the raw power that you feel in a thumper. Could be my previous life in motocross...
I thought that if I bought a standard cafe' bike, it would be a standard build. Bars, seat, pipes, tires, some weight reductions, rear-sets, etc... And I would end up like 90% of the cafe's out there now. I've always moved to the beat of a different drum, and I just had to listen to my gut. Always up for a challenge. No offense to those who swapped out for clubman's and a new chain or paint job.
I have 2 bikes and 3 motors to work with. Contemplating all the "needs" to make the enduro to cafe conversion. Shorter, fatter front forks, chop and re-weld rear section, new wheels, and the obvious cafe' tank/seat combo. All the details in between I'd like to incorporate various parts seen on this site.
Any other idea's, thoughts, or WARNINGS about a conversion like this, please let me know!

 

[baader]

Man, that´s a great deal. One Streettacker, one trail bike, the extra motor in some 250cc street bike frame?

I´ve got XBR 500, which is essence is an XR motor in streetbike frame. Thumpers FTW.

 

[thompsonmx100]

Very cool purchase brother. I assure you that there is some raw power lurking in a 750 but big thumpers are cool. they possess a great power to weight ratio. I have just picked up a honda FT500 that i plan on streettracking. I dont know if you have seen any of the cafe'd enduro bikes but they are pretty cool. Welcome to the site.

 

[blackandblue]

Very cool purchase brother. I assure you that there is some raw power lurking in a 750 but big thumpers are cool. they possess a great power to weight ratio. I have just picked up a honda FT500 that i plan on streettracking. I dont know if you have seen any of the cafe'd enduro bikes but they are pretty cool. Welcome to the site.

Thanks for the welcome and I agree, there is some great power in the 750, just not what I'm looking for when I'm running city streets. My distance-ride days are extremely limited - 3 daughters. So I just want that light and agile, thump-around-town mojo - with decent top-end when I need it. I had a hard time walking away from the '71 cb750. (I actually just got a '78 XS750 Triple running after 20 years, been in my family for 30 years).
After working with 3 carbs on the Triple, looking at CB's with 4 carbs, I wanted a simple one-lunger, 1 carb, minimal electrical. And yes, love some of the conversions out there - especially the one with a CR450F engine in it.

 

[pablohoney]

Awesome dude, love the originality, I am definitely interested to see where this one goes. ;D