Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature currently requires accessing the site using the built-in Safari browser.
We noticed you are blocking ads. DO THE TON only works with community supporters. Most are active members of the site with small businesses. Please consider disabling your ad blocking tool and checking out the businesses that help keep our site up and free.
Here's the story. I wanted to get my youngest son a project bike for Christmas. I found a Honda XL185 on craigs that needed work. I got it and stashed it at the neighbors. A buddy at work had this CM400 that was all tore apart. I asked if he had any spare parts and pieces I might scavange for the XL. He said sure I just have to take ALL of them. He brought the pile of parts in the next day. So this is a week before Christmas. I bring home a pile of motorcycle and he catches me pulling in the driveway. He asks is that what I think it is. I said yup its your Christmas present. We put the wheels and fork on to make it easier to role around and stuck it under a tarp. Christmas morning I drag the family out to show them his Christmas present. I pull back the tarp and he's surprised, but not impressed, to see his bobber has turned into a dirt bike. Later he tells me he really would rather build the bobber. It took a little doing but I got the wife to consent to the build. She worries about her baby boy being on such a fast machine. She forgets our oldest boy cut his teeth on a 250 Ninja and now rides an R1.
I guess this will be the official build thread for this little beastie. Pics to follow
So we kind of poked at it here and there while getting the XL185 running then found that its tranny is thrashed so the XL project is dead in the water till someone shits me a tranny. In the last month full attention has been given to the bobber. We got it running and figured out what goes where. this last weekend we stripped it back down and painted it. I made him put it all back together and just coached and held or handed parts to him.
I been asked a couple times already what fork is that. It is a 94 CBR900. The only thing I had to do was trim the steering stops back a little to get some handle bar swing.
I mounted the headlight for him yesterday. The light is from a Harley Sportster I think. I will be move the ignition switch deeper so it sits closer to flush. Next is a seat pan.
Interesting and cool build. For every one time I want to punch the hell out of my dad there are probably at least three times that he did something that has helped me. I just don't think people understand how much projects can influence the lives of their children later in life. You gave your son more that two wheels you gave him memories, knowledge, and either something he will be proud of or an addiction. Haha good luck.
Riding's in the blood. I grewup with dirt bikes. My first street bike was an 81 400 Hawk. Crashed it almost lost a leg and didn't ride for 20 years. Gas went to $4.50 a gallon here (San Diego) so the wife bought a Rebel 250. In teaching her to ride it I discovered I really missed riding. 5 years later here I am with a Suzuki Vstrom for commuting, a GL1800 for touring. She rides a Suzuki 650 Savage and our oldest rides an R1. Her dad has been riding for 60+ years.
Took some time, duct tape, bailing wire, zip ties, and a bunjie cord, cobbled it together enough for a short blast up and down the block. It runs ok, goes through the gears, and stops. Next is cleaning up the hack job wiring and adding lights and seat. Then I can work on some more permenant exhaust and dail in the carbs.
Interesting and cool build. For every one time I want to punch the hell out of my dad there are probably at least three times that he did something that has helped me. I just don't think people understand how much projects can influence the lives of their children later in life. You gave your son more that two wheels you gave him memories, knowledge, and either something he will be proud of or an addiction. Haha good luck.
Progress this weekend. Rear fender. Exhaust mocked up. The exhaust pipe I had laying around its actually 1 1/2" EMT conduit. It looks too big though I'm considering putting 1" on instead. The rear fender is the front off the CBR fork with a little trimming it fit perfect just need to flat black it now. Next is to fab up a battery box and seat pan.
Time for an update. I got it running well enough for a test ride to confirm gears and brakes work. It has some carb issues that need attention but no big deal. I'm finishing up the exhaust today I hope. 1 1/4" pipes with baffles I found how to make on here. Want to get it out to the local cruise night, last one of the year here in El Cajon. I'll get some pics up. Still need to do a proper seat and get some lights mounted and wired but that can happen over the next couple months.
I got the exhaust done and am happy with the baffles. The sound is much quieter than the open pipes but still bratty. We'll see how well it's received tomorrow evening. The Cruise Night typically draws 300 cars and a large number of bikes every Wednesday night through Summer.
Nice work so far. And you managed to make Comstar wheels look decent, that in and of itself is quite the accomplishment.
So has your son tried to swipe Mom's Savage yet? Come see us at http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl if you folks aren't already signed up. I'm the head trouble maker over there, go by WD (Wanton Destruction)... NOT a mod, just THE rabble rouser...
love this, I wish I had gotten into bikes at a much earlier age. The color scheme kills me but to each his own I guess. I'm currently helping a friend make something out of a CM400 and it's definitely a tough project because of the weird ass frame.
Scruffy-Moms Savage has turned into a 2013 Honda CTX700D I sold it for the down. I'm familiar with the Suzuki site. Her Savage is in the projects there. I'm the guy that made the mid controls. I have them still, ready to bolt on another savage. The young man that bought the Savage didn't want the mid controls.
As for the color He picked the colors and scheme because he has a vintage riding jacket that is black with orange stripes the same width. He did the rattle can paimt job with a little help from me on the stripe taping.
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
