cb650 cafe seat

81650c

81650c

New Member
Hey all I'm new here, and just wanted to say I love DTT, you guys all have great Inspiring ideas.
Well I wanted to start the seasons change by finally figuring out my seat situation on my 81 cb650c, and I know that these bikes don't have the best frame for cafe, but she's all I got. And as far as hacking the frame I rather not. So I started my build with a piece of 1/4 metal for a seat pan. And figured out all the mounts.
101811135857.jpg
now I know I have a ways to go, but I was hoping for some feedback on my cowl situation, should I get an old tank, form foam my own? What lines to use? Now the pan isn't done I'm going to have to sides come down to about the frame so it doesn't look awkward. Any suggestions would help! Thanks again guys.

Cheers Jason
 
G'day there Jason, and welcome

I would fill the dip somehow, maybe expanding foam under the flat metal base or metal sides, otherwise your the seat will look as if it just stuck on and a bit of an afterthought.

Regarding the cowl, do whatever you are most comfortable with because you can get the same look either way.

Here's a link for some inspiration http://www.bikeexif.com/honda-cb650-custom

Good Luck
 
Here are two cx's. Not the same bike, but they both dealt with your dilemma (very successfully too) Either you can:

1. Fill the gap with the seat (I think there's a CX in the project section of dotheton that shows the whole seat build)

http://www.pipeburn.com/home/2009/7/23/honda-cx500-cafe-racer.html

2. Follow the lines of the bike and make it work some how.

http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=30501.0

... or I guess you could 3. change the frame totally or 4. just cover it up.

I wish I could give you good advice, but I'm struggling through my own "put back together"... So I'll tell you what I've been told. I have a friend that tells me when you have a problem you just need pull up a lawn chair and stare at it for a while. He's also told me Don't try to force your xs to look like a Ducati. There's a racer in there, but it doesn't necessarily look like a Ducati Sport.

I wish he'd stop giving me advice and come work on my bike, but what can you do.
 
Thanks guys for all the advice I really appreciate it and this is why I love dtt.
chito took your advice sat in the garage and drsnk some brews this is what I came up with
102011125439.jpg

made a mold from wood then foam and bondo. Going to weld on some side brackets tonight. And glass the tail tomorrow.
The link was inspirational and where I got the idea for the tail. I really think it turned out well.for my first time. Ill post more pics tmr I hope with the glass.
Thanks for all your advice yinz!
Now into the woods.
later, jason
 
Yes. It seriously turned out good. The proportions and shape look good! I look forward to seeing the progress.
 
So as I sit here watching cafe racer on TV I just got finished welding in my side panels for the seat pan and I'm really happy how it came out.
102011225901.jpg

So I hope when I glass the tail section it will bring the tail down to meet the pan. Which I believe it will. Next question is should I glass the metal seat pan as well? It feels really sturdy with now dip in it... the bike feels good seems like I need to lower the front as well, and get rid of the ugly cluster of gauges.


102011225901.jpg
102011225820.jpg
 
Oh yeah deff need rear sets for sure.
thanks for your feedback yinz I really appreciate it. I can't wait for this to be done and ride!
Later! Jason
 
lowering the front end (ie pushing the forks up) will muck up the steering geometry, it's not a smart move for a wise man
 
A big friggin mess. I think I cut strips too long and laid it all down at once. Going to try to do sections and smaller strips on the tail just so there is no mess. What kind of Matt should I use. I got the stringy looking one? Should I get the other smooth one?
thanks.
Jason
 
Hey All! I know its been a while but I just finished my 81 CB650c Tail section, It has temporary turn signals for now but I think it came out pretty good.


Before:
SDC10167.jpg



After:
SDC10180.jpg

SDC10182.jpg


Let me know what you think!
Thanks yinz!
 
Looking Good there Jason,

Would like to view a pic from the rear to see your taillight set up.

What are you using for a seat pad?

I would just spray the back of the rego plate black to make it blend in a bit....

Cheers
 
Excellent job on the seat - nice proportions, that's where so many fail !

Check the guts of the instruments - on my TR1 Cafe Racer you can take the pods apart and you are left with 2 nice sixties style gauges. I've also ditched the idiot light pod and repositioned the lamps I want to keep. Maybe even gauges from an earlier Honda?

Yea, let's see the beast from the rear .....................
 
Hey thanks for all the positive feedback guys! I know the seat pan isnt perfect, it is my first attempt, I will deff take pictures of the rear tonight, you can tell me what you guys think of my tailight set-up. who knows if its illegal, havent seen anyone else do it before. will post them up later tonight. Seat pad, been riding without on so far... any ideas? kinda want to keep it thin... I wanted to go with a tan seat cover, and grips. the paint job is obviously temp as well. so any suggestions i'd be open too.
Thanks Ya'll!
 
I'm rocking a '79, and I'm not sure I'm going to switch to rear sets. I like the fact that I can lift my ass off the seat when I go over the speed bumps all around my neighbourhood.

Try to find yourself a set of closed-cell foam. It's waterproof, easily cut with a bread knife and can be sculpted and shaped with sandpaper. I've got 1" thick on my seat and it's pretty comfortable.
Closed-cell_foam.jpg
 
81650c said:
A big friggin mess. I think I cut strips too long and laid it all down at once. Going to try to do sections and smaller strips on the tail just so there is no mess. What kind of Matt should I use. I got the stringy looking one? Should I get the other smooth one?
thanks.
Jason
Click to expand...
Chito said:
What happened?
Click to expand...

It's a ton of work trying to make a fiberglass part without a mold, and usually ends up very heavy. If you are using mat, and not cloth, you only need 2 to 3 layers. Cut patterns in heavy paper layed on the plug, where there are wrinkles or folds needed to lay flat, tear the matt where the fold is, so it can overlap. Your seat should only take 3 patterns, the front section, the vertical, and the bowl. Lay all the glass at the same time, but just mix 4oz. of resin at a time.

there are many ways of doing it, this is just my way.
 
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