Chris' Cafe build (02.11.08) Winter Update

Re: Chris' Cafe build (09.03.07) FIRST RIDE!

Stay with the bike Chris..
Believe me I speak from experience.
That little bastard CB450 I have almost killed me when I lost my brakes (both front & rear), has been pushed
about 2 miles in total (bad electrical system), and other random little issues that seem to not stop (dragging front brake).
But, Now that I have had almost a full season of dealing with it, the bike is coming more reliable (just as yours will). I thought about selling it, but then some punk ass kid is gonna get my CB450 in perfect running shape, becasue I fixed everything by trial and error...

Every bike (and even cars) have their "shakedown" runs.
These older deals just seem to have "shakedown" seasons ;D
Even if you only take the bike out for a ride once a month, you still have it to ride...
 
Re: Chris' Cafe build (09.03.07) FIRST RIDE!

Chris, where are you doing the running with the viper at? And do they allow bikes on there for people to get some good experience without the hassle of traffic coming at you from all directions?

Also, I noticed a cool old bike on my way home from work one day over in Plano. This guy was riding a 1964 CB77. Neat as h*ll, and you KNOW that he's gone through all sorts of issues with it. Keep at it and you'll have a great bike that doesn't blend in with everyone else. Or, just give it to me and I'll take good care of it for you. ;D
 
Re: Chris' Cafe build (09.03.07) FIRST RIDE!

Selling off your only bike is definitely a decision that you'll eventually regret. I have buddies that have sold their bikes for whatever reason and now they just about break down in tears when I'm riding around on a nice summer day and they're stuck in their 4 wheelers. I had enough problems with the 650 for the first few months, including a new front tire blow at 90km/h and a charging system that left me on the side of the road (multiple times) coming back from Port Dover. It's all part of the experience of finding an old junker and making it look and run like new, or better. Just hang in there.
 
Re: Chris' Cafe build (11.07.07) Fall Update

Hi Gents:

From the top...
It wasn't so much the shakedown run that makes me lean toward selling it. I built it; it was fun; now it's time to move on. Like I said: I'm really a car guy, so the bike was just a fun winter build. I doubt I'll ride her much, so she should go to a good family. Who knows, maybe I'll keep her or maybe I'll just give her to my brother. Thing is, I could use the couple grand (or whatever she'll bring in) for some fun--yet expensive--go fast parts for the car.

Running with the Viper...I did that at Hallett Motor Racing Circuit. They run beginner/novice/expert groups for cars and bikes. The bikes run a different weekend than the car. You'll have to check the schedule and the equipment requirements. It's about 5 hours from your house and will cost around $180 for the first day, then $100 or thereafter...I think; I've never checked the bike prices.

Riding on summer days: I have a car that will satisfy that need. I feel what you're saying though. That little cafe really turns heads and gets a lot of respect from the other bikes out there. Plus, I look cool riding it :)


--Chris
 
Re: Chris' Cafe build (11.07.07) Fall Update

Chris, I totally understand what you are saying, I myself am a car guy first and foremost, but have had several 2 wheeled machines. I say keep it around, put some miles on it, see what happens. All I know is that when I sold the first bike, then was bike-less, it didn't hit me right away, but say about 2 months later, I couldn't take it anymore. And had to buy another motorcycle. It's one of those things that permits the saying; "You don't know what you have until it's gone". Just keep that in mind. You've put so much effort and so much of yourself into the CB, and I myself do not think I'll ever be able to sell mine when it's finished for just that reason. Just a thought.

Steve
 
Re: Chris' Cafe build (11.07.07) Fall Update

Good point. I offered to give the bike to my little brother; actually, my wife offered it to him. He declined because he said he wouldn't ride it much. A free bike and he said no!

I'll put the new tires on and have another ride.

--Chris
 
Re: Chris' Cafe build (11.07.07) Fall Update

chrisf said:
Good point. I offered to give the bike to my little brother; actually, my wife offered it to him. He declined because he said he wouldn't ride it much. A free bike and he said no!

I'll put the new tires on and have another ride.

--Chris
Click to expand...

Chris, I'll take it off your hands. I'll have my wife drop me off over there tomorrow afternoon and I'll give the little beast a good home down in The Colony. :D
 
Re: Chris' Cafe build (11.07.07) Fall Update

Throw it up on eBay with a detailed list of the things you've done (without the trial and error of course) and good pics of the final product. I'd bet it would bring more than $2,500.

Here's an example - granted, it's got $1200 worth of BCR tank and seat on it, but still.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=013&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=230188738125&rd=1

And here's a CB450 that didn't meet reserve (might have helped his sale if he'd bothered to dust off the bike before taking pics):

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=016&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=260181896538&rd=1
 
Re: Chris' Cafe build (12.12.07) Winter Update

Some semi final pics. I changed my tires out to some Avon Roadrunners; 3.5" front and 4" rears. They look pretty good and JUST fit. Any wider would require some pretty big changes.
CafeRacerFront.jpg

Ignore the shitty exhaust wrap job. I'll finx that after Christmas
CafeRacerLeftSide.jpg


CafeRacerRear.jpg


CafeRacerSide.jpg


Some things I’d like to do before I call her finished are:
1.) I need a new seat. This one is too hard. I’m going to go with an off the shelf, short bubble style like ProTeals.
2.) I need to polish the tank
3.) I need to apply the graphics on the side.
4.) I’ll probably remove the tach as well. It’s pretty worthless because I can really feel when the powerband drops off.

--Chris
 
Re: Chris' Cafe build (12.12.07) Winter Update

Damn Chris that is looking GOOD! I really like that paint scheme! Sharp. The Avon's look great too!
 
Re: Chris' Cafe build (12.12.07) Winter Update

Chris, looking good as usual man. Question for you, do you have those pipes supported by anything besides themselves? And if so, have you had any issues with them? I see they are the same way on Kit's bike, with no brackets for support, but was wondering if either of you two had any issues with them cracking under their own weight.

Steve
 
Re: Chris' Cafe build (12.12.07) Winter Update

I have a similar pipe setup with no support besides the header flanges and have had no issues thus far (and I ride that little CB450 HARD !)
FALL3.jpg
l_26d7ea7dada84154d70461035fa176ec.jpg
Nice tire's too Chris ! ;D
 
Re: Chris' Cafe build (12.12.07) Winter Update

Yeah, I did have problems. The flanged cracked off and the upper pipe dropped to the lower one--fraying the wrap in the process. I welded it back on, so we'll see how it holds up. Assuming I'm keeping the bike for a while, I may eventually fabricate a 100% stainless exhaust, which will be much lighter.

ProTeal does ride his bike hard, but I doubt he sees much 70+ MPH runs--especially for the 30 minutes it took to crack my pipe. Maybe I'm wrong. Either way, it's nice to see his holding up so well. Kit hasn't done a whole lot of highway miles on his, so his should be fine.

I think it is the extended vibration that killed mine.

--Chris
 
Re: Chris' Cafe build (12.12.07) Winter Update

Are those tires on correctly? Call me ignorant (just not to my face), but it looks like the front tire is on correctly and the back is, well, backwards.
 
Re: Chris' Cafe build (12.12.07) Winter Update

Chris,

Can you provide a few detail shots of the rear brake pedal set-up? I have a 350T stripped down & studded for playing on the ice. I have the same rear sets (use passenger pegs) but havn't changed the brake pedal - so a little dab of brakes means moving the foot forwards a ways. (No front brakes at all) The braking isn't that critical but your set-up looks real straight forward so it might be worth revisiting.
 
Re: Chris' Cafe build (12.12.07) Winter Update

To see what i didn, have a look through my website. But I have to caution you that I'm pretty dissatisfied with the way mine works. After Christmas, I plan to fix it.

Basically, I went back to a stock lever on the wheel side. The brake system needs this longer lever for mechanical advantage purposes. However doing so, makes the pedal have way too much travel. So I need to sit down and do the math to get the leverage ratios correct. I have a sneaking suspicion that the rearset on the brakeside will end up looking stupid...

I'm curious what other CB/CL350 owners have done.

--Chris
 
Re: Chris' Cafe build (12.12.07) Winter Update

Sad to hear that you're looking at selling her, we all have lots of those thoughts from time to time. Believe me, my head's full of them now that I'm losing my job. The bikes I'm prone to hold onto though because they don't take up much room and they look cool. You should hoist it up to that space above your office and call it art, it's a good investment.

Not that I want to encourage you but, if I ever get back on my feet, and have a couple of bikes in my stable you'll always be welcome to ride one on a nice day.
 
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