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I built mine. I used an SV1000 rotor (5 bolt @120mm bolt circle same as the CX bolt circle) inside for the spline drive that took some figuring out to find the matching parts. Then I made a spacer about 1,5/8" deep x 5,3/16" diameter. It's basically a thick wall short tube with the proper bolt spacing. I milled off the brake drum completely. Bolted the new rotor carrier through the back side with longer bolts (5) and used an R1 caliper and hanger. It's lighter over all because the brake drum is lined with cast iron plus as I mentioned the old tube, brackets and linkage comes off. When I get time I'll email a picture if you like.
Cheers, 50gary
That would be great Gary. Thank you. I did notice that the drum was alloy sleeved with steel, pretty crazy. I sent you an email actually, asking for a link to your build log, I remember seeing it at one point I think, but now I can't find it.
If you dont mind just posting them here that would be great! I have 3 CX500's that I am going to be making at least one good one out of, maybe two. One is a deluxe, one is a custom, and the other is a turbo. I'm taking all the turbo suspension, brakes and wheels and putting them on the custom and putting the deluxe tank on as well. Haven't really dug in yet but have been gathering parts and info.
Here is a preliminary shot of the rotor carrier (spacer) bolted to the hub via the five original holes from the drive side through bolted (original thread drilled out) threaded into the new carrier. 5 x 10m The rotor is also bolted into the carrier from the left side into the carrier original SV1000 rotor bolts (5 x 8m) the two bolt patterns are on the same circle (120mm) a total of ten holes equates to 36 degrees separation. The rotor mounts on a 90mm diameter x 5mm thick (rotor thickness) flange to make it concentric. The carrier is HT= 42mm x 130mm O.D. x 82.5mm I.D.
We bored ten radial speed holes of .625" for lightness (-4 oz.) and cool factor (+2)
The Yamaha R1 caliper and bracket are from 2001 I used the CX torque rod and welded on a clevis to accept a spherical rod end bearing (male with threaded end) to mount into the bracket with some clean up machine work. As always written descriptions are horrid but step by step it's really not too bad and it's a separator 99% of the guys won't tackle it. It's a huge upgrade as at least in my case the old drum was largely ineffective. Also in my case it's a good match both esthetically and technically for the '07 GSX-R 750 front end. Wheel bearing and axle are standard and two new bushing spacers are necessary to properly locate the caliper bracket both laterally and radially. I'll take some pictures and post. AS long as I have your attention consider putting in my frame brace. It's a 3/4" x 6.5" dia. tube welded diagonally (each side) from the down tube (behind the carbs) out to the frame where the swingarm pivots (or as close as reasonably possible.
Cheers, 50gary
Try as I might I cannot get photos to appear in a reliable fashion. Hey it worked,
this is my nearly completed rear disc conversion. Second photo is the drive side of a modified (rear drum removed ) hub The bolt circle is 120mm. The third photo is the component parts is an "exploded view" I show the new (self made side stand and the torque rod (anchor)
treitz- I haven't ridden the bike yet, so I can't speak on the ride, but it has been reasonably easy to work on. Haven't run into any major hangups, and thats even with all of the custom stuff I've done. Had I kept the bike stock it would have been on the road by now. I'm still working on the wiring, but it's coming along.
50Gary- Thanks for the writeup, I'm sold on the rear disc brake, but it may be a modification that I hold off on for a while. I think my uncle and I have devised a way to make the drum work in a way that I haven't seen done before. May I ask what made you conclude that the frame needs a brace between the main tube and the lower portion where the swingarm attaches?
I've been following this thread as a guest for a while, great reads!
Was wondering if you have a tank you'd like to sell or swap? I have the stock 80 CX500 custom tank, a little too round for my liking. I'll be undergoing a similar cafe transformation in the next couple of months.
Great work regardless, I'm excited to see the finished product!
Bruingolf04, if I find a more suitable tank I might be willing to sell the black one from the pictures. I still have the old grey one, but it's really rusty inside. I'll let you know if and when I find a different tank. Thanks for your interest in the build, the wiring is just about done and I really need to get onto finishing my seat pan.
I'm a DTT n00b, doing a similar build on an '80 CX500C. You, along with some other CX builds on here are VERY inspirational. I hope it all works out for you!
Based on some of the other posts I've seen, folks have figured out the cafe seat "problem" with the angle not quite being "level", and your posts are giving me ideas as well.
Also, the guy who's helping me do the rebuild on my bike has a 71 Bonnie he plans on dropping like your uncle is doing. Seems like a popular thing to do?
Cunninghammer, I braced the frame to stiffen up the mid section of the frame. Just look at the joining of the major backbone downtube. it's virtually unsupported to the rear portion of the frame, the only strength to the cross tube is the the strength of the weld itself no triangulation. I feel the most important areas to brace are usually the steering head and the swingarm. My brace is the diagonal (.065" x 3/4" x 7" each side) from the downtube to the S/A weldment. Stiffer is better.
Cheers, 50gary
I've gotten a lot of little things done here and there. I finally got my caliper mounted, brake line for the front, front wheel painted and installed and last night my uncle and I started welding the seat cowl. My cell was dead, so I couldn't get even one picture, but I'll get pics tonight for sure.
Hey Frankenfe, it looks like you added some bikes to your stable. I'm picking up a 1970 CB350 and a Suzuki 750(unknown model and year, haven't seen it yet) for $50 this weekend. The CB is 90% complete, but it's been sitting in ther elements for a bunch of years, so I'm not sure where this will take me but more fun to come haha. I didn't take pictures last night as I didn't get to touch the seat pan, I was busy putting my carbs together and once I got them on the bike it was only firing on one side and wouldn't idle. I hate screwing with carbs, but I can't justify spending $300 to have someone fix them for me... I'll get it straigtened out sooner or later. Pix to come, of the Trihon and of my new bikes as well.
It doesn't look like much has changed, but a lot of things are being buttoned up. Front brake bracket and caliper mounted, seat hump is finally welded together, now I just have to make the actual seat pan and have it upholstered, nothing like waiting till the last minute, but who needs a seat? Last night I took the carbs off again... for the 10th time, new jets and a bit of cleaning, set the floats, I'm hoping it will run and idle tonight once I reattach them. My uncle and I are going to actuate the rear drum brake with a cable pulled by a pedal and that should rid of all the ugly brake linkage and stock kick stand. Rear set pegs will finish it off, eventually a digital speedo... overrated haha. Hope everyone has a Great FRIDAY!
Keep it up you're making progress, as you know I have the rear disc brake and really the best part is the weight loss and you are on the right track losing the unseen and unnoticed dead weight.
Cheers, 50gary
Frankenfe- Hey man, yep that is the wheel you gave me, I really dig it on the bike and I really appreciate your help in supplying it. I took about 2 inches out of the middle of the tank to use it for the seat hump. It isn't secured to the bike yet, but sitting there as I have to figure out how I'm going to attach everything along with the actual seat pan. I ended up with the 1970 cb350 and a 1983 Suzuki GS650X Tempter for $50. Both are rough, but I think they will see the road again eventually.
50Gary- Thanks man, I'm trying to rid of all the dead weight I can on this thing.
I got the bike fired up last night, now I just have to work on cleaning the tank, creating seat pan and bundling up the wiring, and fabbing rearsets. Almost there....
Working on getting my tank skim coated and painted. Here is a shot of the bike with bare metal tank and cowl (blurry cell phone pic). Exhaust is welded, painted and header wrapped. I have the radiator off and flushed everything out and painted the rad., just trying to get this thing on the road!
C'Hammer, You are gettin there. Glad you got the PM & Link, thought you would like it. How about some close up detail shots ...say of that front end you worked so hard on and anything else interesting. I can't remember have you decided on color & Graphics?
You are not gonna believe what I just picked up.....
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