Hey guys,
Signed up last November... but only gotten round to being more active in the last couple weeks. From Brisvegas. Currently in process of my 5th build, but this is only my 2nd cafe racer I've built thus far. I'm doing a ground-up custom/resto of a 1981 drum rear XS250/400. Putting a 400 top end on it and general cafe job. Will be much classier build than the last one I did. My 1st cafe build was also an XS250. Competed in the Deus build-off back in November... built a rigid SR185 in 3 weeks especially for the build-off. I did it for the free t-shirt LOL
Not a mechanic.. nor am I a welder.. I have no trade quals... only what I have learnt from working at Honda and at East Coast custom years ago (custom chopper scene) as well as what i have taught myself from picking up books.
Currently, I have my own workshop under my house as well as the following bikes in various stages of tear-down/rebuild: 1981 XS250, 1976 XS750, 1977 GS650, 1982 SR185.
The SR185 which was my Deus Ex Mechina build-off entry last year will be converted back to swing-arm rear and then modified for the land speed records at Lake Gairdner next year. XS750...? Unsure at this juncture.. but possibly a tracker of some description. XS250 looking for a May 2011 completion... half fairing, solo seat, proper cafe racer deal.
For those interested, my last cafe build:
...took me about 65 hours over 5 months. Total build cost (not including my time) about $1000, including the bike. Bike was literally a "barn-find". It was in a barn.. covered in mud and dust... hadn't run in 2 years. All work done myself, except for the custom tuck'n'roll seat cover.. and the paint... had my mate paint it.. but it was a lovely custom silver metallic... hues of pinkish red at certain angels
Self-professed cafe racer nut! I think we need a few more pics of other bikes in here guys! Let's see 'em!