Lurking for a bit... Now to show a bit of my project.

[Jose H. 3]

So my project started life as a 1981 Honda CB650 that was given to me by a friend because he was just letting it rot in his driveway under a tarp. Much of the bike was in need of repair so I decided to ditch most of it and go another route. Plus its most fun this way.


Stripped frame:

Donor 2001 GSX-R 750:

Test fitting front and rear:

New mounting tabs for rear suspension:

Standing on its own for the first time:

And onto test fitting the motor... tight... but fits...

Needed to clearance the tank for the throttle bodies... should have just gotten a new tank to start with...

After engine mounting tabs done did further work on tank:

Getting there:

More work on the tank and starting on the tail... some other stuff as well.

Mock up on everything completed. Needs more body work of course. Can see the vortex rear sets I got for a zx-636. Fit well with the welded on threaded bungs. Can also see the shorty straight exhaust I decided on. (will be pretty loud). Time to tear it back down and finish weld and make it all pretty.

And the frame back from powder coating... Going to an old 50's color scheme. Love the frame so far.


Before:

After:

This project has taken over a year so far but I finally have an end in site. I'm currently waiting on the side covers for the motor and some other bits from powder coating to then get the motor cleaned up and installed again. Will take a few more months but will keep this thread going... Hope everyone enjoys. I have enjoyed building it so far.

 

[Maritime]

Wow, that is one crazy build. Not really a CB650 anymore!

 

[johngofast]

Love the color of that frame. SEXY

 

[Jose H. 3]

yeah not much of a CB 650 anymore is right... tank, seat pan, and frame is all.... oh and the title. ha!

 

[VonYinzer]

Wow... Not sure what to say about that other than wow.

The frame color is great. The fab work is great. My only question, is why would you take a modern, powerful motor and put it into a 30 year old frame? I REALLY hope Im wrong, but that thing is going to twist like a noodle under hard acceleration and cornering.

Dont get me wrong, I think it looks great, and Im not busting your balls, just wondering.

 

[Jose H. 3]

wanted to try something different. I added a couple extra braces here and there so hope it will hold up well enough. we'll see though. have seen people swap front and rear suspension but not the motor... so giving it a whirl... hope it doesn't bit me in the ass cause its been a long road.

 

[Squally]

Very nice Fab work. Cool Idea and all but... I have to agree. That thing is suicide. Between MUCH more power and weight, bigger tires, aka traction, that frame is going to twist like a straw. It will be a nice cruise around but I wouldn't want to be near that thing when you come out of a corner on the gas for the first time. Nice work though ;D

 

[VonYinzer]

wanted to try something different. I added a couple extra braces here and there so hope it will hold up well enough. we'll see though. have seen people swap front and rear suspension but not the motor... so giving it a whirl... hope it doesn't bit me in the ass cause its been a long road.

Cool man. Hopefully the added bracing solves whatever unforseen issues you may have. The fab work is pretty cool, and Id hate to see it done in vain.

Keep us posted on your progress!

 

[dakine_surf]

Man it looks bad ass, i love the colors and the ambition... But please be careful, that frame with that motor scares me if you really intend on wringing it out.

 

[haplo_84]

This is pure insanity! Are you just going to run it with the throttle bodies open on it?

 

[Jose H. 3]

I'm not planning on wringing it out... I have a couple other bikes for that. (an 01 honda 929 and an 03 honda RC51). I'm sure the frame will hold up to some decent spirited riding... not looking to go to track days with the bike. Will continue to post pics as the bike is assembled. I have the front and rear end installed but I am at a stand still till I get more back from powder...

 

[Jose H. 3]

not much for an update but the bike is pretty much done.... rode it today and it feels pretty damn good....

 

[DrJ]

I just don't get this bike at all.

 

[Swapmeet Louie]

I just don't get this bike at all.

+50

 

[Tim]

Man, I think it's an awesome exercise in what one can do with 2 bikes and a vision. Some of the best ideas stem from ignoring convention and practicality. As you say, you didn't build this thing for the track.

In my mind it's kind of like why on earth people climb mountains. You do it because it's there, not because it makes any sense at all.

 

[haplo_84]

I think its an awesome exercise in what "can" be done, as opposed to what "should" be done. People very rarely go beyond that should to see the rest of the possibilities.

 

[Swapmeet Louie]

aesthetically speaking it just doesnt do anything for me... But, kudo's for making everything function together. And just because one can, doesnt mean one should.

 

[AntonL]

That bike is a beauty

 

[Chito]

I'm guessing you had an old Honda with a title, but not much else good... then you had a newer bike without a title... and now you have one that works well and has a title. I would probably be kind of confused if it the newer bike had been in great shape with a title, but it is still really cool.

 

[Jose H. 3]

chito nailed that one... I didn't think this forum was going to be full of so many haters... its an evolution/version of a cafe bike... sorry for all you purists out there that can't consider something outside of the box as a cafe and keep making versions of the same bikes. and a cb650 especially the one I had was not something someone would ever care to make a cafe bike out of (or even restore or make it function right)... thanks for those that actually gave nice comments and for the haters, I wanted something different that I haven't seen done before that is fun to ride. I have a cb360 to fit in with the rest of the close minded guys like yourselves and I love that bike as well. Just expanding my collection and have other things planned for other bikes in the future but doesn't seem like this is a good place to share it... sad really. makes a guy feel welcome.