Starting a Cafe Project...

[Jascon]

Hi Everyone,

I'm fairley new to the site, and this is my first time posting. First of I'd like to say that this is really a great site, love all the projects, info, help etc.. definatley going to be a great resource for future projects.

I've recently got into motorcycles, and long story short, I'd like to build myself a cafe racer...
So I've just bought and restored my first bike this year, with much help from my dad, and therefore don't have a whole lot of experience. I'm just looking for some general advice, and some tips to help me along the way, so any input would be apreciated. I have decent mechanic skills, and basic understanding of the motorcycle, but really this is all new stuff to me.

Anyways, due to outrageous insurance premiums, I won't be on the road anytime soon, (summer after next if I'm lucky), so I've got a lot of time to put into my first project. My neighbour has an old yamaha XS 650 (I believe) in his garage, that's been sitting for at least 20 years. The bike isn't in great shape, but rebuildable in my opinion, and I think I could pick it up for a couple 100$. My question is, would this bike be worth the trouble. I'm a student, so I'll be on a really tight budget, but I don't want a big shiny bike. A no fuss no-nonsense cafe is what I'm looking for. I've seen and read about some pretty nice projects involving the yamha XS line, so I'm really just asking if it's a good bike to start with.

Thanks in advance for any input.

Simon

 

[Reddy]

A very popular bike with which to start a cafe project. Lots of parts are available. If it was running when stored it should not take too much to get it going again.

 

[TonyD]

I pay $80 a year for insurance on my cb500.......

 

[DreadRock]

Hear alot about the xs650 all good things and there is alot for them. would say try to get it started first then make a list of what youll need and what you want to do to the bike .

My XS500

 

[Jascon]

Well like I said, I don't want to do a big budget project, and I have a lot of time for this project, so I don't mind doing something that'll take a lot of work. Anyone know how reliable those engines are. The big isn't in great shape, and like I said has been sitting for at least 20 years. I'm pretty sure the bike ran before it was garaged, still got plates and all.

So really I'm just wondering if you can get a bike like that back into good shape with a bit (or a lot) of work??

 

[DreadRock]

Yes you can man ! mine had plates on it from 1988 just sat there in a guys field. told me he rode it home and never rode it again. but only thing i ended up using was the motor and frame . from what i have read the XS650s where good bikes seem to be alot around and alot of part to be had !

 

[Jascon]

Sounds good then,.. the problem is that I live in Northen Ontario, so descent project bikes are hard to come by. Had to travel more than 200km to pick up my last bike, and this one would just be down the road,.. so it makes it a lot easier for me. I had a look at the plates some time ago, and I think it was last on the road in either 82 or 83. But it looks like these bikes have pretty reliable engines and I guess that's all that really matters, because almost everything else will either be scapped or modded anyhow...

Thanks for the tips so far.. apreciate it.

 

[DreadRock]

theres a few site that might help you .....

speed@sport
nwvintagecycle
mikesXS
yambits
HVCcycle
and the biggest DTT ! ;D

 

[Jascon]

Alright, I'll keep those in mind

Thanks again.