Trying my hand at bike building - '77 CJ360T

[ncologerojr]

I have owned/worked on several bikes in the past, all were modern sport bikes. Since then I have been more involved in the hot-rod scene and I sort have lost interest in the modern bikes. Maybe I'm getting old (27). Recently I picked up this non-running '77 CJ360T. The po told me he had it for about a year and just could not get it to fire up. $300 later I loaded it up on the trailer, and was on my way. I sat the bike aside for a few weeks while busy finishing with some other projects. Last week I was ready to get to work. After about 30min the bike was up and running. A quick test ride and it was time for disassembly. Unfortunately, I never snapped a pic of the bike before ripping parts off :'(.

Beginning break-down.

Starting to brainstorm...

Stripped down, a quick bath and ready for work.

I want a real bare-bones look so any excess brackets must go.

 

[Sonreir]

Another 360 build! \o/

 

[ncologerojr]

Work on the seat/tail has begun. After looking over 1000's of cafe pics, I think I'm going to try something a little different from the traditional rounded cowl.

Measure, bend, cut, measure, tack...

This section of the tail is going to require 3 pieces.

More measuring, bending, tacking...

Where I'm at right now...

More to come soon!

 

[jonwright]

love me some 360! ill be watching good luck

 

[ncologerojr]

Just a little bit of brainstorming.

What do you think?

 

[honda007]

Id like to see what kinda shape you have in mind for that rear hump.
That's some spacey stuff you've got there sir! 8)
Had the exact same dent in my gas tank. Managed to 'hammer' it out from the inside with a long wrench, and some aid of some spot-welded on nuts on the outside, a hook, and a hammer-weight.
Good luck with your build.

 

[ncologerojr]

Id like to see what kinda shape you have in mind for that rear hump.
That's some spacey stuff you've got there sir! 8)

Lol thx. I just wanted to make something a bit different. It seems that most everyone goes with a variation of the same rounded "hump" style, and there is nothing wrong with that. I just thought I would give something else a try. Right now on an incomplete bike the cowl really stands out. My hope is that once the bike is completed the cowl will become a bit more subtle!

 

[jonwright]

the seat is a cool look man i like it

 

[ncologerojr]

Starting to reconsider my seat cowl design...one glance I like it, next glance not so sure.

 

[Aircooledrules]

I love the cowl, hell yes for something different that actually looks good.

 

[jonwright]

its cool man. rock it!

 

[trek97]

Absolutley!!! something different in a cafe is awesome, Im all about that...keep going. Oh yes...and Welcome to the site and our world. 360s RULE.

 

[ncologerojr]

So...I just wasn't happy with the direction the seat cowl was going. I dont know what it was, but I just wasnt sure about it. It also just felt too easy to make, if that makes sense? Today I decided to do something about it. My goal was to keep the front section of the cowl the same shape, and then taper the rear section into a rounded dome shape. I have been working on improving my sheetmetal fab skills, and this gave me a chance to work on my old-school metal shrinking technique using a hammer and a stump. I also broke out the bead roller just a bit. Here are a few pics of todays progress.

 

[jonwright]

Sweet! Gotta challenge yourself I totally respect that! Looks rad man I'm really excited to see what you end up with!

 

[belch_brother]

+1 cowl design. Looks different. I like different.

 

[ncologerojr]

Even with modification I wasn't happy with my seat cowl design. So I scrapped it and started over. I am already happier with the results. I meant to take more pics during the build process, but my phone died. Here is a quick progress shot I got before the battery called it a day.

 

[kwazykid]

I too, think this is better. I liked the idea of your first design, but sometimes ideas are way better than reality. I'm sure it would have turned out great but I'm really diggin the new direction!

 

[ncologerojr]

I found a couple of hours today to get some work done on my seat, and I'm happy with the results. Just a bit more work left. I've been planing on using a set of stock led taillights that I've had hanging around from a '04 Yamaha R6 that I used to own. A little masking tape test fit looks like they will work just fine!

 

[honda007]

Nice work on that rear hump. Good thinking to use those 'ribs' to get the curvature.
Ofcourse it's only an opinion, but those rear-lights look just so 'big' and not style-correct...to me?

 

[bornloser]

Looking really good. Definitley like the change of direction with the cowl, the interior frame looks great, good choice. Those lights look good depending on how you're gonna tie em in, kinda too early to tell.