So decided to start my build thread. It isn't really a cafe bike, but more or less cafe inspired. I have a lot of moving pieces to this build. So I figured why pigeon hole it a cafe bike. I started with a 1972 CB 500. It has a long history with me. I have owned this bike 2 times and since I was 18, and I am 43 now. I originally purchased it, cleaned it up and rode it around town and what not. Then when i was 23 I sold the bike to a buddy for $400. I was starting grad school and had a new born, so I figured I could always get another bike later... and I did, several. Anyhow he rode it home that day, parked it outside and never rode it again for 6 years. I purchased it back from him 6 years later and have been working on it since 2005! I have had several visions and variations on what I thought this bike would become. But I guess as time changes so do tastes and personal interests.
After I repurchased the bike it didn't run. The motor was seized up. I had no interest in going through the whole thing again. So I started with tearing it down to the frame. Got that powder coated flat black and then that was the end of the project for like a year. Then we bought a house and I had room to work again, the house had a great barn. I started on the project again, sourcing a running mid-70s CB550 motor and donor bike. This gave me lots of extra parts. After that, I picked up a project 1989 NT650 GT. It ran great, had been dumped and the kid was selling it with lots of extra parts, mainly a complete front end that was brand new. I repaired the NT, rode it for a summer, sold it for a nice profit and kept the extra front end. Maybe it isn't the best front end, but I went up 20 years in technology and figured that couldn't be too bad. Anyhow, I had some issues with fitment but got it all worked out and started on the next item.
The wheels were rusty and looked horrible on both bikes. So I kept the ones that were not bent, snipped all the laces and ordered new stainless steel laces. I took the hubs out and painted them a nice high gloss black and had the rims powder coated flat black. I really like the contrast. Then I took the new laces and spent 3 weekends on the floor in the living room learning to lace those wheels. I did it wrong 3 times, had to undo it and redo it each time, but i finally got it. I took them into town and had the tire guy true them and put new skins on. He complemented me on my lace job saying not many people are willing to do it anymore. I really felt like I had accomplished something. Anyhow, I added Avon tires, 4x18 rear and 3.25x19 front, they were stock rims so I had to stick with sizes that would fit.
Next the seat, I took the best seat frame I had of the 2, took it apart, came up with a design, and had the pieces fabricated and welded on to the seat pan. I made a critical error in my rear section size that didn't make itself know until I had the lights ordered and they came in... they were too big. I haven't totally given up on using both the lights, but one will work, I am running no blinkers anyhow. I had a buddy who owned an upholstery shop, he lived right up the street from my house. So I took the seat into him and asked him to take my vision and make it reality. I really like how it turned out. He passed away a few years ago and now every time I see the seat it reminds me of him, he was a great guy.
The rear shocks are Progressive 11” adjustable. They were great people to deal with and I’d do business with them again. Very happy with the look and feel of the shocks.
That is the start. I am going to post some photos and I will update more when I get some more time this weekend. But this is the start of it...
Oh, and the name, my wife started calling the bike Lazarus cause I was trying to raise it from the dead and the name just kinda stuck. So here we are!
After I repurchased the bike it didn't run. The motor was seized up. I had no interest in going through the whole thing again. So I started with tearing it down to the frame. Got that powder coated flat black and then that was the end of the project for like a year. Then we bought a house and I had room to work again, the house had a great barn. I started on the project again, sourcing a running mid-70s CB550 motor and donor bike. This gave me lots of extra parts. After that, I picked up a project 1989 NT650 GT. It ran great, had been dumped and the kid was selling it with lots of extra parts, mainly a complete front end that was brand new. I repaired the NT, rode it for a summer, sold it for a nice profit and kept the extra front end. Maybe it isn't the best front end, but I went up 20 years in technology and figured that couldn't be too bad. Anyhow, I had some issues with fitment but got it all worked out and started on the next item.
The wheels were rusty and looked horrible on both bikes. So I kept the ones that were not bent, snipped all the laces and ordered new stainless steel laces. I took the hubs out and painted them a nice high gloss black and had the rims powder coated flat black. I really like the contrast. Then I took the new laces and spent 3 weekends on the floor in the living room learning to lace those wheels. I did it wrong 3 times, had to undo it and redo it each time, but i finally got it. I took them into town and had the tire guy true them and put new skins on. He complemented me on my lace job saying not many people are willing to do it anymore. I really felt like I had accomplished something. Anyhow, I added Avon tires, 4x18 rear and 3.25x19 front, they were stock rims so I had to stick with sizes that would fit.
Next the seat, I took the best seat frame I had of the 2, took it apart, came up with a design, and had the pieces fabricated and welded on to the seat pan. I made a critical error in my rear section size that didn't make itself know until I had the lights ordered and they came in... they were too big. I haven't totally given up on using both the lights, but one will work, I am running no blinkers anyhow. I had a buddy who owned an upholstery shop, he lived right up the street from my house. So I took the seat into him and asked him to take my vision and make it reality. I really like how it turned out. He passed away a few years ago and now every time I see the seat it reminds me of him, he was a great guy.
The rear shocks are Progressive 11” adjustable. They were great people to deal with and I’d do business with them again. Very happy with the look and feel of the shocks.
That is the start. I am going to post some photos and I will update more when I get some more time this weekend. But this is the start of it...
Oh, and the name, my wife started calling the bike Lazarus cause I was trying to raise it from the dead and the name just kinda stuck. So here we are!