1980 CX500 Cafe Racer build up. Go big or go home!

[Busted Knuckles]

Recently inherited my Dad's CX500c when he got a GL500i. I've been salivating over several of the cages on here, and now have my chance to build one. I'll keep this thread updated as much as I can, I've got some ideas that I'm certain I will need some help on! Below is a pic of the the bike as she sits (saddle bags and all!!!) and the front end that's going on her. Wish me luck, I'm gonna need it!!!

 

[Busted Knuckles]

 

[Busted Knuckles]

Got a little bit of the tear down done with Pops tonight. Forgot how fun it is to get dirty every once in a while.

 

[Staffy]

Whale oil beef hooked mick!

Those panniers look just like mine only they look like they might even seal up (unlike mine). Postage to australia would probably be $100 or so. How much you want for the panniers with the frame?

 

[Busted Knuckles]

Staffy, I will ask Pops. Technically they're still his. I will most certainly get back at ya! He searched high and low for those damn things, and now that he's got his GL, he's on cloud nine. .

 

[Staffy]

Well if they're taken and in use then let the fella have 'em. The postage would probably kill me anyway.

 

[Busted Knuckles]

Couple more tear down pics...as Robert Plant sang "Little by Little"

 

[Busted Knuckles]

And test fitting the ZX6R triples for the inverted front end...

 

[Busted Knuckles]

Started tear down of the wheels to get the rear hubs modded to my liking...and thought I'd throw in a pic of Pops' GL he got for Xmas...

 

[Busted Knuckles]

Cut the steering neck out of the stock triples...

Then the process of pressing the neck out of the ZX6R bottom triple...

And finally the disassembly of the stock Comstar getting the center hub ready to lathe down...

 

[Busted Knuckles]

Dry fit of the USD forks to the frame.

 

[Busted Knuckles]

Having a set of spokes laced up for it...daring to be a little different in the comstar only world of the CX, lol

 

[Bozz]

That's an interesting choice on the rear wheel. I hope it works out.


I am considering looking into early GL1000 units that had shaft drive with spokes.


I may need the whole damn swingarm from the GL, or perhaps just the final drive.


Luckily my cx is early so I have the taller rear anyway so the comstars shouldn't be all that painful until I get the spokes figured out...

 

[Busted Knuckles]

Looked at that way...it just looked a little janky to me, actually have some rings all machined up already. Fortunately, I have a machine (and a mad genius machinist) shop at my disposal. Let's just say that we have something really cool in the works!

 

[Busted Knuckles]

@Bozz, the GL final drive won't fit on our CX's. That was my very first idea...

 

[Bozz]

Good to know.


Do you recall how it was off?


I have yet to measure/analyze that in detail.


Cheers!

 

[Busted Knuckles]

True that swivel!

Boz, I'm not certain where it was off...my dad is really involved in the CX community and we live very close to Larry ( the CX/GL carb expert), and he's the one who told me that. There's some folks I'll challenge, but Larry's knowlege in all things CX is overwhelming, lol.

 

[Bozz]

No worries.


I was just curious as to just how impossible.


Straight up impossible, or simply way more hassle than it is worth.


I know there are some BMW's with spokes...

 

[Busted Knuckles]

Stay tuned, you just might like the idea I'm working on...I'll have final results in a couple weeks. I have to juggle shop time with being a dad to 3 teen/pre teen daughters and regular household stuffs with the wifey!

 

[Staffy]

I've seen a lot of spoke conversions on the german sites on these CX's (Just google gullepumpe and you'll see what I mean) but they've all used a bolted ring setup. I'm keen to see where this goes.