budget sv650 cafe racer

[gt alex]

It's not too bad but more is always nice.
Have you thought about raising the height of the tank?
It looks as if the top of the tank is below the top of the upper fork yoke.
If you were to make them level you may gain another litre or two without affecting the look of the bike too much.

What can I say Brodie, your right.
I was thinking of lowering the rear of the tank to get it as parallel as possible with the seat line but to get another litre in the tank I am raising the front and lengthening it about 20 mm, should make it about 13-5-14.5 which I am much happier with.

 

[Brodie]

Haha I am only asking questions. You are the man getting it done.
Raising the front to make it parallel with the seat sounds like a great idea.

 

[gt alex]

Just making a trolley for my new welder today still needs wheels, handle, and toolbox. then I can star welding my new tank.

 

[gt alex]

I have started cutting out my final patterns for the tank and started thinking of paint.
I am thinking Frame and swing arm black base with dark blue candy over it.
Seat and tank Black gloss with a little metal flake and some sort of bright colour detail.
And a little less duct tape.
How does that sound to you all? Any better thoughts?

 

[Brodie]

How is the custom tank progressing?

 

[gt alex]

How is the custom tank progressing?

Slowly my wife has been ill and in hospital Been doing some tig practice and learning as I go.
Although the fuel tank is still a work in progress, my birthday is coming up and I am being asked what I want.
I am thinking of asking for this fuel cap.
But keen to know what others think. If I buy a threaded bung to suit and I decide to change my mind there are hundreds of other Harley custom caps to chose from but I like this because it's different.
Has anyone else got this type of cap?
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001786942707.html?spm=a2g0s.8937460.0.0.172d2e0exFqcFq

Or maybe the black version of this one.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/100...sceneId":"2873","sku_id":"12000016824102305"}

 

[Brodie]

That sucks. I am sorry to hear she is ill. Hope everything will be alright.

Hard choice between both caps for me. I like the style.

 

[teazer]

Better hope you never slide up the tank...... Those look funky but I'd never fit one on a bike that will be ridden. Show, perhaps. Steam Punk show bike? Absolutely.

 

[gt alex]

Better hope you never slide up the tank...... Those look funky but I'd never fit one on a bike that will be ridden. Show, perhaps. Steam Punk show bike? Absolutely.

I do agree not for track days, but I am trying to capture old school flavour the good thing is although they flip open the whole assembly just screws in and out so I can swap back and forwards.

 

[teazer]

Some small Ducati used a cap with a clip over the top but it was much smaller. Most common in the sixties and seventies were Monza caps. alloy and flip up with a small clip at the rear. Cafe racers used a similar style but cast or steel because they were cheaper.

Funnily enough I fit flat modern type flip caps on my cafe racers. They would work well with the tank and bike style without the risk of damage to the family jewels. But bottom line is that it's your bike and your decision to do what looks best for you.

 

[gt alex]

Some small Ducati used a cap with a clip over the top but it was much smaller. Most common in the sixties and seventies were Monza caps. alloy and flip up with a small clip at the rear. Cafe racers used a similar style but cast or steel because they were cheaper.

Funnily enough I fit flat modern type flip caps on my cafe racers. They would work well with the tank and bike style without the risk of damage to the family jewels. But bottom line is that it's your bike and your decision to do what looks best for you.

This is another one that would just swap over if I use the Harley threaded bung, Is this the style you refer to?

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/330...eea43c0-12&pdp_ext_f={"sku_id":"67317388251"}

 

[teazer]

Yes, That is extremely cheap. When they were manufactured in England they used to be expensive. Someone took the shape/style and adapted it to a modern bung.

I may have to get one of those for a cafe racer I am building. It has one of those push in and unscrew type caps that I'm not a fan of.

 

[gt alex]

Looks like the family are kicking in for a 3/4 cafe style front bullet cowl assembly. looks good to me but a step above my low budget build.

 

[gt alex]

How is the custom tank progressing?

Even with a frame to weld to it's still hard to get it looking true on the bike. I was nearly past the point of no return and I have decided to undo some tacks and pull the front of the tank about 5mm to the right. Its such a strange shape it's hard to trust measurements and I am not sure the tank started life 100% symmetrical. I am just going by looks now but now's the time is muck round I was nearly committed and I wouldn't have been happy in the end. It is going to look great.

 

[gt alex]

A picture of the proposed fairing, I think it will help hide the sv frame a bid and give some wind protection.
I am just waiting for a invoice to be sent through for payment.

 

[gt alex]

Been replacing the duct tape sides on the tank so I have more idea how it's going to look blending the Honda NSR tank to the SV frame shape. I think is going well and will look really unique.

 

[gt alex]

Some measuring and cutting and it's getting close to the final shape, so how about some feed back there is still a little room for change.

 

[Brodie]

Looks good I think.

 

[gt alex]

Looks good I think.

Yes hard to tell but sitting on it feels good, the tank pushes the seating position back about 40mm and I defiantly feel the extra forward lean but I don't think it will affect me while riding and the knee dent and pegs feel better. I still have the bottom of the tank to make , and I'm not sure how to setup my cold air induction with the front fairing I'm getting.

 

[gt alex]

Fairing has arrived pre painted dark gun metal grey. It is a snug fit just rubbing the frame each side (another 5mm would have been nice)
With a quick pre fit just sitting it over my head light, several things are apparent, I need to work out brackets and adapt the provided front bracket, volt meter and front brake res need moving. I think it will look better 40mm lower which means cut outs to clear the radiator. Wiring should reach but the indicators will need moving. Only down side is no fittings to fit the screen.