Cafe Project Gone Astray

[grags]

What was intended to be a regular cafe build turned into something quite different than intended. I've has the intentions on building a cafe for a while now and when i came across a good condition 73 rolling chassis for a good price i jumped on the offer. When i picked it up the owner included the carbs and what was left of the motor or i should say what was left of the lower block. After a while of searching i came across a motor out of a 76 f model. When i arrived to pick up the motor the owner still has it in the frame. After a couple minutes of talking the owner convinced me to leave with the frame too even though i didn't need it. While looking for some rearsets on craigslist i came across a guy who had some parts along with a gsxr750 motor. I don't know why but i was intrigued if it the motor would fit in the cb frame. i took some measurements of the frame and had him get some measurements of the motor. After talking with him we came to the conclusion to just bring the frame up to him and see if the motor would fit. Well it was close and after sawing the top of the frame off it fit right in. Now if your asking why cut up a good titled frame. I didn't need it nor plan on using it. i ended up leaving with the motor, no rearests, and another project i never really intended on having. I am however really excited to get working on it and see what the final outcome will be.


I don't have to many pictures at the moment and the ones i have aren't really good but i figured that some might be interested to see the start and how this build will go.

 

[VonYinzer]

Welcome to DTT grags. Where are ya located?

So... Old motors in new frames Ive seen. This is new. Thats a lot of power for that frame. For your safety I hope you plan on lots of reinforcing and gusseting. Now that the mandatory safety shits out of the way, this could be AWESOME. Ill be watching for sure. Keep us posted man!

 

[JRK5892]

njice man! you are going to have to weld back in frame supports i see where you cut them out or you will twist that frame up wiht the torque... very cool idea bud!

 

[grags]

Thanks guys! ill try to keep this updated as much as possible.

I'm going to try and get all the reinforcement of the frame done over the next couple days. I ground down where the welds were the other night and still am playing with ideas of what the best way to rebrace it would be. Then it will be onto taking care of the motor mount situation.


Oh VonYinzer i'm located in Syracuse, Ny.

 

[thompsonmx100]

This should be interesting and to echo everyone else you'll need to do some research and find out where and how to gusset the frame in the best possible manner. But with that said get to work. Oh what kind of suspension are you gonna use?
I'm from NY too i now live in sunny fl but I'm originally From Jamestown.

 

[grags]

Funny I originally am from Hollywood, fl and moved up here

I am going to most likely use the forks and everything from a newer sportbike. I'd like to have a little more modern suspension and dualdisks. But I still want to reatain the orignal spoke rim or one very similar. Mag rims on cafe builds just don't do it for me.

 

[Hannibal Smith]

I think you will be fine, steel is the most forgiving when it comes to doing this kind of stuff, the original GSXR frames were aluminum and not very stiff by today's standards. Where you are going to probably suffer will be the swingarm and the swingarm to frame interface, the GSXR was beefed down there (did suspension mods on many GSXR's back in the day!)

Anyway, those old GSXR motors are great IMO.

 

[thompsonmx100]

Ha what the hell you'd do that for. I hate the weather in NY at least 8 months out of the year. Spokes are cool you can do supermoto stuff. Its pricey I wanted some for my bike but I bought both wheels rotors and tires for 200 bucks. I couldn't find a wide rim for that much.

 

[crazypj]

Cool, 100bhp motor in 50hp frame ;D
I think you'll find exhaust pipes and down tubes want to be in same spot though?
Got a lot of work ahead of you, good luck with project
I like the oil boilers, going to do a 1052 for my Katana 600 one day (would do an 1127 but I already have bunch of 1052 parts)

PJ

 

[MrBerner]

I was thinking about this the other day...a modern sport motor in an old frame...Then I thought, No I'm crazy for thinking that.... You sir are CRAZY. But, I love it! Are you planning on sticking with dual springers in the rear or switch to a monoshock?...stick with dual springers please!!

Good luck! I'll be watching!

Berner

 

[Hannibal Smith]

Cool, 100bhp motor in 50hp frame ;D
I think you'll find exhaust pipes and down tubes want to be in same spot though?
Got a lot of work ahead of you, good luck with project
I like the oil boilers, going to do a 1052 for my Katana 600 one day (would do an 1127 but I already have bunch of 1052 parts)

PJ

Good stuff! I remember the infamous "7-11" setups back in the day (for those that don't know, it was putting a GSXR 1100 plant in the GSXR 750 frame), I don't recall exactly what you gained, I think a shorter wheelbase and maybe 10-15 pounds????????

 

[grags]

Sorry if my responses are a little sloppy Im replying of my iPhone.

I was worried about the exaust pipes hitting but the downtubes run perfectly between where the exhaust is going to bolt up. I'll be sure to take a picture of that area to see.

I also was worrying about having problems getting the sprockets not aligning either but believe it or not they are almost dead on. I don't think I'm going to have to do much if any work in that area.

As of right now I'm going to stick with the dual springers in the rear. I do however love the monoshock that Kanticoy did.


Glad everyone is interested. I'll do my best to keep this Updated and interesting