CB175 Cafe Buildup - The beginnings of something... small.

[Booligan]

I'll try to get an after pic to go along with my before pic. Picture plain silver metal, only pitted to high heaven, lol.

 

[PingPongJack]

These can be a really fun platform. This is a full race one I built a few yrs ago...(not bragging, just inspiration)

So YOU own this bike? Back when I was scouting a cb175 cafe project, i based my initial idea off of this very bike. I found it on google. Very nice, man!

 

[Swapmeet Louie]

So YOU own this bike? Back when I was scouting a cb175 cafe project, i based my initial idea off of this very bike. I found it on google. Very nice, man!

Thanks!

 

[Swapmeet Louie]

I have some fork tubes if ya wanna spring for shipping...? I think. Left over from my build yrs ago...

 

[Booligan]

Let me see how mine turn out after I throw some paint on them, I'll let you know. Thanks!

 

[eyhonda]

Just found this thread. Will be following. I also did a minor build of a cb175. Most of the parts are compatible with the model replacement CB200t. I also fitted the cb200t tank. It fits with the cb200t rear tank bracket and rubber holder. The exhaust and probably the cables are compatible too.

 

[Booligan]

I went ahead and ordered some CB350 clutch and brake cables, fittings look the same and length differences seem negligible. I'll update if they work out okay. If they do, it would make for a great cheap source of cables.

I started sandblasting the tank to get rid of the last remaining paint foibles left over from the stripping fiasco. So far, so good, and I should have the tank blasted tonight and ready for filler and primer.

 

[eyhonda]

For the vinegar soak, add a half cup of salt per gal of vinegar. It makes it more acidic. Good thing, you removed the petcock. I didn't and it ate through the bowl!

 

[Booligan]

I don't even have a petcock, haha. Got a new one on order through my local Honda dealer. PO took it off and couldn't find it again.

But yes, I'd heard about adding salt to the vinegar, but didn't end up doing it. Next time I need to, I'll give it a shot, as this was a bit of a slow process.

 

[Booligan]

Finished blasting the tank and started with the bondo. Got it started fairly well, considering that it's my first time working with the stuff. Got the previously filled dents refilled fairly well, and got two layers built up in the rectangular slots for the Honda badges. It's smoothing out pretty well so far.

 

[Booligan]

My DCC and Ebay orders came in. Got my UNI foam pods, clip ons, new control cables, headlight ears, fork boots, mufflers, clamps, etc... Loads of parts, it was like motorcycle Christmas. I managed to get everything roughly installed, just need to tweak and finalize placement of things. Excuse the crappy pic and filthy shed, I work better when I'm tripping over my tools and my kids pool toys, haha.

Few things to note, I need to scoot the headlight down a bit I think. The CB360 cables I got MOSTLY worked. I had to tweak some things to get them 100% in there and secure, but they seem like they'll do the job. I also decided to send my tank out for final smoothing and paint. It's just something that's out of my comfort zone, and I have a shop that owes me a favor, so paint will be cheap. Same with the seat once it shows up. Ended up getting the Roc City Cafe Bonneville seat after talking with them a bit. They actually designed it around the 175 frame, so it should be a good fit. Just need it to show up now.

I'll be tweaking everything this weekend. Also got the front wheel mounted back up, so I'll be able to roll it outside and get some pics out of the shed of horrors.

 

[SeekingZero]

Nice, but you're suppose to take a picture of all the goodies laid out. My motorcycle christmas is soon coming! I order everything for mine next week. Can't wait to see these bikes come together! ;D

 

[Booligan]

Yeah, I was too excited to throw stuff on the bike, I didn't get the Christmas morning pic, haha.

Couple of things to note. I screwed up my measurements on the exhaust piping and had to get the EMGO spacers to fill in the space between the header pipe and the new muffler. Those spacers are not great at all. With the 1 3/8 one tightened all the way down, it didn't clamp on the 1 3/8 piping. Had to compress it fully, then pop it onto itself to have any sort of clamping force on the header pipe. Not a good system for leak free operation, so we'll see what else I'll need to do to make it work. That being said, once I got that figured out, the pipes mounted up really solidly. Just need to shape and drill the supporting mount.

Also, on those ubiquitous lightweight headlight ears that I have thrown on there, most sites advertise them as fitting 35-38mm forks. They will fit 31mm forks like the CB175 no problem, so don't let that stop you from picking them up if needed.

I also ended up prepping the controls for mounting on the new bars. Stripped off all the old crusty heat shrink and got new stuff installed. That is a process I'd rather not go through again. Also shaved off the centering pin so I won't need to drill into the new bars. Just need to yank the old grips off and I should be able to get the controls thrown on this weekend.

 

[ffjmoore]

That center pin can be helpful. It keeps the controls from spinning when you grab a handful of brake or clutch. i have used then without the center pin with no problem. It just depends on how well they clamp to the bars. Just a heads up.

 

[eyhonda]

Thanks for the tip on the headlight brackets. I will probably get a set. Did you try mounting yours the other way, upside down? They look like they should be reversed.

 

[Booligan]

Thanks for the tip on the headlight brackets. I will probably get a set. Did you try mounting yours the other way, upside down? They look like they should be reversed.

They can be mounted either way. I like them "ears up" though.

 

[JohnnyAces]

They can be mounted either way. I like them "ears up" though.

Totally agree, from the pic it seems like they align with the handlebars better

 

[mnraider]

I really like those bars and I agree the Christmas morning pic is hard to get sometimes cause all you want to do is get the parts on.LOL

 

[Booligan]

Slowly but surely, she's coming together. Still need to sort out wiring, routing of control cables, and a dozen other things, but she's a roller again.

 

[Bert Jan]

Nice scoot sir! If you could get your hands on a cb200 or 125twin tank i think that would look better. I personally think this tank is to bulky and 'scrambler" for a caferacer. Nice touch on the pipes with the red!