CL175 Cafe Build with a Bonneville Pedigree

[vtwin650]

Some of you might recognize this bike - I purchased it from "backshedmechanic" 3-4 weeks ago. This is a story about a little bike that wants to be a big bike!
The pictures below are in order from the day I tore the bike down and how she sits today.
The motor that was in the bike had low compression on one cylinder and almost no compression on the other. I found all of the valve tappett adjustment screws loose ( and one of these nuts was down I. The bottom of the motor! So I ordered a new gasket set, along with piston & rings. I took the motor apart, cleaned and prepped for a rebuild. The tank had a troubled past as well - kind of looked like the surface of the moon. Craters, valleys and just fugly. Sanded, filled, sanded, filled repeat repeat...still up close looks terrible.

 

[vtwin650]

As I was waiting for the engine parts to arrive I stumbled upon a Craigslist ad for a cb175 that had been built to run on the Bonneville Salt Flats. So I bought it for the engine!!! Mikuni Flat Slide Carbs, custom intake manifolds, electronic ignition, ported head, bored and shaved cylinders, etc...runs like a pissed off spotted ape!

Had to figure out how to wire every thing properly - that was a real learning experience!

 

[vtwin650]

Now to make her look good

 

[vtwin650]

That seat is tire tread, not an easy task, but I really dig the results

 

[Shawzie]

Bike looks great. Cool seat. What rubber and size have you got on the front?

 

[madmatt1]

Yes, the bike looks very cool & fun! However, I have to be the pessimistic dick who asks the question: Who builds a 175 for the salt flats, and why??

 

[Rich Ard]

Yes, the bike looks very cool & fun! However, I have to be the pessimistic dick who asks the question: Who builds a 175 for the salt flats, and why??

They have all variety of displacement classes there. Because why not?

 

[vtwin650]

They have all variety of displacement classes there. Because why not?

Yep - why not try to go fast on a small motor - something that is probably much harder to do. And again - why not?!

 

[madmatt1]

They have all variety of displacement classes there. Because why not?

Yeah, I guess I didn't really think of it in that aspect. I guess to be the fastest of "fill in the blank"
class.... So how fast did it go?

 

[vtwin650]

I know it did not get any record... I have yet to push it yet - but I figure it will do the ton - right at it!

 

[Texasstar]

I know it did not get any record... I have yet to push it yet - but I figure it will do the ton - right at it!

hey man! We need to have a beer at the next bike night and talk about that Bonny motor

 

[Texasstar]

Yes, the bike looks very cool & fun! However, I have to be the pessimistic dick who asks the question: Who builds a 175 for the salt flats, and why??

the answer to your question is if you can build a small bike to go fast you can build bigger ones to go fast. We are building one my son can do the ton at the BUB run...and the experience is worth every penny and some! My Triumph does 160+ but 75 on a cb200 screaming 10k is like being a kid again...

 

[Virago1113]

That seat is tire tread, not an easy task, but I really dig the results

Very cool build.

The seat is from a tire? Do you have a write up on how it is done?

 

[Texasstar]

They have all variety of displacement classes there. Because why not?

.lol Rich and you are invited to be there when Zeke makes his BUB run at bonneville ... I wish you lived closer to big D cause I would like to shake your hand and buy you a beer...you are a good man!

 

[cbSteve]

Hey, great bike. Do you have any details on the tank? I like the shape. Do you think it is to small for a cb350?