CX Cafe Rat

[Tolka]

Its all started with some random picture of cafe racer on internet. I fell in love with one cafe picture and year later after finishing my other 200cc project I deside to build my own cafe. I have read dotheton site sinse that time but register only now.
So here is the story..

All started like this:

The bike was standing in garage for 15+ years, so a lot of stuff needs to be changed.

Carbs was in really bad condition, clogged and leaking from all possible ways and needed full rebuild.

Old ugly face was destroyed and rpm meter was fitted with LED lights. Later they all was changed to new Smith speedo and HD indikator lights.

Of course new oil everywhere, new bearings and seals, mechanical water seal etc.
Electric fan conversion. I found some instructions in internet but didnt like them becouse I dont want drill hole in radiator and breaking old fan fittings. So I made my own conversion

All you need is kawasaki zzr fan, it fit so nice so you only need to remove old mechanical fan.
Also you need small adapter like on little pic. and install here "NO" fan switch what put fan to work.

First modification:
cafe seat was build from kawasaki gas tank and original honda seat.

All seems to work fine, so I break it on parts again and started to finish my project..

and few months later "81 Honda cafe racer is born

some black&white pics

I like to drive it every day in all weather conditions, so thats why I choose big tail light and left front fender in place..

Sorry for my bad english.. I already speak 3 languages so I think I reach my limit with english 8)

 

[Booligan]

Looks great! I really love the engine on these, reminds me of the Moto Guzzi. Do you have any pictures of the front of the finished bike?

 

[Bert Jan]

Wow awesome project! To bad you've got no more pics of the build. I would like to see how you made some parts.

 

[jonwright]

Love this shot man! sweet looking bike.

 

[YogiBear]

Good looking CX man

 

[Captmilk76]

Those stripes make the tank pop... I can't stop looking at it....

Sent from my DROID RAZR

 

[Tolka]

Thanks to all!
I think I have some more pics of building it.. That parts you mean?

Wow awesome project! To bad you've got no more pics of the build. I would like to see how you made some parts.

 

[marla_do]

cx's gotta be one of the ugliest vintage bikes turned into a cafe

but I said the same about the virago and now I want one - maybe it will grow on me one day?

coolest looking exhaust i've seen lately though

 

[RotaryDanglish]

cx's gotta be one of the ugliest vintage bikes turned into a cafe
...
coolest looking exhaust i've seen lately though

I have to agree.
But you have turned this ugly grandpa-touring into a sizzling cafe.
That exhaust is bitchin.

 

[slots]

Greetings from Finland. I'm building something very similar to this. I've got a '78 CX and a build thread here on the site too.

Do you have the Ignitech CDI? What jets are you using? I'm too going to make straight pipes to the mufflers and place them upwards just like you did.

I love how yours turned out, great job!

 

[Tolka]

Moi!
Yes I have CDI, its black box that you see on the 5 picture from top. Transistored cx came in "82.
Im using original size jets, the bike run surprisingly well with them so Im not changing them now. The trick is to have good filters on carbs that have some thicker fabric inside and you definately need to syncronise carbs after rebuild. Fuel consumption is about 5l/100km and running fine so for now I will use original size jets. Maybe I try bigger jets next summer

Pipes looking good but you can easily burn your leg or melt your pants knee guard, like my friend did then he was trying to put bike on center stand Fortunately I newer ride a bike in short pants and dont have knee guards outside pants ;D

I have a lot of original parts left so if you need something for your build let me know.. Finland is only 80 km away

Cafe next to cafe:

 

[slots]

I meant to ask if you use the Ignitech-version of the CDI (can be bought at www.ignitech.cz ). This is an excellent part to get when your original CDI-box fails on you. It even works when your stator goes bad but still charges the battery.

Thanks, but I'm getting rid of original parts, not buying them..

 

[Tolka]

Oh, sorry. I have read about this CDI version but tottaly forgot about it.
Just said it in case you have something broken and need parts..

 

[slots]

Hehe, yes of course I understand.

I followed your lead and ordered a ZZR fan from ebay for about 30 euros incl. postage. Also got a 80°c temp switch to mount on the rad.
My mechanical fan is working fine but let's just say it doesn't look new anymore. I'm afraid it would explode on me when revving a lot.

I'm trying to find a single gauge that has the necessary lights, speedo and tacho and water temp. My best candidate right now is the Acewell M-52. Here's the link if you are interested http://www.acewell.co.uk/Acewell%20Speedometers/M-52/MD52-353.htm?action=full&id=199

It's so small that it would bring a nice simplicity to the gauge section of the bike..

 

[Tolka]

80°c is a bit low if it is in contact with coolant, becouse thermostat opens at 82°c. and is fully open at about 90°c. of course it depends where you mount fan switch.
Acewell clocks looks cool but I like analog more, especially on old bikes. But it have all necessary things and is small also. Seen some acewell gauges on cafes and they look nice

 

[slots]

I just followed this page http://www.genebitsystems.com/david/MotorcycleFan/TemperatureSwitch500.htm so I'm hoping the 80°c will be okay

 

[Tolka]

I think this is a good idea, easy to made and dont ned new holes in radiator.

If you glue fan switch somewere to your radiator maybe 80c will be ok, if switch is in contact with coolant I still think it is a bit low. But who knows, you can always try different things and look that is better for you.
Just remember that electrical system was made without fan option, so it may drain your battery..

 

[Tolka]

Made some new pics on weekend

One rear shock leaks.. any idea can I repair it? or its better idea to change them for some another shocks?..

 

[RotaryDanglish]

One rear shock leaks.. any idea can I repair it? or its better idea to change them for some another shocks?..

I always say to replace if they are the stock, basicly anything you can find out there is better than stock if you keep your head in the game.

 

[Tolka]

yes, they are stock.. But what shocks will fit and are good? Found on internet that some harley and einfield shocks will fit..
I dont want to get very hard suspension also..