DT 175 Cafe Build

[tamadrmr26]

I am just getting started with this build and figured I'd get a few questions out of the way. Its a 1980 dt175. i picked it up a few weeks ago. 1,300 miles and it runs good. I am planning a very simple cafe build. just something to rip around town on. I would like to strip everything unnecessary off to make it as light as possible, minus some minor flashy custom parts because i am a metalworker and would like the bike to be unique.

I plan on running pre-mix. from what i found its not a problem to eliminate the oil injection on this bike(unlike my t500 which you supposedly cannot run premix with out causing bearing failure) and 32:1 is the ratio i've found that people run. any tips/corrections/advice here?

I would like to eliminate the battery which shouldn't be a problem because the lights work off the magneto when the bike is running. are there any other electrical compnoents that i can eliminate? electrical is not at all my specialty so if anyone has any detailed info on what i can get rid of and how to do so without affecting anything important(ie: how the bike runs, head/tail light, brake lights, etc) i would really appreciate it. also, this is a 6v electrical system correct? so where does that put me as far as getting aftermarket lighting and such?

I am in ny state, which i believe means i need a headlight, tail/brake light and blinkers if the bike came equipped with them(anyone know how strict the blinker law is? i would like to go without blinkers). do i need a speedo? i hope not so that i can just guess my top speed and not be dissapointed 8)

The electrical is the only thing holding me back from really diving right into this build so any help there is appreciated. after i get that sorted out i will know for sure what brackets i can hack off the frame and start fabbing the seat hump, clipons, headlight brackets, stretching the tank a little(or looking for a replacement, i haven't decided yet). i put a couple pictures below of the bike when i picked it up, and where im at now with the teardown. again, any and all help/tips/comments is appreciated. Thanks for looking!

 

[cafecustom720]

Can't wait to see where this goes, should be a cool little scoot.

 

[Rpino7]

Hey man, good to see another New Yorker on the forum. I used to live in Rockland county, Nyack area. now I live in Queens NY. I am currently working on a CB350F turning it into a cafe racer. Maybe we can meet up and talk bikes and when they are done go for a ride. I also saw that you work with metal, I have a top triple that is cracked, is there anyway that maybe you can fab a new one?
Nice little bike. Good luck on the build.

 

[tamadrmr26]

do you have a picture of the cracked triple? i probly could make one but it is a lot of work and it would most likely be easier to get another. you might be able to find a good stick welder who can do cast well to weld it. i would not be comfortable welding a cast part on someone else bike, especially not a crucial part like that. good luck!

 

[tamadrmr26]

it didnt take long for me to decide on the tank. i had the tank from my t500 sitting on the big bike because i was undecided on what i was doing for a tank on that project as well. threw it on my yamaha and i think its f'in perfect. Also, everything that i will not be using is stripped off the bike. i dropped the forks through the trees a bit and i am happy with the stance. the only things i am not happy with as of now is the monoshock is adjusted as hard as it will go and it seems way to soft for me. i will have to look into a stiffer spring maybe. and the front wheel looks big and awkward.

im thinking i'll start on the bars this week so my lazy ass has something to lean against when im deciding where to cut the frame for the seat hump.

here's a couple of pictures with the tank just mocked up

 

[Shittybill]

the mock-up looks pretty sick! cant wait to see it when its done!

 

[Nojokirk 75cl360]

hey dude, looking good. i got a dt250 im cafe'in out too! let me know if you find a better exhaust pipe than the one that kills the engine space. - Noah

 

[tamadrmr26]

thanks. i havent even really thought about the exhaust at this point. but i would say short of having something fab'd up theres probly not anything else out there. my plan is to bolt up the stocker when im all reassembled the way i want it see where its at. i could possibly chop up the stock pipe and route it how i wanted i guess. time will tell.

 

[Nojokirk 75cl360]

Thanks the same thing i was thinking, mate. It looks like to me that you can just flip the pipe and do some to none on the cutting and welding. -Cheers, Noah Von Kirk

 

[tamadrmr26]

progress update.
hacked off the back of the frame and welded in a hoop with a slight upward bend. handlebars are tacked up but im not sure how i like them. they feel great but look a little wide so they might get cut down eventually. rearset footpegs are in place. its all just heavy tacks for now until i get everything where i want it. i put in a monoshock from a dt400 that is supposedly more heavy duty than the 175 setup, and it feels it. i might redrill the top shock mount an inch or 2 back on the frame to try and get a little more height in the rear. still hate the front wheel so i need to get a smaller rim and have it relaced, since i dont think i'll have the patience to do that myself(although i've never done one).

i gotta figure out how to make a seat...might have to make a call to my seamstress(aka mom)
pics below

 

[sham]

Hey dude,

Looking into getting a 1979 DT175 so I'm gonna look on for some inspiration.

 

[tamadrmr26]

haven't updated in a while. i actually completely forgot until someone pm'd me on here this morning. so i figured i'd throw some pictures up. my bike is just about done short of some minor adjustments and cleaning up the wiring. including the price of the bike i think i spent about $900 total.

...and my camera is in my girlfriend's car so maybe pics tomorrow?...or maybe not.

 

[JustinLonghorn]

I look forward to seeing your progress, sir.

 

[tamadrmr26]

just went for first ride(only 30 or 40 mins since i have no reg. or inspection). broke an exhaust mount, so that needs to be re-welded. that was the only problem i had. i did notice that the front suspension was still to soft even with 1" spacers and heavier fork oil. it bounces a little once you get up near the top of 5th gear. i did take some cell phone pics of my little cafe/rat whatever you wanna call it.

 

[JustinLonghorn]

Looks like fun to me.

 

[Lincolnoodle]

Hi I recently acquired a Dt 175 and had a few questions. What speedo are you using? Did you have any problems when you changed rear sets? I would like to put the oversized pegs on and wanted some insight. Also did you run new wiring or use stock? Thanks

 

[tamadrmr26]

im afraid i cant help you much with those questions. im running no speedo, the rear sets are off a cbr i think, but the shifter/brake levers and linkages are custom. the only thing i didnt make or customize for the rearsets are the actual pegs. even the mounts are welded onto to the frame to allow the pegs to drop down low enough. and i havent completed the wiring yet. i have the stock harness on it right now but more than half the wiring is not used since i took a lot of things off. i am thinking i will just ditch the old harnes and do my own wiring. sorry i couldnt help much. if you have more specific questions as you get going ask away, maybe i can help more.