Looking at building a Cafe racer, need help with a few questions

[racemx51]

Hey guys, BRAND new to this. Let me explain first..Im a Motocross racer and my brother and I are looking into getting a few CB's and building Cafe Racer type bikes. He is a Fabricator by trade and I am a body man/Auto painter by trade. Plus we both can build a dirt bike from the ground up with our eyes closed. So basically, nothing will be much of an issue. YET, I have a few important (yet stupid to you guys) questions...I can buy a 1981 CB 650 for super cheap here in my area but Im reading on different forums that they suck and are hard to buld a cafe racer with. I can try and find a 750, are those going to be that much different to build? Is there something else we should be looking for? I can get this 650 super cheap and it just needs a stator as far as for it to get running well. Can you guys just give me a few tips, honestly, I dont know what Im doing as far as what bike I should use, etc. I want something with some decent power also..
I want to try and get into this somewhat cheap, like as in buying a bike for under a grand and just going to town...

What do you all think, Id be really excited if you guys could help me out..
I want it to be all black and pretty badass looking...

 

[Koestum]

It's the frame shape. The older Hondas frames are flat from the front of the seat all the way back so it's easy to mount a cafe seat while that 650 frame will have a swoop so harder to mount a cafe seat and the side panels will be dropped down farther too.

Also generally the older bikes will be easier to work on too.

'78 and earlier CB750's are SOHC (my personal preference) and dry sump which is better for performance.

'75-'77 CB400's have six speed transmissions but are hard to find. CB360's also have six speed transmissions but have diaphram carbs that suck.

I don't buy anything with diaphram carbs anymore, they're just too much trouble and impossible to find the rubber diaphrams.

All the 4 cylinder bike carbs are easy to rebuild if you stay organized.

CB450's are a GREAT bike and fun to ride, and the carbs are even simpler than the 4cyl bike carbs.

Generally I only look at 78 and earlier bikes with 4 cylinders but the 450's are really good.

The 81 650 would be better for a bobber build but if it's cheap get it anyway.

Old YAMAHA RD350's are fast 2 stroke street bikes.

KAWASAKI triples were also 2 stroke street bikes and came in 250cc-750cc

There's a killer deal on an early 750 in Illinois but it's just too far for me to make the trip right now. If you're within a few hundred miles you should grab it. Your profile doesnt say were you're located.

 

[Dirty Dan]

I'd say hold of on the 650... the 750 is "THE" Honda cafe bike, or at least a bike with a metric asston of aftermarket support/products.

Do you have your eyes set on a higher CC bike like the 750? a lot of times 350s and 550s can be had for cheap, hell any old cb, it's just a matter of trolling through craigslist!

 

[VonYinzer]

Dont just look for cb's. Though they are awesome and have a killer aftermarket, there are plenty of other bikes that work great. Vintage 2 strokes like the Suzuki t250 or t500, Yamaha RDs, etc are great and really quick. Other great bikes to start with are the Yamaha XSs. The XS400, 500, and especially the 650 are badass. In my opinion, you should stick with a twin. The 4 bangers are quick, but theyre also heavy, and will always cost twice as much engine parts wise. The cheapest and easiest bikes to build tend to be the cb/cl 350. The stamped frames suck, but if your brother is a fab guy, Im sure you can figure something cool out. The cb/cl 360s are somewhat cheap and plentiful, but have pretty much NO aftermarket support and some real issues that can be a pain to deal with. In the end you can build a "cafe" bike from almost anything, but if cheap and easy are requirements, look for a smaller twin. Where are you located btw?

 

[teazer]

Twins are much cheaper on parts and share some of the original Brit Bike DNA - or at least they can be made to look like they do. I have owned a few Honda twins and they were all very efficient but somewhat lacking in soul. If you can get a Yam XS650 twin, go for it. They sounmd like real bikes and can be made into trackers or cafe style without selling off too many surplus body parts to fund it.

 

[Saki]

Hey guys, BRAND new to this. Let me explain first..Im a Motocross racer and my brother and I are looking into getting a few CB's and building Cafe Racer type bikes. He is a Fabricator by trade and I am a body man/Auto painter by trade. Plus we both can build a dirt bike from the ground up with our eyes closed. So basically, nothing will be much of an issue. YET, I have a few important (yet stupid to you guys) questions...I can buy a 1981 CB 650 for super cheap here in my area but Im reading on different forums that they suck and are hard to buld a cafe racer with. I can try and find a 750, are those going to be that much different to build? Is there something else we should be looking for? I can get this 650 super cheap and it just needs a stator as far as for it to get running well. Can you guys just give me a few tips, honestly, I dont know what Im doing as far as what bike I should use, etc. I want something with some decent power also..
I want to try and get into this somewhat cheap, like as in buying a bike for under a grand and just going to town...

What do you all think, Id be really excited if you guys could help me out..
I want it to be all black and pretty badass looking...

Get what you want and feel will be a good cafe racer, following predone recipes for someone elses cafe is easy but doesnt quite make it your bike. I'm not saying the bike has to say something, but you should be happy with what you get before you start cafeing it or you'll end up selling it when you feel its done to a point.

 

[swan]

Hondas and other Japanese bikes are fun, cheap with readily available parts, but you should consider building a British bike as a cafe racer.

 

[racemx51]

I live in Maine. So most of you are saying the 650 is a bad idea because of the frame mostly...Ive seen some really awesome looking 750s so Im thinking I might try to find one of those. Very hard to find though around here. I heard the 650 fits into the 550 frame which is better for building a cafe style bike. Any truth to that? And if it is true, is there a lot of work to be done to do that other than the normal engine swap, etc.. Im looking to have a decent sized motor which is why Im leaning towards a 650/750...

So what do you guys think? Yay or nay on the 650? I can get it for $400....Worth it to you guys? I have a picture of a bike I want to somewhat copy, but I dont know how to post it on here because Im a meathead. On a side note though, reallyyyyy awesome you guys are helping me this much. Thats awesome.. Seriously.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/3328/3281/33319140014_large.jpg&imgrefurl=http://alberta.inetgiant.ca/Edmonton/AdDetails/1981-Honda-CB-750F-Supersport-St-Albert-2-700-00/3794007&usg=__LNoR8pVFccP6QT_GjpBZ3xDbpeg=&h=427&w=640&sz=60&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=OYeRNMhxWg07zM:&tbnh=139&tbnw=196&prev=/images%3Fq%3D1981%2Bhonda%2Bcb750%2Bcafe%2Bracer%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1760%26bih%3D749%26tbs%3Disch:10%2C183&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=1071&vpy=381&dur=623&hovh=183&hovw=275&tx=64&ty=81&ei=Q7j2TKWaNcSblgfZrKXUBQ&oei=Q7j2TKWaNcSblgfZrKXUBQ&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=32&ved=1t:429,r:29,s:0&biw=1760&bih=749

Not sure if that link will work but if a all black CB Cafe Bike pops up, thats what Im looking to build. Not EXACTLY that, but something like that..

 

[Koestum]

If it's a running bike with a title for $400 you should grab it and maybe double your money in early Spring.

 

[racemx51]

A lot of people are telling me the 650 would be a good buy and then get a 550 frame and swap it out..There is one person with a 750 that is calling me back but its an 81....worth it to you guys?

 

[Saki]

A lot of people are telling me the 650 would be a good buy and then get a 550 frame and swap it out..There is one person with a 750 that is calling me back but its an 81....worth it to you guys?

I'd go look at the 750 if its a good price

 

[Ethanol]

Hondas and other Japanese bikes are fun, cheap with readily available parts, but you should consider building a British bike as a cafe racer.

I agree! Then you can have all the fun of spending a ton of money and you have less of a chance of wrecking it cause it won't run as often!

 

[diesel450]

Hey man! I'm in Maine too, Portland. I have a few projects you could look at including a '72 CB750 with a spare motor for $500

give me a shout, would love to see what you get going!

Did you just buy a 650 from a guy in Wiscasset??

 

[racemx51]

Nice man, Im in Lewiston..I spend a lot of time in Portland, most of my friends live there..Id be pumped to hook up and check stuff out. I want to get going..I'm not sure how this site works but if I can message you I'll do that and give you my number. You can text me or call or whatever...No I didnt end up buying the 650, it was in Sebago...And he sold it the day I called...That was shitty for sure..haha

But anyways, Im hearing the Suzuki GS's are good bikes to use too, but what should I be looking at...Ive found a pile of them but what size motor should I be looking for?

 

[diesel450]

The 450's and 500's are good (twins) alot of guys like the 650's too. I have a gs450 that is in pieces that you could look at. Its got new tires already mounted needs either a new drive shaft fitted or an engine swap. No seat, no tank but other wise all there. The warehouse in Auburn has (had?) a GS450 that I was going to buy and swap the motor out of but I haven't gotten around to it yet.

I got your number I'll shoot you a text. next time your down this way you can come check the shop out.

 

[racemx51]

Yeah man I might head down there late Saturday...We'll see...Is the CB somewhat together or is that in pieces? Im trying to find a good bike right now so I can get started..If you know of something shoot me a text..Or just post on here...Im excited to get going...

 

[diesel450]

The CB750 is completely together. the parts motor is complete but disassembled.

 

[racemx51]

Send me your number through a message or text me man, Id like to come check that out at some point soon..I want to get started..
Im making a few calls today but I dont think anything is really gonna be around still. Both kind of old post..

 

[racemx51]

Hey everyone, how are the 550's power wise? Im looking to pick up two or three bikes, one from my buddy diesel over here and a few others...One is a CB 550, how are they as far as the motor. A lot slower than a 750 or not really?

 

[Tim]

I prefer the 550 over the 750 personally. If memory serves, you'll have at least the same or better power to weight ratio in the 550 and a better handling bike.

I had the CB500 and CB550 and never found I needed more power. I've since moved on to different bikes (Yamaha XS650, SR500, BMW R75/6) but still love the CB550.