My '78 CX500 Cafe Racer Project
- Thread starter ROne
- Start date
HerrDeacon
Over 1,000 Posts
I love that bike, great job. It's amazing the effect powdercoating the wheels black makes to the look of the bike, really makes everything stand out. Nice job on the rear fender as well.
Well, I'm back! Been busy playing with the CX again. I put a short vid together for the test ride not long after fitting the new pipes, Pod Filters and rejetting the carbies......she runs sweet now. 
http://www.youtube.com/v/G5zGEEbxqJ8&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b
http://www.youtube.com/v/G5zGEEbxqJ8&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b
irace2win41
Active Member
I've always thought the cx500 was a bit ugly, but you've really done a nice job. Very nice bike. Good work.
Rod
Rod
irace2win41 said:
Hahahaha.....I'm with you on that one Rod!
I thought the same thing when I saw a stock CX500, but when I saw this little gem and the vision someone had to start the project I could see potential.....and now I'm quite happy with the results I'm achieving. A few more mods and I'll be happy to leave it that way for awhile.Thanks for the comments though!
Rone.
irace2win41
Active Member
Your bike would make me want a CX500!! ;D
Rod
Rod
Thanks Hdaddy & Rod......yeah, I didn't mind the sound of the CX when I had the standard Megaphones but now with these aftermarket Reverse Cones........wwoooooeeeeee......I almost had an instant 'hard on' when I fired her up. hahahaha
I was a little concerned at first that they might be too loud, but my theory is....it's still not as load (and sometimes annoying) as a Harley. No disrespect to the Harley Riders among you, but sometimes I don't want my paintings vibrating off the wall or my glassware smashed to pieces.
....oh, and man, they have such a nice 'burble' and mild 'crackle' when you decelerate.
I was a little concerned at first that they might be too loud, but my theory is....it's still not as load (and sometimes annoying) as a Harley.
No disrespect to the Harley Riders among you, but sometimes I don't want my paintings vibrating off the wall or my glassware smashed to pieces. ....oh, and man, they have such a nice 'burble' and mild 'crackle' when you decelerate.
ROne said:Reverse Cones........wwoooooeeeeee......I almost had an instant 'hard on' when I fired her up. hahahaha
....oh, and man, they have such a nice 'burble' and mild 'crackle' when you decelerate.
Thats awsome Rone, I realy like the quality you put into it and im glad to see another CX on here. Ill be turning my very stock CX into a cafe over the winter, lining up all the parts right now. Jets, Mac 2-1, Pods, Clip-ons are here, custom front end and rear seat are the winter projects. Lots to do.
Cheers
Paul
lil beast said:
Hey Paul,
Thanks man, it's real nice to get some recognition for what I've done considering this is my first attempt at doing any real custom work to a bike and I'm very pleased with the result so far.
Well, as far as pipes, they are the stock headers although I'm not sure about the 'H-Box' crossover, I'm not sure what the original '78 looks like and I've got a complete '80 model but it has a more fatter, larger H-Box that looks nothing like this so I'm assuming someone has custom fabricated this one perhaps? So I decided, due to the pipes not being in fantastic condition and the fact they had been previously painted flat black by the former owner I went for the 'Heat Wrap' look. I kinda like the look and found some inspiration from not only other 'Classic' Cafe Racers but from the Japan style of bikes called 'Brat Style' (check 'em out when you get the chance, some great ideas using old style and a fe modern twists).
I also bought some aftermarket 'Reverse Cones' as stated before, from a company called EMGO, they have a heap of different styles, I chose the 17inch versions and man, do they sound great! ;D I didn't want to do the 2 into 1 exhaust, mainly because I prefer the 'Twin Pipe' look, I like the balance it gives the bike plus I like the more 'classic' look.
Have fun with your project and remember.....keep us updated with some photos!
Rone
ericngsta said:
Hey Eric,
I'm still trying to hunt the guy down, it was two owners ago because I bought the bike from a mate of mine that owned it for about only 3 weeks before I bought it from him. He was the one that bought it from the guy who began the 'transformation'.....but if you ask me I'll try to help you. It's a standard Black and he has put a few layers of clear over the top and added some Silver Checker decals before hitting it with clear.
As for 'lil beast's' question.....the seat was fabricated from the original, the guys cut quite a bit of the sides and the back of the pan then I guess trimmed the foam and re-upholstered it, did a good job actually, quite comfortable. It's really made as a 'Solo' seat but I have thrown on some passenger footpegs and taken a friend for a ride, she said it was o.k. to sit on but I'd say it wouldn't be too comfortable for long and you might tend to slide off the back too much? She was kind of a 'hard core' chick so she didn't care what it was like, she just dug the ride!
Rone
Re: My '78 CX500 Cafe Racer Project...update
O.k. poeple.....thought it's been awhile so I should post an update of some changes and mods I've done to the CX500 Cafe.
Resprayed the tank and added new decals.......
....and added some custom fabricated gauges with LED's.
....plus I've finally finished the wife's project bike. We call it 'Lil Bob'! It's a 250cc '96 Honda Rebel converted to a 'Bobber'.
Cheers ;D
Rone
(Melbourne, Australia)
O.k. poeple.....thought it's been awhile so I should post an update of some changes and mods I've done to the CX500 Cafe.
Resprayed the tank and added new decals.......
....and added some custom fabricated gauges with LED's.
....plus I've finally finished the wife's project bike. We call it 'Lil Bob'! It's a 250cc '96 Honda Rebel converted to a 'Bobber'.
Cheers ;D
Rone
(Melbourne, Australia)
