New guy thinking about first build...advice?

[LordHelmet]

Hello world...
I've been lurking for a couple years thinking about doing a restomod with a cafe flavor. I've been riding a majority of my life, currently own a BMW K1300s and a KLX250s. I have basic mechanical skills and am willing to learn. If I do this I want to do it right and start off with a bike that's simple enough that I can actually do a majority of the work myself and actually finish it. As much as I'd like to go balls out and do a CB750 I want to be smart about it and start at the beginning.
My two obvious choices are a twin bike like a CB series but I'm not limited to that make/model - I'd defer to the folk here and would appreciate any advice. Here's a quick breakdown of what I'd like in a bike:
* I'd prefer the reliability and low maintenance of CDI over points. I know my dad had an old Triumph Daytona that he was constantly swearing at and one of the problems was the points. Among many other things.
* Front disk brake. Not a deal breaker but I'd really prefer it.
* I already have a bike with 170+ HP so I don't really care about power but I would probably want a bike that's got some decent pickup (i.e. a 350 over a 125) so I don't get too bored. Again, if I find the perfect bike it's not a deal breaker.
* I'd like a smaller tank as opposed to the wider teardrop tanks of later models.
* My price limit is $1500. I'd like to keep my build under 5K including bike purchase so is this realistic to made the mods for $3500 assuming I pay the upper limit of $1500 for a solid runner?

Also a quick question...are all these old bikes CV carbs or are there pumper carbs avail? I HATE the sluggish throttle response of my KLX carb and I wish I had the dough to toss a pumper carb on there...

I did find a bike I'm interested in but don't know if it's a good candidate for a cafe restomod...1978 Yamaha XS400. I like the mag wheels, engine size and disk brake. Thoughts?

Cheers-

Lord Helmet

 

[Cookie]

Hey Helmet, welcome aboard! You'll find a bunch of good advice on here (you're not totally surrounded by Assholes), most of these guys are wise and good at sharing their knowledge.
Answers to your first few points (anyone may feel free to correct me if/when I'm wrong here; I make no claims about being an expert):
- Points are not all that bad, if you're not running video Tage British iron. English bikes are great, English electrics...great only of it works...
CDI ignition are more reliable and easier, until they're not. There's no real way to rest them and theyre getting expensive and scarce. If your 1980's Suzuki fries a CDI box, you may be up a certain smelly, brown creek. Points are mechanical devices that require regular maintenance and adjustment, but if they wear out, you just drop $20 and you're good to go.
-A CB750 isn't a bad or complicated bike to start with, they're reliable and with the popularity and production numbers they've earned over four decades of production, parts aren't to bad to find and aren't all that expensive.
-the small CB/CL bikes make great project fodder! If you're looking for a (fairly) straightforward twin that looks good and isn't just another part of the herd, check out something like a Suzuki GR650 Tempter. Mono rear suspension, decent looking tank, nice(ish) wheels, front discs and CDI! Decent power and torque (in the 60hp neighborhood IIRC) and they clean up REAL purdy-like! Check out mine (signature), Big Richard and Pablo83, to name a few!
- Most "modern" bikes (late 70's and up) run CVS carbs. It was the OEM's answer to bikesee and riders that run in differing climates and altitudes. A smooth bore carb will perform better, but you may have to stop and rejet if you find yourself crossing a mountain range or real cold snap. CV carbs sacrifice pure performance for a more civilised ride. Just keep the factory airbox on it (NO PODS!) and it will work well enough. Hi-po exhausts may affect your carb settings and may require tuning/syncing to achieve proper performance.
- $1500 is a mighty fine starting point! There are guys on here who have completed projects for less than that. I got my Tempter in trade for (most of) a '63 Studebaker, my Father-in-law's 79 CB750 was acquired for $800 and ridden home and my 81 cb750 was purchased as a parts bike for FIL's for $750. BTW, I'm Canadian and I'm not converting to USD. I got the '81running for free and rebuilt the brake caliper for $50.

...

If you're interested, my wife wants me to sell the Suzuki project because I haven't touched it since my daughter was born (3 years) and there's not enough room in the garage for 3 bikes and a trailer. Its yours for $500 (now i AM using US dollars ;D )The only caveat is, you have to come to me and pick it up!

 

[JadusMotorcycleParts]

Cool you're going to get stuck into a project Cookie!

Your budget is nice, you'll be able to build something real cool within that.

As for base bike, I am biased, but I would recommend anything Japanese from the 70's or 80's and preferably a twin or a single. Just less carbs, less ignition coils, less valves, less everything, but just as much fun and just as (if not better) looks ;D

If you're worried about points, many Jap bikes already came with CDI in the 80's. Plus, even if you find a base bike you like that has points, there are many aftermarket ignition systems available with lots of shared knowledge out there about them too. It could be a cool part of the learning process for you to instal one.

It helps a lot if you start with a base that already has some style/is easier to mod. I mean this in reference to a lot of builds these days based on adventure and off road bikes - they are just a lot harder to make look good with simple tools than some of the earlier bikes with simpler frames. If you have access to a pipe bender and welder, then go for it (often need to re-design the entire subframe). If not, a CB, XS, SR or even a GN would be much easier. Cheers and welcome.

 

[LordHelmet]

Thanks guys good advice.
I'm surprised though I thought I'd get a lot of responses from this board with help for a first timer...
I've always loved bikes - my mom recently died from pancreatic cancer which was brutal to watch and I realized that if you want to do something in life you'd better do it because you never know what the future holds so I think it's time for me to dive into this and prove to myself I can do it.
Good idea about points so I'll take that off my list of worries since that can be dealt with with aftermarket upgrades. I'd like to keep the bike to a twin (or single) so I have less working parts to deal with. I'm probably going to go with a CB but if something else pops up on CL I'll give anything with a twin/single a look at. I'd like to find something in the 70s because for no other reason than I like the looks of that decade and it seems more 'vintage' than the 80s...

 

[GoCrazy]

Advice from a first timer - try to select a bike the will not need much frame welding. The GN is a nice base for a cafe/brat but it might require new subframe if you want to maintain the tank - seat line.

Wysłane z tostera

 

[J-Rod10]

Buy a bike that runs and rides. Make changes here and there, until you get it how you want it, without it being off the road for long periods of time. When you get what you want, tear it down for paint. Paint it, put it back together.

#1 Noob mistake: Buying a "project" that doesn't run. Either never get it to run, or it runs like ass. Tear it down instantly, lose interest. Bike sits until it is sold at a loss.

 

[cyclefreak]

Some good advice already. I agree with the points brought up about points Aftermarket systems are not very scarce. The XS 400 is a pretty sweet platform and could be a great project if it is in decent shape.

 

[beachcomber]

Best advice after 60 years at it ........ Buy something complete, even if it's not a runner AND you might be throwing half of it away !! Actually, not throwing stuff away at all - selling it off to put in the build pot.

Secondly - don' t compromise once you've decided what you want. Don' t neglect unpopular donors - they'll be cheaper ... And different from the herd when finished.

Get a picture in your head of what you want and make a short list. Then make a real list.

That looks like a pretty good budget to get you off and running.

 

[LordHelmet]

Yup I agree with all of that. Thats why I want to start with a simple bike so I can have a better shot at completing it (and doing it right). My budget is a little higher for the donor bike cause I agree that I need something that's in good running condition to begin with so I don't run into sadness and give up.
Right now I'm looking for a good bike on CL...