I recently found this place from a post on another board. I have been checking everything out here, and you guys do like to build bikes! What a great variety, and many I never thought I would see Cafe'd out. This is a great site!
A bit about myself........ I'm 52, and live in Rio Rancho (right next to Albuquerque) New Mexico. I have always mooded my bikes, to make them "mine" and of course in a "cafe" direction.
This 1975 Kawi 500 is my main "ride", I bought it in San Fran in 94 and it has been through many rendentions. And it's a "true" cafe racer, as it was also my race bike for a few years. I took a local roadrace championship with it (SMRI) a few years back, all the time riding it on the street also. Had a big crash a few years ago, so I now have some "custom" metalwork in me also....LOL. I still do trackdays on it, and take it to the annual 2 stroke meet at Deals Gap, in SC.
As far as mods go, I built and ported the motor, squish cut the heads, converted it to reed valves (part of my business) with 34mm Kuni's. Thinned and CNC cut stock disc rotor with EX caliper. Good old Hammer head Redwings shocks with extenders. Revalved and re sprung front stock forks. The requesite tapered steering head bearings and bronze swinger bushings. Clip-ons of course. Vapor instruments, and LED tail lights and turnsignals. I built and painted the fender, tank and seat section.
It's a blast to ride................ ;D
A bit about myself........ I'm 52, and live in Rio Rancho (right next to Albuquerque) New Mexico. I have always mooded my bikes, to make them "mine" and of course in a "cafe" direction.
This 1975 Kawi 500 is my main "ride", I bought it in San Fran in 94 and it has been through many rendentions. And it's a "true" cafe racer, as it was also my race bike for a few years. I took a local roadrace championship with it (SMRI) a few years back, all the time riding it on the street also. Had a big crash a few years ago, so I now have some "custom" metalwork in me also....LOL. I still do trackdays on it, and take it to the annual 2 stroke meet at Deals Gap, in SC.
As far as mods go, I built and ported the motor, squish cut the heads, converted it to reed valves (part of my business) with 34mm Kuni's. Thinned and CNC cut stock disc rotor with EX caliper. Good old Hammer head Redwings shocks with extenders. Revalved and re sprung front stock forks. The requesite tapered steering head bearings and bronze swinger bushings. Clip-ons of course. Vapor instruments, and LED tail lights and turnsignals. I built and painted the fender, tank and seat section.
It's a blast to ride................ ;D
