Ratty Cafe - CX500 - Now not so Ratty :)

Re: Ratty Cafe - CX500

Spent two days with a skip cleaning out the garage so I had some room to work on the bike in the evenings, hopefully things will progress a bit quicker now, also means I have room to paint a few bits etc

This lovely clean garage (2 1/2 car so pretty big) was full of crap.

100_7130.sized.jpg


Also got my bar end mirrors on, finally picked up a pair cheap on ebay after wanting these for a while.

Bar_Ends_016.sized.jpg


They can mount on the face of the bar end or on the end of the bar end, curently I have them on the face but may move them so they hang below the bars. Depends on how they go when on the road.

Bar_Ends_009.sized.jpg


Cheers
Steve
 
Re: Ratty Cafe - CX500

Steve F said:
Took the bike down the culdesac and back again, didn't take it out of first as I had no gear on but being a dead end street didn't worry too much, I could have ridden the pushy faster ;) This is the first time it's moved more than a few meters since I took it off the trailer when I brought it home. I'll have to gear up on the weekend and take it for a proper spin up the street, it sounds too nice to just have it idle in the driveway...

The seat is just stuck to the frame with double sided tape until I'm sure of positioning and have the tabs welded on

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEcb5WwCYgc

Cheers
Steve
Click to expand...

I'm really starting to dig on the CXs.

Just a thought, since you plan on welding the frame: Why not shave the rear damper mounts off and weld in a new, flatter structure? It will raise the rear an inch or so, which will look pretty cool. It is pretty major surgery, so I understand if you want to skip this step, but it would be cool :)

--Chris
 
Re: Ratty Cafe - CX500

Build is looking great and progressing quite fast. It's nice to see something a bit more unique being built up.
 
Re: Ratty Cafe - CX500

chrisf said:
I'm really starting to dig on the CXs.

Just a thought, since you plan on welding the frame: Why not shave the rear damper mounts off and weld in a new, flatter structure? It will raise the rear an inch or so, which will look pretty cool. It is pretty major surgery, so I understand if you want to skip this step, but it would be cool :)

--Chris
Click to expand...

I thought about chopping the rear and doing a whole new frame at the back with shock mounts etc but the dip in the front of the frame is just to low ( I tried sitting in the dip and the pegs would need to go down a lot) and I'd end up having a really tall seat or having the frame level with the raised section at the back which is pretty much what I have now :)

Gotta say I'm really enjoying this bike, the v-twin sounds nice and being water cooled etc the engine is pretty quite and smooth and produces good HP for a 30 yr old 500 with max torque down relatively low, throw in the Guzzi styling and when all the dodgey stock stuff is pulled off it looks pretty good too.

Cheers
Steve
 
Re: Ratty Cafe - CX500

chrisf said:
I'm really starting to dig on the CXs.

Just a thought, since you plan on welding the frame: Why not shave the rear damper mounts off and weld in a new, flatter structure? It will raise the rear an inch or so, which will look pretty cool. It is pretty major surgery, so I understand if you want to skip this step, but it would be cool :)

--Chris
Click to expand...

I was just talking to Maria about how sick the CX's turn out when they are done right... i love that motor it looks crazy! always have my eye out for projects... who knows down the line...
 
Re: Ratty Cafe - CX500

Finally got my seat mounted up properly, now I can get the fiberglass out and make a pan for the actual seat foam and get it a little more comfy.

First I made a metal frame, did this a while ago but welded the tabs onto it to mount it this weekend, the front tab mounts on the same bolt that the rear of the tank does and the two rear tabs mount on two existing bolt holes on the frame.

Underside with frame mounted to fiberglass seat, the seat is riveted to the frame with washers under the rivets to spread the load. The top side of the seat frame was painted before I mounted it and the bottom after.

100_7172.sized.jpg


One of the rear frame mounts, once the bike frame is painted etc this should be all but unnoticeable.

100_7160.sized.jpg


The seat all bolted down, the front bolt is just below the level of the fiberglass and there will be a cutout in the seat foam for access to it.

100_7158.sized.jpg


Also making an extension for the frame to mount my rear LED light and licence plate mount. I wanted it to be independant of the seat so there will be a small cutout in the rear edge of the seat to allow it to slip over the light. Also need to add mounts for the rear indicators.

100_7170.sized.jpg


Cheers
Steve
 
Re: Ratty Cafe - CX500

So an update on yesterdays post.

I finished the subframe for the tail light, indicators and number plate and mounted the tail light to it. I decided to make it bolt on and am using the bolt holes at the end of the frame horns, the fact that I'd already cut the frame and angled them in to clear the seat mean't they worked well for this. I'll also put a locating pin on the subframe on either side so it cant swivel around the single bolt on each side.

So pics The frame from underneath. You can see where it bolts on, still need to add to it for the indicators and numberplate mount but the shape and location is good.

100_7183.sized.jpg


The light from above, slightly off angle so it looks like it isn't mounted right but it is spot on. Seat notched to fit around it.

100_7184.sized.jpg


And from the back with the brakes on.

100_7192.sized.jpg


Cheers
Steve
 
Re: Ratty Cafe - CX500

Looks like a sweet set up. Pretty soon you'll have to drop the "ratty" out of the name. Nice job indeed.
 
Re: Ratty Cafe - CX500

Nice CX build ! I just started one myself http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=60862.0
Definately will be watching your thread. Already got some good ideas like how you notched that
tail light ! I might borrow that one if you don't mind. Do you have turn signals intigrated as well or just the tail light ? Where did you pick that one up? Nice work.
 
Re: Ratty Cafe - CX500

Borrow whatever you like :) the more CX cafe's out there the better. I got the taillight off of ebay local here in Australia http://stores.shop.ebay.com.au/S3-Pe...fsubZ314831016
It doesn't have turns built in, legal requirements here have a minimum distance they can be apart and built-in is too close. I have some small turns that I'll mount up this week or next weekend once I add the mounts to the taillight subframe.

Cheers
Steve
 
Re: Ratty Cafe - CX500

Steve , that link isn't working for me . I have been searching ebay on the US site and turning up nothing . What was the listing title?
 
Re: Ratty Cafe - CX500

Good stuff, liking the line it gives the back end. Not sure why but it reminds me of the new 'War of the Worlds' movie, and Tron.

Keep up the good work - boingk
 
Re: Ratty Cafe - CX500

Got another set of wheels with discs etc for $50, picking up in a couple of weeks. I'll use these so I can get a spacer machined to replace the speed drive, also saves me having to drill my disks + my wheels are a bit rough and these seem in better condition. Basically they'll be cleaned up and polished or painted and then swapped with the ones I have on the bike when I pull it down for paint :)

cx500wheels.jpg


Cheers
Steve
 
Re: Ratty Cafe - CX500

Added to my previously made rear subframe so I can mount the indicators and licence plate to it. It doesn't look as nice at the rear but if I want to get it on the road it needs the indicators, I decided to keep them away from the seat a bit to try and keep that sleek line it currently has.

100_7202.sized.jpg


It's not all straight and bolted down here but you get the idea, the cut out cardboard template is the size of our plates here.

100_7198.sized.jpg


Cheers
Steve
 
Re: Ratty Cafe - CX500

Great placement of the lights and plate at the back there. That bit can really make or break a bike and you've gotten it spot on. Great job.
 
Re: Ratty Cafe - CX500

So got it out in the sun as it's almost ready for a blueslip (inspection for getting an unregistered bike on the road) and then a tear down for paint etc ;D This weekend I hope to make the seat pan and get the foam etc ready.

It's changed a lot.

100_7215.sized.jpg


IMG_1040.sized.jpg


Cheers
Steve
 
Re: Ratty Cafe - CX500

Made the seat pan to fix the foam too, this will allow me to get a nice tight fight for the seat cover and a neat edge and then mount it to the main seat, probably with heavy duty velcro.

Anyway, laid some aluminium foil down to the seat first and then slopped on some resin, then a layer of glass, more resin, more glass, more resin and last sheet of glass. All the time making sure it was all soaked and squished. It doesn't need to be overly strong as the seat takes the weight, it's purely for the seat foam and vinyl cover.

100_7250.sized.jpg


Underside, you can see it moulds nicely around the rivets so will fit flush

100_7253.sized.jpg


Needs trimming,it wont go over the edge of the seat,the vinyl will wrap undearneath this along with some thin finishing foam.

100_7256.sized.jpg


Also had a visitor now its nice and warm, there are a couple of these and a frilled neck hanging around in the backyard as well.

100_7221.sized.jpg


Cheers
Steve
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

DTT Light or Dark

  • DTT Light
    • www.jadusmotorcycleparts.com
    www.lostapostle.ca/
    www.sparckmoto.com

    Spread the Love

    Back
    Top Bottom