79 CX500 Project Leftover * UPDATE Aug 16 *

[Cliff H]

Well this will be my first bike/build/damm near everything. i have wanted to get a bike for around 15 years now but life had other plans for me. So now finally i get to take a crack at it. I have be riding here and there but i'm still a rookie rider, better late then never i guess. anyway on to the bike

I picked up this basket case for $300, its was running last winter before the Stator crapped out and the owner decided to rebuild it but never could find the time. So shes missing a few parts right now but i already have the missing pieces lined up from a guy that rebuilds these style bikes.she has 64,000 clicks and for the most part is in good shape.

Ive always been a fan of Cafe racers and of the royal enfield army bikes so i figured i would combine the two. Cafe style, army scheme. Original? probably not but that doesn't really matter to me. I would welcome any and all input for you folks as i have alot to learn yet. if you have an idea or a comment, good or bad, feel free. on to the pics


when i brought her home the guy gave me an extra seat pan that someone had hacked up, its as bad as it looks)

clubman bars on as well as a cut down stock pan, fender and fairing removed

engine out

500cc of fury ( well maybe not at the moment)

I tried many ideas for the seat, none i was happy with so i'll just make my own. Heres the template mock up:

Well long weekend coming up so if my wife lets me might get a few more things done

cheers

Cliff

 

[Big R]

Re: 79 CX500 Project Leftover

Every time I see a CX build I say the same thing - check out Staffy's build. Even though his is....um.....different D) he knows his stuff about those bikes.

Lots of potential here.....

 

[Cliff H]

Re: 79 CX500 Project Leftover

@Big Rich Ive been checking out all the Cx's on here for insperation, some incledible builds all around on here

Well took another crack at a seat and this is what i came up with. Sorry i don't have any in progress pics other then where i left off today. Kinda got wrapped up in it and didn't think to stop and take pics, i'll try better for next time. Well as you can see i used the stock pan for starters. cut it down in width, removed the rear seat latches on the frame and the seat. I kept the facotry bolts on the seat pan to be able to bolt the seat down, removing the seat brakets and rubber bushings let it lay down about 1- 1 1/2". The rear of the factory pan gave me the upsweep so i'm just going to match the angle as close as i can for the seat back. would have kept going but i ran out of welding wire. i still need to fill in the sides and front, aswell as the seat back. I haven't cut the frame ends off yet because i have ammo cans i was thinking of using for saddlebags. Not sure where to mount them, if at all, so i don't want to cut anything off just yet.
i'll be cleaning up the engine for the rest of the weekend, i'll update then

cheers
Cliff

 

[Cliff H]

Re: 79 CX500 Project Leftover * UPDATE aug 8 *

heres a quick update for you guys, ill be back at it today so ill update later tonight

the engine so far:

seat progress:

and a quick mock up with an ammo can saddlebag:

 

[bikeboy]

Re: 79 CX500 Project Leftover * UPDATE Aug 8 *

Nice work on that motor Cliff. Looks like a fun build

ian

 

[Cliff H]

Re: 79 CX500 Project Leftover * UPDATE Aug 8 *

i added that piece to the tail last night on a whim. so ya, in the day light, it looks like ass. so i just cut off that new section ground it back down to where i had it, and also cut off the end of the frame horns back to the seat bracket. well back to welding, cuttin, grinding, and swearing.

 

[Cliff H]

Re: 79 CX500 Project Leftover * UPDATE Aug 8 *

so heres the pics from today. ready to start the body work on the seat pan, then i'll make a fiberglass pan of the cushin area.

 

[Big R]

Re: 79 CX500 Project Leftover * UPDATE Aug 8 *

That actually doesn't look too bad. Can you lower it onto the frame any more?

Is that all welded sheet metal?

 

[Cliff H]

Re: 79 CX500 Project Leftover * UPDATE Aug 8 *

the bottom of the oan is whats left of the stocker, the rest is welded sheet metal yes. i do need to find a way to cover the top of the frame, just not sure if i want to cut the supports out of the frame, ill figure somthing out

 

[GoBears0305]

Re: 79 CX500 Project Leftover * UPDATE Aug 8 *

the bottom of the oan is whats left of the stocker, the rest is welded sheet metal yes. i do need to find a way to cover the top of the frame, just not sure if i want to cut the supports out of the frame, ill figure somthing out

I'm also using part of the stock seat pan. I welded on a piece along each side of pan to cover up most of the top frame rail. But I also ended up chopping off the back end of the frame, all the way to the shock mounts (welded in a plate between the rails for some rigidity and support for the modified seat pan). Here's a pic (although the seat isn't sitting flush in this shot but you get the idea)

 

[Cliff H]

Re: 79 CX500 Project Leftover * UPDATE Aug 8 *

so NOW i can start the bodywork on the seat pan, then i'll be able to make the fiberglass pan for the seat. i cut down the stock seat location then rewelded it flat to the frame and made notches for the shocks. a few well placed wacks with a mallet flattened the pan on the frame. I'm going to prep the tank aswell, i should have some more picks for ya by the end of the weekend
Cheers
Cliff

 

[CresentSon]

Re: 79 CX500 Project Leftover * UPDATE Aug 12 *

I love a military bike. The engines on the CX line already look like the power plant for the next generation of panzer tanks.

 

[Cliff H]

Re: 79 CX500 Project Leftover * UPDATE Aug 12 *

So heres a few pics for you guys. and on another note, thanks to a layoff, i'll be heading back out west to work in the oil patch again in about a week, So i'm just trying to get the bike back together as much as possible before i go. I already moved it inside and re-installed the engine. i'm still working on the tank and seat pan, but should have those done in the next few days.

Cheers
Cliff

 

[CresentSon]

Lookin' good Cliff. You're really flying on this thing.

 

[Cliff H]

heres a quick pic with the tank and seat painted. i still need to add the lettering and finish the seat, but you get the idea

 

[CresentSon]

Just my thing, but I'd use spray on bedliner somewhere. It looks great on military ordinance. That shit is tough as nails and looks the part. On the whole, a nice looking bike though.

 

[tommygun]

that green is awesome. great color choice