'81 Honda CB650 Custom. No clue what I'm doing...

yea, i've got a scrap yard just down the road, i'll check it out as soon as they're open after christmas. but at least now i know what i'm looking for. thank you so much!
 
think i may have found a solution to the seat issue.

from what i can tell...the frames of cx500s from the same years looks pretty familiar.
so i'm thinking this may work...

http://www.motorcycleseatsdirect.com/1978-1981-honda-cx500-deluxe-standard-or-cx400-classic-with-modified-seat-pan-4189/

$300 for a seat though?
 
Yea, I wouldn't pay that much for a seat that isn't custom made for your bike. The dimensions are bound to be a little off.
 
LSEmory said:
its not ideal, but i'm really determined to make it work. it won't turn out like the image i have in my head, but i really just want to get it up and running and be as close to what i want as i can get it for now.
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that's a great way to make yourself disappointed with the result, no matter what you do to try to get around it. do as much as you can in non permanent changes (always cheaper), learn the basic make it run stuff and then get the bike you want. some people fall over desirable bikes being given away, but not most of us. if you have to spend to get the one you want you're better off doing that next time.

or fit a larger rear wheel, longer shocks, smaller front wheel and lower the front. it'll screw up the engine orientation and swingarm angle, but will give it that racy katanaesque look.
 
so heres my frame. without really altering the subframe, shouldn't i just be able to attach some pieces to the small section of the seat pan that dips to make it run flush with the back part. i'm thinking i could even try to make something out of fiberglass. honestly, the only thing disappointing is that. but if i can cut off the the weird arch over the back of the seat, that i think held the fender in place, and use either some thin metal or fiberglass, i should be able to make the seat pan flat, which would fix my problems...at least the aesthetic problem
 

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the tire comes up too high to mount a seat pan flat on the frame,first thing you must to do is use a ratchet strap to bottom out the suspension hard all the way down,easier with the spring preload backed of all the way and only one shock mounted
once you observe where the tire goes at full bump then you need an inch of vertical clearance,if you ever get some rear shocks worth using they may have more travel
not building to clear the suspension travel is a common,VERY COMMON,trap that you see on the VAST majority of the builds out there
besides you are better off with the seat up higher anyway it will be a lot more comfortable and you will have better control of the bike
how you solve these issues with that awful drop rail frame design(although it is not as bad as some cruiser frames) is the battle you chose...
the best way to do it is fab up a new top frame section,or you could add some tubes and use some custom made side panels to come up and cover the horror
carry on
 
the rear suspension is off so in the picture the frame is sitting a bit low on the back tire.
but the seat pan i'm planning on designing shouldn't be much different from the original seat pan, at least in terms of clearance.
 
LSEmory said:
the rear suspension is off so in the picture the frame is sitting a bit low on the back tire.
but the seat pan i'm planning on designing shouldn't be much different from the original seat pan, at least in terms of clearance.
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you still must verify where it goes at full bump with a shock mounted ,because you have no idea at this point,it isn't rocket science a 3rd grader could do it in ten minutes as i described
 
Usually, but it depends on travel. And making the rear taller can be detrimental to handling, reducing rake and making the bike more twitchy. If I remember though, the 650s have a pretty significant amount of rake like a cruiser so you could probably afford to raise the rear a little bit.

Disclaimer: I'm no expert
 
i have searched and searched and searched and have a massive headache...

anyone have any idea where i can find some tires for this beast? the tubeless and size measurements are throwing me for a loop.
 
google motorcycle tire conversion chart or something like that
you have inch size tires convert that to the new shit
 
LSEmory said:
i have searched and searched and searched and have a massive headache...

anyone have any idea where i can find some tires for this beast? the tubeless and size measurements are throwing me for a loop.
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19" front and 17" rear wheels?

if so 130/90r17 for rear and 100(110)/90R19 up front.

I went with Avons on my '81 650 and they have no issues with tubes.

Good looking bike so far, subscribed for updates on what seat you go with.
 
thanks guys!

new small issue...
i ordered a headlight assembly from DCC and its perfect.
i also ordered 2 sets of small turn signals on eBay...and they're less than perfect. they look great, but i was planning on using them to replace the bolt to mount the headlight to the bracket. problem is...they're just slightly big enough to not be able to screw into the assembly.
any ideas? or should i just try to mount them elsewhere. and yes, i know, a true cafe wouldn't use turn signals at all...
 
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