Essentials for a build...

J

Jfishsolevibe

Coast to Coast
OK, so BEER, obviously. But as Im on my first built, I figured Id consult the experts here, as I approach payday (new parts day).

Im doing a '71 CL175. Cute little thing that I picked up in pretty good condition. 10k on the dial, and all around near mind cosmetic condition. Fired right up with a new battery, and idled well, and ran well... then I had to go and start tearing it apart! Its underpowered to begin with so Im not going to go nuts with it. I WOULD like to hit the ton though!

My goal is to just get this thing to be a reliable daily beater. Obviously it doesnt end there, since I want it to be loud, and sweet looking - but at the end of the day, just a strong ride.

Ive accumulated the following parts since I bought the thing:

Tires (obvious)
Redwing shocks
The whole set of engine gaskets minus the copper headgasket
New Coil
2 New NGK's
Bars and grips
a newER CL exhaust (high pipes)
and im building my own seat

Im planning on chopping the muffler from the exhaust and going with two small tips with mini mufflers welded in, so Ill be rejetting the carbs... Also, looking for front sprocket options. But aside from the obvious things - Im looking for suggestions!

What do you PROS do when you pick up an old heap? Theres gotta be a checklist you go down right? Haha

Thanks!
 
Im no pro but some things ive learned...
-TOOLS! Parts mean nothing if ya cant install them... My buddys an auto mechanic and probobly spends a minimum of $200 a month on tools. He dropped $3000+ before he even graduated from Wyotech.
-The first thing you need to do is have a good idea of where you want to end up. I didnt at first, and its cost me time and money...
-A CLEAN ORGANIZED place to work. Man is it a pain in the dick when you cant find that one engine mount bolt, or spanner wrench...
-If your going to do some home painting (aka, spraybomb) make sure you have everything BEFORE you start spraying. Sucks to have to run to the store in the middle of it all, or not be able to b/c there closed.
-The right parts. Just cause it looks bitchin on that cb750 or H1 doesnt mean it'll look good, or even work properly, on your bike. Plan ahead and do your research.
-Someone to give ya a hand goes a long way sometimes. Just a fresh set of eyes/brains can save a ton of time and aggrivation.
-IMO ya gotta have some killer music playing. Ya i know its not essential, but having that soundtrack in the background keeps me motivated.
 
perm marker and zip lock bags... no joke bud! it helps keep you together and organized so you are not freaking out looking for parts, i go to the dollar store and buy boxes of them.

good socket set, metric and standard, deep and shallow sockets

i also find a table to be manditory... keeps me from having to bend over to work on the bike, i made my own out of milk crates after my buddy stole my good lift... it works awesome, there is a how to in the cafe help section

also a parts table will keep you organized... you notice... key work... stay organized!!!!
 
+1 on the ziploc bags. Huge help, as long as you mark everything. A bag of misc bolts is just that, a bag of bolts...
 
I have to say, all of the above is great sound advise, EXCEPT: vonyinzer said music is not essential. Wrong! It is very essential! ;D

Everything here is spot on, I just want to press this one:
"Someone to give ya a hand goes a long way sometimes. Just a fresh set of eyes/brains can save a ton of time and aggrivation."
This is a great piece of advise here, Alex (Devient1) and I have been friends for 15 years or more and we never work on a project alone, we respect each others opinion and knowledge. Not to sound cleche or gay, but we are ying / yang! I know that no matter what I do, his imput keeps my designs and ideas on an artistic level, and his artistic ideas are brought to reality by my engineering. I have found that having just one of us does not produce the quality and beauty that the two of us can.

You may not have someone that you work with as well as Alex and I do, But I am sure that there is someone close to you who you respect thier taste and ability and that person could offer tons of insight and help into your finished product.

A freind also helps you stay focused on the task at hand, have at least one night that both of you can commit to working together every week, and you will be amazed at how quickly your project comes to life!

Cheers and good luck on your build!
 
I agree with that... outside perspectives help alot! I like to use people that have no idea about bikes, they tend to notice things that others will not, i love that! Really helps me get though road blocks in the design process

- HEAT is essential for winter builds out this way! just had a ventless natural gas heater installed in the shop last weekend, took about 20 min and only cost me 100 bucks! much better than the $575 in propane i went though last winter!!!

I also find music to be a MUST!!!! little beer, little smoke... BOOM custom bike!
 
Haha! Thanks yall! The music is a DEFINITE!

I definitely like to be organized so Im right there with you on all of this stuff... ESPECIALLY the outside perspective. Im working on it with a friend and my Pops. Pops knows a thing or two, and my buddy does too! Really good stuff.

Ill post some pictures up in here soon!
 
there are a lot of good suggestions here, but i have to point out that i don't know of ANYTHING that'll make that 175 go 100. if someone else does, i guess they should post here
 
go! said:
there are a lot of good suggestions here, but i have to point out that i don't know of ANYTHING that'll make that 175 go 100. if someone else does, i guess they should post here
Click to expand...

well, there are three things that could make a 175 go 100
as follows:
nitrous
turbo
really really big hill
 
rockcitycafe said:
well, there are three things that could make a 175 go 100
as follows:
nitrous
turbo
really really big hill
Click to expand...

A really big hill.......... AND a very stiff tail wind.
 
rockcitycafe said:
well, there are three things that could make a 175 go 100
as follows:
nitrous
turbo
really really big hill
Click to expand...

well.. yes, you're right. add the nitrous/turbo to your parts list.. *scrolls to find your username*.. what's a JFishsolevibe? ;D
 
Hey hey hey hey! :P Spose i should have emphasized my sarcasm in my initial post! I heard a rumor of someone getting a 125 to the ton! I can dream right!?




Dream about that giant hill!
 
i'm gonna try to get a 125 to do the ton, but i'll either give up or bore AND stroke it. to 180ish.
then hope for that tailwind.
:D

if i was burt munro, i'd tell you to ask me how i was doing in about 30 years.
fact of the matter is, i'm pretty ADD and the motor is literally the 2nd to last thing i'm going to tackle. no way i'll have the patience, knowing the finished bike is that close :P
 
Change your sprockets, strip everything that doesnt make it go or stop, aerodynamic bodywork, tune/mod the motor to the point that it may self destruct and blow a piston through your leg, fix 21" front rims to the front and back, get one of those crazy helmets that downhill skiers use, and find a 3 mile long straightaway. You;ll need a pushstart (ill tow you to speed), and 100mph shall be yours. :D :D :D
 
Sounds like getting that little scoot to the ton is becoming a goal! I would have to give it my best effort now, just to silence the critics! Hell, I am tempted to find one and give a shot myself! Go for it, bore/stroke it, port/polish it, shave the head, cam it, chop it, streamline it, throw safty to the wayside, and ride that bitch into the history books!
 
tWistedWheelz said:
Sounds like getting that little scoot to the ton is becoming a goal! I would have to give it my best effort now, just to silence the critics! Hell, I am tempted to find one and give a shot myself! Go for it, bore/stroke it, port/polish it, shave the head, cam it, chop it, streamline it, throw safty to the wayside, and ride that bitch into the history books!
Click to expand...

HELL YA!!!! Have you ever seen the turbos that came on those weird lttle chevy hatchbacks in the early 80's? There about 3" across. I think the motor was only 800cc. Im sure one could be modded to fit your bike!
 
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