How to convert a Honda CB650 custom into a café racer???????

F

fineblackline

New Member
Hey people,
I’m new here in hopes that some of you might be able to give me some insight as to how I could best convert an old 1981 Honda CB650 custom into a “proper” café style bike. Right now I have to say my CB650 looks pretty ugly, and the riding position is so upright its like riding a scooter. If there’s one thing I’d like to change most just for riding comfort right now it would be the very ugly, very uncomfortable seating position of the stock seat. But I can’t find an aftermarket seat that I know will fit the old CB650 anywhere. I’d also like to improve the overall performance of the bike as well. I’d really like for the performance and feel of the bike to be as close to on par with a respectable café racer as possible with in reason of what I can afford.

http://picasaweb.google.com/wdheat1/1981HondaCb650Custom/photo#5205156473942624578
My bike is in a little nicer shape than the linked pics but that’s pretty much what I’m working with.
 
I dont know if there is a "Proper" way to go about it. The origins of the Cafe are anything but "proper" but I suppose what you are after is the general idea...

strip most of the heavy luxury / unnecessary parts off of it and get an idea what you want it to look like...

after that its all about procuring the correct parts that will give you the look, feel, ride that you want.

Its all pretty much personal preference and trial and error... thats what makes them so darn great.
 
Don't worry about a specific recipy for building your bike. I also have a cb650 cafe along with a few others on this board and they are completly different. They are not the most commonly cafed bikes but I have learned from this site that damn near any bike can be done.

As far as the seat goes, odds are you will either have to modify your stock seat (approach I used) or build your own; see daniel san in the show and shine thread or Will McD in the big arsed projects.

Keep the bike reliable and safe and you'll be able to take it anywhere. It won't be the fastest bike out there but she will easily do the ton.

Here is a link to my bike pictures. http://dotheton.com/index.php?topic=4377.0 Have a look at the other bikes mentioned and you will see how diverse the machines are in this hobby.
 
Do it your self does seem to be a big part of the café racer history as I’ve read. I guess I’m really just looking for as many solid suggestions as possible to get the ball rolling and off to a good start. I’m a really creative guy by nature but when it comes to something like a motorcycle “reliability and safety” makes me seek out the aid of people that might better help push me in the right direction and on the road to having something that rides as good as it looks. I don't mind making a few mistakes here and there but not if I can help it.

Marz and Daniel san have some really nice things happening on their bikes as far as I can see and I’ll want to know more about parts from you guys soon. I couldn't find Will McD in the big arsed projects because I guess I don't know my way around this site to well just yet. But there’s got to be something else I can do about my seat issue…can I just by a nice seat for the CB750 and get it fitted to the bike some how?
 
Welcome to the cafe world!! :o 8)

The others have started you off on the right track. ;D

I would suggest stripping as much off the bike as possible, take 10 steps back, and get a really good look at the basic bike. From there, with what you already know about cafe bikes, you might be able to get a picture in your head of what you want your ride to look like. If, not, spend a few hours scrolling through the projects on this board and I'm sure you'll become inspired!

Most projects don't turn out the way they're first visuallized, but that's o'k!! Go with the flow and have fun with it!

Oh, BTW! Projects are like usually NEVER 'done'! There'll always be things to change and improve untill you sell it!

Enjoy!
 
Found this.

HondaCB6501979.jpg


Thought it might help. Its a 79.
 
Thanks everybody for the welcome, feedback and suggestions. It has all been very helpful in helping me find some direction for this seemingly not very popular choice for a café racer. But I got the bike for only $300 and was able to hop right on it and ride it all the way home with out any problems so this is what I’m working with.

As for now I'd really just like to improve the handling & overall performance of the bike within reason so if you guys have some knowledge as to what might help me out I'm all ears.
 
The CB650, like the CB550 and all the smaller (i.e. < 750cc) Honda SOHC4's have no external oil tank. All oil is in the engine.
 
Canuck Plumber said:
Found this.

HondaCB6501979.jpg


Thought it might help. Its a 79.
Click to expand...

That is also a different model.

You have a CB650C . the "C" model has a different frame and tank. The rear of the fram slants down more like a cruiser. You can still work with it but it will take more modifiaction to line things up and look right.
 
I know this and thanks for stating this point. This is one of the big reasons I was asking about seat options because my frame dips in the seat area unlike on a standard where it looks like you can just plop a strait fiberglass seat pan on the seat area and the frame will support most of your weight (note: yes I might not know what in the hell I’m talking about but that’s how it looks).
 
The solution is simple as far as seating goes.....
Nab yourself a boxy shrouded seat similar to what guitargeek is using on his bike and level the seating surface to whatever you want. Build up your mounting points as you need to do the job.
 
Hi all from a wet and cold Finland. 8) The CB750K that i coffinated had the same problem in the seat area. I simply had my friend, the welder, replace the two tubes under the seat with two straight tubes and mounted the seat on top of them. Not really a big operation, ruquiers some welding though!
 
Hi:

I'm helping build a Honda CM with the same frame issues. Like our Finnish friend, we just chopped the back off and welded in proper tubes. That is a very simple explaination of what we did, but you get the jist of it.

Best of luck.

--Chris
 
chrisf ,
Do you guys have any picks of that CM that I could check out? Also I would have to have someone at a shop do the weld work so how much would weld work like this likely cost if I were to go this rout?
 
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