Looking for inspiration in one word... Lean.

[shaggycb750c]

Hey guys, the weather over here in Virginia has been awful! But it's given me some time to buy parts and start thinking of the direction I want to take my new bike. I acquired a '73 CB350F for free, and want to take it towards the direction of lean and clean. No frills here! Just a light bike looking for the best acceleration that little mouse motor can manage. Can you guys post some pics to help me get some good ideas running? The big ideas I'm looking for are for no sidecovers, fenders, or fairings. And seat selection is the other idea, curious as to what a shorter seat would look like. Here's some food for thought to start the topic...

 

[J-Rod10]

Those look pretty.

But, with no fenders, you'll just be throwing shit straight into your carbs. God forbid you get caught in the rain.

Are you wanting something to ride, or to look pretty?

 

[shaggycb750c]

Form follows function, so I do want it to perform well above all else. I see where you're coming from, though and these elements all help.

 

[Sonreir]

Those look pretty.

But, with no fenders, you'll just be throwing shiy straight into your carbs. God forbid you get caught in the rain.

Are you wanting something to ride, or to look pretty?

+1

You can still do minimal and functional, but the bikes shown by the OP fall squarely into the first category.

 

[shaggycb750c]

That's fair but that's just also a quick google search for the minimal look I'm looking towards. The DOHC CB750 is a beautiful example of it.

 

[VicSkimmr]

I assume you've seen this thread, but if not, a little light reading
http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=43261.0

 

[teazer]

Nah. Second one is almost as bad. No fenders, but at least it has some sort of fork brace.

Bikes need both fenders to be functional. They don't have to be stock or heavy, but they need to be there. Race bikes that only see moisture when their rider cries still have rear fenders to keep stones and dust out of the motor. You would be surprised just how much crap gets thrown off the wheels. On the street both are needed.

I choose not to ride in the rain if I can avoid it too, but sometimes weather changes and I'm not going to hide under a bridge until the roads are completely dry again.

Most of our race bikes with batteries keep them in the middle because it's the best place for them - short cable runs and mass centralization. Nothing goes way back there in the seat hump. That would serve no functional purpose.

 

[shaggycb750c]

Looks like I've got other drooling to do, lol. Thanks Withers.

 

[shaggycb750c]

Here's a better example.

 

[clem]

what's with the craze of having no fenders? If you go back and look at when motorcycles were fairly still a new creation they had fenders. Heck even bicycles had fenders too!

 

[VicSkimmr]

I guess it depends on whether the bike is purpose built or is meant for road use. Aesthetics play a role too for some people, I know a lot of guys who would give up some functionality for a better look. My car is lowered well past what most people would consider functional but I still love it

 

[D4N63R]

ill have a rear block plate like that honda does and shortened front. My favorite is when people ask what im going to do when it rains. like the fender will protect me from the water falling from the sky hahahaha. no fenders make for some more time spent cleaning but as long as you've added a fork brace and tied up the rear of the frame they dont NEED to be on the bike.

 

[J-Rod10]

A rear fender protects your engine at all times. It isn't about you getting wet.

For instance, the bike pictured last, running velo stacks, no rear fender. That bike will have shit thrown into the ngine rain or shine.

 

[D4N63R]

no, it wont, thats why the plate is in between the frame down tubes back there... to stop stuff from flying into the carbs.

 

[J-Rod10]

That plate covers a very small area. Lot of space below it for dust, grit, water, etc to be thrown through.

It's downright stupid to build a bike without a minimum of an inner fender.

Unless, you want something to look at, and not ride. In which case, more power to you for building something that isn't functional.