Cafe Racer Build - Page 2 - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

*exitspeed* · 03-18-2009, 07:54 AM

Ok moving along slowly but surely.

I got the tank off. i couldn't figure out how it came off last week when I worked on it. There's some rust on the inside so I'm gonna have to remove that. luckily Yamaha makes a two step product that's only $15 that will remove it all.

I also just bought the foam to start shaping for the seat like in the fiberglass forum tutorial that HyperTek posted. We need to lower the front first though so i can see how everything sits.

My friend Adam can hopefully do the welding of the new custom rear subframe and the back of the tank.

You can see int he pics below I have the tank tilted not so the pitch of it is more horizontal instead of pitched upwards. I just have it sittong on something right now and will have to fab something to secure it.

Shot with Canon EOS 40D at 2009-03-18

drift freaq · 03-18-2009, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by exitspeed

What's a cafe racer?

EDIT: Just looked it up. YES that is the style I was thinking of. I didn't know the verbage. Thanks!

DOUBLE EDIT: oh FUCK this is it right here! Same bike as I have too. The rear/seat area is different though. I'm going this route but flat black!!

pictured above is what is considered a streetfighter. Street fighters are stripped down Cafe bikes.

Oh and do something about your forks because right now they are way to chopped to qualify as a street fighter or a Cafe racer.

Gnnr · 03-18-2009, 12:05 PM

I see another bike in the background?

dmragecm · 03-18-2009, 01:33 PM

check out Kott Motorcycles Custom cafe racers. They're in Cali, not exactly sure where but I think so cal. talk to Jeremy and tell him Danny from Jersey sent you. Real cool dude and loves to talk/teach about old school cafe racers. I'm just like you, I know jack shit about bikes lol. I'm most definitely going to buy a bike from him when the time is right. this is some of their other work Honda CB550 Flat Black Cafe Racer- "THE WILL" - $4000 .

*slider2828* · 03-18-2009, 03:32 PM

I love that bike, by my favorite by Honda CB1 which is super rare

ayuaddict · 03-19-2009, 12:09 AM

awwww fuck.

thats way too cool.

i am jealous.

SochBAT · 03-19-2009, 12:27 AM

Street fighter!!!

*exitspeed* · 03-19-2009, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drift freaq

pictured above is what is considered a streetfighter. Street fighters are stripped down Cafe bikes.

Oh and do something about your forks because right now they are way to chopped to qualify as a street fighter or a Cafe racer.

Street Fighter you say?...Even cooler then Cafe Racer!

Yea the front is being lowered at least 2". I have to do that before I start crafting my seat.

The Chad · 03-19-2009, 07:11 AM

I've seen quite a few "street fighter" style conversions...i liek them, but don't love all the exposed wiring that i saw on the conversions. Stick with the cafe style imo. I like the look of it better. Plus I like older bikes and the styling behind them. Something about removing fairings and body parts from a sport bike just makes them look naked...

*exitspeed* · 03-20-2009, 06:37 AM

I did some research yesterday and it's not really Street Fighter style. Street Fighters are made from sport bikes. You start with a sport bike and then strip it all down. Remove fairings, etc to make it look more aggressive.

So technically it's not a street fighter.

A Cafe Racer is a cruiser type bike (which is what the Virago is) that has been stripped down and modified for speed and good handling rather than comfort.

I think what is confusing about the green one pictured is the tail on it is sorta sport bike-ish looking instead of the more round "bullet" looking tail that is traditionally found on Cafe's.

Update on my bike. A friend of mine said he would do the welding of the subframe for me. I just gotta purchase some metal.

Clip-ons look like they run $119-$180. I think I'll go with the $119 ones as they look pretty decent and this is kind of a budget build at this point.

gyula hlavati · 03-20-2009, 07:34 AM

People in the States build bikes like CB750 as a cafe racer but you know in Europe they prefer british bikes like Norton.This whole thing started in England so I would go with some ride like Triumph.And yeah,no sportbike for this style.
I'm ready to see your Virago so keep up posting with pics.

Taniguchi_Is_#1 · 03-20-2009, 09:47 AM

this thread gave me inspiration to work on my bike again. haha.

BustedS13 · 03-20-2009, 10:51 AM

street fighters are just busted up sport bikes with no fairings and jackoff riders who like to do wheelies. you'll also often find them driving pontiacs or various suv's covered in decals that say stuff like "RIP such and such 1988-2008, wheelied faster than his angels could fly"

p.s. that dark green bike is sick

soreballz · 03-20-2009, 01:49 PM

^lolololol

Cafe bikes are neato.

0100 · 03-20-2009, 01:53 PM

Nice exit! If those forks are anything like xs650's you can lower them by putting spacers in them.

**ThatGuy** · 03-20-2009, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BustedS13

street fighters are just busted up sport bikes with no fairings and jackoff riders who like to do wheelies. you'll also often find them driving pontiacs or various suv's covered in decals that say stuff like "RIP such and such 1988-2008, wheelied faster than his angels could fly"

p.s. that dark green bike is sick

I think it has less to do with the bike customization, and more to do with dumbass in the seat. The same way I absolutely hate being associated with the dumb mother fuckers out there who think it is acceptable behavior to drift on public streets, I'm sure the guys who build their bikes to carve corners don't like to be associated with the idiots riding down the freeway on their rear tire alone.

In other words, let us not stereotype based on modifications. In fact, let us strive not to stereotype at all.

P.S. Mel, cool build. This is fun to watch, and if I rode a bike, I could see myself doing something very similar.

SochBAT · 03-20-2009, 02:08 PM

Remove the engine and tank, strip the shit out of it until you have a bare frame. Clean that beast up and paint with high temp black. not gloss black either. You've got to give it that matte color.

After its done, you can go around asking the locations of sailors, or if anyone knows where Lan-Di is.

The Chad · 03-20-2009, 04:58 PM

Yea, my roommate was obsessed with street fighter style bikes. That's how I heard of them. He owned a Honda CB...something that was pretty quick...he totally trashed me when I picked up my Suzuki Savage 650 and started "upgrading" and customizing it. Said it was a waste, now I get more looks on it than any normal 90's sport bike or stereotype Harley.

Moral of the story is: Keep up with the build, build it to what you want and you will never be dissapointed. Just make sure you cover all the wires up...I hate expose wires on chopped/bobbed bikes. Just looks tacky. And you can never have too much chrome imo so bling it up

(with a dash of matte black)

BustedS13 · 03-20-2009, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThatGuy

I think it has less to do with the bike customization, and more to do with dumbass in the seat. The same way I absolutely hate being associated with the dumb mother fuckers out there who think it is acceptable behavior to drift on public streets, I'm sure the guys who build their bikes to carve corners don't like to be associated with the idiots riding down the freeway on their rear tire alone.

In other words, let us not stereotype based on modifications. In fact, let us strive not to stereotype at all.

P.S. Mel, cool build. This is fun to watch, and if I rode a bike, I could see myself doing something very similar.

my opinion on streetbike riders is heavily influenced by a local "team" of douchebags called "Streetfighterz". they make videos and shirts and decals and sell them at the mall and stuff. and yeah, one of their videos is some guy wheelie-ing down the highway with no front wheel.

i'm sure there are responsible sport bike riders in the world, but i've never met one

*exitspeed* · 03-20-2009, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BustedS13

i'm sure there are responsible sport bike riders in the world, but i've never met one

That's how I felt too honestly. Then most of my friends (real friends) got into sport bikes. They are anti all that kinda shit.

BustedS13 · 03-20-2009, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by exitspeed

That's how I felt too honestly. Then most of my friends (real friends) got into sport bikes. They are anti all that kinda shit.

yeah, i'd like one too, and i wouldn't get from point a to point b on one wheel. but... yeah, just never seen a sport bike guy who wasn't a chode.

anyway, more pics, progress, blah blah blah!

*exitspeed* · 03-26-2009, 10:32 AM

Some moar updates.

Decided today to drop it 2.5 inches. I have NO CLUE if it's the right way to do it or not, but in my head it made sense. If it turns out that it's wrong I can always correct it. Basically I just removed the handlebars (which are going away in favor of clip-ons anyway) and then loosed the forks from the triples tree (I think that's what it's called) and pushed the triple tree down. I might even go another .5" or so if this is an acceptable way to do it.

I also got he foam that I'll be using to make the seat form. It's not going to site exactly like that obviously but that gives you an idea sorta.

So here you can see how much I lowered it.

Here's the other Virago and you can see how it sits at stock height.

*exitspeed* · 03-26-2009, 02:08 PM

I aklso found out what size my forks are for clip-ons. 36mm. Woodcraft makes clip-ons for $149.

Woodcraft-CFM :: 36mm Clipons (12-0136)

***S14DB*** · 03-26-2009, 02:20 PM

Needs some manly gauges!

wideride · 03-26-2009, 02:33 PM

it look like drive shaft,not a chain drive...am i right !!! correct me if im wrong.

*exitspeed* · 03-26-2009, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wideride

it look like drive shaft,not a chain drive...am i right !!! correct me if im wrong.

You are correct.

shmiddy · 03-27-2009, 10:44 AM

i might acually buy this baby next month!!

sb253 · 03-27-2009, 12:23 PM

sorry, but I wouldnt call 95% of those bikes "cafe"

*exitspeed* · 03-27-2009, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sb253

sorry, but I wouldnt call 95% of those bikes "cafe"

Care to elaborate on which bikes you are referring to and what does and doesn't make them "cafe" in your opinion?

Bushido · 03-27-2009, 02:00 PM

this is what i've been working on:

03-18-2009, 07:54 AM	#31
exitspeed aWingThing.com Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Milwaukee, WI Age: 41 Posts: 20,898 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Ok moving along slowly but surely. I got the tank off. i couldn't figure out how it came off last week when I worked on it. There's some rust on the inside so I'm gonna have to remove that. luckily Yamaha makes a two step product that's only $15 that will remove it all. I also just bought the foam to start shaping for the seat like in the fiberglass forum tutorial that HyperTek posted. We need to lower the front first though so i can see how everything sits. My friend Adam can hopefully do the welding of the new custom rear subframe and the back of the tank. You can see int he pics below I have the tank tilted not so the pitch of it is more horizontal instead of pitched upwards. I just have it sittong on something right now and will have to fab something to secure it. Shot with Canon EOS 40D at 2009-03-18 Shot with Canon EOS 40D at 2009-03-18 __________________ What I do for a living...www.mhrussell.com

03-18-2009, 12:05 PM	#33
Gnnr Post Whore! Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: S. FL Posts: 3,960 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I see another bike in the background? __________________

03-18-2009, 03:32 PM	#35
slider2828 Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 5,824 Trader Rating: (13) Feedback Score: 13 reviews	I love that bike, by my favorite by Honda CB1 which is super rare __________________ Turn and Burn!

03-20-2009, 06:37 AM	#40
exitspeed aWingThing.com Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Milwaukee, WI Age: 41 Posts: 20,898 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	I did some research yesterday and it's not really Street Fighter style. Street Fighters are made from sport bikes. You start with a sport bike and then strip it all down. Remove fairings, etc to make it look more aggressive. So technically it's not a street fighter. A Cafe Racer is a cruiser type bike (which is what the Virago is) that has been stripped down and modified for speed and good handling rather than comfort. I think what is confusing about the green one pictured is the tail on it is sorta sport bike-ish looking instead of the more round "bullet" looking tail that is traditionally found on Cafe's. Update on my bike. A friend of mine said he would do the welding of the subframe for me. I just gotta purchase some metal. Clip-ons look like they run $119-$180. I think I'll go with the $119 ones as they look pretty decent and this is kind of a budget build at this point. __________________ What I do for a living...www.mhrussell.com

03-20-2009, 10:51 AM	#43
BustedS13 Post Whore! Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Phoenix AZ Age: 36 Posts: 10,287 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	street fighters are just busted up sport bikes with no fairings and jackoff riders who like to do wheelies. you'll also often find them driving pontiacs or various suv's covered in decals that say stuff like "RIP such and such 1988-2008, wheelied faster than his angels could fly" p.s. that dark green bike is sick __________________

03-18-2009, 01:33 PM	#34
dmragecm Zilvia Addict Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: nawff jerrrsey Age: 34 Posts: 779 Trader Rating: (6) Feedback Score: 6 reviews	check out Kott Motorcycles Custom cafe racers. They're in Cali, not exactly sure where but I think so cal. talk to Jeremy and tell him Danny from Jersey sent you. Real cool dude and loves to talk/teach about old school cafe racers. I'm just like you, I know jack shit about bikes lol. I'm most definitely going to buy a bike from him when the time is right. this is some of their other work Honda CB550 Flat Black Cafe Racer- "THE WILL" - $4000 .

03-19-2009, 12:09 AM	#36
ayuaddict Post Whore! Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Socal Age: 32 Posts: 4,017 Trader Rating: (9) Feedback Score: 9 reviews	awwww fuck. thats way too cool. i am jealous.

03-19-2009, 12:27 AM	#37
SochBAT Post Whore! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Abilene, TX Age: 35 Posts: 6,428 Trader Rating: (9) Rides Gallery: SochBAT Feedback Score: 9 reviews	Street fighter!!!

03-19-2009, 07:11 AM	#39
The Chad Zilvia Addict Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Richmond, VA Age: 40 Posts: 943 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I've seen quite a few "street fighter" style conversions...i liek them, but don't love all the exposed wiring that i saw on the conversions. Stick with the cafe style imo. I like the look of it better. Plus I like older bikes and the styling behind them. Something about removing fairings and body parts from a sport bike just makes them look naked...

03-20-2009, 07:34 AM	#41
gyula hlavati Leaky Injector Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Jacksonville,Florida Age: 41 Posts: 123 Trader Rating: (4) Feedback Score: 4 reviews	People in the States build bikes like CB750 as a cafe racer but you know in Europe they prefer british bikes like Norton.This whole thing started in England so I would go with some ride like Triumph.And yeah,no sportbike for this style. I'm ready to see your Virago so keep up posting with pics.

03-20-2009, 09:47 AM	#42
Taniguchi_Is_#1 Post Whore! Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: West Arkansas Prefecture Posts: 3,141 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	this thread gave me inspiration to work on my bike again. haha.

03-20-2009, 01:53 PM	#45
0100 Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: New England Posts: 1,581 Trader Rating: (12) Feedback Score: 12 reviews	Nice exit! If those forks are anything like xs650's you can lower them by putting spacers in them. __________________ TougeHero.com l SilviaV8forums.com

03-20-2009, 02:08 PM	#47
SochBAT Post Whore! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Abilene, TX Age: 35 Posts: 6,428 Trader Rating: (9) Rides Gallery: SochBAT Feedback Score: 9 reviews	Remove the engine and tank, strip the shit out of it until you have a bare frame. Clean that beast up and paint with high temp black. not gloss black either. You've got to give it that matte color. After its done, you can go around asking the locations of sailors, or if anyone knows where Lan-Di is.

03-20-2009, 04:58 PM	#48
The Chad Zilvia Addict Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Richmond, VA Age: 40 Posts: 943 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Yea, my roommate was obsessed with street fighter style bikes. That's how I heard of them. He owned a Honda CB...something that was pretty quick...he totally trashed me when I picked up my Suzuki Savage 650 and started "upgrading" and customizing it. Said it was a waste, now I get more looks on it than any normal 90's sport bike or stereotype Harley. Moral of the story is: Keep up with the build, build it to what you want and you will never be dissapointed. Just make sure you cover all the wires up...I hate expose wires on chopped/bobbed bikes. Just looks tacky. And you can never have too much chrome imo so bling it up (with a dash of matte black)

03-26-2009, 10:32 AM	#52
exitspeed aWingThing.com Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Milwaukee, WI Age: 41 Posts: 20,898 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Some moar updates. Decided today to drop it 2.5 inches. I have NO CLUE if it's the right way to do it or not, but in my head it made sense. If it turns out that it's wrong I can always correct it. Basically I just removed the handlebars (which are going away in favor of clip-ons anyway) and then loosed the forks from the triples tree (I think that's what it's called) and pushed the triple tree down. I might even go another .5" or so if this is an acceptable way to do it. I also got he foam that I'll be using to make the seat form. It's not going to site exactly like that obviously but that gives you an idea sorta. So here you can see how much I lowered it. Here's the other Virago and you can see how it sits at stock height. __________________ What I do for a living...www.mhrussell.com

03-26-2009, 02:08 PM	#53
exitspeed aWingThing.com Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Milwaukee, WI Age: 41 Posts: 20,898 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	I aklso found out what size my forks are for clip-ons. 36mm. Woodcraft makes clip-ons for $149. Woodcraft-CFM :: 36mm Clipons (12-0136) __________________ What I do for a living...www.mhrussell.com

03-26-2009, 02:20 PM	#54
*S14DB* AFC #1 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: 昨晩あなたのお母さんの家 Posts: 20,181 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	Needs some manly gauges! __________________ Comments should be taken as Opinions not as Statements of Fact

03-26-2009, 02:33 PM	#55
wideride Zilvia Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: valencia Posts: 221 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	it look like drive shaft,not a chain drive...am i right !!! correct me if im wrong.

03-27-2009, 10:44 AM	#57
shmiddy Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: nyc Age: 36 Posts: 1,279 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	i might acually buy this baby next month!! __________________ i fully de-volved

03-27-2009, 12:23 PM	#58
sb253 Zilvia Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: WA Posts: 286 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	sorry, but I wouldnt call 95% of those bikes "cafe"

03-27-2009, 02:00 PM	#60
Bushido Post Whore! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: SFL Posts: 3,562 Trader Rating: (10) Feedback Score: 10 reviews	this is what i've been working on: __________________

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