Cafe Racer Build - Page 11 - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

*exitspeed* · 08-19-2009, 10:35 AM

What do you guys think of this one?

I gotta order this up quick.

I know someone said no LED but it looks kinda retro.

Or how about this one?

shmiddy · 08-19-2009, 11:37 AM

Dude anyone selling a 70-78 cb750??!?!?!?!?! I need my cafe racer now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*kingkilburn* · 08-19-2009, 11:45 AM

I think I would go with that tail light with some old school bullets down low.

*exitspeed* · 08-19-2009, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingkilburn

I think I would go with that tail light with some old school bullets down low.

Na, not my style. Those are too...stylish for the rest of the bike. I needs something incognito.

BustedS13 · 08-19-2009, 12:10 PM

do led's. the smaller the better.

GSXRJJordan · 08-19-2009, 12:48 PM

The problem with small LEDs is that he's got that tail-light-shaped hole behind the seat - I say go with a OEM-style non-LED tail, to match the rest of the bike.

*exitspeed* · 08-19-2009, 12:50 PM

Ok then I'm gonna do one like this.

GSXRJJordan · 08-19-2009, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by exitspeed

Ok then I'm gonna do one like this.

You could always throw an LED bulb in there if you wanted to go future-retro

ilovecoupes · 08-19-2009, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by driftking777

I think this bike would look kinda cool as a bobber

Bubbles · 08-19-2009, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shmiddy

Dude anyone selling a 70-78 cb750??!?!?!?!?! I need my cafe racer now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The entire midwest is packed with CB's.

Take a trip.

driftking777 · 08-20-2009, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilovecoupes

I think this bike would look kinda cool as a bobber

Whats a bobber, inform me please.

*exitspeed* · 08-20-2009, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by driftking777

Whats a bobber, inform me please.

Cool. That's what it is. Just not my style.

*exitspeed* · 08-26-2009, 09:40 AM

The bike is nearing completion. Final pics hopefully next week.

pistolpete · 08-27-2009, 01:41 AM

I have rebuilt several motorcycles and have put more miles on bikes than on cars, so I have some suggestions based on my experiences.

From the pictures I can see that your brake line and throttle cables are too long. Didn't see the clutch cable but I assume that it is the same. Aesthetics are one thing, but you will have lever effort issues with incorrect length cables. Can be fixed cheaply by taking them to a small shop that can build cables and have them shorten them.

Ergonomics are different for everyone, but just by looking at it I would think that the bike would be more comfortable (and it would help the cable situation) if you mount the clip-ons above the triple tree on the exposed portion of the fork legs. This would also make the bike easier to handle at low speeds.

It sounds like you may have fixed your carb problem, but you should look into richening up the idle mixture. Bikes in general, but especially of this era, came jetted lean from the factory. It is simple to do, and a half turn on the pilot does wonders.

Lastly, my ninja streetfighter had no gauges and no mirrors. I was fine with no gauges but missed the mirrors. If I had it any longer I would have gotten bar end mirrors, with clip-ons it is a pain to try to look behind before passing, especially if your shoulder/arm is in the way. One bar end mirror for $30 on the left and you will be happier, and avoid a ticket.

I found this buildup searching for information on any virago street trackers / cafe bikes. Its looking good.

HyperTek · 08-27-2009, 02:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by driftking777

Whats a bobber, inform me please.

*handinpants* · 08-27-2009, 04:08 AM

i just bought a ducati monster, plan to chop the tail and have louis gonz fab up a ti exhaust

*exitspeed* · 08-27-2009, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pistolpete

I have rebuilt several motorcycles and have put more miles on bikes than on cars, so I have some suggestions based on my experiences.

From the pictures I can see that your brake line and throttle cables are too long. Didn't see the clutch cable but I assume that it is the same. Aesthetics are one thing, but you will have lever effort issues with incorrect length cables. Can be fixed cheaply by taking them to a small shop that can build cables and have them shorten them.

I'll take a better look at those. Thanks for pointing that out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pistolpete

Ergonomics are different for everyone, but just by looking at it I would think that the bike would be more comfortable (and it would help the cable situation) if you mount the clip-ons above the triple tree on the exposed portion of the fork legs. This would also make the bike easier to handle at low speeds.

I actually planned on putting them up there but the gauges were in the way. So I would have to get rid of those to put the clip ons up there. Maybe down the road that will be an option.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pistolpete

It sounds like you may have fixed your carb problem, but you should look into richening up the idle mixture. Bikes in general, but especially of this era, came jetted lean from the factory. It is simple to do, and a half turn on the pilot does wonders.

This has been done and it makes the bike run much better.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pistolpete

Lastly, my ninja streetfighter had no gauges and no mirrors. I was fine with no gauges but missed the mirrors. If I had it any longer I would have gotten bar end mirrors, with clip-ons it is a pain to try to look behind before passing, especially if your shoulder/arm is in the way. One bar end mirror for $30 on the left and you will be happier, and avoid a ticket.

Good idea just getting one. For some reason I wasn't thinking about the option of just getting one. That would make them more affordable also.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pistolpete

I found this buildup searching for information on any virago street trackers / cafe bikes. Its looking good.

Cool. What is a street tracker?

*kingkilburn* · 08-27-2009, 12:34 PM

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...=272954&page=4

pistolpete · 08-27-2009, 12:37 PM

It is a street legal version of a dirt oval racer (a dirt tracker or a flat tracker), examples are:

And the bike that has been wining for over 30 years, the harley xr750

A lot of the racers are v-twins, and the virago engine looks more appropriate, but when people build them for the street they often use vertical twins. I thought that the virago would be a good base for a cafe or tracker project, but as you found too there isn't a whole lot of info unless you wanted to put on saddle bags and tassels.

Bubbles · 08-27-2009, 01:02 PM

That's hot.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pistolpete

This is rad.

*exitspeed* · 08-27-2009, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pistolpete

but as you found too there isn't a whole lot of info unless you wanted to put on saddle bags and tassels.

That's why I just did my own thing. Obviously I'm biased but I think my bike turned out to be a pretty rad Virago. Becuase I'm not into the whole saddle bags and tassels look.

*exitspeed* · 11-11-2009, 09:49 AM

Update on this bike:

Unfortunately I didn't get the thing running in time to ride it this year.

I ended up taking it out to my brother in laws shop in Richfield and while it was great to have every tool and air tool known to man to work on it it was really inconvenient. He talked me into doing a little more to it then I was really wanting to do to it this year and because he was super busy and I never worked on the particular projects.

What I did get done was half assly painting the swing arm which looks a LOT better. I'll be redoing it properly this winter.

We got the led taillight put on. Just had to weld up some brackets to mount it too.

There were a few other mics projects that I'm probably not thinking of.

Ultimately the hold up came down to a bunch of electrical issues that we were not able to solve.

Adam (lasttimearound) has talked me into rewiring the whole bike though which is something I really wanted to do from the start but didn't have the know-how. Hopefully with his help that will go well.

So the project wasn't abandoned, just hit some hiccups.

Plans for winter:

-Rewire bike and get everything working properly
-Re-paint subframe, tank, and rear fender
-Possibly eliminate the gauges all together
-And last if money permits using a kit a guy is making do a rear rim in the front swap. It completely changes the look of the bike and looks awesome.

Xbroke_kidX · 11-11-2009, 01:52 PM

damn i want one so bad, I worked at Cycle Parts West in Stanton (right by autotoyz) for a short time and this guy would always come in with an old BMW like this, So nice

Gnnr · 11-12-2009, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by exitspeed

Ok then I'm gonna do one like this.

I like this one better. Haven't checked in here in a while. Saw the updates on the last page, bike is looking great. I think your heading in the right direction. Keep it up and good job!

*exitspeed* · 11-13-2009, 10:57 AM

I ended up with this one and it looks great.

Shvltme93Notch · 11-13-2009, 01:06 PM

damn looking at this thread got me on craigslist looking for an old bike.

*exitspeed* · 11-17-2009, 10:37 AM

Going to move forward with the rewiring of the bike in the next couple weeks. Pics to come soon.

driftking777 · 11-17-2009, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by exitspeed

Going to move forward with the rewiring of the bike in the next couple weeks. Pics to come soon.

sounds like you get little time to play with the bike also. Figure since I seem to keep updating in your thread, figure i would do it again.

Im down to Rewiring also. And i need to find some new grips/throttle tube for the bars, but its rolling on its own with the new suspension (or lack there of) Carbs fully rebuilt now. Like you, just down to wiring.

btw. Pics of your bike??

DreamN · 11-17-2009, 08:50 PM

Damn had forgotten about this thread. Need more pix Mel.

zakkkaliscious · 11-17-2009, 08:51 PM

my all time favorite cafe style bike

08-19-2009, 10:35 AM	#301
exitspeed aWingThing.com Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Milwaukee, WI Age: 41 Posts: 20,898 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	What do you guys think of this one? I gotta order this up quick. I know someone said no LED but it looks kinda retro. Or how about this one? __________________ What I do for a living...www.mhrussell.com Last edited by exitspeed; 08-19-2009 at 11:45 AM..

08-19-2009, 11:37 AM	#302
shmiddy Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: nyc Age: 36 Posts: 1,279 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	Dude anyone selling a 70-78 cb750??!?!?!?!?! I need my cafe racer now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! __________________ i fully de-volved

08-19-2009, 11:45 AM	#303
kingkilburn Philosopher King Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: FresYes Posts: 3,041 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I think I would go with that tail light with some old school bullets down low. __________________ G O L D E N B E A R R E P U B L I C

08-19-2009, 12:10 PM	#305
BustedS13 Post Whore! Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Phoenix AZ Age: 36 Posts: 10,287 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	do led's. the smaller the better. __________________

08-19-2009, 12:48 PM	#306
GSXRJJordan Post Whore! Join Date: May 2006 Location: << 626 >> Posts: 9,135 Trader Rating: (19) Rides Gallery: GSXRJJordan Feedback Score: 19 reviews	The problem with small LEDs is that he's got that tail-light-shaped hole behind the seat - I say go with a OEM-style non-LED tail, to match the rest of the bike. __________________ Jordan Innovations has a new web site! www.JordanInnovations.com -- All your favorite FD Pro Drifters love it, trust me -- www.JordanInnovations.com

08-19-2009, 12:50 PM	#307
exitspeed aWingThing.com Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Milwaukee, WI Age: 41 Posts: 20,898 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Ok then I'm gonna do one like this. __________________ What I do for a living...www.mhrussell.com

08-26-2009, 09:40 AM	#313
exitspeed aWingThing.com Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Milwaukee, WI Age: 41 Posts: 20,898 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	The bike is nearing completion. Final pics hopefully next week. __________________ What I do for a living...www.mhrussell.com

08-27-2009, 01:41 AM	#314
pistolpete Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: fort collins Posts: 2 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I have rebuilt several motorcycles and have put more miles on bikes than on cars, so I have some suggestions based on my experiences. From the pictures I can see that your brake line and throttle cables are too long. Didn't see the clutch cable but I assume that it is the same. Aesthetics are one thing, but you will have lever effort issues with incorrect length cables. Can be fixed cheaply by taking them to a small shop that can build cables and have them shorten them. Ergonomics are different for everyone, but just by looking at it I would think that the bike would be more comfortable (and it would help the cable situation) if you mount the clip-ons above the triple tree on the exposed portion of the fork legs. This would also make the bike easier to handle at low speeds. It sounds like you may have fixed your carb problem, but you should look into richening up the idle mixture. Bikes in general, but especially of this era, came jetted lean from the factory. It is simple to do, and a half turn on the pilot does wonders. Lastly, my ninja streetfighter had no gauges and no mirrors. I was fine with no gauges but missed the mirrors. If I had it any longer I would have gotten bar end mirrors, with clip-ons it is a pain to try to look behind before passing, especially if your shoulder/arm is in the way. One bar end mirror for $30 on the left and you will be happier, and avoid a ticket. I found this buildup searching for information on any virago street trackers / cafe bikes. Its looking good.

08-27-2009, 04:08 AM	#316
handinpants FreshColdBeer.com Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: California Age: 38 Posts: 2,665 Trader Rating: (48) Rides Gallery: handinpants Feedback Score: 48 reviews	i just bought a ducati monster, plan to chop the tail and have louis gonz fab up a ti exhaust __________________

08-27-2009, 12:34 PM	#318
kingkilburn Philosopher King Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: FresYes Posts: 3,041 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...=272954&page=4 __________________ G O L D E N B E A R R E P U B L I C

08-27-2009, 12:37 PM	#319
pistolpete Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: fort collins Posts: 2 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	It is a street legal version of a dirt oval racer (a dirt tracker or a flat tracker), examples are: And the bike that has been wining for over 30 years, the harley xr750 A lot of the racers are v-twins, and the virago engine looks more appropriate, but when people build them for the street they often use vertical twins. I thought that the virago would be a good base for a cafe or tracker project, but as you found too there isn't a whole lot of info unless you wanted to put on saddle bags and tassels.

11-11-2009, 09:49 AM	#322
exitspeed aWingThing.com Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Milwaukee, WI Age: 41 Posts: 20,898 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Update on this bike: Unfortunately I didn't get the thing running in time to ride it this year. I ended up taking it out to my brother in laws shop in Richfield and while it was great to have every tool and air tool known to man to work on it it was really inconvenient. He talked me into doing a little more to it then I was really wanting to do to it this year and because he was super busy and I never worked on the particular projects. What I did get done was half assly painting the swing arm which looks a LOT better. I'll be redoing it properly this winter. We got the led taillight put on. Just had to weld up some brackets to mount it too. There were a few other mics projects that I'm probably not thinking of. Ultimately the hold up came down to a bunch of electrical issues that we were not able to solve. Adam (lasttimearound) has talked me into rewiring the whole bike though which is something I really wanted to do from the start but didn't have the know-how. Hopefully with his help that will go well. So the project wasn't abandoned, just hit some hiccups. Plans for winter: -Rewire bike and get everything working properly -Re-paint subframe, tank, and rear fender -Possibly eliminate the gauges all together -And last if money permits using a kit a guy is making do a rear rim in the front swap. It completely changes the look of the bike and looks awesome. __________________ What I do for a living...www.mhrussell.com

11-11-2009, 01:52 PM	#323
Xbroke_kidX Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Mordor Posts: 1,113 Trader Rating: (8) Feedback Score: 8 reviews	damn i want one so bad, I worked at Cycle Parts West in Stanton (right by autotoyz) for a short time and this guy would always come in with an old BMW like this, So nice

11-13-2009, 10:57 AM	#325
exitspeed aWingThing.com Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Milwaukee, WI Age: 41 Posts: 20,898 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	I ended up with this one and it looks great. __________________ What I do for a living...www.mhrussell.com

11-13-2009, 01:06 PM	#326
Shvltme93Notch Leaky Injector Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Coeur d'Alene ID Age: 31 Posts: 55 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	damn looking at this thread got me on craigslist looking for an old bike.

11-17-2009, 10:37 AM	#327
exitspeed aWingThing.com Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Milwaukee, WI Age: 41 Posts: 20,898 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Going to move forward with the rewiring of the bike in the next couple weeks. Pics to come soon. __________________ What I do for a living...www.mhrussell.com

11-17-2009, 08:50 PM	#329
DreamN Post Whore! Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: SoCal - 818 Age: 36 Posts: 10,691 Trader Rating: (54) Rides Gallery: DreamN Feedback Score: 54 reviews	Damn had forgotten about this thread. Need more pix Mel. __________________ - Jimmy Wanted: TBD For Sale: TBD

11-17-2009, 08:51 PM	#330
zakkkaliscious Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Atlanta, GA Age: 31 Posts: 22 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	my all time favorite cafe style bike

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