Another cafe racer........

[yaddy]

Hi all,

Thought it was about time i shared some pics of my latest build. Aquired it from eBay in December 2008 and started to tear it down at the beginning of Feb this year. It was a runner but that's about it, the po chopped the rear of the frame off for whatever reason so i decided a cafe build was the best way forward. I made a simple framework to accomodate the rear tailpiece and also to hide all the electrics, i also welded the frame tubes with blanking plates where he'd cut it. It was originally a 650 Katana with 40,000 miles on the clock so new piston rings, cam chain, stem seals, guides etc will all be purchased. So far, every bearing and seal i've come accross has been replaced, Luckily for me, my pa works as a maintenance manager at a large factory and orders me the bearings and seals through his contacts at cost. The plan is to get the bike ready in time for a weekend at the Bulldog Bash this August (6th), it's 140 mile each way so i hope to get a test run in beforehand.


Can't upload pics for whatever reason so heres a link to an out of date blog i have until i get some uploaded, sorry
http://katanacaferacer.blogspot.com

 

[jwhelan65]

Nice looking bike man! More pics please...try using photobucket as host for your pics.

 

[yaddy]

Cheers Dude, i'll try to get some on photobucket, i can't get a proper link from my own site to work.

 

[steve murdoch]

Very nice, Yaddy.
Careful, a man on the inside for parts can make you a lot of "friends".

 

[willie]

Now THAT'S the kinda 650 I'M talkin about!! And a shaft too! SWEET!!
Willie in TN

 

[yaddy]

got some pics added thanks to photobucket

got some pics added thanks to photobucket

This is the bike as i bought it last December with frame chopped off behind the shock mounts.

Frame on its way to being modified to fit electrics underneath tail unit.

Forks stripped and ready for polishing and rebuilding. Note 4 seals from 2 fork legs! LOL

 

[yaddy]

 

[yaddy]

new seat on the cheap

new seat on the cheap

Bought this foam from a local scrapyard, its the passenger seat from a ford escort van and cost me ?3.

foam was stuck with evostick rubber solution from b&q, cost me ?4. Cut to shape with using a blowtorch heated hacksaw blade.

Seat cover was made using spare black vinyl from my ongoing kitcar project. Stitched together using a vintage singer sewing machine.

I will most probably get a professional job done when the build nears completion but for now, i needed something on there so i can get a final position for the tank and get those mountings sorted.

 

[Buffalo Bill]

Polished fork tubes

Polished fork tubes

I like the idea of polishing the lower fork tubes, however bugs and gravel will take a toll soon enough. I've been considering polishing mine.
Hiding the battery under the seat hump is cool too. Good fiberglass and upholstery work! :clap:
Very nice work overall, original fabrications can't be beat! :clap:
A lot of sops over here just buy it over the counter and call that good.
Show 'em the high bar! :clap:

 

[mighty13d]

it's coming along and looking great

 

[drhach]

Nice work so far.

 

[yaddy]

Thanks for the support guys, much appreciated.

with regards to polished forkslegs:

I've had polished forks on my GS1000E for the last couple of years, they require nothing more than a rub with my autosol soaked black rag that i've owned for years, it's got an almost leather-like feel to it, lol. A quick buff with a clean rag upon completion and everythings as good as when it was first done. I generally do this every time i wash it.
I do have a couple of stone chips on the legs but to be honest, they don't show up half as bad as is they were painted.

 

[atb1998]

cafe racer

cafe racer

I gotta hand it to you. You for sure have the working with what you have and ingenuity down. Great work! Polish those fork tubes away. Factory clear, painted, polished, they alway take a beating. Well maybe less than painted. I really dig the battery under the seat

 

[Old Colt]

Very nice bike.
Got room up in the tail for the brake fluid cup?

 

[yaddy]

Hmmmmmm, not sure.......

Nice idea though, you can probably see that i've got the fluid reservoir mounted but not the master cylinder. I was looking at it and thinking it looks a bit odd just sat there, i've got a tiny front reservoir from my track days, i thought about putting that in there but i may try to see if i can fit it underneath the tail. It's a good idea of yours is that. Shame i've powder coated the frame already, i have a bracket that wouldn't get used if i did that. Tax disc holder maybe? LOL

 

[Old Colt]

Maybe a mini size reservoir from a dirt bike nestled behind the frame right near the engine.

 

[yaddy]

Battery Bag

Battery Bag

Thanks for the inspiration Old Colt, you've made me some more work now! hahahahah. I've got a tiny (about 20mm dia) reservoir that mounts in the same way as the one shown. See the hole in the frame behind the battery? I could maybe tap this out with a 6mm thread and mount the reservoir there, these holes are for the battery strap to hook onto to secure the battery. I can always adapt and overcome somehow if i have room in there for the rear brake cup.

Here's a bit of custom work for you, not seen it before but i doubt it's a first. One home made battery bag, thought it might help keep road crud from getting to the terminals. Lid is fastened down using velcro with open slots for wires to exit cleanly. A small hole will be made for the battery breather tube to exit and run down the frame.

 

[Old Colt]

I like that

 

[yaddy]

One rear brake reservoir mounted behind the tail unit. Brill idea there Old Colt, i've been saving this reservoir for the front but i'll get another no problem. Frame looks much cleaner now (to me anyway), and i'll just knock a little ally or stainless bracket up for the old mount and secure the brake pipe and battery breather with it

 

[Buffalo Bill]

Clean look, but weight's moved higher?

Clean look, but weight's moved higher?

OK, this is just a thought:
I like the clean, empty space look in front of the rear tyre, and many people try to get that look too. However keeping the heavy battery low and as close to center would be best for handling, true? :-k