Honda CX 500 first Café build

IED wrote:

That is sweet mate, but I was thinking of going black on the motor, not silver

Nooooooooooooooooo

Look, it's clear to me that you do not need advice from anyone, least of all me, but I really do think you're going to end up ruining the whole project if you do that.
Your engine looks crisp with just the right amount of patina.

I'll have a little think about it matey.

Oh and I do thank you for the positive input fella, you might be right.

IED wrote:

I'll have a little think about it matey.

Oh and I do thank you for the positive input fella, you might be right.

Well it's just my opinion.
When you've become bored with it and decide to move onto another project and sell that gem to me, Iwant it with the original finish on the engine.

oh I see, you have a hidden motive.

Ok mate, you got first dibs

I've had a good day today.

Work was ok, then I got home to find my O ring set had arrived



Porky dropped off his mig welder



So I choped of the mangled head on the oil filter bolt and welded a new, bigger and better bolt head onto the stem



Yup, been a good day.

I'll start on my frame mods tomorrow.

Welding again tonight

I started by putting the plywood base from the plug I made on the frame and making a card template of the bracket I want to make.



Next I used the card template to mark up my steel angle, then put a hacksaw blade in my jigsaw to allow it to cut a curve.



The rest of it I cut out with my mini grinder



smartened that up no end.



Now the two halves get seperated.



and one gets welded on.

Next I leveled the frame by putting packers under the center stand.



And kept checking the level of the frame untill I got it right.



Once I was happy the frame was ok, I tacked on the other side, and leveled it in.



So far so good.

So both supports are on, and when I have made my seat I will drill and tap holes in the mounts to screw it down to



I used the mould to mock up with



and give me a line to cut back the sub-frame rails to.



I'm going to mount the battery in between them.



Look at all that space under there.



More tomorrow night.

looking great wish I had your drive by the time I get in from work I'm to knacked to go out and do any thing. mind you I have realized what I was doing wrong with my seat and why I couldn't get it to look right for any body else puting a seat on there bike from another model the highest point of the seat should be the same height as the tank will show what I mean in my build log
Steve

Its not drive mate, its big fun and I'm always up for having fun fella. While I'm having fun, I'm planning tomorrows fun, lol.

If you ever need an extra pair of hands fella, or a bit of help just give me a call on 07962723617

Looking forward to seeing your seat matey.

Are you going to hide the battery and all of the other electrics under there like this chap did?
http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=138693&highlight=katana+cafe

I was looking at hiding my electrics in the tailpiece of my CB, but there's still an oil tank sitting under the side panels so it's kind of pointless :-(

On your CB why not hide electrics under seat hump and nake a central oil tank like a triton.
Steve

Pud wrote:

On your CB why not hide electrics under seat hump and nake a central oil tank like a triton.
Steve

Actually Steve that's not a bad idea, Unity Equippe do a couple of very nice alloy jobs for the Triton, I'm sure there's enough space, it would be a question of the hose take offs, there's 2 on the Honda, need to talk to Unity methinks!

most Triumph oil tanks have two pipes one feed and one return well three if you include the breather
Steve

IED if you look at the following link you will see the seat unit and my inspiration

https://caferacer.forumotion.com/t152-my-xj600-project

cheers
Steve

Tonight I got in and made a start on the battery box.

I want it mounted under the pod so I can keep the area behind the engine clean and clear.

I'm using angle section and cuting it inbetween the frame



After a bit of measuring and leveling I taped the first bit into place



Then tacked it



The other side was made the same way, and welded to the frame and the other section.

Battery sat in there nice, with space for a little foam rubber to protect my battery from the frame.



I moved the bike outside to get a better look at it.



The battery sits under there a nice snug fit



I then cut a couple of plugs to go over the ends of the frame



Got them in and ground to fit.



The battery look really high sitting in the box,



But its not an issue



Thats that then. Now I can break down the frame and grind off any lugs that are not needed.

But before I do anything, I'm gonna clean up this mess.

I find myself getting excited over this and it's not even my bike.
Are you going to powder coat the frame etc ?

Yup, frame will be going to Impact coatings in Colchester Essex in a couple of weeks mate.

What colour do you want it

are impact going to blast the frame first then coat it, what did they estimate the price as I contacted a firm in Clacton and they wanted approx £200 to blast and powdercoat silver my sons frame for his 125,also battery carrier looks good what means are u going to use to secure it in the carrier.
Steve

Impact coatings quoted me £75.00 to blast and powdercoat the frame and swing arm, and I guess the engine mounts will be extra, so I guess around a 100 quid for the lot matey.

I think I might use a rubber strap like on my blade to hold the battery in mate.

I had my frame and swinging arm blasted and powder coated by a local guy who refurbs wheels, cost me 120 quid (100 for the frame, 20 for the arm) must admit I'm very pleased with it, just wish now I'd had it done in silver rather than black!

IED wrote:

What colour do you want it

Deep red please

To shave a few lbs and up the power to weight ratio, the center stand has got to go, and as much of the mount I can chop without weakening the side stand mount.



some of it was a bit awkward to get to, but I managed to tidy it up with my mini grinder.



Next I droped out the swing arm



Next I ground off any redundant mounts to clean up the frame.



There we are then, next I'll drop out the front end and the frame will be ready for powdercoat.

I dont have anything to do to the swing arm except remove the shaft drive dif.

While the frame is away I can get on with renovating the diff, the carbs, the forks............... well you get the idea, still loads to do.