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CX500 Cafe Fighter Build

Discussion in 'Motorcycles' started by white91formula, Jul 25, 2012.

  1. Jul 25, 2012 at 8:21 AM
    #1
    white91formula

    white91formula [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I am going to start a build thread here and update it as I go along. Hopefully you all enjoy what I am doing.

    I am going for a cafe fighter as a city bike to get around. Im going for function over prettiness so the finished bike will be "rough" in the fact it wont be flawlessly painted. It will be 100% mechanical however.

    I am planning on doing this bike/build in 2 stages. First stage is the cafe build/ mono shock conversion. Second stage which is planned for about 10-12 months after initial build is complete is to turbo it.

    I started with this, which had already had some work done to it by countless previous owners. It did have a clear title however and it is a 81 CX500D I got for $300. I am doing this all on a $500 budget including the bike, its going to be close!

    IMG_20120722_092647_601b294c150bcae5b8c8612c72ead52d717baa37.jpg
    IMG_20120722_092659_926e73ff935db5bff0fbcb36235832fbeb8b2a85.jpg
    IMG_20120722_092721_3a9dff0ac5f0db5f94e8369cc521c01103953dff.jpg
    IMG_20120722_092708_3671fb0cda5908d253e914ae47f6e1006a7dc88c.jpg

    Tear down on first day, unbolted as much as possible and took out everything that was absolutley needed for function. The new seat is just sitting on the frame.

    IMG_20120722_130455_8bc48df5cacdd17a138b78c8ac9d76dbd8c90428.jpg
    IMG_20120722_130507_c17b3f8e0acc69a1edb5e481567b9ae04e5bc8a4.jpg

    Got the cut off wheel out next ... no turning back now ! There was quite a bit of water in the frame on the brake side... was just relieved it wasnt gasoline when it started spewing when i was cutting with the cut off wheels.

    IMG_20120723_151622_46e3244895823d27db1581c05dd54514ccabfbb1.jpg
    IMG_20120723_151632_b7415cd38b45d04ef31ab880ada67e48b2bd9326.jpg

    At this point I am waiting for parts to arrive, so I will update when I get a little further
     
  2. Jul 25, 2012 at 5:07 PM
    #2
    white91formula

    white91formula [OP] Well-Known Member

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    OK a few updates, first my roommate knocked the bike off the center stand this morning getting his bike out to go to work and the tank wasn't attached and went for a tumble... few dents but nothing major

    IMG_20120725_193418_4e2a66cb454186009dc110ceee203b3aefa0bf9b.jpg

    second I have some close ups of where i cut the frame off on the backbone. I ordered some round stock to fill in where the stock spacer runs through the frame.

    IMG_20120725_193347_f06fb0c8680148969c7835a0fa6bc7a341ae43ec.jpg
    IMG_20120725_193340_1280d5c11ab607da1b32a6df2042cdb4869126b6.jpg

    Lastly since none of my parts have come in yet i started working on the exhaust. I have to give credit to littlehorse cycles build for the inspiration on this one.
    It is all tacked together right now, I need to get some more tubing and figure out if I am going to run a muffler or not. Then it will get all welded together.

    IMG_20120725_193312_bd815c115883056303a977b532ab26ecc88bbba1.jpg
    IMG_20120725_193301_c518c99f2160308b12a1a9e21f1e901fe9c7c321.jpg

    more to come
     
  3. Jul 25, 2012 at 5:16 PM
    #3
    n0ms

    n0ms Well-Known Member

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    Nice, can't wait to see how this goes and you really keep 500dollar budget.
     
  4. Jul 26, 2012 at 10:45 AM
    #4
    Pugga

    Pugga Pasti-Dip Free 1983 - 2015... It was a good run

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    :popcorn:

    I'm interested in the final budget also! I'll be impressed if you can find a decent rear shock that doesn't blow your budget :D
     
  5. Jul 26, 2012 at 10:49 AM
    #5
    steve o 77

    steve o 77 braaap

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    245k+ miles, rust, working AC, bald eagles
    Cool build. Is that a baja sae car in your sig?
     
  6. Jul 26, 2012 at 12:46 PM
    #6
    white91formula

    white91formula [OP] Well-Known Member

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    got that covered... got one out of a VFR for free! ... well cost me $12 shipping :eek:



    yes it is, one of the 3 i helped design and built
     
  7. Jul 26, 2012 at 12:55 PM
    #7
    steve o 77

    steve o 77 braaap

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    sweet, Im on the baja team here at NMT, really cool program.
     
  8. Jul 26, 2012 at 1:13 PM
    #8
    Spitfire

    Spitfire Well-Known Member

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    Looks great, thats the bike I learned to ride on. The ad said "babe magnet" so I bought it for $500 back in 1995.

    I love the Cafe look and the little CX will make a great little commuter.
     
  9. Jul 30, 2012 at 7:22 AM
    #9
    white91formula

    white91formula [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Got some more work done yesterday.

    Mounted the shock, made a seat mount/frame and spent countless hours getting everything "straight". Everything is just tacked together for now.

    I found a solution for my newely dented tank as well. Looks like there is still some paint on the metal so it isnt bare so I will be keeping it like this. I have already gotten a few comments about it from people have seen it.

    IMG_20120729_174830_611b96e44db8d6e741fba82a6fa223c4411e2aa2.jpg

    next was the shock mounts, ignore the sqaure tubing for now I was "thinking"

    IMG_20120729_153548_f83b53418817a2ea5a628a4c1beea503aa2ab9f3.jpg
    IMG_20120729_153615_1273985280c19e63202497dec432a90d69866453.jpg
    IMG_20120729_153524_71b5dbc92d0f10db0f3726249156ae05e67c0e2a.jpg
    IMG_20120729_153533_5915e0956d4fb0ac38ee975dddc9042178de8cae.jpg

    Got the seat mounted and also got a new tank mount. I still need to trim the back of the tank mount off and get some more pictures of that once its more "complete" I will also update with some pictures of the seat frame/mounting once its done. Everything is straight and in place I am just not happy with how some of it came out. It was getting late and I had to give up for the day and start fresh another day.

    IMG_20120729_170201_2c4754593636f6c1ba7a8d084f1224b77a340975.jpg
    IMG_20120729_171948_1b6970d2db769352ad0922e1f44b89e2fe9b765a.jpg
    IMG_20120729_174543_985f1e2ed8505cbf2f7e119a9766d3129e4bdbab.jpg

    I have two possible spots for where I am going to put my tail light. I am open to opinions! I am leaning towards down low.
    And the seat will be getting the mounting hooks cut off and the bottom side painted. And no its not crooked, the seat isnt bolted down so it looks weird.
    IMG_20120729_175024_a3fe2d447ee4de8e07aaeab6998a2fc3c5f00223.jpg
    IMG_20120729_175051_76ee16dffb55ae1570d31d2abb885b1a861e0f10.jpg

    Enjoy
     
  10. Jul 30, 2012 at 7:36 AM
    #10
    Pugga

    Pugga Pasti-Dip Free 1983 - 2015... It was a good run

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    How about a 6 or 8" wide LED strip that mounts at the rear of the seat, just below the top of the seat? That way it would hide your seat mounts and could be used as brakes and turn signals all in one (assuming you can find a split LED setup).
     
  11. Jul 30, 2012 at 8:10 AM
    #11
    white91formula

    white91formula [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thats orignally what I was thinking of doing, but I couldnt find anything I liked or would work. That light had tail, blinkers and plate light all built in.

    Everything under the seat will be painted black so I think it will all blend together.
     
  12. Jul 30, 2012 at 8:16 AM
    #12
    Pugga

    Pugga Pasti-Dip Free 1983 - 2015... It was a good run

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    What about something like the VFR tail light?
    [​IMG]

    Also, you gotta hang around the streetfighter or ratfighter forums... Check these out:
    http://www.virtualvillage.com/motor...amaha-yzf-r6-01-02-clear-lens-002511-553.html
    or this one:
    574d1197564261-brake-running-light-turns_b70340b85b2979a790c40d76de7ea01815b387cc.jpg
     
  13. Aug 1, 2012 at 5:43 AM
    #13
    white91formula

    white91formula [OP] Well-Known Member

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    too big, im sticking with the light i got.


    I have some round stock as well, i am thinking of lowering the whole bike down a bit and replacing the seat frame with round.
     
  14. Aug 1, 2012 at 5:52 AM
    #14
    Fiend13

    Fiend13 Well-Known Member

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    Nice! I've been looking for a bike like that to make a project out of, late 70's early 80' 450 or 500. Looking forward to the finished result.
     
  15. Aug 1, 2012 at 7:25 AM
    #15
    white91formula

    white91formula [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks,

    My roommate has a 78 CM400 he is going to do a bobber out of, I will post pics of that project as he does that as well.
     
  16. Aug 1, 2012 at 2:18 PM
    #16
    WVtriple

    WVtriple Well-Known Member

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    Satoshi grill mod, Redline Tuning Hood struts and tailgate E-Z down, HID headlights and fogs, LED tail lamp upgrade, TRD exhaust, FJ TRD Anthracite Wheels, T-REX eyelids, power sunroof, 5100 Billies and ToyTec AAL, K&N drop-in, TRD seatcovers, Weathertech floor mats, Fog light any-time mod, Pop-n-lock, slotted front rotors with ceramic pads, BenWa power rear slider mod, blackout badges, and blacked out center stack and console. 7" HID's behind the grill. LED light bar in the lower grill. Trailer plug relocate. Auxiliary reverse LED's wired in to be manual or auto on when in reverse.
    Always jelly of you guys that can just fab shit and make it work. That will be a very cool build when done.
    BTW what year is that RC51 in the background??
     
  17. Aug 1, 2012 at 9:21 PM
    #17
    dbkid05tacoma

    dbkid05tacoma Well-Known Member

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    this looks like it is going to turn into an awesome bike. keep posting pics of the progress, cant wait to see it when it is finished.
     
  18. Aug 2, 2012 at 4:56 AM
    #18
    TRD6Speed

    TRD6Speed senior member

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    subbd...............one day one day:eek: i miss riding so bad
     
  19. Aug 2, 2012 at 5:03 AM
    #19
    white91formula

    white91formula [OP] Well-Known Member

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    its a 03, i got sick of lugging that around the city and dont want anything to happen to it either. This one will be my "city" bike and when i ride to the bar on a friday night and have to take a cab/bus home i don't have to worry about it.



    Thanks guys. I think the next step is to weld up everything a little more than just tacks and get the bike on the ground under its weight and me sitting on it to see how much it is going to sag and where it is going to sit from there. I know the seat looks angled and high right now but after its down i bet it goes down a bit.
     
  20. Aug 2, 2012 at 2:59 PM
    #20
    kingston73

    kingston73 Well-Known Member

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    That's a good start, looking forward to seeing the end result. If you haven't been there yet, go check out cx500forum.com, formerly known as choppercharles. The people there know everything you can know about the cx and gl Hondas.

    I'm guessing you're going to go with pod filters, you'll most likely have to reject and adjust the carbs. I'd also plan on putting a muffler on, the cx doesn't like unrestricted exhaust much. Set up correctly you should see around 45 to 50 mpg and a smooth power band from 3000 up to redline. Don't be afraid to rev it, the cx likes to run high for a push rod engine and can cruise at 7000 rpm all day. I know that's not high for a modern sport bike but for a 70's machine that was amazing.

    Great bikes, it should last an easy 50 or 60 thousand miles at minimum. Here's mine, set up more as a touring/commute to work bike:
    [​IMG]
     

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