Bmw k series cafe racer advice

Tomazzi

Looking for advice on some parts of the cafe racer build...

Mainly the speedometer and headlight..
Speedos and headlights can be bought online from 15 dollars to 1000...

Does anybody have advice on what they used that worked?

Really appreciated...havent been on boards in years and YouTube iS overwhelming with videos..some of which along with learning along way I have used..

A speedometer for a bmw k 75 that doesn't come from china(no offence china)

Im pretty handy (alright like) with mechanics but not with electrical stuff..complicated stuff anyway...speedo seems complicated enough ....

Thanks for reading if u did so

Tom

H_Lime

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=Trail+tech+vapor&_trksid=p2334524.m4084.l1313.TR2.TRC1.A0.H0.XTrail+tech+vapor.TRS0&_odkw=Vapor+dash
Fitted the above in the past. Multiple options for getting reads on temp, rpm and speed etc.
Pretty easy to set up too with a magnetic bolt or just epoxy a small magnet somewhere within the sweep of the sensor, accuracy good actually once dialled in.

There's koso and a multitude of others out there and all probably chinesium too but decent.

listermint

That would look out of place on a cafe build.

H_Lime

listermint wrote: »

That would look out of place on a cafe build.

I wouldn't know what would tbh as I don't drink coffee and generally only stop for gazaleen:)

H_Lime

Internet says yes

https://thekneeslider.com/bmw-k100-custom-a-gentlemans-express-by-alex-zemlin/

Max Headroom

listermint wrote: »

That would look out of place on a cafe build.

Agreed ..IMO things like digital readouts and LED lights on an old bike look pants..i'm ok with USD forks and better brakes tho....:)

H_Lime

I'll leave it to you trendy cafe types then lol:)
As I say not my bag but do enjoy seeing the works undertaken.
Best of luck with it Tomazzi and I'm pretty certain we encountered each other work wise lately. Gs1200 too yeah?

Tomazzi

Shiite, I wrote a lengthy reply..included a link for an oldschool speedometer and it ate my post the basstards for being a new user...

Its a craftride speedometer Motorcycle Tachometer for BMW K 75 C / RT / S VTV chrome on eabay I saw it....

Thanks for the advices

No iv a gs650 however lime

airhead_eire

Speedwell are the popular type for these type of builds.

H_Lime

Tomazzi wrote: »

Shiite, I wrote a lengthy reply..included a link for an oldschool speedometer and it ate my post the basstards for being a new user...

Its a craftride speedometer Motorcycle Tachometer for BMW K 75 C / RT / S VTV chrome on eabay I saw it....

Thanks for the advices

No iv a gs650 however lime

My bad, now I at least know there are a minimum of two lads doing a cafe racer k75!
Good luck with the build and whip up some pics;)

Tomazzi

H_Lime wrote: »

My bad, now I at least know there are a minimum of two lads doing a cafe racer k75!
Good luck with the build and whip up some pics;)

I dont know if I can upload anything now..links or pictures...
Thanks guys...

The k 75 which when I got it was an rt model...like some police used in the past was pretty cool looking but unbelievably heavy...
480 kgs was stamped on its model number on frame...im 80 kgs I think...

The stuff I have taken off it..the no going back im turning u into a cafe racer build is amazing...electric windshield motors, old fibreglass fairing, the weight of all the stuff iv said a few times id like to weigh it..or just weigh the bike when finished...

For anyone interested..the original stuff I plan on keeping, (im 60% through the build ) is the original tail light...I like the look of it...kinda 80s knightrider vibe... also the tail section im doing abit of isopol and making holes dissapear and finding correct position..

I would like to keep the original back end look and feel cuz the tank on these is pretty cool, kind of batmanish...

Saying that, I dont think its gonna be instagram quality, but rather a little madmaxish...

Il upload a few pics when I find out how to...

*update .. I bought a craftwork spedo and rev counter...a two part thing..you know it looks old school..it was cheap enough but il leave original on until its driving around...

Thank you again for inspiration and replies guys

Tomazzi

I lost a phone with previous pictures so this is where it starts kind of

Tomazzi

Aone more pics

Tomazzi

I know it looks ratty...

Im not planning a fill tear down until I finish the bike to a good driving standard...

From what iv learned ao far, painting stuff early in my case means scratches...so it would be nice when bike is finally done to get the frame painted.... id like a ktm kinda colour...maybe orange frame, diy of course...its fun to paint....but it would be nice to gwt the thing sandblasted.....

First project...but definitely a great learning, sometimes very frustrating, ahy do some bolts want to go in sideways!!

Thanks again for looking

Tomazzi

Current state

enrique66_35

Tomazzi wrote: »

Aone more pics

That looks like its gonna be a stunning looking bike - fair play!

H_Lime

Tomazzi wrote: »

Current state

Looking well. Put up a build thread, always a good way to chart your progress and get help if stuck.
Always tempting to rip it asunder and coat everything and then troubleshoot on reassemble but as you say it's kinda arse ways to do it. Guilty of this in the past.

How's she running now?

Tomazzi

The bike is running a1
Its a 97 with 48000 miles when I got it in july..its 50 miles shy of 50000 miles now...toured it in its rt state...lovely bike...

I cracked part of the fairing one day on a wet boyroad and sort of went taxi driver on it from then on...

Max Headroom

Fair play..nice to see someone interested in building rather than buying.....it's rare in Ireland these days...

Tomazzi

There is no power in the house the bike is in...so its abit of a cave at times...cutting anything means hack saw or take out and wheel down the road to power...there is a nice hill too which gives me a work out on way ba k up...there is a little trottle issue right now so thats why it aint ready to drive..on reassembly something is too toght which makes it want to go high rpm...il sort soon...a build thread lime...jez, maybe...I dont want to go hyping it up as I said im aiming more at a goose bike from madmax than something polished and cromed on instagram....
Thanks again guys for kind words....

Yes it is nice to modify something old..bring new life...
Something about these k series bikes, very user friendly in some ways..probably the big old square engine...

Update* I did wheel it out earlier and cut the back end..the frame...it sort of sits nicely now the rear tail and light...

Much of my time with this bike is spent looking at it...waiting for the bikemusecafe gods to tell me when it ia time to cut etc...

Tomazzi

Mustered the balls to cut

Max Headroom

Lookin good there Bubba....stick a seat on it and go....no need to do anymore to it...:D

CorkCBR6

Are you sure you want a speedo?

I much prefer the clean look without them.
Most people would agree with me for CR builds!

As for headlight I'd always go OEM chrome circular from Honda or Suzuki or the likes with Osram Cool Blue bulb. Classy with the modern.

CorkCBR6

Also a lot of wires needed for a speedo that could be hard to hide on a CR.. go without!

listermint

CorkCBR6 wrote: »

Are you sure you want a speedo?

I much prefer the clean look without them.
Most people would agree with me for CR builds!

As for headlight I'd always go OEM chrome circular from Honda or Suzuki or the likes with Osram Cool Blue bulb. Classy with the modern.

No Speedo... Is that even road legal.

Tomazzi

Ha haha....no speedo...I like seeing things go up and down along with the whirls of the engine...it would be like paying for an opera without seeing the dudewith the little stick....

Only cableties keeping things together yet max...
Havent even taken for a short spin yet, so not even aure of the noise from that pipe..

There is alot of room under the tank and also since I kept ba k end, I dont need worry about the two computers that are there or whatever they are....

Il need more info qhen I get underway for fitting speedo and lights...
Yes cbr, it would be cool to get a sweet headlight...something, that really looks well....

For now I guess il have to get back to soapy water and toothbrushes because the dust grease is pretty thick..

Is there a spray I can use, even made in a 99.c spray bottle that can be used over the electrics under the tank...its filthy but im staying away due to them being electrical etc...

Max Headroom

Built a few CR's and street scramblers and tbh I prefer the sitting up position...i'd stick a set of fat bars ,simple headlight and adventure bike tyres....thats just me tho...:o

Tomazzi

Iv seen them, they look sweet alright...
I just dont rate them as a scramber type...the suspensions arent very friendly to potholes or bad roads, Maybe if they were changed, but not what me or my pocket has in mind..

Im looking to buy some garden macheriney if this thing goes well and pop it on donedeal

Lorddrakul

Fair play, that looks like it is coming together nicely.

That said, I don't envy you driving it.

After lusting after an 80s dinosaur, I rode a highly modified VF1000 for two years.
The handling was OK, but you could never get past the sheer bulk of the thing.

And that was still well under 300kg wet.

Max Headroom

Lorddrakul wrote: »

Fair play, that looks like it is coming together nicely.

That said, I don't envy you driving it.

After lusting after an 80s dinosaur, I rode a highly modified VF1000 for two years.
The handling was OK, but you could never get past the sheer bulk of the thing.

And that was still well under 300kg wet.

Back when they built bikes fo us real men......:P

Tomazzi

Lorddrakul wrote: »

Fair play, that looks like it is coming together nicely.

Its coming on slowly...blew a fuse or two other day trying to wire in new indicators..
Think il need to go into the woodshed and read up on wiring
Cheers Vlad!

Tomazzi

Now how to wire!😱

Tomazzi

Fuel and temp gauge

Hotblack Desiato

Tomazzi wrote: »

The k 75 which when I got it was an rt model...like some police used in the past was pretty cool looking but unbelievably heavy...
480 kgs was stamped on its model number on frame...im 80 kgs I think...

That'll be maximum gross vehicle weight. Bike, all fluids, rider, pillion, luggage.

Tomazzi

Aha yes, si...seen that shortly after I posted and thought, tha couldnt be right...but isnt it a fair bit of weight...im going to go and take off the speedometer tomorrow, tha alone, qitj my dodgy measurements aside weighs at least a 10 pounds..
It was a lovely bike the rt..well kept the guy who had it
And then I get it and start taking its clothes ofd...andi mean lots of clothes, duffel jacket shirts , the weight!
When iv finished it pretty much im going to drive to a yard and put in on the scales...im guessing its at least 30% lighter

Does anyone have a good cafe racer build weight reduction story???

Max Headroom

Tomazzi wrote: »

Does anyone have a good cafe racer build weight reduction story???

Not so much the bike, but i stopped eating crap and lost 8kg......:)

Hotblack Desiato

Inject helium into the frame tubes

Tomazzi

I dont know about helium,but im injecting myself with beer...all these wires...will I just tape the ones im not using or followthem back and exterminate them...this will take a while..
Gonna solider on without youtube if I can...

Tomazzi

Lights on...
Beer v wires
Wires always win dont they

Has anyone a good bike story?

Max Headroom

Tomazzi wrote: »

Lights on...
Beer v wires
Wires always win dont they

Has anyone a good bike story?

Heres a good one..guy building a bike in his house , has too many bears and forgets to take his paint cans off the mantlepiece....BOOM.......:D

Tomazzi

Jeasus!
You yhink they have that low a heat resistance

Tomazzi

Speedometer is proving a learner
I like the idea whether the bike is mine or not of it glowing outside a cafe somewhere...
Too many beers yesterday and no bears
Signed up to tinder also
I think rename this thread agony sally

Tomazzi

Latest bmw k...
Needs to go in to be wired up when I have the money..that and the seat and a few little jobs and it might be ready for summer...hopefully!

My thoughts on doing it this way, ie ,using some parts from fairings back etc without going too deep into the spend is strictly cost prohibiting with a later slash of satisfaction of ingenuity....for mediation...and zoning in or out into creative visualization...

Before I start sounding like a monk

New parts gone into/onto it

Exhaust
65€ its goes with the look I wished..kinda blacked out crome with a shape to it..(for me,"saving" the old exhaust was not what it was turning into...weighed like a whopper and looked like a spaceshuttle part...it went into off list

Headlight
25€ metal casing kinda design inside f light...cheap,seems to be bright reasonable enough

New grips 4.50 € these feel really good...sorry jeff bezoz got a little richer by me too but not much

Clip on handlebars.
15 € im alittle taken back by there quality....until I pull one off on the m15 hopefullynot...the same looking ones to me almost identical can be bought for 70€ and upwards... for now they justify price

Indicators
14€ thank you china.....these look and work cool...just bits of metal with an led...

Speedometer
45€
The old one looked retro alright..but for the driving position I was aiming at..it was just plain in the way...too biggg

Ledpurple underlight and switch
5€
Whn this is finished the litle light thats connected to the battery fulltime will look cool lighted up..battery use is minimal I think so it would look like a nice piece in itself outside the flavour the ego will take to sit on it

Paint
The most expensive bu far...by the time this is over paint and primer and laquer will probly be 100€ at least and probably when finished cuz im gonna go for a colour on the tank...probably crimson red or a canary yellow to see it...a cromed paint look on a matt body of black...soundS like a porno

Headlight fairing
22€ (in post)
Think this might tie everything togethertogether....will see what it looks like when it comes...again thank you china

I expect the overall build to come to between 300 ~ 350 €....this isnt counting taking it to the professional to wire up speedo,which I dont have any price on so far....also I will put on new tyres once its road tested...it would be nice to get a little wider tyre at back,I have about 15 to 20mm to spare between exhaust and tyre at mo so maybe its not possibly...


Il post finished pictures down the line and if its going onto donedeal then ,you saw it here first

Thanks !

Tomazzi

This was same model bike

Tomazzi

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