Building a cafe racer?

Zascar · 22-03-2016 10:50am #1

A friend of mine is doing this and I have to say I'm very tempted to do the same. He's looking at something like a BMW K100, or R80 etc. Drop the bars, change the lights, the seat, and make it shiney. They can look pretty cool.

He's fairly handy with a spanner but I'm not really - however it might be a good opportunity to learn if we both do it at the same time. You can buy a lot of the parts on ebay without having to custom build them like I know a lot of guys do.

Has anyone done or thought about doing this?

BaronVon · 22-03-2016 1:15pm

I'd love to. One thing I found is there is little details online about people who do this. If you do, keep a video diary, I'd love to follow one!

bladespin · 22-03-2016 1:33pm

Me too, more so these days, be nice to 'do up' an older bike.

Zascar · 22-03-2016 3:36pm

infacteh wrote: »

I'd love to. One thing I found is there is little details online about people who do this. If you do, keep a video diary, I'd love to follow one!

There are a couple of videos on youtube but they don't show much in terms of instruction. I'd be dependant on my mate being pretty handy and maybe getting some of the more difficult work done properly. I would not be doing a proper custom job just a few basic tweaks - but it might be interesting to be able to tinker and learn stuff, especially when you don't need to use the bike day to day. Stripping it, cleaning, bit of painting and put it back together. Then replacing some stuff like the seat, lights bars etc. There are a few k100's around for not huge money - you'd just have to hope it would not turn into a money pit with all the mods!

Zascar · 24-03-2016 12:26pm

Just dove in head first and bought a BMW K100

Will get it next week and then start work on it.

Aiming for something similar to this: http://www.bikeexif.com/bmw-k100-cafe-racer

bladespin · 24-03-2016 12:36pm

Best of luck, that's a sweet bike.

listermint · 24-03-2016 1:13pm

That looks,

The ****.

:cool:

listermint · 24-03-2016 1:15pm

Didnt think the K100 could actually scrub up well

but hey it does

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/bmw-k100-cafe-racer-/182058041818?hash=item2a638141da:g:Zq4AAOSwyjBW7aZ4

Zascar · 24-03-2016 2:01pm

Yeah I think they can look badass if done properly. Few more examples here. Will get it next week then have to service it and get it running, going to ride it as is for a while to make sure it's reliable - then start stripping it - and then go shopping for parts! I'll make sure to take photos and document it all!

blade1 · 24-03-2016 4:13pm

They look great and good luck with the new project!

Here's some more for inspiration

Zascar · 30-03-2016 1:49pm

She's arrived, and the teardown has started!

pn5bMW3.jpg?1

Getting battery and a service kit tomorrow, see if we can get her started!

Does anyone know where I can get a custom exhaust made? I want to expose the single sided swingarm - so I want to reroute the exhaust to the other side and have a small stubby. I want it loud but not deafening - but a nice grumble. Where can I get this done does anyone know?

Wonda-Boy · 30-03-2016 3:03pm

Are you doing it in the underground carpark Zascar? Brave man not the best place to do a project like that....... But very best of luck I would love to do something similar some day.

Zascar · 30-03-2016 3:08pm

Unfortunately yes. Not ideal but we both live in apartments. I bloody wish I had a garage or shed it would be a dream. Most will be ok but some bits may be tricky. I'm not doing it all myself I will have help so I'll bring it to places to get the more complicated bit done.

Just do it Wonda. Only a few weeks ago I was dreaming and now I'm up to my ears in it

Max Headroom · 30-03-2016 4:04pm

Zascar wrote: »

She's arrived, and the teardown has started!

Getting battery and a service kit tomorrow, see if we can get her started!

Does anyone know where I can get a custom exhaust made? I want to expose the single sided swingarm - so I want to reroute the exhaust to the other side and have a small stubby. I want it loud but not deafening - but a nice grumble. Where can I get this done does anyone know?

Just my tuppence worth but I prefer a twin pipe setup on a caff...you could buy the bends etc and diy. .it can be very pricey to get it done..

Zascar · 30-03-2016 5:20pm

Not mad on the twin pipes, I want to show off the single sided swing arm. I could aim for something like this - or maybe a stubby exhaust.

Just how pricey are they and where can I get quotes?

Notch000 · 30-03-2016 5:21pm

go for a japaneese bazooka style straigh pipe exhaust, to infinity and beyond !!

Max Headroom · 30-03-2016 7:16pm

Zascar wrote: »

Not mad on the twin pipes, I want to show off the single sided swing arm. I could aim for something like this - or maybe a stubby exhaust.

Just how pricey are they and where can I get quotes?

Sorry, not familiar with the bike,...I see the pipes come out on the left....guy in dunlaoire (Dave) beside J&S makes up car pipes...might be easier if he can use the old headers...problem is he'd need the bike in the shop..
Looks like you'd deffo have to ditch the centre stand..

Tigger · 30-03-2016 7:19pm

Zascar wrote: »

A friend of mine is doing this and I have to say I'm very tempted to do the same. He's looking at something like a BMW K100, or R80 etc. Drop the bars, change the lights, the seat, and make it shiney. They can look pretty cool.

He's fairly handy with a spanner but I'm not really - however it might be a good opportunity to learn if we both do it at the same time. You can buy a lot of the parts on ebay without having to custom build them like I know a lot of guys do.

Has anyone done or thought about doing this?

i'm gonna build a r80 cafe racer before i die
but after my e24 race car (40% finished) and
my gsxr 7-11m streetfighter (60% finished)

Zascar · 01-04-2016 10:39am

Max Headroom wrote: »

Sorry, not familiar with the bike,...I see the pipes come out on the left....guy in dunlaoire (Dave) beside J&S makes up car pipes...might be easier if he can use the old headers...problem is he'd need the bike in the shop..
Looks like you'd deffo have to ditch the centre stand..

Thanks Max I'll give him a shout. Good point I had not thought about the stand...

Does anyone else know who makes exhausts? I heard about http://www.souhan.ie - but I'm guessing they'll be expensive. I sent them an email but no reply.

Wossack · 01-04-2016 10:51am

yer man Gizmo (Jay) from irishbiker / biker.ie is well regarded I believe

should be able to give you a steer at least

Zascar · 01-04-2016 1:20pm

Ok thanks found him on biker.ie

26-04-2016 11:57pm

Just to resurrect this, how are you getting on with it?

Ive decided to buy one aswell, the old man keeps going on about them so decided we can do it together as a project.

I agree on the exhaust, Im wondering would it be cheaper to buy a welder and give it a bash myself, did you get someone to do the pipe?
I can paint it and do most of the stuff so shouldn't cost too much. (hopefully)

Im looking at this, is there a specific model I should look for?
https://www.donedeal.ie/vintagebikes-for-sale/bmw-k100-for-sale/11682777

Mesrine65 · 27-04-2016 10:13am

Honda CX 500 is a great foundation to start with...

https://www.donedeal.ie/vintagebikes-for-sale/honda-cx-500/12016009

honda-cx500-sacha-lakic-design-2014-db-01-1280x800c.jpg

honda-cx500-sacha-lakic-design-2014-db-01-1280x800c.jpg

Zascar · 27-04-2016 10:49am

So due to a series of unfortunately family events with both myself and my mate we have not touched it in many weeks, but going to get back on it this week. Still have not started it so thats the main objective. Also I have not fully decided on various parts, need to get on the phone a bit this week.

Goose that looks perfect. Looks in amazing nick which is great. I paid less than 1/3 of that but that's why mine is not running yet, however I'm enjoying the process of learning how to get it working. Let me know how you get on!

Wossack · 27-04-2016 2:58pm

Mesrine65 wrote: »

Honda CX 500 is a great foundation to start with...

https://www.donedeal.ie/vintagebikes-for-sale/honda-cx-500/12016009
[/IMG]

more tracker then cafe racer imo..!

Max Headroom · 27-04-2016 3:47pm

Wossack wrote: »

more tracker then cafe racer imo..!

Nah....clipons=Cafe racer......tyres make it look tracker

blade1 · 27-04-2016 3:55pm

Max Headroom wrote: »

Nah....clipons=Cafe racer......tyres make it look tracker

Dunlop Mutants!
Have a set myself!

And is that not a CX650????

Max Headroom · 27-04-2016 5:00pm

blade1 wrote: »

Dunlop Mutants!
Have a set myself!

And is that not a CX650????

Deffo a 500......;)
650 has 650 on the Honda badge...

blade1 · 27-04-2016 5:19pm

Max Headroom wrote: »

Deffo a 500......;)
650 has 650 on the Honda badge...

Ah right!
The rocker covers threw me.
I'm after realising what the engine is out of now.
I'm fairly sure (this time:pac:)its the cx500 turbo.;)

Max Headroom · 27-04-2016 8:42pm

blade1 wrote: »

Ah right!
The rocker covers threw me.
I'm after realising what the engine is out of now.
I'm fairly sure (this time:pac:)its the cx500 turbo.;)

Doesn't look turbo'd.....

Zascar · 28-04-2016 11:21am

Nice R80 on donedeal: https://www.donedeal.ie/motorbikes-for-sale/1985-bmw-r80-cafe-racer-reduced/12170746
NTFlYTFhYmM4NDFmYjhhODZmMzcxOThlYjVkYzAxZGZiGuMHfqX_ib_eOyIicNewaHR0cDovL3MzLWV1LXdlc3QtMS5hbWF6b25hd3MuY29tL2RvbmVkZWFsLmllLXBob3Rvcy9waG90b181NTYxOTMzNHx8fDYwMHg2MDB8fHx8fHx8fA==.jpeg

NTFlYTFhYmM4NDFmYjhhODZmMzcxOThlYjVkYzAxZGZiGuMHfqX_ib_eOyIicNewaHR0cDovL3MzLWV1LXdlc3QtMS5hbWF6b25hd3MuY29tL2RvbmVkZWFsLmllLXBob3Rvcy9waG90b181NTYxOTMzNHx8fDYwMHg2MDB8fHx8fHx8fA==.jpeg

curiousb · 28-04-2016 11:29am

Zascar wrote: »

Nice R80 on donedeal: https://www.donedeal.ie/motorbikes-for-sale/1985-bmw-r80-cafe-racer-reduced/12170746

That's sold a long time ago unfortunately. i enquired about it last year.

Zascar · 28-04-2016 11:32am

Ad literally went on Yesterday as I got a notification. Looks like they have it back as they re advertised.
Not cheap at 6.5k and it says it was reduced. What was it selling for last year?

curiousb · 28-04-2016 11:36am

Zascar wrote: »

Ad literally went on Yesterday as I got a notification. Looks like they have it back as they re advertised.
Not cheap at 6.5k and it says it was reduced. What was it selling for last year?

That's interesting, they must have got it back in again from whoever they sold it to... The main photo is the same as last year, but the black background ones are new.

I can't remember exactly what they were looking for it last year, but I think it was around 8k. It was out of my budget anyway. But they did sort me out with a very nice R1100GS instead

Standard spec GS, but nice bike to customise!!

blade1 · 28-04-2016 9:39pm

Max Headroom wrote: »

Doesn't look turbo'd.....

Yep, turbo is not on it.

There's not too many cx parts on it.
Engine+carbs and tank.
Looks like thats about it.

There's a 1983 cx650 in my family with about 20 years.
It was mine and i sold it to my brother who still has it.
They dont make em like they used to.
The engine still looks like new and all the nuts and bolts have no corrosion.

My brother also had 3 or 4 cx500's(he was a courier in london) and a few gl's.

mamax · 28-04-2016 11:38pm

Zascar wrote: »

Nice R80 on donedeal:

A friend of mine will have a r40 up for sale in a few weeks if anyone is interested in buying it for a project

Kat1170 · 28-04-2016 11:42pm

If it was a turbo at one stage carb's are hardly standard. Would turbo not have one larger carb

gctest50 · 28-04-2016 11:52pm

Konnor Bald Stubbornness wrote: »

...........

I agree on the exhaust, Im wondering would it be cheaper to buy a welder and give it a bash myself, did you get someone to do the pipe?
I can paint it and do most of the stuff so shouldn't cost too much. (hopefully)
...........

you just need a bit of clothes hanger, a gas torch ........ aaaand this talented bloke :

blade1 · 29-04-2016 8:40am

Kat1170 wrote: »

If it was a turbo at one stage carb's are hardly standard. Would turbo not have one larger carb

Fuel injection.

Max Headroom · 29-04-2016 2:19pm

blade1 wrote: »

Yep, turbo is not on it.

There's not too many cx parts on it.
Engine+carbs and tank.
Looks like thats about .

Frame and swingarm are cx'y..just mono shocked..forks are nice,not mad on the wavy discs though..

peckerhead · 02-05-2016 7:40am

blade1 wrote: »

There's a 1983 cx650 in my family with about 20 years [...]
They dont make em like they used to.
The engine still looks like new and all the nuts and bolts have no corrosion.

You're telling me. Happened recently on the same old CX I once drove to France and back in 1986 (and it was 'old' then!). It's still running, and it's weathered the years a lot better than me!

On a side note — I've an old (1989) CB-1 400 that's running like a dream but needs a bit of tarting up, and one of the things I'm finding hard to source (around Limerick anyway) is replacement bolts/clips/nutcaps — everything from the wee hex-key 'button'-type side casing bolts to things like chromed Phillips-head nuts on the headlamp housing (originals are chewed and rusting badly). Does anyone know of a good "Nuts'n'bolts Emporium" online where you can root through stock and track down oddments by size/thread/materials, etc.? (I've had some luck with German/UK sellers on eBay, but searching is tricky).

Oh, and I'm gonna keep the CB-1 nice and naked, if not full-on café racer.

galwaytt · 02-05-2016 11:21am

gctest50 wrote: »

you just need a bit of clothes hanger, a gas torch ........ aaaand this talented bloke :

No wonder hand made costs so much : his gas bill must be enormous ! See yer man around 12 minutes taking off his coat ? ...exhaust guy had heated the whole room..

Mesrine65 · 03-05-2016 12:17pm

peckerhead wrote: »

I've an old (1989) CB-1 400 that's running like a dream but needs a bit of tarting up, and one of the things I'm finding hard to source (around Limerick anyway) is replacement bolts/clips/nutcaps — everything from the wee hex-key 'button'-type side casing bolts to things like chromed Phillips-head nuts on the headlamp housing (originals are chewed and rusting badly). Does anyone know of a good "Nuts'n'bolts Emporium" online where you can root through stock and track down oddments by size/thread/materials, etc.? (I've had some luck with German/UK sellers on eBay, but searching is tricky).

http://boltsandnuts.ie/

http://www.dublinboltandnut.com/

http://theboltcompany.ie/

peckerhead · 03-05-2016 5:18pm

Merci, Monsieur. J'ai toujours cru à votre innocence.

The Red Ace · 03-05-2016 8:01pm

good luck with the build guys, must keep an eye out for the updates, have a look at Dave Degens website, it may give you additional inspiration he is the renowned UK café racer builder

Max Headroom · 03-05-2016 8:19pm

The Red Ace wrote: »

good luck with the build guys, must keep an eye out for the updates, have a look at Dave Degens website, it may give you additional inspiration he is the renowned UK café racer builder

Seen some nice Irish built bikes too....;)

galwaytt · 06-05-2016 11:56pm

Another K gets the treatment here: http://www.vintagebike.co.uk/classifieds/bmw-k100-lt-cafe-racer/#.Vy0unZ8o_qA

kodak · 07-05-2016 8:42am

R 80

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/BMW-R80-CAFE-RACER-/401115015732?hash=item5d64516a34:g:mnMAAOSwYmZXJ8u0

D3V!L · 10-05-2016 7:56am

kodak wrote: »

R 80

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/BMW-R80-CAFE-RACER-/401115015732?hash=item5d64516a34:g:mnMAAOSwYmZXJ8u0

Splurt !!

gctest50 · 10-05-2016 7:14pm

very vaguely related nice things

listermint · 12-05-2016 12:14pm

A Rip of some of the cafe Racer R80 R100

http://www.diamond-atelier.com/mark-2-series-details/

Building a cafe racer?

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