Here are a few close-ups of particularly dirty spots on the engine and pipes.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Sorry to disappoint everyone...
But, 1. This blog isn't about masturbation, although the title is a clever pun, and 2. This is about me and my motorcycle.
That's right. I bought a motorcycle. Its a 1978 Honda CB750K. It weighs 550lbs, gets about 65-67Hp and has a top speed (factory stated) of 190-192mph. The best part of all - it's a cafe racer.
For those of you who don't know, Cafe Racer was/is a style of motorcycle and motorcycle subculture that revolved around British motorcycle companies like Triumph, Norton, and it was the quintessential "Leather jacket-wearing greaser who listened to Buddy Holly and Elvis" kind of style. Very 1950s and 60s -ish. There was a place in England called the Ace Cafe that became famous for this sort of crowd, but they capitalized on the notoriety and thus became too touristy.
The basic qualifications of a Cafe Racer motorcycle, you ask? 1. Clubman Handlebars 2. Fast 3. Noisy as all hell. Who cares if the neighbors are sleeping.
And so, the point of this blog is to share the restoration/customization process of my new motorcycle with everyone. I'll post links, pictures, all the fun stuff (if you think its fun) and then finally come spring time (hopefully) I'll be able to post a video or two of Holly (that's what I'm thinking of naming her, after Buddy Holly, even though Buddy Holly is a guy) in motion.
Now for the game plan. Strategy time. Lots of stuff to do, costs a pretty penny, but I think I can get it done by springtime in time for the biking season.
Everything on the bike is mechanically sound, well, except for the front brakes (they squeak a little). So the restoration/customization is going to be cosmetic for the most part, my little personal tweaks to an already beautiful (but not shiny) machine.
Things I plan to do:
1. Replace the rear tire. Its got almost no tread.
2. Replace the ripped two-seater with single racer seat.
3. Repaint the body pieces a metallic black and give em new decals.
4. New gauge faces.
5. Polish the Engine, the covers, the pipes. Get them nice n' shiny.
6. Clean the chain. It's all snotty (a word I picked up from reading Steve "Carpy" Carpenter's website, www.cb750cafe.com, more on this later)
7. Take the baffles out. Who cares if the neighbors are sleeping.
The parts will cost about $320. Cleaning supplies for the engine might cost $150 (all rags, steel wool and chemicals, goggles, gloves, mask, etc). The painting might cost another $150. I also have to factor in the cost of being able to ride the motorcycle which is $250 for the MSF course, $60 for the helmet I want, $25 for cool Red Baron style goggles, and $100 dollars for one of those cool leather jackets.
Anyway, that's the basic plan for now. I'll probably post at least once or twice a week and I'll keep posting videos of other bikes, Cafe Racer websites and clubs, and pictures of the restoration/customization.
That's right. I bought a motorcycle. Its a 1978 Honda CB750K. It weighs 550lbs, gets about 65-67Hp and has a top speed (factory stated) of 190-192mph. The best part of all - it's a cafe racer.
For those of you who don't know, Cafe Racer was/is a style of motorcycle and motorcycle subculture that revolved around British motorcycle companies like Triumph, Norton, and it was the quintessential "Leather jacket-wearing greaser who listened to Buddy Holly and Elvis" kind of style. Very 1950s and 60s -ish. There was a place in England called the Ace Cafe that became famous for this sort of crowd, but they capitalized on the notoriety and thus became too touristy.
The basic qualifications of a Cafe Racer motorcycle, you ask? 1. Clubman Handlebars 2. Fast 3. Noisy as all hell. Who cares if the neighbors are sleeping.
And so, the point of this blog is to share the restoration/customization process of my new motorcycle with everyone. I'll post links, pictures, all the fun stuff (if you think its fun) and then finally come spring time (hopefully) I'll be able to post a video or two of Holly (that's what I'm thinking of naming her, after Buddy Holly, even though Buddy Holly is a guy) in motion.
Now for the game plan. Strategy time. Lots of stuff to do, costs a pretty penny, but I think I can get it done by springtime in time for the biking season.
Everything on the bike is mechanically sound, well, except for the front brakes (they squeak a little). So the restoration/customization is going to be cosmetic for the most part, my little personal tweaks to an already beautiful (but not shiny) machine.
Things I plan to do:
1. Replace the rear tire. Its got almost no tread.
2. Replace the ripped two-seater with single racer seat.
3. Repaint the body pieces a metallic black and give em new decals.
4. New gauge faces.
5. Polish the Engine, the covers, the pipes. Get them nice n' shiny.
6. Clean the chain. It's all snotty (a word I picked up from reading Steve "Carpy" Carpenter's website, www.cb750cafe.com, more on this later)
7. Take the baffles out. Who cares if the neighbors are sleeping.
The parts will cost about $320. Cleaning supplies for the engine might cost $150 (all rags, steel wool and chemicals, goggles, gloves, mask, etc). The painting might cost another $150. I also have to factor in the cost of being able to ride the motorcycle which is $250 for the MSF course, $60 for the helmet I want, $25 for cool Red Baron style goggles, and $100 dollars for one of those cool leather jackets.
Anyway, that's the basic plan for now. I'll probably post at least once or twice a week and I'll keep posting videos of other bikes, Cafe Racer websites and clubs, and pictures of the restoration/customization.
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