Ducati Monster Forum

I finally took the camera along for a ride on the CB so I could share some pics of the bike with everyone.  The bike is a 1974 CB450 DOHC that had 9500 miles on it before the build last winter.  

Most of the parts come from Benjie's Cafe Racers - steel tank and seat, clip on bars, stainless pipes, rearsets, headlight bracket.  Frame was modified and trimmed, fenders shortened and then all powdercoated along with the rims.  Hubs polished and relaced with new spokes.  Tires are Avon Roadriders.  New fork tubes from Tarrozzi and rear shocks are Progressive Suspension.  Picked up nos switchgear and speedo on ebay.  Head bearings converted to tapered rollers, swingarm bushings are custom machined bronze pieces, stainless braided brake lines, CRG barend mirrors.

Bike is still electric start (if you don't feel like kicking it) with all electrics and battery located under the seat hump

Hopefully the pic links work.
Cheers
M

(http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/zz151/molesen/CB450%20Cafe/DSC01295.jpg)
(http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/zz151/molesen/CB450%20Cafe/DSC01296.jpg)
(http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/zz151/molesen/CB450%20Cafe/DSC01298.jpg)
(http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/zz151/molesen/CB450%20Cafe/DSC01297.jpg)
(http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/zz151/molesen/CB450%20Cafe/DSC01301.jpg)

Wow! Simply beautiful, well done  [thumbsup]

Very nice  [thumbsup] [evil]

I like it!

wow that thing is awesome!

Very nice looking!

What rim diameters/tires you got there?

19" front and 18" rear - stock sizing

Great pictures see you at the store tomorrow......long weekend here i come [wine]

Thought those looked a bit larger than the 17's we get here.  [moto]

Those are some cool pipes, nice big-radius bend to em.
They're not loud are they?  [beer]

 [clap]

Brings this to mind.


(http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/chiflado/sarah_benjies_cafe_racer.jpg)

Back in the day I sometimes rode w, a guy that had a Honda 450 Scrambler.

I believe that would be a CB 450 ?

I had at the time a CB 160 Scrambler.

Very nice bike you have there to say the least.

Dolph     :)

Dude that is so sick. It looks so short!!

They are moderately loud...not quite as loud as the Termi's without baffles on the M1100

Yep, more of Benjies parts on a CB550 Four

Yes J, will either be drinking wine or riding this weekend...weather dependant.

 [clap]

[thumbsup] 8)
great job.

Actually, back in the day, those would have been a CL450 and a CL160, if they were scramblers with the high pipes.  [cheeky]  We are both old enough to actually say "back in the day" and to have ridden those bikes.  [thumbsup]

Very cool!

 [bow_down]

Great looking cafe!

Stunning work sir!!!

Bravo!!

I am in love [drool]

awesome.............fantastic job!

Unbelievable! Very well done!! [clap] That is freaking gorgeous. Bet you hear that a lot. I love that cafe look. Gee... how proud are you of that bike? [thumbsup] [moto] [beer]

   Looks Good, where did You get the bars? Kinda different, got closer pics?

If you want -- just park it in my garage!  ONLY two changes I'd make to this: slightly smaller rear taillight lens and drill the front rotor.  Otherwise it's perfect. 

Great job!  [thumbsup]

The bars are stainless from Benjie - essentially a one piece clipon where the speedo mounts in the center area.  I don't have any closeup pics handy but I believe he has pics on his site.

Also, thanks for all the great comments.  I think the bike turned out pretty good.  Still may make a few mods this winter...like the drilled front rotor and may end up pulling off the signals again.  I thought I would need them in case I had to get the bike inspected prior to registering it but that wasn't necessary anyway.  I may also remove the speedo and put the tach back in its place.

Love it man, love it.  [clap]

That is a little jewel !  Well done !  [thumbsup]

How is it with the BCR rearsets?  I'd love to have something like that but it looks like I would be fairly cramped at 6'2"

The rearsets are fine...although the seat is like riding a 2x6.  I'm 6'1".  When I ordered everything Benjie asked for my measurements (inseam, arm length, height etc).  I think he makes the rear set brackets and mounting points as best he can given the info provided and then provides detailed measurements as to where the brackets are to be welded to the frame.

I wondered, it seems like they are all in different places on the same model bike.  I've got a line on a '73 500 Four I've been thinking about, I really should finish the project I have but I would like to pick it up to have for the next one.