Air-cooled Japanese bikes from the 70's

[Goat_Herder]

I have been a big fan of those Honda CB bikes as well.  My dad had a CB125 when I was a kid and we went all over town on that little thing.  I've been thinking about getting a CB bike to turn into a cafe.  Something to tinker with.  I found a CB125 on craigslist and went check it out.  A little disappointed at the performance and the controls.  350-450 might be better suited.  Anything bigger than that might be too chunky for me.

[ute]

This is my other women ...77 RD400

[ducpainter]

If you want a couple of great (light) projects, here you go:

1. '74 Kawasaki S3 400 2-stroke triple (14K miles, runs well, fast as hell, new clubman bars, needs a new battery).
2. '73 Kawasaki S2 350 2-stroke triple (4K miles, ran well before I started rebuild...needs minor finishing, have a new battery and chain for it, very clean and original paint).

(...and the '64 Vespa Allstate tucked behind the S2 350 is also for sale).

I may be selling 1 or 2 to fund my horrible race habit.

pm sent

[Brooklyn67]

wbeck257 -- that's a beautiful R5.  I had one exactly like that which I sold 2 years ago.  Here's the Yamaha that I kept and won't sell below (I'm a huge fan of the Yamaha 2-strokes as well).  Also is a few other cafe style bikes I've built:

1. '72 Yamaha DS7 (250) frame and bodywork with full RD400 engine, suspension, and wheels.
2. '75 Kawasaki H1, Fast By Gast pipes, ported engine, etc.
3. '64 Ducati Diana 250 racer.
4. BMW 1000cc cafe racer built from '70-'78 parts, 10 gallon tank, big valve 1000cc motor, 42mm Mikuni carbs, period megaphone race exhaust...crazy bike to ride...crazy bike to stop with those drum brakes.  This one's in the growing list of bikes I built and should have never sold.

[ducpainter]

My S2 had Denco pipes...

and Kevin and I came up with a simple hop up.

Damn that was a long time ago.

[NorDog]

Never been a fan of Japanes bikes, well, except for Hondas.  I've long wanted (and want) a number of Hondas over the years, most from the 70's, a couple from the 80's, and a number of current models as well.

Those are some cool bikes in the pix.

An old high school chum had one of those 500cc two stroke three bangers.  It really had some get up and go in it.

[mookieo2]

    It is a lot of fun, I am currently building a '77 KZ1000 into a classic cafe/AMA style of the late '70's. The bike was originally a police model, so there's a lot of cool things not on the std. models. As said earlier, have patiance and don't overspend, I paid $1200 for the police w/28000 on the clock, and $500 for a '77 std. model w/32000 miles. Both machines were in good condition, but needed work. Check price and availability of parts before selecting a model to build, You will be shocked. These cool old bikes are in great demand overseas, and are getting shipped out daily. A proper build is worth the investment, not only fun to build but also to ride! [moto]

My dad has an `81 KZ1100 he said I could have. I don`t think its worth much so I was going to check out if i can cafe it.  You have any pics on the look your going after?

[DoubleEagle]

I had a Honda ,CB160 Scrambler when I was 17.

I had a hell of a lot of fun on the bike . Actually rode it in the woods some.

Really wanted a Honda, CB305 Scrambler.

Dolph     

[orangelion03]

Though my first owned bike was a RD400, I first started riding regularly on a friend's CB550.  The small Honda fours are jewels!  I often regretted not buying a CB400 instead of the RD and eventually sold it and bought a Suzuki GS550 (faster than the Honda 550, but much "clunkier").  I think the smaller CB's make for better looking cafe projects, but that is purely a personal aesthetics thing =)

And the Kawasaki 2 stroke triple 400s are gorgeous!  Forgot just how good looking they were.

My 1978 RD in fall of 1980

[angler]

Awesome thread.  I have a 1972 CB175 that I bought for the GF.  She is really eager, but a bit of spaz and not very confident on it.  We may need to start her on a sewing machine - err I mean scooter. 



I want to turn it into a cafe bike, that is if she wants to learn on it first.  Otherwise, I might be getting rid of it.  It runs great and is a blast to ride.  At 6'4" 275 I look a little like a grizzly on a tricycle riding it.  Has a new ignition, points, and chain.  I also bought some old Red Wing shocks for it that are new in box.  It is not a candidate for resto as I bought it from a snow machine mechanic in NH and it had been stored outside for a lot of its life.  As a result, all of the chrome is blistered pretty good and there is superficial rust on just about everything.  Decisions, decisions, decisions.......

[KRJ]

My dad has an `81 KZ1100 he said I could have. I don`t think its worth much so I was going to check out if i can cafe it.  You have any pics on the look your going after?
[/
Hello Mookio2, so far I've put most effort in engine and chassis, I do have an Airtech seat and two differnt stock tanks. Prolly goin' for the 70's ductail, 1/4 fairing look, will post pics of what I have so far..quote]

[KRJ]

  
     Had an operator error there,Computer Illiteracy Society Founding Member, Thats Me!   
       
     Mookio2, I will post pics of what I have. as for Your KZ1100, wheather You restore it or Cafe it, both cool projects, so much available for the KZ..

[ProTeal55]

Me and my "crew" have always been into older bikes (especially Hondas)..
So far I have built/owned two cafe bikes, and am currently in the midst of building another one...

My old CB750 (now living in NYC)-->

CL450 I built about 2 years ago (Now somewhere in SoCal)-->

Current CL450 which I am s l o w l y building into a two-up cafe styled bike to do some bar hoppin on next season with the lady...

My buddy Shane's SL350 dirtbike -->

1969 CB160 I am currently building into a "apartment bike" to put under my TV. All engine internals have been removed, all wiring gone, etc.
How it looked when I bought it with no title and a blown motor for $25-->

How it will look (somewhat) when I am done with it --->

I love these little bikes becasue if you look hard enough you can pick them up on the cheap, are easy to work on, reliable as all hell, etc...

[dbran1949]

My first bike was a used 305 superhawk (purch 1969) which I gave the cafe' treatment. Bored it out to 337cc then rearranged the transmission to make the 2n'd to 3'rd closer ratio. I really liked that bike. Then I sold it to buy a new 1971 CL450, I wanted the scrambler specifically because I didn't want the front disc brake of the CB I didn't think it would look good on the cafe. I bought it and immediately gave it the cafe' treatment. Left engine stock, but put low megaphone mufflers and re-jetted the carbs. Also did a complete re-wire for cleanup.

I have some old photos I'll scan when I get a chance. Finally sold the 450 after a few years for a Yamaha 750 cc triple with shaft drive.

I too have been thinking about an early 350 to 550 four for a project, they sound great

[Travman]

Speaking of great sound...
BCR Exhaust  VDO of  "Pinas" CB550 Cafe Racer Project