Cracker cafe racer

[Blackbird]

It seems to me that the most unlikely bikes make the best cafe racers. Mossy's K100 was a good example. I used to own a "Brick" but would never have thought of turning it into a cool cafe racer. However, I've just come across something even more improbable - a Honda CX500. They were nicknamed the "Plastic Maggot" when they first came out on account of having no redeeming graces apart from reliability. That suffered too when Honda stuck a turbo on it.

Anyway, No 53 Motorcycles have just transformed a really crappy old CX 500 into something of beauty which I'd happily own. The full story of its restoration is here: http://number53.co.uk/street%20cafe.htm . There are some clever buggers about :yes:

[george formby]

Have you been perving on TDM forums?

Check out the modifying bikes forum, I must have got out me scratcher a bit earlier. Glad you posted pics, beyond my ability... :bleh: And it is a stunner IMHO.

[Blackbird]

Have you been perving on TDM forums?

Check out the modifying bikes forum, I must have got out me scratcher a bit earlier. Glad you posted pics, beyond my ability... :bleh: And it is a stunner IMHO.

Nope, the Blackbird forum even though I sold it over 6 years ago :laugh:. Yep, the restrained paint job actually adds to it.

[Tazz]

Even though they are probably crap performance wise and are impractical as hell, I love under seat exhausts. Purdy.

[Laava]

Yep, tasty! Every London bike courier will want one!

[Blackbird]

Even though they are probably crap performance wise and are impractical as hell, I love under seat exhausts. Purdy.

The turbo version was pretty quick for its time, when it was actually running! However most cafe racers are probably built for pose value as opposed to "go" value and that's absolutely fine.

[mossy1200]

That build exceeds my skill level and patience plus tool count.
Makes me want to start another café racer though.

[Blackbird]

That build exceeds my skill level and patience plus tool count.
Makes me want to start another café racer though.

I thought you did really well with the K! Time is my most precious commodity though. Much as I'd like to build something, being out riding or fishing soaks up most of my spare time :2thumbsup

[mossy1200]

I thought you did really well with the K! Time is my most precious commodity though. Much as I'd like to build something, being out riding or fishing soaks up most of my spare time :2thumbsup

It was great fun but a good way of losing money. If I had a little more cash to buy a two up bike for the missus to go on the back I would have kept it and it would have been a better financial decision.

Side note the GSF I replaced it with is going well but the missus hasn't been on the back yet.:mad: Apparently can and will are two different things. Cant complain a lot as I did get a new MV out of the negotiation and now the GSF is set up for luggage and touring.

[Smifffy]

Seen a few CX500s come up on bike exif in the last year or so:

http://www.bikeexif.com/?s=cx500

[98tls]

Even though they are probably crap performance wise and are impractical as hell, I love under seat exhausts. Purdy.

Tis indeed,seen a few CXs done cafe over the years and thats one of the better lookers,many retain the poxy rims they came from the factory with which does nothing to help the final result.

[AllanB]

I have noticed with these builds that they produce the desired semi in ones loins however I also notice that they never, never state what the project cost.

If you knew, you probably lose that semi .......

[98tls]

I have noticed with these builds that they produce the desired semi in ones loins however I also notice that they never, never state what the project cost.

If you knew, you probably lose that semi .......

Why tis only money,riding something that isnt the spitting image of the other 50000 that came off the same production line....priceless.

[Ender EnZed]

Why tis only money,riding something that isnt the spitting image of the other 50000 that came off the same production line....priceless.

Alternatively, crashing can be an efficient way of making a bike more unique.

[AllanB]

Alternatively, crashing can be an efficient way of making a bike more unique.

That was the birth of the Streetfighter. Crashed Sportbike. Rip off plastic ........

[J.A.W.]

Damn that huckery ol' maggot looks ( & sounds) more like a 'nigga' CR, than a 'cracker' CR...L.O.L...

[98tls]

Alternatively, crashing can be an efficient way of making a bike more unique.

True that and have had my share.Removed the front end on a 500/4 many years ago after an unfortunate meeting with a rock face up the summit road...woke up six days later.

[J.A.W.]

Were you lurking with intent beside 'Rock face's' truck? L.O.L...

Or were you doing the right thing & heaving that crappy (but sensibly insured) Honda off the bloody cliff ?

[KIPS powervalve]

After my experience with my GN project, I now know that hundreds upon hundreds of hours can go into a build like that, and thousands of bucks. All part of the fun really, especially making it go BRRRAAAAP! I don't regret the hours of my life lost just standing there looking at the bike deep in thought about something tiny, like how to mount the speedo, or make the shocks 20mm longer, or how to redirect some wiring. Sometimes no progress is made at all, but it has still eaten half an afternoon
:confused:

[rastuscat]

After my experience with my GN project, I now know that hundreds upon hundreds of hours can go into a build like that, and thousands of bucks. All part of the fun really, especially making it go BRRRAAAAP! I don't regret the hours of my life lost just standing there looking at the bike deep in thought about something tiny, like how to mount the speedo, or make the shocks 20mm longer, or how to redirect some wiring. Sometimes no progress is made at all, but it has still eaten half an afternoon
:confused:

It's all about the journey, not the destination.

So there, Grasshopper.

[tri boy]

Who you calling cracker,
Bloody spear chuckers:dodge: