Tweak and Tune my Cafe Racer!

[Yokai]

Okey Doke... So here's the deal ... I want my bike to look the shiznit. I'm semi into the bling, but not seriously.

What I'm looking for is:
a) a flyscreen or mini bikini for the front
b) chromed/silver pipes (nice sound would be good)
c) chromed/silver coils

a) I think that the Givi airstar would be nice for it - anyone have any recommendations? Anyone know of a custom fibreglass and polycarbonate place?

c) Mt Eden reckon that it's about 90 minutes work to sandblast and spray the coils - is this a good idea?

b) If it's that cheap do you reckon that I could get them to do the exhausts too? or are there some nice sounding (not loud - tuned....) pipes I can get?

All recommendations gladly received!

[Jackrat]

Cheak out this guy,He's in OZ but better value that anybody here.
www.classic-motorcycle-fiberglass.com
Plus your gonn'a need a set of barend mirrors for that genwine caferacer St cred.Then you can park it by where I work an look the other way for 5 minites an then I'll have a genwine set of barend mirrors to.
Cafe racers 4EVA. :banana:

[speedpro]

Visual Plastics have a brand - Godiva bikescreens. They were very helpful when I enquired about some plastic for work. They're in Hamilton ph 0800-245325. All sorts of colours and shapes. Don't know if they do a fly screen type of thing.

[StoneChucker]

You could add a custom seat on. Will look the shiznit, but also will get rid of the crotch lump :brick:

[Yokai]

You could add a custom seat on. Will look the shiznit, but also will get rid of the crotch lump :brick:
Yeah - but the ladies love my crotch lump! :wari:

[gav]

Oh yeah, any of this stuff would be way cool!
http://www.classic-motorcycle-fiberglass.com/yamaha.htm

[gav]

http://www.motodog.com/one_srv2.jpg
link here http://www.motodog.com/one_srv.htm

[Yokai]

link here http://www.motodog.com/one_srv.htm
I have the other tank http://www.meths.net/bike.jpg That's what I'm hoping to get to - except I'm respraying too - to a Yamaha silver Grey (like the dark Silver R1)

[avgas]

myself i personally didnt dig the chrome shocks on cafe racers - cos i felt standard shocks didnt do it.
Konis (if you can get some) are bloody nice, and perfect for cafe racers (Get some IKONs if ya cant find any).
The Ohlins were good too - but were a form of overkill on the cafe racer, as they constantly needed adjusting.
Also get yourself some slightly mild cams and some nice trumpets (Suppertrapps are good - as u can adjust them), with a little carb work.
All of this combines too make a rumbling little monster. That kicks arse round the town.
:angry2: Im still bitter bout my GB.......i want another cafe racer

[Yokai]

myself i personally didnt dig the chrome shocks on cafe racers - cos i felt standard shocks didnt do it.
Konis (if you can get some) are bloody nice, and perfect for cafe racers (Get some IKONs if ya cant find any).

Do you mean these:
http://www.britcycle.com/Products/543KoniReplica.htm
or these:
http://www.motomeccaspares.com/illustrated/ikons.php
or thse:
http://www.indysuperbikes.com/Isb1/ohlins_shocks.html

Cos I like the chromed spring IKons - but they look similar to my current ones.



Also get yourself some slightly mild cams and some nice trumpets (Suppertrapps are good - as u can adjust them), with a little carb work.
All of this combines too make a rumbling little monster. That kicks arse round the town.
Hmmm - too technical for me but do you mean make it louder? Cos I don't want loud - I want whiny... or in tune!

[avgas]

Do you mean these:
http://www.britcycle.com/Products/543KoniReplica.htm
or these:
http://www.motomeccaspares.com/illustrated/ikons.php
or thse:
http://www.indysuperbikes.com/Isb1/ohlins_shocks.html

Cos I like the chromed spring IKons - but they look similar to my current ones.


Hmmm - too technical for me but do you mean make it louder? Cos I don't want loud - I want whiny... or in tune!
Nah thats the great thing about the supertrapps, they have plate baffles u can put in them too tone them down, but because they hold the trumpert shape they still have the echo effect - giving them a nice exhaust note.
On your bike they would sound awesome cos its a Vtwin - think the sound of a harley/buell, but at the volume ur bike currently rattles/whines at with standard exhaust.
Those black IKONs look to be the best fit for your bike, and are suppose to be the same spec as the KONI's (RIP), but i found the build quality to be lacking in comparison. Have a look for a second hand set of KONI's for a SRX250, as these may fit (or was that a monoshock-if so look for SRX4/6's), as these will probably still be cheaper and handle just as well.
A set of good shocks will rapidly change the feel of your bike no more saggy :shake: , better acceleration, even more agggressive stance for the bike. (My GB had about a 3-5 degree change in angle with me sitting on it).
Your bike then becomes put under cafe' racer, not commuter :niceone:
ok i better head off to work - if i think of anything else ill post it 2nite

[Dodgyiti]

There is a Moto-Guzzi Mk1 lemon headlight flyscreen fairing on TradeMe right now for 50 bucks, they are tiny and real cafe style.
Then again I would be perhaps a little biased......
Seriously- they are real pretty and little and dont knock you off course in a cross wind

[Yokai]

There is a Moto-Guzzi Mk1 lemon
Best typo of the day!

I think that I will be getting one of these:
http://www.amcmotorcycles.com.au/contents/media/Sportif.jpg

Cos that looks nice - anyone got anything from amc?

[The Pastor]

Hey,


What is a cafe racer?

[Dodgyiti]

What is a cafe racer?It's a style of bike with clipons knee dents in the tank, low and stripped down. Check out Classic Bike magazine, they always have a few in there or see pic below;

Moto-Guzzi Mk1 Lemon is no typo, you try owning one :yeah:

[avgas]

yep got it in one, for classic cafe racer shape - do a google image search for Triton, Tribsa or GB400/500TT (sorry the CB i felt were more of a sports bike).
Was the MK2 any good? i almost owned one - but the deal fell through.
yeh those little bikini fairings do look cool - but why dont u get a 'John Player Norton" style - the dream bike of our forefathers :niceone:

[Yokai]

yeh those little bikini fairings do look cool - but why dont u get a 'John Player Norton" style - the dream bike of our forefathers :niceone:

I don't want a bikini... I don't think it would look good with my muffin or the rest of the bike. But I do like the flyscreen windshield thing (cos that'll save my buffetting a little and let me hear the iPod more clearly. :2thumbsup

[Eurodave]

Hi there, I do a bit of the above in carbon & 'glass, am in CHCH, gimme a call on 0274225430,or 03 3492237 I can probably help, Cheers, Dave

[avgas]

was diggin in the archives (for some uni notes), and lookie what i found, some of my GB pics, this is just after i had the motor done, and chucked the shocks, tuned everything up.
i still miss her

[fitzy]

This is how my SRV now looks ... the pics are Hi-res so it takes a little while to load, but it looks pretty good (i think)

http://members.optushome.com.au/jamesfitzgerald/motorbikes2.html

I'm currently making new pipes for it.
Current mods:
Custom Paint job (duh)
Drop Bars (Norton Comander for extra old skool value)
Unifilter air filters (removed existing airpod alltogether)
and the lights - painted to match, but now i've changed them back cause they are shit.

PS: I am in Australia, but i'm 1/2 Kiwi - is that ok? hehe

[Bonez]

Personnally I'd leave the airbox and standard filter in place. Reason filter pods let a lot of extra crap into the engine and reduce engine life. Looking good, well done.

[GB500nz]

Nice bike, shame about the front end. Looks like something off a 50cc Italian scooter.

[fitzy]

Yes I agree.
Originally i was going for a streetfighter look, but I have put the original single chrome lamp back on and it looks more cafe-race for sure.

Re: the airfilters.
There is a BIG difference in performance with the new filters. I think at least for the time being i'll leave them on :)

Also i'm in the process of making new mufflers for it. That has been fun i can tell ya. Very annoying that you cant use slipons :(

[Yokai]

Yes I agree.
Originally i was going for a streetfighter look, but I have put the original single chrome lamp back on and it looks more cafe-race for sure.

Yeah - the single lamp is nicer - but I quite liked the aggressive twin lamp you had there...



Also i'm in the process of making new mufflers for it. That has been fun i can tell ya. Very annoying that you cant use slipons :(
Ummm - when you take yours off, can I have them?!!? I need to get some nice silvery chromey metal bits - I LOVE your bike... need pics with the single light on though!

Oh - and what tires are you running?

[ducatilover]

dude, i rode a srv and it sounded really good, it had shorter pipes then yours though, what the fuck is up with the headlight you slapped on that? oldschool with gayness just doesnt work:banana: :nono:

[Yokai]

dude, i rode a srv and it sounded really good, it had shorter pipes then yours though, what the fuck is up with the headlight you slapped on that? oldschool with gayness just doesnt work:banana: :nono:

The SRV is really nice - I'm thinking some reverse megaphones on the bike would be nice...

But here's what I'm trying to find out what is the bit of the bike that is ringed in this picture called?

There's a possibility that I can get a new front disc (needed) for 135 and then that bit and the mufflers for cheap too...

[Eurodave]

dude, i rode a srv and it sounded really good, it had shorter pipes then yours though, what the fuck is up with the headlight you slapped on that? oldschool with gayness just doesnt work:banana: :nono:

TRUE!! When I do figlass bodywork/custom parts for peoples bikes I try to pick an era & stay with parts that look like those available then, ie; an older mid 70's early 80's Guzzi looks GHEY with 90's carbon fibre ,what I call 'bean can' ,mufflers.:blink:
On the other hand a 90's sprotsbike looks really odd with chrome megaphone mufflers etc etc:thud:
There was a fad a few years ago of putting Ducati 916 tailpeices on just about anything too, sometimes it looked good, but definately NOT on 80's bikes:doh:

[ducatilover]

The SRV is really nice - I'm thinking some reverse megaphones on the bike would be nice...

But here's what I'm trying to find out what is the bit of the bike that is ringed in this picture called?

There's a possibility that I can get a new front disc (needed) for 135 and then that bit and the mufflers for cheap too...
that would be the shinywomanattractingthingy...:yes:

[Yokai]

that would be the shinywomanattractingthingy...:yes:

Ah - so clutch cover? I don't need to attract a shiny woman... I've got a wonderful one - check out "best Birthday ever" as a thread search!

Heh... any clues as to what it really is??

[ducatilover]

Ah - so clutch cover? I don't need to attract a shiny woman... I've got a wonderful one - check out "best Birthday ever" as a thread search!

Heh... any clues as to what it really is??
lol i'd go with clutch cover:niceone:

[Yokai]

lol i'd go with clutch cover:niceone:
Cheers... Nipped over to Atomic yesterday - got the brake disc, and looked at the clutch cover. Bastard thing is different... ARSE!

[ducatilover]

well i was emailing a previous owner of my smashed beaty and he told me of the mods it has.... i was supprised.... i new about a few, eg, braided brake lines after market pads, aftermarket rims [lighter than stock and white of course] so it has an 18inch/fatter rear and normal size 17inch front....scottoiler.....some brand rear shock.....full dyno tuned with custom exhaust...[56hp aparently and 70 something nm] and redone carbs......porting.....fancy spark plugs.....and the fucker still didnt fix the one problem with it, the bloody forks grrrrrrrrrrrrr:nono:

[Yokai]

Well mines in the shop soon (this week) for a service, new (read 2nd hand but still working) front disk - new pads though...

I did a bit of a photoshop look at the bike over the weekend. I've decided to keep the engine black and not go for the shiny one...
Then, I'll get shiny rear shocks,
Shiny fork ends (what are they called - anyone know?)
and stainless exhausts (with a nice exhaust cover)
and reverse megaphones... like the ones off the Thruxton (http://www.triumph.co.uk/images/gllry_THRUXTON900_02.jpg) but horizontal (although mine are currently lifted at the back)

Hopefully Eurodave and I are gonna come up with a nice blade/flyscreen too...

Gonna have to have the Engine nicely tuned too... - what should I look out for in fork issues, DL?

[ducatilover]

well fork issues........ i can email you something someone sent me with how to tune my forks if you could pm me your email....... i didnt notice anything wrong with the srv i was looking at except it was too slow it didnt go that much better than my gn:doh:

[Yokai]

I've got wire wheels on my bike
They're rusty

Anyone know of a decent wheel restorer, or is it a case of "get the dremel out - dude!"

Cheers...

[Eurodave]

I've got wire wheels on my bike
They're rusty

Anyone know of a decent wheel restorer, or is it a case of "get the dremel out - dude!"

Cheers...

Are the spokes or the rims rusty? The cheap fix is as follows;If it is just light surface rust on the rims, polish them with some solvol autosol or similar. If the spokes are rusty, use some rust kill on them & then mask off the rims & hubs,remove the disc & lightly spray them with silver 'ZincIt' available in a spray can from Mitre10

[Yokai]

Are the spokes or the rims rusty? The cheap fix is as follows;If it is just light surface rust on the rims, polish them with some solvol autosol or similar. If the spokes are rusty, use some rust kill on them & then mask off the rims & hubs,remove the disc & lightly spray them with silver 'ZincIt' available in a spray can from Mitre10

Rusty spokes... - rustkill? Hmmm - what's that then?

[Eurodave]

Rusty spokes... - rustkill? Hmmm - what's that then?

Its a solution that contains phosphoric acid as one of its main ingredients, it converts rust to iron phosphate, thus effectively neutralising it. any commercially available rust killer will do the job, nip over to Mitre 10 & have a look

[vifferman]

any commercially available rust killer will do the job, nip over to Mitre 10 & have a look
.... or spray Coke all over it (loaded with orthophosphoric acid).

[Yokai]

And a quick last question:

How shiny can I get the zinc-it spokes looking? Or should I go over to some auto-restorerererer or the hpcoating krew?

[Eurodave]

Were the spokes originally chromed or are they zinc plated? The cheap option,spray can 'ZincIt', comes out a dull silver colour. If you want shiny chromed spokes then theyll need to be replaced with either new chrome ones or stainless steel ones.Rechroming you old spokes will probably work out dearer although these days there have been enormous developments in the powder coating industry.
I know they can do a powder coating that looks very close to real chrome.
These options will require a complete strip/rebuild of both wheels, more$$$$ & there is a guy here in CHCH that could probably help