Cracker cafe racer

**Blackbird** · 27th August 2015, 12:55

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

**george formby** · 27th August 2015, 13:44

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...

And it is a stunner IMHO.

**Blackbird** · 27th August 2015, 13:50

Originally Posted by 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...

And it is a stunner IMHO.

Nope, the Blackbird forum even though I sold it over 6 years ago

. Yep, the restrained paint job actually adds to it.

**Tazz** · 27th August 2015, 13:58

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

**Laava** · 27th August 2015, 14:06

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

**Blackbird** · 27th August 2015, 14:41

Originally Posted by Tazz

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** · 27th August 2015, 15:10

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

**Blackbird** · 27th August 2015, 15:31

Originally Posted by mossy1200

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

**mossy1200** · 27th August 2015, 15:40

Originally Posted by Blackbird

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

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.

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** · 27th August 2015, 15:43

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

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

**98tls** · 27th August 2015, 19:42

Originally Posted by Tazz

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** · 27th August 2015, 20:44

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** · 27th August 2015, 20:46

Originally Posted by 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 .......

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