quote:
Hi everyone. I'm new to this forum and I have a couple questions.
First off, I noticed that there were a lot of pictures of CR's from Daytona (2005). I just recently moved here and am looking for a company or enthusiast to talk to with regards to converting my bike to the CR-style. I've searched the net looking for homepages, but have found very little.
I have a 2006 Kawasaki 250 (before you snicker, I was on a budget and didn't have many other options). I don't have the space/tools required to do all the work, but I would still like to convert it.
If anyone has any ideas, or know of any companies/individuals who could send me some info, it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for your time.
Keegan Hurley
I'm assuming the 2006 250 you bought is a ninja 250R, right? Unless you are financing it or got a really screaming deal on it. I don't understand how this was in your budget and a $1000 or less 1970's jap bike was out.
First off, is it really worth it to modify a ninja 250? I personally thing that the bike already does everything well mechanically, and aside from some suspension tuning to adjust for your weight and riding style I really wouldn't fuck with it.
This leaves bodywork - personally this is the really hard part if you want to make your bike look old. Making your new bike look like an old style race bike is more difficult than making an old bike look newer. I don't think a 2006 ninja 250 can ever really be a cafe racer in look, because the bike is so new any mods would likely make it a streetfighter. In this department the solo style seat, and ditching all the front fairings for a set of dual chrome headlights will get you far with this bike. Go to your local magazine shop and find a copy of streetfighter magazine or super streetbike, this will give you some idea.
Custom fab - are you serious? Any kind of custom fab work will cost you a fortune. You used the word budget in your post, any kind of budget restriction you have will be blown by the first part you have made for you custom (if you can make stuff this is a different story). It would be cheaper to buy an old jap bike that has parts already made for it than have anything custom made on your bike. A SOHC cb750 is always a good choice as there is a ton of thing for them now and the later models have not gone through the roof pricewise (although they are getting there).
I'm not saying what you want to do can't be done, with a lot of work and more money than it is worth doing it can. From my standpoint it just isn't worth it (others may feel differently). Cruse craigslist in your area, go to local bike nights, and talk to bike shops. What you want is either a cb350twin honda or a cb750 (suzuki GS750/1000 and kz900 are also good alternatives).
