First post. In fact, I just found this place maybe a half hour ago. I knew it had to exist, though. Just a matter of finding it. Google -- it's a wonderful thing.
I've loved cafe bikes since they were the happening thing. Back when they were cutting edge. Yeah, I'm a graybeard, so what? Doesn't change the way I feel about 'em. I still think the cafe "look" is the coolest around.
I'm in the middle of a cafe project right now. The bike is a 1978 Yamaha XS650 E. I've just finished stripping it down to the frame and cutting all the stuff off the frame that doesn't have to be there. I'll be installing an XS750 fuel tank, cuz it has the "look", and a bumstop-style road race seat.
The motor's been rephased to 277 degrees. I've got a Wiseco 81mm (763cc) kit for it, 10:1 CR. Webcam 59 grind camshaft. VM36 roundslide Mikunis. Haven't decided on the ignition or exhaust systems yet.
The electric foot and centerstand are history, and I'll be running a smaller battery. Probably 30 lb of weight savings right there. I am making some concessions to comfort, though: no clip-ons or clubmans and no rearsets. I'll be going with a set of low-rise Euro-style bars and I'll keep the footpegs where they are.
Wanna see pics of what I've done so far? Check out my Cafe blog:
http://michaelmcbroom.com/blog/
So, I'm looking forward to this. I suspect I'll learn quite a bit from the folks here.
Best,
Michael
I've loved cafe bikes since they were the happening thing. Back when they were cutting edge. Yeah, I'm a graybeard, so what? Doesn't change the way I feel about 'em. I still think the cafe "look" is the coolest around.
I'm in the middle of a cafe project right now. The bike is a 1978 Yamaha XS650 E. I've just finished stripping it down to the frame and cutting all the stuff off the frame that doesn't have to be there. I'll be installing an XS750 fuel tank, cuz it has the "look", and a bumstop-style road race seat.
The motor's been rephased to 277 degrees. I've got a Wiseco 81mm (763cc) kit for it, 10:1 CR. Webcam 59 grind camshaft. VM36 roundslide Mikunis. Haven't decided on the ignition or exhaust systems yet.
The electric foot and centerstand are history, and I'll be running a smaller battery. Probably 30 lb of weight savings right there. I am making some concessions to comfort, though: no clip-ons or clubmans and no rearsets. I'll be going with a set of low-rise Euro-style bars and I'll keep the footpegs where they are.
Wanna see pics of what I've done so far? Check out my Cafe blog:
http://michaelmcbroom.com/blog/
So, I'm looking forward to this. I suspect I'll learn quite a bit from the folks here.
Best,
Michael