EDIT: This post is almost a year old. Scroll to the last one for current pics and info.
I used to post on here a lot but then shit got in the way (I had to finish a book) and I didn't have time. But I did manage to get a lot more work done on my CL450 with bomber tank.
The motor was tired so I rebuilt it, and that was a challenge with crappy ebay pistons and worn out cam drive train. So I got some new forged JE pistons:
And expensive chain parts from Cappellini in Italy:
Lots of NOS head parts too, with porting, etc. Runs good now.
While the motor was out I repainted the frame and did the following work:
- removed side panel clips and passenger peg brackets & cleaned up messy factory welds
- tig welded factory spot welded sections near the bottom front and headstock
- had a battery box made to hold a modern, light AGM battery under the carbs
- Adapted GSXR rearsets to the pass. peg location; polished brackets and removed ankle guards
- converted rear brake to cable
- polished engine side cases and replaced all bike hardware with allen head stainless wherever possible.
And now, with a rebuilt motor, I have the bike running. Anyway, here's the latest shot:
But like all good projects it's not done yet.
Future plans:
Done 12/07 - 2:1 exhaust, right side exit - as much as I like the CL450 pipes, they are heavy, restrictive and always in the way of my left boot. I have a set of 2:1 on order.
- Rebuild wheels - I want aluminum rims, 18" in front. I will drill the brakes at the same time, and replace the rear sprocket with an aluminum one. I won't be doing it anytime soon, but send me a PM if you have an extra drum brake front hub laying around. I'll speed-hole the hubs and polish them at the same time.
- Electronic ignition - The points actually work pretty well, but I get some mid-range pinging and I think an adjustable or retuned timing curve would help that somewhat.
- Different rear fender - I'm not crazy about the way it looks, and I think it could be made more clean/trick/
Done 7/08: Drilled and shortened stocker.- different chainguard - it's just not trick enough for me. I don't know what to do. Perhaps build an alloy one or adapt something from a modern sportbike
- redo rear brake cable - it's a little awkward in routing and angle.
Done 7/08 - alloy front engine mount plate - this is a hugely obvious part on these bikes and a nice aluminum one would really set it off.
Done 7/08 - speed holes in sprocket cover on engine - it just looks too "plain", not racy enough.
Thanks to Branson, Geeto, Rosko, 250GPCHAMP and all the other Caferacer guys for the advice & sometimes parts so far.
I used to post on here a lot but then shit got in the way (I had to finish a book) and I didn't have time. But I did manage to get a lot more work done on my CL450 with bomber tank.
The motor was tired so I rebuilt it, and that was a challenge with crappy ebay pistons and worn out cam drive train. So I got some new forged JE pistons:

And expensive chain parts from Cappellini in Italy:

Lots of NOS head parts too, with porting, etc. Runs good now.
While the motor was out I repainted the frame and did the following work:
- removed side panel clips and passenger peg brackets & cleaned up messy factory welds
- tig welded factory spot welded sections near the bottom front and headstock
- had a battery box made to hold a modern, light AGM battery under the carbs
- Adapted GSXR rearsets to the pass. peg location; polished brackets and removed ankle guards
- converted rear brake to cable
- polished engine side cases and replaced all bike hardware with allen head stainless wherever possible.
And now, with a rebuilt motor, I have the bike running. Anyway, here's the latest shot:

But like all good projects it's not done yet.
Future plans:
Done 12/07 - 2:1 exhaust, right side exit - as much as I like the CL450 pipes, they are heavy, restrictive and always in the way of my left boot. I have a set of 2:1 on order.
- Rebuild wheels - I want aluminum rims, 18" in front. I will drill the brakes at the same time, and replace the rear sprocket with an aluminum one. I won't be doing it anytime soon, but send me a PM if you have an extra drum brake front hub laying around. I'll speed-hole the hubs and polish them at the same time.
- Electronic ignition - The points actually work pretty well, but I get some mid-range pinging and I think an adjustable or retuned timing curve would help that somewhat.
- Different rear fender - I'm not crazy about the way it looks, and I think it could be made more clean/trick/
Done 7/08: Drilled and shortened stocker.- different chainguard - it's just not trick enough for me. I don't know what to do. Perhaps build an alloy one or adapt something from a modern sportbike
- redo rear brake cable - it's a little awkward in routing and angle.
Done 7/08 - alloy front engine mount plate - this is a hugely obvious part on these bikes and a nice aluminum one would really set it off.
Done 7/08 - speed holes in sprocket cover on engine - it just looks too "plain", not racy enough.
Thanks to Branson, Geeto, Rosko, 250GPCHAMP and all the other Caferacer guys for the advice & sometimes parts so far.