My project bike

[911-m5]

I know some of you are also motorcycle fans - so here is my other work in progress. Its a 1971 Honda 350 CL. Any other cafe bikes out there?

Allan

[Steve Carlton]

Cafe Racer style is so cool. I used to have one of these...

[Steve Carlton]

New Duc coming soon...

[911-m5]

Man! I love those new - old Ducs. that looks like a blast. This is my first bike, so I went old and cheap in case I don't get the bug.

[dd74]

Sweet! Is there a difference between cafe style and the newer crotch rocket sport bikes like the Yamahas, Hondas, etc?

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Cafe usually has sportbike-like ergos, monoposto bumstop seat, and sometimes a "bikini" fairing.

A "sportbike" is mostly acres of plastic fairing and mono- or biposto.

Something I'd like to do to my '78 CB750K sometime:

http://community-2.webtv.net/@HH!D3!F9!A49DDFB60BA4/Roadster1928/CAFERACERHONDACB750/

[Eric 951]

Allan,

Nice bike. I am a big fan of CAFE myself, and after much searching finally purchased my first 2 weeks ago--a 1980 Moto Morini 500. It is a project, having not been run since 1982--the pluses are I bought it from the original owner, and it only has 2000 original miles. The guy I bought it from is a farmer, formerly a "bike guy"--now in his sixties--he dropped the bike once and parked it. I have pulled the tank, the seat(to get it recovered), the carbs, pipes, and starter--everything looks brand-new(except the tank--gas was never drained--I drained the varnish, but there is alot of rust sloshing about inside--I am looking to get it dipped this week, and then use a cermaic-coating on the inside--looking for suggestions/experiences here.

Also--anyone suggest a product to use on the rubber J-boots from the carbs? No tears, I just want to treat them to restore their pliability.

I am simply amazed by the condition of everything else after it sat for over 20 years--the carbs are spotless--even the oil was super-clean. looking forward to getting it fired up.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Excellent find on the Morini...I've heard they were very fun, light bikes. I've been dreaming of a 3 1/2 ever since I first read about them.

So many Italian cafe wonders to choose from...Laverda, Guzzi, Ducati, Morini...

[Tishabet]

Originally posted by Eric 951
I have pulled the tank, the seat(to get it recovered), the carbs, pipes, and starter--everything looks brand-new(except the tank--gas was never drained--I drained the varnish, but there is alot of rust sloshing about inside--I am looking to get it dipped this week, and then use a cermaic-coating on the inside--looking for suggestions/experiences here.

I have restored cars that had gas sitting in the tank for more than 50 years...bleah! I would recommend buying an etching/sealing kit, which you can find online. This will leave you with a white (I believe latex based) coating on the inside of the tank. But before you use the etch or the sealer, you'll want to get the tank as clean as you can. For my most stubborn tanks, I've had good success with alternating steam cleaning and using drain cleaning products....I've had my best success with hot water and lye.

[Eric 951]

Originally posted by Tshabet
I have restored cars that had gas sitting in the tank for more than 50 years...bleah! I would recommend buying an etching/sealing kit, which you can find online. This will leave you with a white (I believe latex based) coating on the inside of the tank. But before you use the etch or the sealer, you'll want to get the tank as clean as you can. For my most stubborn tanks, I've had good success with alternating steam cleaning and using drain cleaning products....I've had my best success with hot water and lye.

The gas was awful--especially when I kicked over the pan holding about 2 gallons all over my back porch(makeshift garage). I am going to get the tank professionaly cleaned/dipped at a local machine shop or radiator shop--then probably use a DIY seal kit--just as you mention.

[TerryBPP]

Now you have my mind wandering. I gotta have one! I'll be watching this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=80647&item=4545564639&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

[Eric 951]

Originally posted by peteremsley
Eric,

The BMW bike crowd swear by the POR tank lining kit. They advise against the 'kreme' (sp?) coating as it flakes off after a while. That said, I've never tried either.

I've been looking for a 3 1/2 off and on. There was one came up for sale locally but it was pretty heavily modded, with none of the original parts. I suspect parts are hard to come by in the US, are you having much luck finding stuff?

Peter--thanks for the POR suggestion, I will give it a try--as for parts, I found Herdan located in PA--which used to be the eastern distributer for Morini, and they hooked me up with a manual. Right now I am compiling a parts list, but haven't purchased anything yet--I will need a front turn signal, rubber footpeg covers, grips, 2 rear turn signals, a mirror, a rear rotor, a full set of brake pads, front/rear tires, various clear plastic fuel/vent lines, and a battery. Most of these will be generic pieces--the rear rotor may be a pain to locate. What I am really shocked about is the timing belt--the thing looks brand-spanking new. I know it is 20 years old, but there are no cracks/splits and it is as plaible as new--I am debating right now wether to replace immeadiately or not.
Everything on the bike is original--even had the tool kit/touch-up paint. Prior to dipping the tank, I am sketching/measuring the hand-painted pinstripes in case I decide to replicate them--although I am really leaning towards keeping it totally de-badged, and have folks guess--I was already asked questions at a stoplight when I had it in the truck taking it home--the guy had never heard of Moto Morini(which I didn't either untill 2 weeks ago).

[dd74]

I saw a website last night where a guy converted a Yamaha RZ350 into a CAFE (is C-A-F-E correct?) racer. I've always liked those little 2 strokes. What do you guys think of the RZ? (Like I should be asking - as I know the wife is already shaking her head "no")

[Eric 951]

Originally posted by dd74
I saw a website last night where a guy converted a Yamaha RZ350 into a CAFE (is C-A-F-E correct?) racer. I've always liked those little 2 strokes. What do you guys think of the RZ? (Like I should be asking - as I know the wife is already shaking her head "no")

Based upon the research I did----it is cafe or Cafe --and originated in Europe with groups of bikers who would hang-out together at cafes, and then race each other to the next cafe, etc.

I always type "CAFE"--my mind being stuck on US--C.A.F.E. standards.

[928ram]

I don't know if this qualifies, but I rode a Kaw H1R for years back in the pre-crotchrocket days. Pulled the fairing and added lights; you'd get some looks in those days.

What do you guys think of the RZ? (Like I should be asking - as I know the wife is already shaking her head "no")

What a bike should be; narrow, light, and 2 stroked. Now if you vetnure up to Canada, you might be able to score an RZ500 but registering it would take some creativity.

[911-m5]

I have always wanted a Laverda or an old Duc 350/450 desmo but these are a bit pricey to be my first bike...but maybe down the road.

Eric - Sounds like a cool bike. We need some pics.

928 ram - H1R was a very cool ride. 0

[dd74]

Aprilia cafe racer...SWEEEET!

[TSNAPCRACKLEPOP]

mine was the RD 400 Yamaha, about 1974.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Originally posted by dd74
Aprilia cafe racer...SWEEEET!

I wouldn't call that a cafe racer...more of a "sportbike" (if you can call an 6.5-hp 50cc faired scooter a "sportbike". )

[dd74]

I was wondering why it was so slow.