New Project! CB450 soon to be a cafe racer!

[TerryBPP]

I think the stock tank modified would be awesome. Extend and flatten the bottom, then cut in some radial chamfer by the seat.

[North Coast Cab]

Damn! This is a great project. I have wanted to do one of these for a long time and maybe this is the time. I definetely want a twin, but we'll see what I can find for a donor bike.
Keep the details coming.

[obrut]

tim,

my bike is from deus ex machina in sydney. i think the tank is from "custom house stinky" in japan:

http://www.stinky.jp/parts.php

i'll try and take some better pics over the weekend.

[Noah930]

Very sweet tank repair. Looks beautiful.

[Dueller]

Originally Posted by obrut

tim,

my bike is from deus ex machina in sydney. i think the tank is from "custom house stinky" in japan:

http://www.stinky.jp/parts.php

i'll try and take some better pics over the weekend.

Orbut...have you been to their shop? I looks really interesting.

[Tim Hancock]

Originally Posted by obrut

tim,

my bike is from deus ex machina in sydney. i think the tank is from "custom house stinky" in japan:

http://www.stinky.jp/parts.php

i'll try and take some better pics over the weekend.

Seeing a polished aluminum tank is making me want one pretty bad! Nice looking bike! I would love to see some more pics.

[Tim Hancock]

Originally Posted by Noah930

Very sweet tank repair. Looks beautiful.

Thanks....I sent my buddy some pics of it and he about wet himself then started mumbling something about wanting to re-do some of the parts he already thought he was finished with. Good thing he is in Atlanta and I am in Ohio, otherwise I think I would get suckered into doing the rest of it for him.

[ERH]

"polished aluminium petrol tanks for motor bikes to order"

http://www.thetankshop.com/

I really need to build..... something..

Ed

[obrut]

tim,

thanks, i bought the bike from a guy who lived near the beach and the tank was pretty bad - really dull and covered in lots of little white salt stains.

i'm about halfway through polishing it. however, i don't really want it too shiny either... the plan is to get all of the stains out, then let it dull a little. i'm also going to remove the big shop sticker and put a small gold yamaha badge on it.

[Zeke]

I remember the CB 350's well. The Scrambler model was very popular. I don't know if that was a "CB," but it was the 350. I rode cafe racers in those days and I can tell you they are trucks. Maybe there's some new shock valving now and some travel added. Otherwise, I think you'd be better off just putting around and looking at the thing.

I can't believe sometimes I'm still alive.

edit: I was thinking of the 305 maybe.

[tab tanner]

[KaptKaos]

Is that a Morgan?

[Tim Hancock]

Originally Posted by milt

I remember the CB 350's well. The Scrambler model was very popular. I don't know if that was a "CB," but it was the 350. I rode cafe racers in those days and I can tell you they are trucks. Maybe there's some new shock valving now and some travel added. Otherwise, I think you'd be better off just putting around and looking at the thing.

I can't believe sometimes I'm still alive.

edit: I was thinking of the 305 maybe.

My first street bike 25+ years ago was a very tired and cobbed up CB350....I am well aware of the performance . I just really like the look of the customized cafe style bikes and when stripped down and slightly modded, it should prove a fun machine to putz around on. I like the high performance crotch rockets, but I really don't need to go 150mph + or drag knees on my commute to work.

But heck, what do I know, after racing MX for many years, I still can have "fun" riding around the yard on a Honda 50.

I like watching the custom chopper guys building bikes on TV but can't stand the Harley look (never liked them, never will). The cafe bikes seem like a way to scratch the mechanical itch to build something, yet not have to grow a pony tail or get tattos to enjoy it.

[Tim Hancock]

Been awhile since these carbs have seen anything that resembles fresh gasoline! Before I tear this thing completely apart, I am going to have to fire it up once just to satisfy my own morbid curiosity

[Tim Hancock]

Anyone know what type of blast abrasive will get my carbs looking kind of new looking again? I tried some grit-o-cob and it was a bit too abrasive and left it slightly too frosted looking.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Tim, how about I just drive the bike out to you? The 4Runner would probably die on arrival and I could just drive the bike back.

On media, go to the pool store and get some soda.

Early Engine Bay Electrical Panel Restoration

scroll down to the CD. came out beautifully.

Originally Posted by Tim Hancock

Anyone know what type of blast abrasive will get my carbs looking kind of new looking again? I tried some grit-o-cob and it was a bit too abrasive and left it slightly too frosted looking.

[Tim Hancock]

Pool store for soda? I wonder if a few boxes of Arm&Hammer would suffice?

[Shaun @ Tru6]

do you have a mini-gun or something? I alternate between soda and glass in my cabinet. 20 lbs of Arm & Hammer is pricey!

[Tim Hancock]

Originally Posted by Shaun 84 Targa

do you have a mini-gun or something? I alternate between soda and glass in my cabinet. 20 lbs of Arm & Hammer is pricey!

I have a blast cabinet, a spot gun and an outdoor pressure pot. My cabinet will work with small amounts of material, so maybe two boxes of soda. What is the pool soda called? Is it a common product at the "pool stores"?

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by Tim Hancock

I have a blast cabinet, a spot gun and an outdoor pressure pot. My cabinet will work with small amounts of material, so maybe two boxes of soda. What is the pool soda called? Is it a common product at the "pool stores"?

OK, got it. it's sodium bicarbonate...same as plain old baking soda. Pool people use it to change the ph of the pool. it's very light, gets sucked up by the vacuum more easily than glass beads, which is why you may want to just get a big tub of it.

wonderful stuff for cleaning.