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19 Posts
Hey all …
So I decided to scrap the initial plan to strip down and rebuild the 1983 CX650C. I was reading one of the threads on here and someone posted something along the lines of, "best things to do when you get a CX: buy a second to work on so you have one to drive and another to play with." It inspired me, I browsed craigslist, and as if it were pure luck, found a dismantled '78 sitting in a garage south of Boston. Bought it for pennies, brought it home, and spent the first night cleaning and scrubbing and polishing the engine as best as I could.
That said, probably going to leave the 650 as my rideable bike, and this is now the project!
Keeping this here so I can bounce ideas off of everyone and learn as I go. I'm somewhat mechanically inclined–my father drag races and I grew up with cars my whole life–but not a motorcycle family, aside from dirt bikes growing up. I have a working understanding of some things, but I have to learn a ton about these bikes. I've been reading non-stop.
So far I've stripped down the frame, removed the air box, stripped the paint and gave it a fresh coat of gloss black paint. Disassembled the front forks, cleaned them and currently waiting on deciding what's my next move with them. Engine is rather clean, needs some tidying up and new throttle cables. Carbs look good, and the previous owner said he turned the engine over and didn't see any issues. Probably need new brakes, but the wheels look good.
Essentially aiming for a bike halfway between the Motomucci and the Wrenchmonkees – possibly more similar in aesthetics/color combinations to the Motomucci (tan color of the seat, but chopped rear frame and seat design similar to the Wrenchmonkees'.)
PLANS FOR THE BIKE:
ENGINE/CARB:
-Leaving it stock for the most part. (Engine is in great shape, no need to open it up until I see a leak I figure).
-Removed the air box, going with K&N 54mm pods.
-Rejetted the carbs to 90/120.
SUSPENSION:
-Front Forks - Rebuild, progressive springs, 20w fork oil (filled to 155mL). Would consider a front-end swap but for the time being, would rather invest that money/time elsewhere.
-Rear Shocks - Progressive 12"/305mm Heavy Duty shocks (Dime City Cycles).
BRAKES/WHEELS
-Rebuilt front caliper. New piston, EBC pads.
-Rebuilt rear drum, new EBC shoes.
-Braided stainless steel brake lines (Wezmoto / eBay).
-Planning on drilling the front rotor.
-Pirelli Route MT66 tires, 90/90-19 front and 130/90-16 rear.
FUEL/EXHAUST:
-Cut off the gas tank tab on the frame and moved up 2 inches to accommodate a 500C gas tank (the '78 deluxe tank was dented and junked beyond belief).
-New petcock.
-Mac 2-into-1 pipe, black. Maybe/maybe not the tan exhaust wrap.
-8" cherry bomb with a turnout tip.
-Planning to cut and bend the pipe so it follows the lines of the frame, similar to the Wrenchmonkees CX500.
-Need new throttle cables.
ELECTRICAL/GAUGES:
-Mini white/chrome Dime City Cycles' analog speedo/tach.
-Battery box from Café Racer parts (UK).
-Ignitech CDI unit conversion.
-7" clubman style headlight in satin black (Dime City Cycles).
AESTHETIC/OTHER:
-Solid black frame. (Painted with VHT satin black chassis paint).
-Chopped rear frame, welded it closed and added a piece of steel bar as a mount point for a rear fender/seat mount.
-Duplicolor Toyota "Phantom Grey Pearl" tank, fenders, accent pieces.
-Hoping to find someone to help me make a seat pan/seat similar to the Wrenchmonkees' / mheckroth build (http://cx500forum.com/forum/custom-how/8279-cafe-bobber-seat.html), but with the light tan used on the Motomucci café build.
So I decided to scrap the initial plan to strip down and rebuild the 1983 CX650C. I was reading one of the threads on here and someone posted something along the lines of, "best things to do when you get a CX: buy a second to work on so you have one to drive and another to play with." It inspired me, I browsed craigslist, and as if it were pure luck, found a dismantled '78 sitting in a garage south of Boston. Bought it for pennies, brought it home, and spent the first night cleaning and scrubbing and polishing the engine as best as I could.
That said, probably going to leave the 650 as my rideable bike, and this is now the project!
Keeping this here so I can bounce ideas off of everyone and learn as I go. I'm somewhat mechanically inclined–my father drag races and I grew up with cars my whole life–but not a motorcycle family, aside from dirt bikes growing up. I have a working understanding of some things, but I have to learn a ton about these bikes. I've been reading non-stop.
So far I've stripped down the frame, removed the air box, stripped the paint and gave it a fresh coat of gloss black paint. Disassembled the front forks, cleaned them and currently waiting on deciding what's my next move with them. Engine is rather clean, needs some tidying up and new throttle cables. Carbs look good, and the previous owner said he turned the engine over and didn't see any issues. Probably need new brakes, but the wheels look good.
Essentially aiming for a bike halfway between the Motomucci and the Wrenchmonkees – possibly more similar in aesthetics/color combinations to the Motomucci (tan color of the seat, but chopped rear frame and seat design similar to the Wrenchmonkees'.)
PLANS FOR THE BIKE:
ENGINE/CARB:
-Leaving it stock for the most part. (Engine is in great shape, no need to open it up until I see a leak I figure).
-Removed the air box, going with K&N 54mm pods.
-Rejetted the carbs to 90/120.
SUSPENSION:
-Front Forks - Rebuild, progressive springs, 20w fork oil (filled to 155mL). Would consider a front-end swap but for the time being, would rather invest that money/time elsewhere.
-Rear Shocks - Progressive 12"/305mm Heavy Duty shocks (Dime City Cycles).
BRAKES/WHEELS
-Rebuilt front caliper. New piston, EBC pads.
-Rebuilt rear drum, new EBC shoes.
-Braided stainless steel brake lines (Wezmoto / eBay).
-Planning on drilling the front rotor.
-Pirelli Route MT66 tires, 90/90-19 front and 130/90-16 rear.
FUEL/EXHAUST:
-Cut off the gas tank tab on the frame and moved up 2 inches to accommodate a 500C gas tank (the '78 deluxe tank was dented and junked beyond belief).
-New petcock.
-Mac 2-into-1 pipe, black. Maybe/maybe not the tan exhaust wrap.
-8" cherry bomb with a turnout tip.
-Planning to cut and bend the pipe so it follows the lines of the frame, similar to the Wrenchmonkees CX500.
-Need new throttle cables.
ELECTRICAL/GAUGES:
-Mini white/chrome Dime City Cycles' analog speedo/tach.
-Battery box from Café Racer parts (UK).
-Ignitech CDI unit conversion.
-7" clubman style headlight in satin black (Dime City Cycles).
AESTHETIC/OTHER:
-Solid black frame. (Painted with VHT satin black chassis paint).
-Chopped rear frame, welded it closed and added a piece of steel bar as a mount point for a rear fender/seat mount.
-Duplicolor Toyota "Phantom Grey Pearl" tank, fenders, accent pieces.
-Hoping to find someone to help me make a seat pan/seat similar to the Wrenchmonkees' / mheckroth build (http://cx500forum.com/forum/custom-how/8279-cafe-bobber-seat.html), but with the light tan used on the Motomucci café build.