[Perazzimx14]

Hello to all,



Several days ago I purchased a 82 CX500 custom in good mechanical shape, cosmetic shape is okay. Bike has 6500 miles on the speedo and it has a current PA inspection. It also came with a new rear tire, new battery and rebuilt forks. So far I have changed the motor and final drive oil and today I may atempt a coolant flush and valve check.



I am wanting to try and attempt a cafe build and have lots of questions and the wife has given me an $800.00 budget.



1. With adding lower bars (clubmans or equal) do I need shorter cables for the controls? The factory bars on my bike are very tall and swept back I thik I will have lots of slack.



2. I would like to run pods, would it be better to get different carbs if so what an I to look for and what size?



3. Do you need the h-box on the CX? I would like to fab two singles and not sure about needing the crossover pipe.



4. What is the best way to clean the motor and get it looking factory again?



I am also looking for a nice deluxe tank if anybody has one the would like to sell.



Thank you,



Lance

 

[AGB-1]

The shorter cables(throttle,clutch)can be custom made unless someone on the forum knows of some other model honda cables(shorter)that would interchange. Running Pod filters,you would probably need to rejet the carbs. The cheapest way to go on the exhaust would be sportster mufflers, but there are also many choices depending on what look you want.You would need connector pipes(muffler shop)to connect the header pipes to your mufflers. Engine prep would be a good cleaning and painting. You can do a search on this forum for all the(each) questions you are asking and will find many good ideas. AGB-1

 

[photocodo]

If you are looking for mufflers I would check out the Emgo Shorty mufflers, they are small and look pretty good, oh did I mention they are CHEAP!! I just bought a pair but havent gotten a chance to put them on yet. You can get them for $29 at www.dimecitycycles.com.

something to think about.



cody

 

[chev]

I have stock length cables, but it did take some trial and error to find the cleanest, straightest route.

 

[50gary]

I would do all the things I could myself to save the money for the absolute neccesary things you must buy like the air filters, tires, good shocks, some new front brake parts (CX are known for a weak front brake) If I were on a budget for braking I'd get the CX650 dual piston caliper and bracket, cross drill the rotor, buy some EBC or Galfer pads, and get a quality stainless steel line and call it good. The control cables should be shortened, it's not that bad to do yourself. To clean the engine you can soda blast it in your driveway if you have an air compressor, a Harbor Freight blow gun and a 3ft piece of clear tubing 3/8" diameter I think? Harley mufflers are a good way to go and yes, you should have a crossover tube. IMO.

Cheers, 50gary

 

[exploring/carolina]

I know you are on a budget, but will tell you what I have done so far on my bike. It's not a Cafe Racer, but some of the parts will work. Purchased used HD mufflers & shocks from a local HD dealer for a low price. Had a local muffler shop to bend aluminum/steel connector pipes from the headers to the mufflers. My H box was in poor condition. I did not install a crossover pipe, but like Gary said, will need to. Will rejet the carbs, too. Installed Kenda Challenger tires. Used stock length cables with bikemaster European handlebars. Used HotWingGlass seat pan, seat pad, fender, & rear brake light assembly. Used 54MM pod air filters. Will need to replace the front fork springs & rebuild front caliper. Purchased a new master cylinder off of ebay for $50 plus shipping, will see how it works out. Traded & purchased parts with other members of the forum, too. Have done more than mentioned above:

 

[jreidfive]

about the cables, you can search ebay motors/motorcycle parts for "universal control cable kit" and find a kit to do custom-cut clutch and two throttle cables (about $50 plus shipping)...or, you can do it yourself with a torch, a dremel tool and some silver solder...i'm about to cut my cables down myself, if i mess it up really bad then i'll buy that kit off ebay. i put clip-ons on my cx cafe and the throttle cables were so long that the throttle sleeve would stick open, that's why i'm going shorter. as for carbs, stock are fine but you'll want to re-jet as noted above, i am also currently cleaning my carbs and have the new jets to install, in all my research folks seem to like the 90/120 jet config for pod filters, but i also plan on running straight pipes, so i'm going with a 90/130 jets. you can get the jets from jets-r-us (.com) for pretty cheap, but know this, you aren't replacing the idle and main jets, the idle jets on the cx carb is fixed...instead you are replacing the primary main and secondary main jets...primary main=120, secondary main=90, so when you order you'll be ordering both jet sizes from the "main jets" section, not from the "idle jets" section...that was a point of confusion for me for a while until a local shop owner clued me in. as for exhaust, i'm going to try to build my own...i removed my H-pipe and wasn't planning on putting a crossover in, but they say above that you should...i'd like to know why, because frankly, i don't know, and knowing is half the battle. as for cleaning the engine, mine isn't too bad, i'm using a gallon can of parts cleaner and a toothbrush, but i like to suffer.



good luck! (look forward to some pics)



~J

 

[CUNNINGHAMMER]

J_reid, I totally needed that info about jets because I was confused as well. Thank you!!!



Lance, check your local parts yards for tanks, I found about 10 at the big yard here in AZ, Make sure you try to find one with the least dents and hopefully a cap, I found one with a cap and a petcock and it still had surface rust inside. I plan to run stock carbs, pods, stock headers with no H pipe, probably the EMGO 12" shorties and have them come out just below my pegs, 18" front and back wheels (eventually)and I'm in the process of making a seat pan. I got my clip on's on ebay for $50. You just gotta look for the deals. I also installed 40mm Triumph forks on my bike, but that was just because they were available haha. You can check out my build here, and there are plenty of CX cafes around.



My link



-CUNNINGHAMMER-

 

[jreidfive]

J_reid, I totally needed that info about jets because I was confused as well. Thank you!!!



Lance, check your local parts yards for tanks, I found about 10 at the big yard here in AZ, Make sure you try to find one with the least dents and hopefully a cap, I found one with a cap and a petcock and it still had surface rust inside. I plan to run stock carbs, pods, stock headers with no H pipe, probably the EMGO 12" shorties and have them come out just below my pegs, 18" front and back wheels (eventually)and I'm in the process of making a seat pan. I got my clip on's on ebay for $50. You just gotta look for the deals. I also installed 40mm Triumph forks on my bike, but that was just because they were available haha. You can check out my build here, and there are plenty of CX cafes around.



My link



-CUNNINGHAMMER-

sure thing man...my build (infant stages): http://viralsafetynet.blogspot.com/

 

[exploring/carolina]

I will install 90/120 jets to start with for pod air filters

with HD mufflers without H box on my project. This will be

the first time I have installed jets. Here is the order I

placed with Jets-R-Us earlier this week. Ordered different

sizes in case 90/120 does not work out:





KEIHIN ROUND MAIN JETS 99101-393



2 ea OEM equivalent Keihin main jet size 85 $2.89 ea



2 ea OEM equivalent Keihin main jet size 90 $2.89 ea



2 ea OEM equivalent Keihin main jet size 120 $2.89 ea



2 ea OEM equivalent Keihin main jet size 125 $2.89 ea



Subtotal: $23.12 USD

Shipping: $7.49 USD

Insurance: ----

Total: $30.61 USD

 

[Perazzimx14]

Thanks for all the replys so far. I have calls into a couple of salvage yards for parts and am getting a better idea if what I want to do to the bike. I do have another question: Does anybody make a tach that the needle moves counter clockwise in lieu of the traditional counterclockwise?



Thanks again,



Lance

 

[Perazzimx14]

J_reid, I totally needed that info about jets because I was confused as well. Thank you!!!



Lance, check your local parts yards for tanks, I found about 10 at the big yard here in AZ, Make sure you try to find one with the least dents and hopefully a cap, I found one with a cap and a petcock and it still had surface rust inside. I plan to run stock carbs, pods, stock headers with no H pipe, probably the EMGO 12" shorties and have them come out just below my pegs, 18" front and back wheels (eventually)and I'm in the process of making a seat pan. I got my clip on's on ebay for $50. You just gotta look for the deals. I also installed 40mm Triumph forks on my bike, but that was just because they were available haha. You can check out my build here, and there are plenty of CX cafes around.



My link



-CUNNINGHAMMER-

Unfortunately I have called almost every legitimate motorcycle salvage in PA. Found one tank in the Philly are that is spotless inside needs paint and all for only $175.00 plus shipping.

 

[jreidfive]

Unfortunately I have called almost every legitimate motorcycle salvage in PA. Found one tank in the Philly are that is spotless inside needs paint and all for only $175.00 plus shipping.

check ebay...i saw a couple last night. that's where i got mine, absolutely spotless inside and out for about $160 (i think)...without the petcock. maybe i just got lucky. just search for cx500 tank and i'm sure you'll find something...eventually.

 

[Perazzimx14]

check ebay...i saw a couple last night. that's where i got mine, absolutely spotless inside and out for about $160 (i think)...without the petcock. maybe i just got lucky. just search for cx500 tank and i'm sure you'll find something...eventually.

I have been checking ebay daily. Mostly custom tanks that bring little to no money. A nice deluxe tank went off about a week ago but it was over $200. The quest continues.

 

[GoBears0305]

I have been checking ebay daily. Mostly custom tanks that bring little to no money. A nice deluxe tank went off about a week ago but it was over $200. The quest continues.

I have an extra Deluxe tank. PM me if you're interested. Only problem is it'll need a cleaning and paint. And I discovered after stripping that there's an area with some filler to cover a dent. Lemme know.