Building A Cafe

SeekingZero

SeekingZero

Exiled
Hey guys. I am getting to the point where I figured I should reach out to the fine people of BARF and see what assistance I can garner.

I am building up an old '71 CB175 for my wife's first bike. It is so close to being done that I can taste. :drool But its also got a long way yet to go. Here are a few pictures for you guys since everyone loves pictures. :thumbup

What it started as:
IMG_0038.JPG

Progress:
img_0731.jpg

Wheels:
img_0942.jpg

Engine:
img_0957.jpg

Where it is currently:
img_0140.jpg


Once the seat is finished, I will be ready for the paint stage and I really want to get this right. I have read over the sticky in this subforum and feel, well, daunted, for lack of a better word. :(

So this is an open invitation if someone would like to throw some personal expertise my way when it comes time for paint, or just in general. And if someone just wants to shoot the shit and watch a motorcycle come to life then PM me and come on over. I'm also open to selfless acts of generosity when it comes to mounting/balancing tires, and other jobs that would require tools that I don't have. :laughing

Also, I had no idea where to best put this thread, so mods feel free to move it if needed. :twofinger

p.s. Build thread from DTT (SFW): http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=34716.0
 
auntiebling

auntiebling

megalomaniacal troglodyte
Staff member
paint is all about: good enough for me

in that vein and given how much work yo've already done... have you seen the 50 dollar paint job?

color selection is kinda limited though..
 
MikeGyver

MikeGyver

:)
Here is a link to the products and process I used to paint my SV650. All rattle can. Turned out great. Next time I will put a little more clear on it though. Make sure everything is clean and then clean it again. Follow all the directions on the cans. If you screw up you can always strip it and try again. Very rewarding job once complete.

Single stage paint might be easier, but I could not find a 2 part single stage in a can.

I followed a link you posted previously to the other forum. Looks like a very cool project for sure! Wish you lived a little closer.
 
SeekingZero

SeekingZero

Exiled
auntiebling said:
paint is all about: good enough for me

in that vein and given how much work yo've already done... have you seen the 50 dollar paint job?

color selection is kinda limited though..
Click to expand...

That's pretty nice, but I think I am going to use rattle cans. I have been browsing this thread and it looks pretty promising. (SFW) Rattle-Can Bling

MikeGyver said:
Here is a link to the products and process I used to paint my SV650. All rattle can. Turned out great. Next time I will put a little more clear on it though. Make sure everything is clean and then clean it again. Follow all the directions on the cans. If you screw up you can always strip it and try again. Very rewarding job once complete.

Single stage paint might be easier, but I could not find a 2 part single stage in a can.

I followed a link you posted previously to the other forum. Looks like a very cool project for sure! Wish you lived a little closer.
Click to expand...

Nice SV, my buddy had an '06 that I rode for a couple months, also love the 916 too. How much did all that cost you, paint material-wise? I can't say that I am really looking forward to painting. I'm a bit of a perfectionist and orange peel would drive me insane.

If you're ever in the area, feel free to pm me.
 
MikeGyver

MikeGyver

:)
I think I spent $120. The orange peel all sanded out. It was a mirror when I was done wet sanding and polishing. I was nervous the whole time since it was my first DIY paint job. The most nerve racking part was touching wet sandpaper to fresh paint and making it dull. I had never wet sanded before. I thought the paint was fucked after I washed the part and saw all the scratches, but it all polished out great.
 
MikeGyver

MikeGyver

:)
I read the rattle can bling link you posted. I did not use a DA and I did not sand between color and clear. I would also be nervous to use a one part clear. There is a lot of conflicting information out there and it seems like all methods yield a good result.
 
SeekingZero

SeekingZero

Exiled
MikeGyver said:
I read the rattle can bling link you posted. I did not use a DA and I did not sand between color and clear. I would also be nervous to use a one part clear. There is a lot of conflicting information out there and it seems like all methods yield a good result.
Click to expand...

I haven't looked into 1 and 2 part paints yet, so I have no opinion. I can see how the sanding in between coats would be good, but that would definitely draw out the process.

I'll be sure to field my paint decisions as I get ready to buy and begin.

afm199 said:
You can get the bodywork painted by a pro for a couple hundred bucks.
Click to expand...

I'm on a budget as much as I can be with this build, so I'd like to paint it all for under $100, if possible.
 
auntiebling

auntiebling

megalomaniacal troglodyte
Staff member
i've not seen the paint jobs like the customfighters link. on that scale it's definitely better than rustoleum. the economics don't quite work as afm199 points out, unless you have lots of free time to get tendonitis while sanding...

you could also explore getting a cheapo spray gun from harbor freight. their small detail guns get pretty good reviews like this one and this one. of course, if you don't have a compressor that'll run them you're quickly spending too much money.

i keep forgetting about ducatihoney's thread where she gets her color of choice put in cans, it is: here. a real world account of what reckon goes over in the stickied thread.
 
irishgixxer

irishgixxer

Track Rider
:thumbup I too am building a Cafe, 1976 CB550. Planning on having it complete by spring :ride

Let me know when your wife wants to go ride with us cool Cafe guys :teeth
 
auntiebling

auntiebling

megalomaniacal troglodyte
Staff member
another thing i forgotted to mention... duplicolor has been expanding their rattle can selection and it's available at oriely etc. i haven't used much of it but what i have i like!

you can also get the same rattle can colors in a regular pint can or whatever if you want to get a spray gun. it's not quite "high quality automotive paint" but it's certainly better than krylon/rustoleum etc.
 
SeekingZero

SeekingZero

Exiled
auntiebling said:
i've not seen the paint jobs like the customfighters link. on that scale it's definitely better than rustoleum. the economics don't quite work as afm199 points out, unless you have lots of free time to get tendonitis while sanding...

you could also explore getting a cheapo spray gun from harbor freight. their small detail guns get pretty good reviews like this one and this one. of course, if you don't have a compressor that'll run them you're quickly spending too much money.

i keep forgetting about ducatihoney's thread where she gets her color of choice put in cans, it is: here. a real world account of what reckon goes over in the stickied thread.
Click to expand...

Espumoso said:
Head down to City Paints at Howard and 7th. They'll put real automotive paint in spray cans for you.
Click to expand...

Boom. Thanks Auntie.

irishgixxer said:
:thumbup I too am building a Cafe, 1976 CB550. Planning on having it complete by spring :ride

Let me know when your wife wants to go ride with us cool Cafe guys :teeth
Click to expand...

She already wants to ride. :ride But alas I have to get this bike finished! Where are you at in SJ? I'm South off of Branham.
 
B

bobl

Well-known member
My last ratter was a CB200, converted into what we used to call a "fire roader". Stripped of anything that can come off, including electric starter, side covers, wire loom, centerstand, tach, speedo, metal fenders, etc. It turned into a great little play bike, and still had a license plate. It became a loaner to teach people how to ride, and I wasn't even sure where it was about half the time. It was pulled out of a dumpster, so other than being robbed by the state of Calif. for back regestration, it was mostly free. Anyway, having had "Cafe" bikes back in the day, I would advise to not make the riding position too extreme. Back in the day, we all put clubman bars on our bikes. Extremely uncomfortable. We then noticed that the race bikes of the day (Superbikes) were using suberbike bars similiar to European touring bends. Much more comfort, and much more leverage. I know that the clip on/clubman bar is the Cafe look, but if you expect her to ride it, try superbike bars, or no lower than a drag bar. You can complete the cafe look with a small quarter fairing, giving some wind protection, and a comfortable riding position. Don't make it a rack just to look at. Nice work so far! I love seeing these old tiddlers resurected.
 
SeekingZero

SeekingZero

Exiled
bobl said:
My last ratter was a CB200, converted into what we used to call a "fire roader". Stripped of anything that can come off, including electric starter, side covers, wire loom, centerstand, tach, speedo, metal fenders, etc. It turned into a great little play bike, and still had a license plate. It became a loaner to teach people how to ride, and I wasn't even sure where it was about half the time. It was pulled out of a dumpster, so other than being robbed by the state of Calif. for back regestration, it was mostly free. Anyway, having had "Cafe" bikes back in the day, I would advise to not make the riding position too extreme. Back in the day, we all put clubman bars on our bikes. Extremely uncomfortable. We then noticed that the race bikes of the day (Superbikes) were using suberbike bars similiar to European touring bends. Much more comfort, and much more leverage. I know that the clip on/clubman bar is the Cafe look, but if you expect her to ride it, try superbike bars, or no lower than a drag bar. You can complete the cafe look with a small quarter fairing, giving some wind protection, and a comfortable riding position. Don't make it a rack just to look at. Nice work so far! I love seeing these old tiddlers resurected.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the input! I haven't decided on the bars, but of course my initial thought was clubmans. I'll check out these superbike bars you're talking about, I haven't heard of them. If these bars aren't going to require me to buy rearsets to improve ergos, then all the better. Re-use stock footrests and levers and give a more comfortable ride. I thought about a small front fairing, and while I like the look, my wife doesn't. So in the initial build, its not going to show up, but we'll see how she feels about it when the wind is blasting her in the chest. :laughing:ride

For clarifcation: this is what you are referring to?
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.co...aspx?SiteID=SLI|Superbike Bars&WT.MC_ID=10010
 
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B

bobl

Well-known member
Yep that's them. Also, a little lower are drag bars. They are flat, with no rise, and a little draw towards the rider. One of the nice things about steel handlebars is that they are cheap! You can invest 25 bucks, and if you don't like them, they can go in the corner of the garage and be changed for another 25 bucks, or shortened with a hacksaw, or even bent for a different position. Contrast that with aftermarket clip-ons that can run 150 to 300 or so. Not so easy to jettison.
 
SeekingZero

SeekingZero

Exiled
So on another note, I am working to true the wheels and am having a bit of difficulty. I can't get them anywhere close to trued...I have some spokes that are where they should be and some that are still too loose even when I am near the end of the threads.

Advice? Opinions? Experienced people in the area who can show a wheel building noob how its done?

I have been following this.
 
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