Starting Honda cafe bike build today

The XLCR 1000 def did have some cool factor in its day, Any I ever see now in decent shape are going for big money.

 

and I could kick myself for not buying one ten years ago for $6500.

 

If you dudes are just not talkin shit and really are looking. Call Barry at Eastside HD in Bellevue, WA.

Don't even ask if his 1955 K is for sale. It ain't.

 

I could kick my own arse for not buying a 1990 RC30 ten years ago for $10,000
Not that I had a pot to piss in then and it woulda been a bitch tawking my parental units into loaning me moo-lah for a museum piece ; )

 

That seat looks like it'd kill yer nuts. lol

 

Big news!
My CB750 engine is back tomorrow morning, so photos are on the way!

It has been sitting at the truck terminal for two days. No one called me.
I was starting to wonder where it was and called about it.

The poor truck drivers have to drive the freight and then unload it all too.
Then they have to reload for the next trip. Talk about multi tasking!
So lets see - drive the truck . Work the fork lift. Do paper work and probably check the truck oil and fluids and tires. No wonder they fall asleep.

 

Good news Don. Besides, it's getting cold there now? no more pesky riding to get in the way of your project any more :-D

 

Don here's one for ya. It's only a 550 smaller version of yours. Check out the mono shock. http://www.sohc4.net/

 

Somebody has to tell these builders to stop painting those calipers or they are going to piss norkleboy off some more.


That is one nice ride!! Stockers suck!

 

Well today is the big day!
For those just coming into the story , I had my Honda CbB750 rebuilt by CycleExchange in Wisconsin. They rebuild and modify these engines.
It was a real treat to not have to do it myself for the first time in my life.
I did spend two weeks cleaning it and test running it before I sent it out for rebuilding.
A friend of mine said she would take me in her truck to go get my engine at the Yellow freight terminal. I paid her and bought her a big breakfast too.
That is because my Ford van died.

Yesterday I almost got sick because I had no truck and walked about 4 miles in cold weather to go into town to deposit some money and send a package.
I feel like I will not be really sick but, I will have to rest today to make sure I do not get sick. I had planned on putting the engine into the frame.

Here is the photo of the box having arrived at my house.

Unloaded using the ramp method. No one got hurt.


Box lid off!!

I built this special box for the trip from California to Wisconsin and back.
I realize this is not VFR stuff but it is my first cafe racer build.

Top view left side.
Cycle X (exchange) engine rebuild.
This next photo is a close up detail photo of the paint that CycleX (Exchange) used on the engine cases. Bling bling!

It is a very silvery sparkeley silver sparkle. Nice
This final photo showing the rear view.

 

That is cleeeeaan!

 

No matter what it cost, it looks like it was well worth it. Beautiful. Besides my VFR I've built a Honda 400-4 Cafe bike and worked on a 350 and a 500 and a 550 and a bunch of 750s for others. So, I'm very interested in how yours turns out.

 

That engine almost belongs on a pedestal with lights on it 24/7

Now let's hope she runs as good as it looks!

 

An engine refresh and rebuild like this is what I would like on my 87.

 

Wow, just fantastic.

 

I wanted to go all the way on the engine but I do not have the dough.
That would be $3400 and up.
It was already an 836 but it needed new cylinders. Upgrade on the cam.
New valves and guides. I have to check on all the other details.

 

Well I did get sick from walking 4 miles in this cold weather.
So I have been staying inside and taking care of myself.

BUT.... I did get down to the garage today and had just enough energy to get the engine in the frame. Cycle Exchange engine rebuild.






Thats it for today. It is still very cold. I am going to rest now.
But at least I did get out and do something toward finishing this project.
I am enjoying it also.

 

Don it looks great. Like your color choices. Now go eat some chicken soup and get better.

 

Some chicken and blues should do the trick.
Slow Blues - YouTube

Or

The great Julian Vaughn.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuyNHr9X-7o

 

Here's a build that the fellow I bought my VF1000R from did...
I couldn't take my eyes off it when buying the VF.
Lots of trials and tribulations in process, Don, let me know if you want me to hook you up with his email address! He's a great dude (typical of all us Canucks, lol).