Hey everyone,
I have been looking at some Cafe Racers lately, and am really digging some of the different looks. I kinda gave me the itch for one. Have been thinking of turning my 86 vf500f into a (type) of Racer. Not something TOO permanent, because I want to be able to turn it back if I ever get tired of it.
Whats your opinion?
Sorry but this is the only pic I have of it on my work computer.
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Geez, I don't know if that is your first born or not, but on the off chance you are dealing with your first child, for God's sake be aware that they can move way faster than you think. I would hate to think what a tumble off the bike would mean...
Sorry, just hit me wrong
Heh, I notice the adult's hands on the bottom and left arm of the kid.
Fret not, 2th! It's being held! Looks like someone is ducked back behind the bike "behind the scenes".
VFR's have some potential for cafe bikes, I'd be curious to see what comes of this.
Ahh! fooled me!
LOL I appreciate your concern. I would NEVER do anything to put my daughters life in danger. I am actually holding onto her leg and her arm.
I am not very experienced with working on bikes, but I have seen a few cool ideas for it.
On a side note, I need a new rear tire for it. Anyone ever heard of Shinko? I found a pretty good deal on one but I have never heard of it so wasn't sure.
RE: Shinko- :offtopic:
The opinions are pretty varied, and pardon me just regurgitating what I've heard but it's been everything from people loving their stuff to people swearing that a witch created them to kill all humanity.
Seems the people who are commuters and budget conscious are pretty big fans of the Shinko stuff. Haven't really seen any gripes from that group about failures or anything, and many seem fairly pleased. Those that push tires hard have a tendency to be a little harsher in their view of the tire as essentially they are an older design and they feel they get better performance from a name-brand.
Personally, I have been a pretty big fan of Michelin since I first rode them on my new 2006 Hornet. Loved how they felt and lasted 10k miles without issue. I haven't felt the need to try another brand.
There are more tire and oil threads out there... believe me. :goofy:
:offtopic:
That's what I have been thinking. I have been looking at Michelin, but I think I would fall into more of that commuter/budget conscious range. Mainly I just want to make sure it won't blow up on me randomly while riding down the road.
Do you have any experience with photoshop? Cafe style (IMO) either looks great or .... so it may help to pictorially combine your ideas.
If I had a commuter bike that I was just riding to work and back, I would probably use Shinkos if they were cheap enough without a worry. The PO of my 98 put shinkos on, and I didn't like them at through the turns.
I'm having trouble thinking of the lines for a Cafe racer for the 500. Headlight and lower bars on the front aren't difficult, but the tail looks like it would be hard to make work.
ContiMotions are also dirt cheap. Don't know if they are in the right size for you...
mk2davis- I am not really sure what LMO means, but I can use photoshop a little bit.
YoshiHNS and 2thdr, either going to do two shinko's or because the front is in good condition just put a michelin on the rear. I just wasn't sure about mixing brands and treads. What do you think?
Edited March 28, 2013 by VF500FInterceptorSorry, I don't know enough about it to advise. Of course tire manufacturers advise against it. I normally run two different tires, but same manufacturer: PilotPower front and Pilot Road 2 rear.
I would be running a continental in the front and michelin in the back.
Also can someone explain to me the difference between a bias and radial tire?
Edited March 28, 2013 by VF500FInterceptorAlso back on subject. I was going to first remove all of the fairing, but I can't decide how I would hide all of the wiring a little bit more. I can either try to re-route it, or get a mini fairing to cover everything.
Thoughts?
Contimotions are no more expensive than the Shinko's and get WAY better overall reviews... YMMV.
As for cafe style bikes... LOVE THEM ALL!
Standard Cafe` fair is a flyscreen/potato chip fairing, clipons, solo seat. Minimalist components, rather than a frame densely packed with electro-mechanical stuff. Likely easier to go 'hooligan' with the water cooled multi-cylinder, linked brakes(?), lights moulded into fairings, etc. They didn't hide all that stuff behind plastic because it was good looking.
I'm hoping to come in under 325#'s for the one I'm building. 500cc air cooled 2 stroke. Race frame. Wire spoked wheels. 4 LS front brake. 1/4 turn throttle. Late 600cc Ninja fork. Good fortune, R3~
[image: post-13109-0-79300600-1364507081.jpg]...
...Nuff said
goes with..The Edge
some bikes lend themselve to a cafe look better than others. I just dont think that VF500s do. Dont get me wrog, I have nothing against those bikes (I just bought one), but to get it remotely cafe-ish, it would have to include some drastist, non returnable modifications. Please keep trying though, make it the way you want it!!!
believe it or not.....this WAS a VF500F
[image: vf-left.jpg]
I don't exactly know if I want to do it yet, I am working up the courage! :unsure: Ideally I would like to get something different like a cx500 or something and work on that, but alas I just don't have the money for that right now. Maybe someday.
until then, I kinda like what they did with this bike. I think I will start by pulling the plastics on my bike, and flipping the handle bars to see if I even like the idea.
[image: post-25987-0-12703600-1364560125.jpg]
Edited March 29, 2013 by VF500FInterceptortimmythecopsome bikes lend themselve to a cafe look better than others. I just dont think that VF500s do. Dont get me wrog, I have nothing against those bikes (I just bought one), but to get it remotely cafe-ish, it would have to include some drastist, non returnable modifications. Please keep trying though, make it the way you want it!!!
believe it or not.....this WAS a VF500F
[image: vf-left.jpg]
I love the Comstar bolt together wheels on this bike!
bayarearider[image: attachicon.gif]Cafe.jpg...
...Nuff said
goes with..The Edge
That (bike) is a beauty. Front wheel looks a little wierd, though.
I like the CX500
[image: discovery-hd-theater-cafe-racer-tv-vinta]
So over the weekend I starting looking into new things to do to the bike. Started pulling off plastics, and working on some new ideas. I am kinda seeing a little more street fighter coming out! :goofy: This caused me to start looking into some different fighters, and I have gotten a few ideas from it. I think the original purpose of this feed just got switched! I will post pics hopefully soonish.
Side note.... What are your thoughts on Fighters?
SwitchbladeI like the CX500
Oops... Did you say so in my build thread?? :goofy:
@VF500FInterceptor: Just get your bike naked, remove all the non essential parts then see how. It would give you some idea, IMHO.
VietHorseSwitchbladeI like the CX500
Oops... Did you say so in my build thread?? :goofy:
@VF500FInterceptor: Just get your bike naked, remove all the non essential parts then see how. It would give you some idea, IMHO.
Yeap
now yer talking!..and remember, non reflective black is your friend.
Ok I need suggestions on how to minimize wires that are around the headlight currently. I am also thinking taking off the current console and putting on a small speedo and probably a temp gage as well. Any thoughts?
Well, the frame is hollow tube rectangular steel... :goofy:
not sure about where you are routing the wires to and from but some color correct zip ties may hide it well enough on the "back" side of the frame and a length of black hose would be preferable to me to that corrugated electrical conduit...
I am not sure the frame thing will work very well. I think this project is going to be a mess no matter how I look at it. :unsure:
Ok, so I don't know if anyone is still following this, it's been a while since I have had a chance to do much. Here are a few pics of how my bike currently sits. It'as hard to do a lot on it as I have to have it ready to drive to work every day.
Now I need to pull the carbs, the thing is running horribly.
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that looks great Good Job!
Almost looks like a VFR "Monster". I like it!
Thanks! It's been fun to work on here and there. Ant thoughts on what might add to the look? I was thinking take off the slip on and putting on exhaust tips.
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So far so good!