1978 Honda CX500 Cafe Racer

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

PopGun

Puppy
Joined
Aug 3, 2015
Messages
27
Reaction score
0
Bike
Zero (all models)
About 2yrs to the day I took on this project. I am not an engineer, and hardly knew a thing about an on road bike.
Initial timeline I set was 1yr, but getting engaged and paying for a wedding put the project a 1yr longer.

I saw it as a challenge and accepted it would be difficult. Luckily I had help, a member on here built a CB600 (Noobie). Without the help I would have battled. Big shout out to Dane!

The reason I am posting this is to share info on the fun, but also the difficulties when doing something like a cafe racer. It is not easy,  can be done cheaper than a bike shop, and depending on the items you want can also become pricey..... so budget (#tip) and just know you wont stay to the budget. Also accept some things wont work. BUT be creative and DO a lot of research.

Would I do it again? As much fun as I had, probably not.... It is a lot easier to take a Harley and bolt after market goodies on

It started with a picture that was the vision

This is the picture that started my journey...

<a href="https://imgbb.com/"><img src="https://image.ibb.co/e4g97Q/11296672_678331725633283_960523453_n.jpg" alt="11296672 678331725633283 960523453 n" border="0" /></a>

This is what I started with, luckily I got hold of a working CX500,
Be very careful on what bike you want to cafe racer, I was initially looking at a CB, but a CX was on sale. So a twin it was, "that picture" resulted in buy it! Cash drawn, bike bought.

#tip, have a car with a towbar! You will need to cart the bike around for certain issues, seat, welding, tank fitting exc.... a trailer might be needed. This was a challenge for me sometimes.

<a href="https://ibb.co/hFcGnQ"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/k4NSu5/IMG_20150905_WA0000.jpg" alt="IMG 20150905 WA0000" border="0" /></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/ee9wnQ"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/evarMk/20150831_150139_1.jpg" alt="20150831 150139 1" border="0" /></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/dNpe7Q"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/cxw3Z5/20150905_110256.jpg" alt="20150905 110256" border="0" /></a>

The strip down started

<a href="https://ibb.co/dqwgMk"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/i6HAE5/20150919_153656.jpg" alt="20150919 153656" border="0" /></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/iftNSQ"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/eKGLE5/20150919_153801.jpg" alt="20150919 153801" border="0" /></a>

This wheel wont work, I found out the "picture" had a smaller wheel, off to bike hospital....

<a href="https://ibb.co/f8uOZ5"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/dTbsSQ/20150920_092107.jpg" alt="20150920 092107" border="0" /></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/cX2XSQ"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/iw7z7Q/20150920_110956.jpg" alt="20150920 110956" border="0" /></a>

#tip go to bike hospital, make friends with one of the workers (Javis) that knows their way around that yard. Also dont assume you will find the part, sometimes you get lucky sometimes you dont.

I got lucky on the tank and wheels,

#tip - be careful when changing wheels, even though the size is the same, and one would think a GL500 is the same as a CX500, it might have a different width. I went back and found 1 wheel that would fit, you will notice the black wheel change to gold after the run around.

Result = GOLD, literally, best thing I ever dug for in my life
Black wheel, assume it fits but didn't. I changed the tank, shocks, wheels and rear fender here
#tip, measure everything, width is nb as well

<a href="https://ibb.co/d5JQE5"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/iNfu7Q/20150924_112105.jpg" alt="20150924 112105" border="0" /></a>

Original wheel on front

<a href="https://ibb.co/ezPnSQ"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/fXzMnQ/20150924_123244.jpg" alt="20150924 123244" border="0" /></a>

The GOLD

<a href="https://ibb.co/gooQE5"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/e7Vu7Q/20151003_112440.jpg" alt="20151003 112440" border="0" /></a>

The shocks were in ok condition

<a href="https://ibb.co/haiE7Q"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/fuQi1k/20150927_120811.jpg" alt="20150927 120811" border="0" /></a>

#tip, there is a better home made tool to put shocks together and take them down in a later picture

<a href="https://ibb.co/c3BZ7Q"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/kdRO1k/20150925_175444.jpg" alt="20150925 175444" border="0" /></a>

#tip, tried to clean the shocks, but ended up chroming them. This is expensive. If you want to clean stuff use clean green or think pink, also use autosol... magic stuff
be careful trying to remove rust with vinegar, it can sometimes remove the chroming/electroplating

<a href="https://ibb.co/iwfmnQ"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/deJHu5/20170728_160141.jpg" alt="20170728 160141" border="0" /></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/hbGsSQ"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/bCBRnQ/20170728_160201.jpg" alt="20170728 160201" border="0" /></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/nEOvgk"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/mhnMMk/20170803_134944.jpg" alt="20170803 134944" border="0" /></a>

Let the chop begin

<a href="https://ibb.co/eFHVgk"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/dqQu7Q/20151003_124017_0.jpg" alt="20151003 124017 0" border="0" /></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/fNeyZ5"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/iBPAgk/20151003_124421.jpg" alt="20151003 124421" border="0" /></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/cztmMk"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/kpYWnQ/20151003_124431.jpg" alt="20151003 124431" border="0" /></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/bQcD1k"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/hphfgk/20151003_180329.jpg" alt="20151003 180329" border="0" /></a>

Neaten it up

<a href="https://ibb.co/ikFBnQ"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/ds3aE5/20151017_141409.jpg" alt="20151017 141409" border="0" /></a>

Add a rear mud guard

<a href="https://ibb.co/b6iQE5"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/iYFGMk/20151017_160203.jpg" alt="20151017 160203" border="0" /></a>


Tank spacers made

<a href="https://ibb.co/mgxJZ5"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/nDYsu5/20151030_150646.jpg" alt="20151030 150646" border="0" /></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/fFUXu5"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/cRjMnQ/20151030_160238.jpg" alt="20151030 160238" border="0" /></a>

#tip, find an engineering shop to help you make spacers ect. I used the machine man in Kya Sands, Gary thanks for the help

I had to remove black paint off the engine, what a process!

<a href="https://ibb.co/dmZMnQ"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/iBenSQ/20151101_074947.jpg" alt="20151101 074947" border="0" /></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/fXA0gk"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/esrTZ5/20151104_190820.jpg" alt="20151104 190820" border="0" /></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/izo8Z5"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/j8FoZ5/20161023_094556.jpg" alt="20161023 094556" border="0" /></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/kv1qgk"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/drdsu5/20170204_134248.jpg" alt="20170204 134248" border="0" /></a>

#tip, if you can bead blast, do it, else tackle the paint with acetone, be careful around gaskets and seals. Using a golf tee and old cr card help me a lot, stay away from scraping with metal items. Also a toothbrush works well + patience

Then this arrived, the most expensive single item on the bike. A lithium battery.
Would I spend R5k on a battery again, yes if your intention is to hide it, else sticking to a normal one will be fine. Note the 5k includes the charger, they are worth saving the extra money, you have a lot of options where to put this small thing

<a href="https://ibb.co/nQyWnQ"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/byFoZ5/20151116_110332.jpg" alt="20151116 110332" border="0" /></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/dT1vE5"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/gJm6Mk/20151116_110836.jpg" alt="20151116 110836" border="0" /></a>

Some other items bought

<a href="https://ibb.co/k7ignQ"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/nn1Cu5/20151212_123455.jpg" alt="20151212 123455" border="0" /></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/gtO8Z5"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/i4YWnQ/20151209_085352.jpg" alt="20151209 085352" border="0" /></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/fa9Agk"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/dvrdZ5/20151212_183916.jpg" alt="20151212 183916" border="0" /></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/h49RMk"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/hpiWnQ/20160324_170528.jpg" alt="20160324 170528" border="0" /></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/f8GCu5"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/gY9nSQ/20160407_094411.jpg" alt="20160407 094411" border="0" /></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/n9kxu5"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/hFXMMk/20170726_191356.jpg" alt="20170726 191356" border="0" /></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/iQGdZ5"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/ingqgk/20160410_132623.jpg" alt="20160410 132623" border="0" /></a>

#tip, Some things you want to get the pros to do, I would recommend the tank painting and seat making to be outsourced.
To go through 2 carving knives and not get what you want isn't worth the money, time and frustration. My seat was done twice, the final picture shows where I left it

<a href="https://ibb.co/iBjMnQ"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/kr3su5/20160108_151405.jpg" alt="20160108 151405" border="0" /></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/idQ0gk"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/jwacSQ/20160122_201919.jpg" alt="20160122 201919" border="0" /></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/hhA0gk"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/eOHfgk/20160123_133818.jpg" alt="20160123 133818" border="0" /></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/cZS5gk"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/k2zwnQ/20170808_133238.jpg" alt="20170808 133238" border="0" /></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/gcPwnQ"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/h2GWMk/20170808_180431.jpg" alt="20170808 180431" border="0" /></a>

#tip, What I did was build the bike, mock it up before sending the frame and wheels in for powder coating, this included getting the elecs in order to
I rode the bike for like 100kms before taking it down for paint #tip.

<a href="https://ibb.co/bW5i1k"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/k83E7Q/20170601_110234.jpg" alt="20170601 110234" border="0" /></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/neQBnQ"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/eLbHSQ/20170625_130645.jpg" alt="20170625 130645" border="0" /></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/i9hAE5"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/dsMgMk/20170719_135156.jpg" alt="20170719 135156" border="0" /></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/no2JZ5"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/k8jnSQ/20160326_122956.jpg" alt="20160326 122956" border="0" /></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/g5yWnQ"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/cUvY1k/20160324_180019.jpg" alt="20160324 180019" border="0" /></a>



This is where I am today, the tank should be back this week, I am done except for final touch ups and a few items coming from Japan
Rebuild

<a href="https://ibb.co/c9HrnQ"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/hRdLgk/20170625_143625.jpg" alt="20170625 143625" border="0" /></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/fR72u5"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/hziaE5/20170705_190615.jpg" alt="20170705 190615" border="0" /></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/mtHfgk"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/fiuRMk/20170705_190859.jpg" alt="20170705 190859" border="0" /></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/cM5BnQ"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/kwL0gk/20170708_141936.jpg" alt="20170708 141936" border="0" /></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/nJTmMk"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/mmsD1k/20170708_150921.jpg" alt="20170708 150921" border="0" /></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/bSECSQ"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/bwNMMk/20170711_192135.jpg" alt="20170711 192135" border="0" /></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/dhAagk"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/kAgRnQ/20170712_111658.jpg" alt="20170712 111658" border="0" /></a>


<a href="https://ibb.co/kVk81k"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/duVK7Q/20170712_175412.jpg" alt="20170712 175412" border="0" /></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/cAvrMk"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/ihhGnQ/20170820_113614.jpg" alt="20170820 113614" border="0" /></a>

<a href="https://ibb.co/jbFQgk"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/kmh5gk/20170804_164452.jpg" alt="20170804 164452" border="0" /></a>


I am still having to make a number plate holder, and find some mirrors to fit.
As soon as I get the tank and mud guards back I'll post the final product.

To sum it up though, would I sell it, NO! The amount of research I did wont ever put a price on it, even though it was a "copy" I made some great changes to better the 1st vision picture.
It has been a fun expieriance, I also learnt a ton about elecs, engines and how bikes work along the way.
Items I would still change:
- Levers (still looking for a decent priced pair)
- The seat slightly (needs a little more bulge on the rear)
- Add a dummy light from moto gadget (expensive, might still add it)



 
Top