Mi first Cafe Racer build made in Switzerland

[Alessandro]

Hello everybody
I was reading queit a lot and I tried to get some inspiration for my first Cafe Racer Build.

I live in Switzerland (there work the clocks different as in some other places), my name is Alessandro and I was interessed in some building threads about Cafe Racers.

I ride motorbikes since 33 years and I restaured two oldtimers (Kawasaki Z1 900 and Royal Enfield Bullet 500).

Last year in September I bouth a Yamaha XS 650 SE.
This Motorbike was the basic for my first cafe racer build.
(I hope everybody can read and understand what I'm writing, because I had no english in scool)

OK here ist my bike before building:

The Engine was alredy polished and coated with chrome.
This was the day, which I had to show the bike by the Motorcycle expert examination.
(This is a axamination of experts about the safety and condition of yor own bike. A tipical Suisse thing).

 

[Paulrxs650]

Hi Alessandro, welcome to the forum, your English is fine
I am doing a Cafe Racer build my self this winter! There is a lot of information on here and some very helpful people too! Check out the Tech section and some of the build threads

Paul

 

[Paulrxs650]

Here's my thread http://www.xs650.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31160

 

[I am Carbon]

Welcome to the site Alessandro.
great bunch of guys here.
Your English is better than mine
here is a couple manuals for you
link German

link
good luck and have a good time.
pix of the bullet 500 would be cool

 

[sailariel]

Welcome, Alessandro. Your XS looks just like mine, except that my engine is black--not chrome like yours. I put Clubman handlebars and a bikini fairing on mine and bobbed the rear fender. The turn signals and tail light are LED, and the whole project is topped off with a fine custom paint job. This summer I plan to look for a Velorex sidecar for the bike.

I am new to this forum and have already found it exceptionally helpful.

 

[scabber]

Welcome. That is very nice bike you have to start with. It should make a great café .

 

[Alessandro]

Many thanks for your warm welcome.
I deed I've got any help and ideas for my build:

Here are the first steps:
Stripped most of the bike.
Specially parts I want to replace.

By the frame on tha back are this ugly "ears" which does'nt look fine for a cafe racer.
This part have to be cutted and grinded for a fine look and good attachment for turn signals.

 

[Alessandro]

So the back part of the frame ist done.
Here the results:

Because I have to build the Cafe Racer back to his original look for the next technical examination ( in 6 years, like I said, it's a Swiss thing ) I will not cut the rear frame totally away.
So even the support were the seat is attached, will return but only attached wit screws and bolts.

 

[Alessandro]

And the back frame finished and painted:

 

[Alessandro]

Some other work ist done.
I have done some support for the Cafe Racer seat.
And for the tank...

 

[Alessandro]

The support for the rear lithgt is done and also the support for the cafe seat.

 

[Alessandro]

Starting with the wheels.
Rims will be taken away and spokes will be made new.

 

[Alessandro]

Rims and hubs must have been brought for new chrome.
(is that right written?)

 

[weekendrider]

Alessandro your written communication is fine.
Your thread and progress of the project are a welcomed addition to the site.
A question, if I may. What is the narrow blue box on the left underside of your workbench? A welder with plug in leads?

 

[Alessandro]

Alessandro your written communication is fine.
Your thread and progress of the project are a welcomed addition to the site.
A question, if I may. What is the narrow blue box on the left underside of your workbench? A welder with plug in leads?

Hello Weekendrider

Thanks.

No this is not a welder.
It is just the other foot from my Workbensch.
It has a space to hide things und plugs for electricity power.
Here ist another picture, were you can see it better


I wish I could weld....

 

[Alessandro]

Starting with the Footrest.
First I designed a paperboard Sample. After I made a wooden one for to check the distance for the kicklever.
After I brought my design and sample to a factory who cut whit waterjet and the result was fantastic!
The levers I bouth on the oldtimer Market near Milano
http://www.parcoesposizioninovegro.it/le-fiere-a-z/mostra-scambio-di-auto-moto-e-ciclo-depoca.html

 

[timbeck]

Hey Alessandro---Very nice work, I'm sure it will be a great cafe---tim

 

[Alessandro]

Hey Alessandro---Very nice work, I'm sure it will be a great cafe---tim

Many thanks

 

[Alessandro]

The Engine side covers get also chrome coated:

On the last picture can all women see, how multitasking mens are...
My little daughter is also next to me helping me painting...

 

[Paulrxs650]

Like it, im thinking of chroming mine on the the new build