I am Carbon
shade tree mechanic
I like the tank very much Paul.
Looking perdy good so far Man!
Looking perdy good so far Man!
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UK Cafe Racer Build Thread
- Thread starter Paulrxs650
- Start date
-
- Tags
- cafe
Paulrxs650
XS650 Enthusiast
Hey Carbon, thank you, I am very pleased with it too 
Johnt3
Still learning...
Looking good Paul! As always your work is just too damn clean man! Not near enough hackin' going on there.
Not near enough hackin' going on there.
Paulrxs650
XS650 Enthusiast
Ha ha, thanks John. Yes, i'm a bit of a perfectionist
Johnt3
Still learning...
Ha Ha, nothing wrong with that man.
Sub xs650
XS650 Addict
Y don't u have yr own bike shop allwas nice job
Paulrxs650
XS650 Enthusiast
Hey Sub, thank you for that!
I would love to! Maybe one day, if I got enough interest / demand, I would love to set up a shop and do this full time
I would love to! Maybe one day, if I got enough interest / demand, I would love to set up a shop and do this full time
Johnt3
Still learning...
Careful,When ya do something you love for a living it wind's up being work.
Paulrxs650
XS650 Enthusiast
Ha Ha but it would be work Id love doing
Looking forward to getting some shed time this weekend. Got the front wheel spacers to machine and discs to fit along with battery boxes, rear master cylinders etc etc
Looking forward to getting some shed time this weekend. Got the front wheel spacers to machine and discs to fit along with battery boxes, rear master cylinders etc etc
its looking very promising 
What sprockets are you planning on using ?
Love the gold finish on the shocks ...a gold 520 chain would look gorgeous on there and perhaps a couple of gold rings or something carried through on the forksin fact a subtle gold theme would look fantastic full stop .
I have to say I'm not a fan of GRP seats on cafe's I prefer curves and softer lines of a leather cafe seat with a rounded BSA/Triumph style tank myself but thats the great thing about variety of taste and preference.
What sprockets are you planning on using ?
Love the gold finish on the shocks ...a gold 520 chain would look gorgeous on there and perhaps a couple of gold rings or something carried through on the forks
in fact a subtle gold theme would look fantastic full stop .I have to say I'm not a fan of GRP seats on cafe's I prefer curves and softer lines of a leather cafe seat with a rounded BSA/Triumph style tank myself but thats the great thing about variety of taste and preference.
Paulrxs650
XS650 Enthusiast
Hi Peanut,
Ill be using the standard 34 tooth sprocket, however I do have a 33 tooth in the shed in case
Yes, I have a light gold chain to go on too Still planning on going with red frame and silver tail and tank, probably a carbon front mudguard with the gold theme still in the fronts forks and probably in the "Robson" logo in the norton fault, as per the last build.
I did consider the all leather tail, however, as you say, tastes vary and I liked the look of the "wasp" tail. Its also a little bit more for me to polish
Ill be using the standard 34 tooth sprocket, however I do have a 33 tooth in the shed in case
Yes, I have a light gold chain to go on too
Still planning on going with red frame and silver tail and tank, probably a carbon front mudguard with the gold theme still in the fronts forks and probably in the "Robson" logo in the norton fault, as per the last build.I did consider the all leather tail, however, as you say, tastes vary and I liked the look of the "wasp" tail. Its also a little bit more for me to polish
Paulrxs650
XS650 Enthusiast
So the aim of the game today was to get the front wheel discs mounted, spacings sorted out and the spacers machined to suit.
I started with getting the rim central between the forks and marking it off. Once that was done I could put the discs on the axle, loosely and mount the brake calipers to ascertain what size spacer I would need. In the interim, I have just used washers, so that if any fine tuning is required, I am not machining another spacer for the discs.
Once I was happy with the alignment and the disc spacing, I started on the axle spacers. I decided to machine them out of aluminium, and use a steel shim to against the bearing inner race.
All in all, quite pleased with the outcome. The axle is solid and there is no play, which is always a good sign I will machine some spacers for the discs, when I get some large diameter aluminium.
Tomorrow - rear brake master cylinder, throttle and whatever else I think up
I started with getting the rim central between the forks and marking it off. Once that was done I could put the discs on the axle, loosely and mount the brake calipers to ascertain what size spacer I would need. In the interim, I have just used washers, so that if any fine tuning is required, I am not machining another spacer for the discs.
Once I was happy with the alignment and the disc spacing, I started on the axle spacers. I decided to machine them out of aluminium, and use a steel shim to against the bearing inner race.
All in all, quite pleased with the outcome. The axle is solid and there is no play, which is always a good sign
I will machine some spacers for the discs, when I get some large diameter aluminium.Tomorrow - rear brake master cylinder, throttle and whatever else I think up
Johnt3
Still learning...
Mighty fine work there my friend! Don't want to sound like an idiot, but what are the forward uprights on the lowers for?
Paulrxs650
XS650 Enthusiast
Thanks John. The uprights to the front and the lug above the caliper on the rear are to take the front mudguard (or for you guys fender )
)
Airwolfie
XS650 Guru
Getting there Paul!! So I'm guessing those discs work ok then?
And no issues with your calipers hitting the spokes??
And no issues with your calipers hitting the spokes??
Johnt3
Still learning...
Yep, should of known that one!
Got any idea's on what front fender you'll be running?
Got any idea's on what front fender you'll be running?
Paulrxs650
XS650 Enthusiast
Hi Airwolfie, the discs work fine. Perfect diameter, however the offset is a little shallow hence the spacers but I'm very happy with them. The calipers are tight but do clear, around 1mm either side. I will probably machine 2mm off the back of each one just to add some clearance.
Hi John, yes it'll be a carbon fibre effort for the original R1 however I'll need I make sure the tyre size and profile looks the part
Hi John, yes it'll be a carbon fibre effort for the original R1 however I'll need I make sure the tyre size and profile looks the part
Paulrxs650
XS650 Enthusiast
Thanks Peanut, yes it's One of my better purchases!
Appreciate the comment, thanks
Appreciate the comment, thanks
Airwolfie
XS650 Guru
Very odd. Mine actually touch the spokes, almost to the point where they probably protrude INTO the spokes, not by a lot, but I can't turn the wheel when the caliper is on.
I did notice the zero offset on those discs, I'm just wondering if they not too far off the hub to be safe? I'm guessing longer bolts are in order then!!!!
