cafe conversion

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Sep 22, 2011 | 07:15 PM

#11

moslopoke

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: Aug 2010

Posts: 102

Likes: 0

From: St. Louis, MO

most of the squirrels around here are straight line show offs, they do wheel stands at 70 mph and stopies. their girlfriends stand on the seat with one leg out behind them leaning on the rider's shoulders. Get them on a twistie and my Ultra can almost out ride them.

I know full well if I want to get serious about it I'd need to hit the road racing prep boards *smile*

It will be enough to scape the pegs *smile* [ which will be mid set until I figure out how far back I can live with rear sets. bad hip ]

Sep 22, 2011 | 07:16 PM

#12

Howler_LI

Road Captain

Joined: Aug 2011

Posts: 693

Likes: 67

From: LI, NY

Since you don't have a deadline, why not look for one with mid controls and stock riser at a lower price? Less stuff to buy. Since it's for resale that's important. You don't want to put so much into it that it's not saleable.

Cool project, good luck.

Sep 22, 2011 | 07:34 PM

#13

bmxatv

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Jul 2008

Posts: 4,428

Likes: 21

From: Up your block and down your alley

Quote:

Originally Posted by moslopoke

I am coming over from the touring group, I still have my ultra but I am here because I have an idea in my mind and am going to pursue it this winter.

I want to build a cafe racer out of a sportster. I know that a sporty has to have as much of the right stuff as any Brit bike or Honda.

I have a '98 1200C I am going to get for the base bike. Has 20k miles on it and is tired but not in bad shape I guess. It has forward controls and mini apes with risers and SE slip ons.

First things first I am going to take off a number of parts and try and source used originals to replace. big things on my list are mid controls, and stock handle bar mounts. I am going with Clubman bars and they don't need large risers.

I want to get the engine back to stock and then I can work on the tins and seat. It should be simple and look simple. I am pretty sure it will handle well to boot.

I need some advice and help as I travel along the way. I am going to spend $3k on the bike to start with because I have not found one cheaper.

Does anyone see a problem with using a '98? Should I hold off and look for something better??? My budget is limited so I can't start with a $6-7k bike, if I do that might as well go with an XR1200...

So, please, share some comments and wisdom you might be able to pass on to help me make this work.

thanks in advance and I will post pictures as this goes along.

just some inspiration my brutha......however, spend as least as possible. basically....get a good motor and build around it!
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/sport...re-thread.html

Quote:

Originally Posted by streetfighter06

Gotta tell ya, I went for a 60 mile round trip ride last weekend and I was about ready to cry like a baby. Thinking about some mini Z's or something. Looks cool, but SUCKS to ride for more than 30 mins....

hahahahahahahahahaha.......

:icon_cra ckup:

Last edited by bmxatv; Sep 22, 2011 at 07:38 PM.

Sep 22, 2011 | 10:46 PM

#14

RaceFace

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Jul 2010

Posts: 2,187

Likes: 11

From: Ladera Ranch, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by mreed

It's got to be an optical illusion, but I don't see the effectiveness of that exhaust setup! LOL!!

Sep 23, 2011 | 01:14 AM

#15

Hands0fDeath

Advanced

Joined: Dec 2010

Posts: 92

Likes: 0

From: Pocahontas, AR

There's a hole on the bottom of the pipe. Not clearly visible but brilliant IMO. Mreed you are quite an inspiration.

Sep 23, 2011 | 07:59 AM

#16

moslopoke

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: Aug 2010

Posts: 102

Likes: 0

From: St. Louis, MO

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmxatv

just some inspiration my brutha......however, spend as least as possible. basically....get a good motor and build around it!
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/sport...re-thread.html

That is my plan. I am doing this to keep me moving and doing. Old age is taking away some things I used to enjoy doing. Cars are not something I can work on anymore, thankfully bike lifts fit in my garage and make working on bikes ez.

There are not a lot of cheap base bikes out there. My 2 picks are the '98 and the '03. since someone mentioned that the '03 might be costly to rebuild I am wondering about it. Just because the '98 only has 20k showing on the odo does not mean you would not have to go through the motor. I guess I'll go look at the '03 tomorrow and see what it has going for itself.

If I wanted to do this to a metric there are a lot of them out there, but I'd rather do to a sporty. I almost bought an XLCR in the '70s.

Everyone is being helpful, wish we lived closer, we could have those night time wrench/beer/bs sessions I used to enjoy a few years back..

A lot of nice folks here.
Thanks again for all the replies and helpful links/hints/opinions

Sep 23, 2011 | 09:39 AM

#17

harleyxlc

Road Master

Joined: Dec 2005

Posts: 1,074

Likes: 6

Although I would guess harder to find and a higher price, but any thoughts of starting with a sport model? There were some locals that turned sports into cafes and I loved them.