Cleaning up the Cafe

[beergood]

Here is a pic of the dash as of last year. There will be some small modifications coming this week.



As you can see, no key. The toggle switch controls high beam/low beam headlight. There is a neutral and oil light. The kill switch on the right hand controls still kills the motor, but the starter button works the horn. Other than that, there isn't anything else. I have a total of three wires going into my headlight bucket, which I think is awesome.

The bike's wiring was in a sad state when I got it, and after struggling with it for a few seasons, I yanked it all out and started from scratch a couple years ago. There is a thread about it here somewhere. Anyway, it has been much more reliable since I greatly simplified it.

Since it is garage kept whenever I am at home, and I live in a pretty safe neighborhood I don't worry about it getting stolen from here. And I rarely leave it parked unattended in a bad area. Also, it doesn't just "start up", there is a trick to it. I figure if someone thinks about stealing it, there are going to be staring at it for quite a while before deciding to move on and steal the bike next to it. Also, I don't worry about someone pushing it up a ramp to get it. There are way more bikes out there worth way more money to merit stealing this.

[Starboard M]

After messing with the wiring on my 750, I am really wanting to strip it all out similar to what you have done. But living in a apartment complex with no garage stops me.

I really like the look, and simplicity of your bike. Clean and simple, just like a cafe should be.

[beergood]

Did a little more paint work and assembly:









It was overcast, and I was trying to get some shots in before the rain. Not the best conditions for photos.

[beergood]

[pete]

Love it, lookin' great!

[linuxrick]

Very nice looking bike!

[Strycker]

Looks great! Can I ask you where you got you clubman bars from? Look very nice. Also noticed your front brake looks different than most.

[beergood]

I am pleased to report that last night I applied gasoline to the inside of my tank for the first time in about a year, and it kick started right up. I was worried it would take a while, and was quite surprised when it stated on the first real kick (I did do some priming kicks, which are necessary when running without a battery).

I ordered the bars online years ago. I don't remember where I got them from, but I know they cost about $20.

As for my brakes, they are stock, I just stripped and polished them.

[sachsaca]

Very nice sir, very nice indeed

[ddaniels]

I can't see why you'd spend $40 for paint when you can achieve that nice of a job otherwise. Well done. But, I have to say I'm not really fond of the cliche checkered flag design. But that's just me.

[whiterabbitt]

great looking bike! how is the seat mounted?

[skubasteve!]

Love the bike, looks great IMO. I would like to know how you applied the license plate to the spring? Did you just fab up a mount or what?

[beergood]

The seat is mounted to a pan I made out of sheet steal. There are build photos in another old thread of mine, if you feel like looking.

The license plate is also mounted to a homemade bracket, but I need to make another one, as I was politely informed by the police that the license plate needs to be horizontal.

[cal_look_zero]

Can you enlighten me as to what capacitors are required and how they're wired? I'd love to eliminate the battery eventually, but was told the stator wouldn't operate without a battery.

[MadCapsule]

That's a nice bike! I love cafe racers.

How did you french the taillight?